Estimate your fence installation cost by material, height, terrain, and state. State-adjusted pricing based on 2026 RSMeans data.
2026 National Averages
How Much Does a Fence Cost in 2026?
Material
100 lin ft
150 lin ft
200 lin ft
Maintenance
Chain Link
$1,000–$2,800
$1,500–$4,200
$2,000–$5,600
Low
Wood Privacy
$1,800–$4,000
$2,700–$6,000
$3,600–$8,000
High
Vinyl / PVC
$2,200–$5,000
$3,300–$7,500
$4,400–$10,000
Very Low
Aluminum
$2,500–$5,500
$3,800–$8,250
$5,000–$11,000
Very Low
Wrought Iron
$3,000–$7,200
$4,500–$10,800
$6,000–$14,400
Medium
The average fence costs $10–$72 per linear foot installed in 2026. Wood privacy fence at $18–$40/lin ft is the most popular choice. Chain link starts at $10/lin ft.
Fence Details
Fence Material
POPULAR
Wood Privacy Fence
$18–$40/lin ft
Vinyl / PVC Fence
$22–$50/lin ft
Low maintenance
Chain Link Fence
$10–$28/lin ft
Low maintenance
Aluminum Fence
$25–$55/lin ft
Low maintenance
Wrought Iron Fence
$30–$72/lin ft
Cedar / Split Rail
$14–$32/lin ft
Composite Fence
$28–$60/lin ft
Low maintenance
Bamboo Fence
$8–$22/lin ft
Fence Height
3 ft
Decorative / garden
4 ft
Semi-privacy
6 ft
Full privacy (most common)
8 ft
Maximum privacy
Terrain Type
Flat
Standard — no adjustment
Sloped
Hillside / graded (+$3/lin ft)
Rocky
Hard dig / blasting (+$6/lin ft)
Optional Add-ons
Single Gate
$350 each
Double Gate
$750 each
Old Fence Removal
$4 per lin ft
Concrete Post Setting
$3 per lin ft
Stain & Seal (wood)
$2 per lin ft
Lattice Top Panels
$5 per lin ft
Fence Cost Buying Guide 2026
📏
Measure accurately first
Overestimating your fence length by 10% adds real cost. Walk the perimeter with a measuring wheel before getting quotes — most homeowners overestimate by 15–20 linear feet.
🌿
Vinyl beats wood long-term
Wood privacy fence is cheaper upfront but requires staining every 2–3 years at $1–2/lin ft. Vinyl costs more initially but needs almost zero maintenance over 20+ years.
🏗️
Get 3 quotes minimum
Fence contractor pricing varies 25–35% in the same zip code. Always get at least 3 bids. The lowest bid is often 30% below the highest for identical scope.
📅
Off-season pricing
Fence contractors are slowest in Nov–Feb. Scheduling in winter can get you 10–15% lower labor rates and faster turnaround than peak spring/summer season.
🔩
Buy your own posts and panels
Contractor-supplied materials carry a 20–30% markup. Purchasing your own posts and panels from a big-box store and having the contractor labor-only can cut total cost significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fence cost per linear foot in 2026?
Fence costs range from $8–$72 per linear foot installed depending on material. Chain link is the cheapest at $10–$28/lin ft. Wrought iron is the most expensive at $30–$72/lin ft. Wood privacy fence, the most popular choice, runs $18–$40/lin ft installed.
How much does it cost to fence a 1/4 acre lot?
A standard 1/4 acre lot has roughly 200–250 linear feet of perimeter. At average wood privacy fence pricing ($28/lin ft), that is $5,600–$7,000. Vinyl would run $6,800–$8,500 for the same perimeter.
What is the cheapest fence to install?
Bamboo ($8–$22/lin ft) and chain link ($10–$28/lin ft) are the cheapest options. Bamboo is decorative but has a short lifespan of 5–10 years. Chain link is durable and low-maintenance but offers no privacy.
Do I need a permit to install a fence?
Most cities require a permit for fences over 6 ft tall or fences near property lines. Permit costs typically range from $50–$200. Always check with your local municipality before starting — violations can require removal.
How long does fence installation take?
A typical 150–200 linear foot fence takes 1–2 days for a 2-person crew. Larger projects, sloped terrain, or decorative fencing with gates can take 3–5 days. Concrete post setting typically requires 24–48 hours of cure time before panels are attached.
How accurate is this fence cost calculator?
This calculator uses 2026 RSMeans cost data adjusted by state multiplier. Estimates are within ±15% of real contractor bids for standard residential fencing. Unusual terrain, HOA requirements, or premium custom designs may affect final pricing.
Fence Cost by State — 2026
Fence installation costs vary significantly by state. California, New York, and Hawaii have the highest labor costs. Southern states like Florida, Texas, and Georgia are generally more affordable.
State
Chain Link
Wood Privacy (150 lf)
Vinyl / PVC
Aluminum
Florida
$2.4K
$3.8K
$4.6K
$5.2K
Texas
$2.3K
$3.7K
$4.5K
$5.1K
California
$3.6K
$5.9K
$7.2K
$8.2K
New York
$3.5K
$5.7K
$7.0K
$7.9K
Georgia
$2.5K
$4.0K
$4.9K
$5.5K
North Carolina
$2.3K
$3.8K
$4.6K
$5.2K
Tennessee
$2.3K
$3.7K
$4.6K
$5.1K
Colorado
$2.8K
$4.6K
$5.6K
$6.4K
Washington
$3.1K
$5.1K
$6.2K
$7.0K
Ohio
$2.6K
$4.3K
$5.2K
$5.9K
Pennsylvania
$2.9K
$4.7K
$5.7K
$6.5K
Illinois
$3.1K
$5.0K
$6.1K
$6.9K
Estimates for 150 linear ft, 6 ft height, flat terrain. Based on 2026 RSMeans geographic cost indices.
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