The average cost to install a new fence ranges from $26 to $69 per linear foot of fencing, including the materials and the cost of labor for a fencing contractor.
Most backyards need 150 to 250 feet of fencing, so the total cost to install a backyard fence for most homeowners would be about $3,900 to $6,500 using cheaper materials such as chain-link and about $10,350 to $17,250 using expensive materials like wrought iron or steel.
Our cost ranges are based on averages taken from our survey of fencing prices across the U.S., including major metros and more rural cities. Your specific costs will depend on the material, style, and height of your fence, as well as where you live and what your property is like (i.e., the slope of the land).
Cost by Location
The cost of living in your area is one the most significant factor that will determine the cost of a fence for your yard. Depending on where you live, you could pay more or less for both the cost of materials and contractor wages.
See the table below for the typical cost to install a fence in a sampling of big and small cities across the U.S. The low ends of the ranges listed below are based on chain-link fencing, while the high ends are based on aluminum or steel fencing.
| City | Cost per foot of fence (including labor and materials) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Hamilton, NJ | $27.50 – $71.50 |
| New York, NY | $31.50 – $84 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Augusta, GA | $24 – $63 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $24.50 – $63.50 |
| Raleigh, NC | $24.50 – $64 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| Indianapolis, IN | $25.50 – $67.50 |
| Chicago, IL | $28.50 – $75 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Salem, OR | $25 – $65 |
| Seattle, WA | $28.50 – $74 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Roswell, NM | $24.50 – $64.50 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $26.50 – $70.50 |
| San Diego, CA | $27 – $71 |
With these cost comparisons, you can estimate the cost of fence installation in your area based on what region of the country you live in and the size of your city.
Cost by Fence Size
The length of your fence is one of the most important factors in determining the total installation cost of your project.
Since most homeowners typically pay from $26 to $69 per linear foot, here’s a table to help you estimate the potential cost based on fence length:
| Linear Feet | Acres | Average Cost (materials and labor) |
| 150 | 1/8 acre | $3,900 – $10,350 |
| 220 | 1/4 acre | $5,720 – $15,180 |
| 590 | 1/2 acre | $15,340 – $40,710 |
| 1,100 | 1 acre | $28,600 – $75,900 |
Cost by Material
Your choice of fencing material is the most important factor impacting your fence cost. Wood and vinyl are the most common fence materials, but they’re not the cheapest. Barbed wire and chain link are the most cost effective option, while metal fences like steel, aluminum, and wrought iron cost the most.
See the typical per-foot cost for the most popular fence materials in the table below.
| Material | Cost per foot of fence (including labor cost + materials) |
| Barbed-Wire fence | $2 – $7 |
| Chain-link fence | $9 – $36 |
| Wood fence | $15 – $45 |
| Steel fence | $17 – $81 |
| Composite fence | $18 – $64 |
| Aluminum fence | $20 – $70 |
| Vinyl fence | $21 – $48 |
| Wrought-iron fence | $34 – $64 |
If you haven’t chosen a material yet, or you want to know what affects the cost of a fence besides material, you’ll find everything you need to know about the general cost of fence installation below.
Cost by Style of Fence
Fence styles range from spaced picket fences with a main goal of aesthetics to solid privacy fences to split-rail fencing used to corral large animals like cows and horses.
Some fence styles use more material or take more skill to install, resulting in a higher cost. Others are simpler and, therefore, cheaper.
Typical price ranges for the most common fence styles are listed in the table below.
| Fence style | Cost per foot of fence (including labor and materials) |
| Split-rail fence | $10.50 – $23 |
| Picket fence | $17.50 – $41.50 |
| Privacy fence | $31.50 – $51.50 |
To learn more about each fence style and how much it costs to install, find the relevant cost guide here:
Cost by Fence Height
Standard backyard fencing is usually 6 feet tall, but you can have a backyard fence up to 8 feet tall in some neighborhoods, and front yard fences are usually limited to 4 feet.
To figure out how much a taller or shorter fence would add to or subtract from your costs, first figure out the approximate budget for your fence at standard size (6 feet) using the price estimates we’ve given so far. Then:
- For an 8-foot fence: Add 25% – 35% of the cost
- For a 4-foot fence: Subtract 25% – 35% of the cost
Cost to Install Gates
Gates cost more to install than regular fence panels, so you will have to factor in that added cost if you want a gate (which you probably do, for accessibility).
The location of your fence and what kind of gate you need will affect how much you pay to have it installed. An aluminum automatic driveway gate, for instance, will cost much more than a simple wooden walk-through gate.
Installing a gate will typically add $150 – $1,085 to the overall cost of fencing.
Labor Costs
Labor typically accounts for about 50% of the total cost of your fence installation. The final price depends on the complexity of the design and the materials used.
Simpler fence styles, such as chain link or basic wood panels, require less time and effort to install, keeping labor costs on the lower end. However, more intricate designs, like lattice fences demand more precision, increasing the costs.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
Overall, installing a wooden fence yourself would cost about $416 if you don’t already own the necessary tools and equipment. This cost does not include the price of the fence materials, which will vary depending on the size of your fence and the material you choose.
However, you would spend more than just money to go the DIY route — you would also have to put your own time and effort into the project. Hiring a professional saves you time and effort, and potentially money in the long run. A pro ensures the job is done correctly the first time, reducing the risk of costly mistakes.
Other Factors that Affect Cost
Cost by Your Property’s Slope
If you want to build a fence on a hill or otherwise uneven terrain, that means more work for the fence installer, which in turn means a higher labor cost. It’s hard to say exactly how much time and money a slope will add to your fencing project, but you should leave room in your budget for up to a 10% increase in cost if you have uneven land.
For extremely sloped or uneven terrain, you may need to regrade the land completely. Regrading costs between $1,000 and $3,250, depending on how much work needs to be done. You will most likely need to hire a separate contractor for regrading.
Cost of Permits for Fencing
Ask your contractor or check local regulations to find out if your HOA or municipality requires a permit to build a fence. Permit costs can range from $33 to $120 and are highly subjective to your local government and HOA.
Cost to Paint or Stain a Fence
Painting or staining your new fence to change its color and protect it from the elements isn’t included in the cost of installation, so you have to pay for it as an additional service.
- Fence painting costs $1.60 to $3.20 per square foot of fencing.
- Fence staining costs $1.30 to $2.70 per square foot of fencing.
Cost to Remove Old Fence
If your new fence will replace an existing one, your fencing contractor can take down the old fence and haul it away for you at an additional cost to cover the labor and equipment required. The average rate for fence removal is $6.50 to $12.50 per linear foot of fence.
FAQ
Whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor, the cheapest type of fence to install is a simple hog wire fence.
Whether or not a fence will add value to your home varies depending heavily on your neighborhood. To be on the safe side, assume you won’t get a monetary return on investment for your fence.
Find a Fencing Contractor Near You
If you’re ready to get started with your fencing project, find fencing contractors near you through Home Gnome. With just a few clicks or taps, you can see the best pros in your area, get custom quotes on your project for free, and book your contractor.
Read More:
– How Much Does Fence Repair Cost?
– How Much Does a Pool Fence Cost?
Main Image Credit: aboutmomentsimages / Adobe Stock Free / License
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