Estimate your fence installation cost by material, height, terrain, and state. State-adjusted pricing based on 2026 RSMeans data results in seconds.
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 Material Comparison — 2026
Material
Cost/lin ft
Lifespan
Maintenance
Best For
Chain Link
$10–$28
15–20 yrs
Low
Budget / security
Bamboo
$8–$22
5–10 yrs
High
Tropical / decorative
Cedar / Split Rail
$14–$32
15–20 yrs
Medium
Rural / ranch style
Wood Privacy
$18–$40
10–15 yrs
High
Backyard privacy
PVC / Vinyl
$22–$50
20–30 yrs
Very Low
Low maintenance
Aluminum
$25–$55
20–30 yrs
Very Low
Decorative / pool
Composite
$28–$60
25–30 yrs
Low
Modern look
Wrought Iron
$30–$72
20–40 yrs
Medium
Classic / ornamental
How to Save on Your Fence Installation
📏
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.
🏗️
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.
🌿
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.
📅
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.