Fence Installation Cost
Estimate fence installation cost by length, material, and height — chain link, wood, vinyl, aluminum, or composite — with gates and old-fence removal included, plus every material priced side by side for your yard.
What will a new fence cost? Enter your fence length, pick a material and height, and add any gates. You'll get the installed cost — and see every material priced side by side for your yard, so you can compare chain link, wood, vinyl, and more.
Fence length
Total length of fencing you need, in linear feet. Measure (or pace off) the perimeter of the area you're enclosing; subtract any side covered by the house or an existing fence.
Fence material
The biggest cost driver. You'll see all materials compared below — chain link is cheapest, wood is the popular mid-range, and vinyl, aluminum, and composite cost more but need far less upkeep.
Fence height
Taller fences use more material and labor. 4 ft is common for front yards and pets, 6 ft is the standard for privacy and backyards, 8 ft is for maximum privacy or security (and may need a permit).
Number of gates
Each walk-through gate adds about $150–$400 in hardware and labor. Count how many you need (most yards have one or two). Wide driveway/double gates cost more.
Remove old fence?
Tearing out and hauling away an existing fence adds about $3–$7 per linear foot. Skip it if the area is clear.
Wood Fence — Installed
$2,400–$7,150
150 linear ft · 6 ft · $16–$48/ft
Compare materials for your 150-ft fence
Picking a material
Chain link is the cheapest but offers little privacy; wood is the popular middle ground for privacy but needs staining/sealing every few years; aluminum is a low-maintenance decorative option; and vinyl and composite cost the most up front but barely need upkeep, which can pay off over the fence's life. The figures above include installation and gates — get a few local quotes, since terrain, soil, and access also move the price.
Installed cost = length × material rate (per linear foot, at a 6 ft height) × a height factor, plus gates and optional old-fence removal. 2025–2026 market ranges: chain link $10–$35, wood $15–$45, aluminum $20–$50, vinyl $25–$60, composite $30–$59 per foot; gates $150–$400 each; removal $3–$7 per foot. Prices vary with style, terrain, soil, and region, and tall fences may require a permit — always confirm with local quotes.
💡About this calculator▼
A new fence is one of those projects where the quotes can vary wildly, because the price depends almost entirely on what you build it out of. The same 150 feet of fence might run $2,000 in chain link or $9,000 in composite. This calculator gives you a realistic installed cost for your yard, and just as usefully, prices every common material side by side so you can see the trade-off before you call a contractor.
Fences are quoted by the linear foot — the length of fence you're putting up — and material is the dominant factor, followed by height and the little extras that add up: gates and tearing out an old fence. You enter your fence length, pick a material and height, add any gates, and the calculator multiplies through current market rates to give you a low–high range and a per-foot figure you can check quotes against.
The material comparison is where the real decision lives. Chain link is the budget choice but offers little privacy; wood is the popular middle ground but needs regular upkeep; and vinyl, aluminum, and composite cost more up front but barely need maintenance over their life. Seeing all five priced for your exact fence makes that cost-versus-upkeep trade-off concrete. If you're splitting the bill with a neighbor on a property line, pair this with our shared fence cost split calculator once you have a number.
The estimate is built from your fence length and the per-linear-foot rate for the material you choose, then adjusted for height and the extras.
Length is the total run of fence in feet — the perimeter of what you're enclosing, minus any side already covered by the house or an existing fence. It's the base everything multiplies against.
Material sets the per-foot rate, and it's the biggest lever by far. Chain link is the cheapest, wood sits in the popular middle, and aluminum, vinyl, and composite climb from there. The calculator uses installed ranges (material plus labor) quoted at the standard 6-foot height.
Height scales the rate. A 4-foot fence runs roughly 80% of a 6-foot fence of the same material, and an 8-foot fence about 20% more, since taller fences need more material and labor (and an 8-footer may require a permit).
Gates are a per-unit add-on — about $150 to $400 each for a standard walk-through gate, more for wide driveway or double gates. Removing an old fence adds roughly $3 to $7 per foot for tear-out and haul-away.
