Fence Installation Cost (2026): Per Linear Foot
Fences are priced by the linear foot, and material changes the number more than length does.
Estimate calculator
Gate $250–$700 each. Removal $2–$5 per linear foot. Sloped or rocky ground adds 10–30%.
Cost per linear foot by material
Pressure-treated wood is the workhorse: about $20 to $35 per linear foot installed for a 6 ft privacy fence, including posts and concrete. Vinyl runs $25 to $40, chain link $12 to $25, and aluminium or ornamental steel $35 to $60. Composite is the outlier at $45 to $90.
Notice the spread is mostly material, not labor. Installing 150 feet of wood and 150 feet of aluminium takes similar time; the aluminium panels cost several times more.
Line items that surprise people
Gates are priced individually, usually $250 to $700 each, and a double drive gate can exceed $1,500. Most quotes assume one gate.
Removal and disposal of an existing fence runs $2 to $5 per linear foot. It is almost never included unless you ask.
Terrain is the big variable. Sloped ground needs stepped panels or racked rails. Rock, roots, or buried utilities slow post digging to a crawl. Add 10–30% for difficult ground.
Permits and surveys. Many municipalities cap fence height (often 6 ft in front yards, 6–8 ft in back) and require a setback from the property line. A boundary dispute discovered after installation is far more expensive than a survey.
Why post spacing matters to your quote
Standard spacing is 8 feet between posts. Closer spacing is stronger but adds posts, concrete and labor. If a quote seems low, check the spacing — 10 ft spacing is a common quiet downgrade.
Comparing fence bids
Require: linear feet, post spacing, post depth and concrete, panel thickness, gate count and size, removal included, permit pulled, and warranty terms. Wood fence quotes especially benefit from a panel thickness line — 1 inch vs 5/8 inch is a different product.
Finishing and what comes next
New treated lumber needs a few weeks to dry before it will take a stain evenly, and painting damp wood traps moisture. Once it has dried out, staining is the cheaper way to extend the life of the fence, and it is a job most homeowners can do themselves.
If landscaping or exterior painting is coming, do the fence first so the plantings and the paint are not damaged by the crew.
By material or finish level
Per-linear ft installed rates, and what they come to for a 150 linear ft job.
| Option | Per linear ft | At 150 linear ft | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $20.00 – $35.00 | $3,280 | $5,530 |
| Vinyl / PVC | $25.00 – $40.00 | $4,030 | $6,280 |
| Chain link | $12.00 – $25.00 | $2,080 | $4,030 |
| Aluminium or steel | $35.00 – $60.00 | $5,530 | $9,280 |
| Composite | $45.00 – $90.00 | $7,030 | $13,780 |
By size
Fixed costs are included in every figure, so the per-linear ft price falls as the job grows. Each row links to its own page.
| Size | Low | High | Per linear ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 linear ft | $1,280 | $2,030 | $26 – $41 |
| 75 linear ft | $1,780 | $2,905 | $24 – $39 |
| 100 linear ft | $2,280 | $3,780 | $23 – $38 |
| 150 linear ft | $3,280 | $5,530 | $22 – $37 |
| 200 linear ft | $4,280 | $7,280 | $21 – $36 |
| 300 linear ft | $6,280 | $10,780 | $21 – $36 |
| 400 linear ft | $8,280 | $14,280 | $21 – $36 |
The same numbers as a curve. The line falls because the fixed cost is spread thinner, not because the work gets cheaper.
Where the money goes
| Component | Low | High | Share of variable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed costs (permit, delivery, setup) | $280 | $280 | — |
| Materials | $1,500 | $2,625 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,625 | 50% |
| Total | $3,280 | $5,530 |
Frequently asked
How much does a 150 ft fence cost?
Wood, 6 ft privacy, one gate: typically $3,250 to $5,950 installed. Chain link is roughly $1,800 to $3,750. Aluminium runs $5,250 to $9,000.
Is vinyl worth it over wood?
Vinyl costs 20–40% more up front and typically needs no staining. Over 15 years the maintenance saving often closes the gap, but vinyl can crack in extreme cold and is harder to repair panel-by-panel.
Does a fence increase property value?
A fence is usually valued as a functional improvement rather than a dollar-for-dollar return. Privacy, pet containment and pool safety are the strongest justifications.