Home Services
Fence Installation: What It Costs and What to Check
Published September 24, 2026 · Last updated October 1, 2026
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The short answer
Most people pay $1,860 to $4,843 for a new fence. The average is about $3,276. Fence cost depends mostly on how long your fence is and what it's made of.
Before anyone digs, call 811. It's free, and it keeps crews from hitting buried lines.
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What affects your fence price
Price range
Fences cost about $6 to $50 per foot installed. The average is about $23 a foot. A backyard on a quarter-acre lot often needs about 220 feet of fence.
| Material | Cost per foot, installed |
|---|---|
| Chain link | $8 to $40 |
| Wood | $10 to $45 |
| Vinyl | $15 to $40 |
| Composite | $11 to $45 |
| Aluminum | $17 to $90 |
| Wrought iron | $25 to $55 |
Not a quote or an offer. Your price comes from the fence company. Source: Angi, 2026.
What moves the number
- Length. More feet means more posts, more boards, and more hours. Measure your yard before you call anyone.
- Material. Chain link costs the least. Wood looks warm but needs stain every few years. Vinyl costs more up front but needs almost no upkeep.
- Height. A 6-foot privacy fence uses a lot more material than a 4-foot picket fence.
- Gates. Each gate adds about $150 to $2,000.
- Your ground. Slopes, rocks, and tree roots make digging harder. Leveling land can add $1,000 to $3,200.
- Tearing out the old fence. Removal usually adds $3 to $5 per foot.
How to estimate your fence cost
Measure the length you want to fence, then multiply by a per-foot price for your material. For example, 150 feet at about $23 a foot comes to about $3,450, before gates or removal. A full backyard around 220 feet would land higher. It's a rough number, but it helps you spot a quote that's way off.
Pick a fence by purpose
Privacy. Solid wood, vinyl, or composite, usually 6 feet tall.
Pets and kids. Chain link or picket, with gates that latch.
Looks and curb appeal. Aluminum, wrought iron, or picket.
Pools. Many places have special rules for pool fences, like height and self-closing gates. Check your local code before you build.
What to ask before you choose
Get at least three written quotes for the same fence: same material, height, length, and number of gates.
- "Does your price include tearing out the old fence and hauling it away?"
- "Who gets the permit?" Many towns need one. Permits often cost only $20 to $60, but skipping one can mean tearing the fence down later.
- "How deep do you set the posts, and do you use concrete?" Posts that aren't deep enough lean in a few years.
- "Which side faces out?" Many towns and HOAs want the nice side facing your neighbor.
- "What does your warranty cover, and for how long?"
- "Are you licensed and insured?"
Before anyone digs: call 811. The utility companies will mark the buried gas, power, and water lines in your yard. Also check your HOA rules and your property lines first. A fence even a foot onto your neighbor's land can mean moving it.
Keep reading
Building a deck too? See decks. Trees in the fence line? See tree service.
More exterior projects: Roof replacement · Windows · Siding · Doors · Gutters · Gutter guards · Garage doors · Decks · Tree service · Driveways · Chimney repair · Pool installation · All home projects
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