Fence Cost Calculator
Estimate total fence replacement or installation cost
Frequently Asked Questions
Typical 2026 installed costs run roughly $18-35/ft for chain link, $20-50/ft for wood, $30-60/ft for vinyl, and $20-85/ft for aluminum or other metal fencing — these are national averages; your local quotes will vary by region, fence height, terrain, and labor rates.
Only if you check the removal option, which adds a per-foot estimate (commonly $3-6/ft) for tearing out and hauling away an existing fence. Skip it if you're installing on a fence line with nothing to remove.
No — gates are priced and entered separately, since they cost significantly more than an equivalent length of fence panel (hardware, hinges, latches, and often a wider post). Enter the number of gates and an estimated cost per gate.
This calculator gives a ballpark using national average per-foot pricing. Actual cost depends on your specific material grade, fence height, ground conditions (slopes, rock, tree roots), local labor rates, permits, and how many corners or gates your layout has.
Yes significantly — a taller fence needs more material and deeper, sturdier posts. This calculator uses 6 feet as the baseline price, with roughly 25% less material for a 4-foot fence and roughly 30% more for an 8-foot fence.
Yes — sloped ground often requires stepped or racked panels and more labor, and rocky or hard-to-dig ground increases post-hole labor significantly. Select your terrain type to apply a typical cost adjustment.
How fence cost is calculated
Fence installers price by the linear foot. The calculator starts from a typical installed price for a 6-foot fence in the material you choose, then adjusts it:
- Height: × 0.75 for a 4-foot fence and × 1.3 for an 8-foot fence.
- Terrain: × 1.1 to × 1.75 for slopes and rocky ground, where posts are harder to set.
- Gates: added per gate.
- Old fence removal: about $4 per linear foot.
Total = price per foot × height factor × terrain factor × length + gates + removal
Example
A 150-foot, 6-foot wood privacy fence on level ground at $35 per foot costs $5,250. One $250 gate and removing the old fence ($600) bring the total to $6,100. In vinyl at $40 per foot, the same fence would cost about $6,850.
Installed cost by material
| Material | Typical cost per foot (6 ft) | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link | about $18 | 15 to 20 years |
| Wood (pressure-treated or cedar) | about $35 | 15 to 20 years with staining |
| Vinyl | about $40 | 20 to 30 years |
| Aluminum or steel | about $45 | 30 years or more |
Before you build
- Call 811 a few days before digging so utility lines are marked; it is free and required in every state.
- Check permits and rules. Many cities limit backyard fences to 6 feet and front yards to 3 or 4 feet, and HOAs often specify materials and colors.
- Confirm the property line with a survey or plat; a fence built on a neighbor's land may have to come down.
- Plan the gates. Make at least one gate wide enough for a mower or wheelbarrow, usually 4 to 5 feet.
If you plan to build it yourself, count posts, rails and pickets with the fence material calculator, and order concrete for the posts with the concrete calculator.