How Much Does It Cost to Install a Fence? (2026 Guide)
Fence installation costs about $15–45 per linear foot installed — wood privacy $15–35, vinyl $25–45, 4 ft chain link $10–20 — depending on material and region: a 100 ft wood privacy fence runs roughly $1,500–3,500; confirm with local quotes.
Fence installation cost by material
Prices are per linear foot of fence line (not per panel) for a standard backyard install: posts, rails, panels or fabric, plus labor. The ranges assume a fairly level lot with typical 6–8 ft post spacing and standard concrete footings — gates, steep slopes and cleanup add on top.
| Material | Typical height | Installed cost per linear foot |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link | 4 ft | $10–20 |
| Wood privacy | 6 ft | $15–35 |
| Vinyl | 6 ft | $25–45 |
Vinyl leads on upfront price but needs little upkeep; chain link is the budget pick but offers no privacy; wood sits in between and varies with the board species and finish. Local labor rates shift every range, so treat these spreads as a regional starting point.
Materials vs. labor split
Most residential jobs split about 50–60% materials and 40–50% labor. Wood projects sit closer to 60/40 because lumber and fasteners add up; chain link leans the other way because posts and tensioning labor dominate; vinyl skews material-heavy with factory panels.
Example: a 6 ft wood privacy fence at $25 per linear foot installed over 150 ft totals about $3,750 — roughly $2,060 in materials and $1,690 in labor. Building it yourself? The material-only figure is your budget.
Wood privacy fence totals: 100, 150 and 200 ft
A 6 ft wood privacy fence at the $15–35 per linear foot range, including standard installation:
| Fence length | Installed range | Mid-range estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 100 ft | $1,500–3,500 | about $2,500 |
| 150 ft | $2,250–5,250 | about $3,750 |
| 200 ft | $3,000–7,000 | about $5,000 |
Contractors often discount per-foot labor on longer runs, but extra corners, gates and grade changes pull the price back up. Need bags for the post holes? See how much concrete for fence posts.
What drives the price up
- Height — a 6 ft privacy fence uses more material and deeper-set posts than a 4 ft fence, and wind loads push footings harder; expect the 4 ft-to-6 ft jump to add roughly 30–50% to the per-foot cost.
- Post spacing and footings — 6–8 ft on center is typical; each hole means concrete plus labor, and rocky or rooty soil slows augers. Footings are usually quoted separately from the fence itself.
- Slope, clearing and old fences — a grade needs stepped or racked panels, brush and roots add clearing time, and hauling away an existing fence is often its own line item ($300–800 for 100 ft).
- Gates — every gate adds posts, hardware and labor: budget $150–400 extra per walk gate on a wood job and more for wider driveway gates.
Fencing tips that protect your budget
- Get three local quotes — per-foot pricing varies widely by region and contractor workload; the same spec can land 30% apart. Ask what each bid includes (footings, demo, gates, disposal).
- Price concrete footings separately — post holes are the part most estimates treat as extra; decide on your post spacing up front, then use the fence-post concrete guide to see what the bags add.
- Expect the gate premium — one walk gate adds a few hundred dollars; if you only need access for a mower, a smaller gate or a removable panel keeps costs down.
Counting your own materials? A 4 ft chain link run takes one roll per ~50 ft of line — use the chain link fence estimator — and a wood privacy fence needs roughly one picket per linear foot, which the fence picket calculator counts for you.
FAQ
How much does a 100 ft wood privacy fence cost?
Roughly $1,500–3,500 installed. At $15–35 per linear foot of fence line, a 100 ft run lands near $2,500 at the mid range; figure the low end on a flat yard with pressure-treated pine, the high end for cedar, vinyl accents or steep ground.
How much can I save by installing a fence myself?
Usually about 40–50% of an installed quote, because labor is roughly half the total. Materials for a 6 ft wood privacy fence run about $8–15 per linear foot, so a 100 ft do-it-yourself job costs about $800–1,500 in materials versus $1,500–3,500 installed.
Is chain link the cheapest fence to install?
Usually, yes. A 4 ft chain link fence runs about $10–20 per linear foot installed, which is below wood privacy ($15–35) and vinyl ($25–45). Chain link is the budget pick when privacy isn't the goal; wood is usually the cheapest tall solid option.
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