Fence Cost Calculator

What affects the price of a new fence

The single biggest factor in fence cost is material choice, but four other levers move the number by a meaningful amount.

Material. Chain link is the cheapest permanent fence. Wood is next. Vinyl and aluminum sit at the top of the residential range but need no maintenance. The ratio between the cheapest and most expensive option is roughly 4 to 1 for the same length and height.

Height. A 6-foot privacy fence costs 40% to 60% more per foot than a 4-foot version in the same material, because there is more picket, mesh or panel plus taller posts.

Length. Fixed setup costs (crew, tools, delivery) spread across more feet on a longer run. Fence pricing per foot drops slightly as the total length grows, but not by much — most of the cost is proportional to the run.

Gates. Every gate is a small custom carpentry or metalwork job. Walk gates add $150 to $450 each. Drive gates add $400 to $1,200. The calculator lets you add both.

Region and terrain. Labor is 30% to 55% of the total and swings with local rates. Sloped or rocky ground adds another 10% to 25% to the labor line.

New fence installed price by material

Installed cost per linear foot for a 6-foot residential fence with one walk gate, national average. The calculator adjusts these for height, length, gates and state.

Cost by common fence length

Total installed cost for a 6-foot residential fence with one walk gate. Ranges cover the four common material choices at each length.

What is included in these estimates

The base ranges cover a professional install of the chosen material on flat, accessible ground. Included:

• Fence material: pickets, panels, mesh or ornamental sections.
• Posts, rails, and hardware.
• Post-hole digging and concrete footings below frost line.
• Standard post spacing (8 ft for wood, vinyl, aluminum; 10 ft for chain link).
• Labor for layout, assembly, alignment and cleanup.
• One walk gate with basic latch and hinges.
• A 10% waste factor on materials.

Not included, add through the calculator:

• Tear-out and disposal of an existing fence. Add $3 to $8 per linear foot.
• Sloped or uneven ground requiring stepping or racking. Add $2 to $6 per linear foot.
• Additional walk or drive gates. Set the quantities in the calculator.
• Staining, sealing, painting, or coating upgrades.
• Removing rocks, tree roots, or hitting utility lines.
• Permit fees over the base allowance.

How to compare fence contractor quotes

Fence quotes vary widely because contractors bundle line items differently. Comparing a $4,800 quote to a $6,200 quote is only meaningful if the scope is the same. Ask every bidder to itemize the same things.

Post depth and concrete. How deep are the post holes and how much concrete per post? Standard is 24 to 36 inches deep, one 60-pound bag per post. A contractor who plans 18 inches deep with half a bag is cutting a corner that shows up in year 3 as leaning posts.

Post spacing. Standard is 8 feet on center for wood, vinyl and aluminum; 10 feet for chain link. Some cheap installs go to 10 feet on wood, which saves 20% on post cost and drops fence stiffness by 40%.

Materials specified by grade. "Cedar pickets" can mean rough-sawn knotty grade or clear select — a 3x price difference. "Vinyl fence" can mean 0.135-inch builder-grade or 0.175-inch residential. Get the grade in writing.

Tear-out included? Removing an existing fence adds $3 to $8 per linear foot. Some contractors quote low and add tear-out as an "unexpected" line item on the final invoice.

Cleanup and haul-off. Confirm that dumpster fees, spoil haul-off and site cleanup are in the quote, not extras.

Warranty and permit responsibility. Written warranty on materials and labor separately (materials typically limited-lifetime through the manufacturer, labor typically 1 to 3 years). Who pulls the permit — the contractor or you?

Deposit and payment schedule. Industry standard is 25% to 50% at signing, balance on completion. Any contractor asking for 100% up front is a red flag.

License and insurance. Ask for proof of general liability insurance ($1M minimum) and, in states that require it, a contractor license number. Verify online.

When it makes sense to DIY

Fence-building is one of the more DIY-friendly outdoor categories, but the physical work is real. Rules of thumb apply across materials:

• Under 100 feet, flat ground, standard height: worth trying for any material. Chain link is the easiest to learn on.
• 100 to 200 feet, mostly flat: borderline. Rent a two-person power auger to save the worst of the digging.
• Over 200 feet, sloped, or property-line-adjacent: hire a pro or confirm a survey first.
• Anything with a drive gate: hire a pro for the gate at least. Drive gates need heavier posts and precise alignment.

Savings from DIY vary by material — highest on wood (roughly 50% to 60%) and aluminum (55% to 65%), lowest on chain link (40% to 50%) because the material is already cheap. Call 811 before you dig.

Frequently asked questions