Fence cost
Fencing is priced per linear foot, and the linear feet are almost never what the property line measures. Gates, corners, slopes and removals are where a fence budget goes wrong.
Installed cost by material
| Material | Installed per linear ft | Life | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link, 4 ft | $12–20 | 15–20 years | None |
| Pressure-treated wood, 6 ft privacy | $22–35 | 10–15 years | Stain every 3 years |
| Cedar, 6 ft privacy | $30–45 | 15–20 years | Stain every 3 years |
| Vinyl, 6 ft privacy | $30–45 | 20–30 years | Wash annually |
| Aluminium, 5–6 ft | $35–55 | 25–30 years | None |
| Composite, 6 ft | $45–65 | 25–30 years | Wash annually |
A typical 150 ft residential fence therefore runs $3,300–5,300 in treated wood, or $4,500–6,800 in vinyl. Those are installed prices for a level lot with reasonable access.
The five things that move the number
- Gates. $150–500 each installed, and a double drive gate can be $800–1,500. A fence with two gates can add 10% to the total.
- Corners and ends. Each corner needs a post with bracing in two directions. A lot with six corners costs more than a straight run of the same length.
- Slope. A sloped run needs either stepped panels (more material, more labour) or racked panels. Stepping adds 10–20%.
- Removal. $3–8 per linear foot to remove and dispose of an old fence, and concrete footings are the slow part.
- Access. A fence line through a garden, over a retaining wall, or behind a shed adds labour. Machines cannot get there, so everything is carried.
What to check in a quote
- Post depth and concrete. A 6 ft privacy fence needs posts at least 2 ft deep, 3 ft in cold climates, set in concrete. A quote that sets posts in gravel is cheaper for a reason.
- Post spacing. 8 ft is standard for wood; closer spacing costs more and lasts longer in wind.
- Wind rating. A 6 ft solid privacy fence is a sail. In an exposed location, posts at 6 ft centres and deeper footings are not optional.
- Who pulls the permit. Many jurisdictions require a fence permit, and a property-line fence may need a survey.
Where the linear feet actually come from
Measure the run, then add: one post per 8 ft, one post for each corner, one post for each gate side, and one for each end. On a 150 ft run with four corners and two gates, that is 19 + 4 + 4 + 2 = 29 posts, not 19.
Post count is the line item that most often comes up short, and each post is a hole, a bag of concrete and a piece of lumber.
What a linear-foot price leaves out
- It does not quote your lot. Access and terrain vary too much.
- It does not cover property-line disputes or survey costs, which can exceed the fence.
- It does not cover agricultural or security fencing, which is priced differently.
- It does not include landscaping repair along the fence line.
Questions people actually ask
How much does a fence cost per linear foot?
Installed: $12–20 for chain link, $22–35 for treated wood privacy, $30–45 for cedar or vinyl, and $45–65 for composite. Gates add $150–500 each.
How many posts do I need for a 150 foot fence?
About 19 for the run at 8-foot spacing, plus one for each corner, one on each side of every gate, and one at each end. A lot with four corners and two gates needs about 29 posts.
Is vinyl or wood fencing cheaper?
Wood is cheaper on first cost, by roughly 30%. Vinyl lasts about twice as long and needs no staining, so the 15-year cost is close.
How deep should fence posts be?
At least 2 feet, and 3 feet in cold climates. Set in concrete, not gravel, for a 6-foot privacy fence that will take wind load.