“How much does a fence cost per foot?” is the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is it depends — mostly on the material you pick and whether you build it yourself or pay for installation. This guide gives real ranges for each, explains what moves the number up or down, and shows you how to turn a per-foot figure into a total for your yard.
Typical cost per linear foot
For a standard residential fence, most homeowners land somewhere in these ranges, materials plus professional installation:
- Chain link: roughly $10–$20 per foot — the cheapest way to enclose a yard.
- Wood (pressure-treated pine): about $20–$40 per foot for a privacy fence, the most common choice.
- Cedar or premium wood: $30–$50 per foot.
- Vinyl: $25–$45 per foot, higher for tall privacy panels.
- Ornamental steel or aluminum: $30–$60 per foot.
Doing the labor yourself typically removes 40–60% of that cost, since installation is labor-heavy. A pressure-treated wood fence that runs $30 per foot installed might cost $12–$15 per foot in materials alone if you build it.
What drives the price up or down
Two fences of the same material can differ by a wide margin. The big factors:
- Height. A 6-foot privacy fence uses far more material than a 4-foot one — more pickets, taller posts, an extra rail. Expect a noticeable jump from 4 to 6 feet.
- Terrain. Sloped, rocky, or root-filled ground slows post setting and raises labor. Flat, clear runs are cheapest.
- Post spacing and gates. More posts and every gate add hardware and labor. Gates in particular are a fixed cost each.
- Removal and disposal. Tearing out an old fence is often a separate line item.
- Permits and property lines. Some areas require a permit or a survey, especially for taller fences.
- Region and season. Labor rates and lumber prices swing by location and time of year.
From per-foot to a real total
A per-foot number is only a starting point. To budget your actual project you need three things: the total length of the run, the material, and whether you’re paying for labor. The quickest way is to work backward from a full materials take-off rather than a single average.
- Measure your run. Walk the perimeter and total the linear feet, including where gates will go.
- Price the materials. Count posts, rails, pickets and concrete — or let a calculator do the take-off — and apply your local prices.
- Add labor if hiring. Installers usually quote per linear foot; multiply by your run and add gate charges.
Estimate yours in seconds
Instead of guessing from an average, run your own numbers. The Fence Cost Calculator gives a full breakdown — materials, labor and the resulting price per foot — using prices you enter, so the estimate reflects your material and your area. If you’re building it yourself and want the shopping list first, start with the Fence Material Calculator to get exact quantities, then price them.
A per-foot average is great for a gut check. A take-off from your real measurements is what keeps the project on budget.
Figures here are general planning ranges — always confirm current material and labor prices in your area before committing.