The calculator adds those together for your chosen material, shows the per-foot equivalent, and then runs the same math for all five materials so you can compare them directly for your yard. The gate and removal costs are the same across materials, so the comparison cleanly isolates the difference the fence material makes.
📐How it's calculated▼
Fences are priced per linear foot of fence run.
The model: Cost = length × material rate (per ft, at 6 ft) × height factor + gates + removal
Installed cost per linear foot (2025–2026 market ranges, ~6 ft): Chain link $10–$35 · Wood $15–$45 · Aluminum $20–$50 · Vinyl $25–$60 · Composite $30–$59
Height factor: 4 ft ≈ 0.8× · 6 ft = 1× · 8 ft ≈ 1.2×
Add-ons: Gate $150–$400 each · Old-fence removal $3–$7 per ft
Example: 150 linear feet of wood fence, 6 ft tall, with 1 gate, no removal →
→ Fence: 150 × $15–$45 = $2,250–$6,750
→ Gate: 1 × $150–$400 = $150–$400
→ Total: about $2,400–$7,150, or roughly $16–$48 per linear foot installed
Swap the material and the fence portion changes while the gate stays the same — which is exactly what the comparison table shows.
📎Sources:Cool Cat Fence — Cost of Fence and Installation (per linear foot by material),Raleigh Realty — Cost to Build a Fence (by material, gates, removal),Scheiderer Fence — Average Fence Installation Cost Per Foot (materials, height)
🔍Finding your inputs▼
Fence length: The total linear feet of fence you need. Walk or measure the perimeter of the area you're enclosing and add up the sides — but leave out any run that's already covered by your house, garage, or a fence that's staying. If you're enclosing a rectangular backyard, it's the sum of the sides you're fencing.
Fence material: The main cost driver. Chain link is the cheapest and most utilitarian (little privacy). Wood is the most popular for privacy and looks, at a moderate price, but needs staining or sealing every few years. Aluminum is a decorative, rust-free metal fence that's low-maintenance. Vinyl (PVC) gives privacy with almost no upkeep. Composite is the premium, no-maintenance option. You'll see all five compared regardless of which you pick.
Fence height: 4 ft is typical for front yards, decorative borders, and containing pets or kids. 6 ft is the standard for backyard privacy. 8 ft is for maximum privacy or security — it costs more and often requires a permit, so check local rules and any HOA limits.
Number of gates: Count the walk-through gates you'll need — most yards have one or two. Each adds roughly $150–$400 in gate hardware and labor. Wide gates for a driveway, or double gates, cost more, so bump your estimate if you need one.
Remove old fence: Choose "remove" if a contractor has to tear out and haul away an existing fence first — it adds about $3–$7 per foot. Leave it off if the fence line is clear or you'll handle removal yourself.
⚠️Special situations▼
How do I measure the linear feet of fence I need?
Measure the length of each side you're fencing and add them up — that total, in feet, is your linear footage (fences are priced per linear foot, not by area). Walk the perimeter with a tape or a measuring wheel, or pace it off (a normal stride is roughly 3 feet) for a rough number. Leave out any stretch already closed off by your house, garage, or a fence that's staying in place. For a gate opening, you still count that length — the gate replaces a section of fence there. Round up slightly so you don't come up short.
Which fence material gives the best value?
It depends on whether you're optimizing for up-front cost or long-term cost. Chain link is cheapest to install but offers no privacy and can look utilitarian. Wood is the value pick for privacy — moderate cost and great looks — but budget for staining or sealing every 2–3 years and eventual board repairs. Vinyl and aluminum cost more up front but are nearly maintenance-free, so over 15–20 years they can come out ahead of wood once you count upkeep. Composite is the priciest and most maintenance-free. If you'll stay in the home a long time, paying more for low-maintenance material often pays off; if not, wood or chain link minimizes what you spend now.
Does a taller fence cost proportionally more?
