Fence cost per foot
Estimates from this calculator's default prices for a 150 ft fence with one walk gate on an average site. Your local prices will differ, so change the defaults above to match quotes or supplier prices near you.
| Fence | Height | Installed, per foot | 150 ft with a gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link | 4 ft | $13–$20 | $2,000–$3,050 |
| Wood picket | 4 ft | $19–$28 | $2,800–$4,200 |
| Chain link | 6 ft | $17–$25 | $2,550–$3,800 |
| Aluminum | 4 ft | $30–$45 | $4,500–$6,750 |
| Pressure-treated wood privacy | 6 ft | $31–$46 | $4,600–$6,900 |
| Cedar privacy | 6 ft | $36–$54 | $5,450–$8,150 |
| Vinyl privacy | 6 ft | $37–$56 | $5,600–$8,400 |
How much does a 6-foot privacy fence cost per foot?
A pressure-treated wood privacy fence 6 ft tall comes out at about $31–$46 per foot installed with these defaults, about $38 in the middle. Materials are about $15.50 per foot: posts every 8 ft, three rails per section, pickets with half-inch gaps and two bags of concrete per post. Cedar raises the materials to about $21 per foot, and vinyl to about $25.
Chain link fence cost
Chain link is the cheapest fence to have installed: about $13–$20 per foot for 4 ft galvanized and $17–$25 for 6 ft with these defaults. It's quick to put up, about 7 minutes of labor per foot, which keeps the installed price low. Black or green vinyl-coated chain link costs more for materials.
Vinyl fence installation cost
Vinyl costs the most for materials but needs no paint or stain. Installed, a 6 ft vinyl privacy fence comes to about $37–$56 per foot here. Vinyl panels go up faster than building a wood fence board by board, so labor is a smaller share of the total.
What changes the price
- Length: the cost per foot falls slightly on long runs because gates and setup are spread over more feet.
- Height: an 8 ft fence uses about a third more material than 6 ft, and taller posts set deeper.
- Gates: each walk gate adds the gate itself and about 2 hours of labor. Double drive gates cost much more.
- The site: slopes, rock, roots and tight access can add a third or more to labor. Choose the site type above.
- Removing an old fence: tear-out and disposal typically add a few dollars per foot.
- Permits and surveys: many towns require a permit, and some HOAs need approval first. Call 811 to have utilities marked before anyone digs.
How this estimate works
Materials per foot come from our fence calculator's counts at its default prices, scaled for height. The contractor's markup on materials defaults to 20%. Labor is worker hours per foot for each fence type (about 0.25 hours per foot for a wood privacy fence) times $70 an hour, adjusted for the site. That $70 is a billed rate: what a contractor charges per worker hour, including their overhead and profit, not a wage. The range is the result minus 20% to plus 20%, because real quotes vary with region, season and the contractor. Change any of these above.
For comparison, Homewyse puts the national average for installing a wood privacy fence at $33.07–$53.00 per linear foot (Homewyse, May 2026). This estimate's default for a 6 ft pressure-treated fence comes to about $38 per foot, inside that range.
Getting quotes
Get at least three quotes, and make sure each one includes the same height, material, gates, post depth and removal of any old fence. If a quote is far below this estimate, ask what's left out.
Questions
How much does a fence cost per foot?
With this calculator's typical defaults, a fence installed costs about $13–$20 per foot for 4 ft chain link, $31–$46 for 6 ft pressure-treated wood privacy, and $37–$56 for 6 ft vinyl privacy. Local prices vary, so change the defaults to match your area.
How much does it cost to fence 100 feet?
A 100 ft, 6 ft tall wood privacy fence with one gate comes to about $3,150–$4,700 installed with these defaults. Chain link costs less and vinyl more.
Is it cheaper to build a fence yourself?
Usually. Materials are often half or less of the installed price for wood and chain link. A 150 ft wood privacy fence needs about $2,475 of materials in this estimate, against $4,600–$6,900 installed. You'd need a post hole digger or auger and a few weekends.
What is the cheapest type of fence to install?
Galvanized chain link is typically the cheapest per foot to have installed, followed by a short wood picket fence.