Not quite proportionally, but close. Going from a 4-foot to a 6-foot fence adds roughly 25–35%, and an 8-foot fence runs about 10–20% more than a 6-foot — taller fences need more material per foot and a bit more labor, plus heavier posts and footings for stability. This calculator uses a 6-foot baseline (the most common privacy height) and adjusts down for 4-foot and up for 8-foot. Keep in mind that many jurisdictions cap fence height (often 6 feet in back yards and 4 feet in front) or require a permit above a certain height, so check local rules before planning an 8-foot fence.
Is the cost of a shared fence split with my neighbor?
Often, yes. If a fence sits on the boundary line between two properties and benefits both, many states and local ordinances require the neighbor to share the cost of building or repairing it — but the rules, notice requirements, and what counts as a 'fair share' vary a lot by location. This calculator estimates the total installed cost; to work out each neighbor's portion (and handle cases where one side wants a fancier fence), use our shared fence cost split calculator. Always talk to your neighbor and confirm the property line before building, since a fence in the wrong spot can have to come down.
What can make my fence cost more than this estimate?
Several site factors that a per-foot estimate can't see. Sloped or hilly ground requires stepped or racked panels and more labor; rocky, clay, or root-filled soil makes post holes slow and may need special equipment; and a layout with lots of corners, ends, and direction changes needs more posts than a straight run. Hauling away an old fence, repairing or moving an existing one, permit fees, and HOA-mandated styles or materials all add cost too. Premium wood species, decorative tops, or designer styles push the per-foot rate above the ranges here. Treat the estimate as a baseline for standard terrain and a straightforward layout, and get local quotes for your specific site.
❓Common questions▼
How much does it cost to install a fence?
Fences are priced by the linear foot, and the material drives the cost: installed, chain link runs about $10–$35 per foot, wood $15–$45, aluminum $20–$50, vinyl $25–$60, and composite $30–$59. For a typical 150-foot backyard fence with one gate, that works out to roughly $2,400 for wood up to $9,000+ for composite. Height, gates ($150–$400 each), old-fence removal ($3–$7 per foot), terrain, and your region all affect the final number. Enter your length and material in the calculator above for a tailored range plus a side-by-side comparison of every material.
What is the cheapest type of fence to install?
Chain link is the most budget-friendly fence, typically $10–$35 per linear foot installed, because the materials are inexpensive and installation is fast. The trade-off is that it offers essentially no privacy and a utilitarian look. If you want privacy on a budget, a basic wood fence (pine or spruce) is the next step up at around $15–$30 per foot, though it needs ongoing maintenance. The calculator shows all materials side by side so you can see exactly how much you'd save going with chain link or basic wood versus the low-maintenance options.
Is vinyl or wood fencing cheaper?
Wood is cheaper to install up front — roughly $15–$45 per linear foot versus $25–$60 for vinyl — but the comparison flips over time. Wood needs staining or sealing every few years and board or post repairs as it weathers, while vinyl is nearly maintenance-free and lasts decades without refinishing. So if you'll own the home long-term, vinyl's higher initial cost can come out cheaper once you factor in years of upkeep; if you're on a tight budget or won't stay long, wood costs less now. The calculator prices both for your fence so you can weigh the difference.
How much does a fence gate cost?
A standard walk-through gate adds about $150 to $400 each, including the gate, hinges, latch, and the extra labor to frame and hang it. Wider gates and double (drive-through) gates for a driveway cost more — commonly $600 to $1,200 — because of the heavier hardware and bracing needed to keep a wide gate from sagging. Vinyl and ornamental metal gates run toward the higher end. In the calculator, enter how many walk-through gates you need and it adds the cost to your estimate; bump your figure up if you're planning a wide driveway gate.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
Often, yes — many cities and counties require a permit for fences above a certain height (commonly anything over 6 feet, and sometimes for any fence), and there are usually rules about height limits (frequently 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in back), placement relative to the property line, and corner-lot sight lines. HOAs may add their own restrictions on style, material, and color. Building without required permits or approvals can mean fines or having to tear the fence down. Check with your local building department and HOA before you start, and confirm your exact property line so the fence goes in the right place.