Fence Cost Calculator
Updated · By the CalculatorDash editorial team · How we check our maths
Quick answer
Fences are priced per linear foot. A 6-ft wood privacy fence typically costs about $25–$40 per foot installed, so 150 ft with one walk gate comes to roughly $5,300. Vinyl costs more, chain link much less.
How this calculator works
Fence installers quote by the linear foot because posts, rails and panels scale with length. The material sets the base price: chain link is the cheapest, wood privacy fencing is the most common mid-range choice, and vinyl, aluminium and composite cost more upfront but need less upkeep.
Height changes the price because taller fences need longer posts set deeper and more material per foot. Slopes and rocky ground slow down post-hole digging, and each gate adds hardware, a stronger post and extra labour. Removing and hauling away an old fence is usually a separate line item.
Measure the actual run with a measuring wheel or a satellite map tool and mark where gates go. Many towns require a permit, and some require a survey to confirm property lines before you build on the boundary.
The formula
- Fence
- length × price per ft for the material × height factor × ground factor
- Gates
- walk gate ≈ 15 ft of fence; driveway gate ≈ 60 ft of fence
- Removal
- about $5 per foot when turned on
Worked example
150 ft of 6-ft wood privacy fence at $32 per foot on flat ground is $4,800. One walk gate adds $480, for $5,280 in total, about $35 per foot, shown as a range of roughly $4,750–$5,800.
Tips
- 01Call your local utility-locate service before digging; it's free and usually required.
- 02Wood fences last longer with pressure-treated posts set in concrete and a sealant every couple of years.
- 03Ask neighbours if they'd share the cost of a boundary fence; it's common and often cheaper per foot.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fence cost per foot?
Roughly $15–$25 for chain link, $25–$40 for wood privacy, $35–$50 for vinyl and $40–$60+ for aluminium or composite, installed.
How much does a 100 ft fence cost?
About $3,000–$4,000 for a 6-ft wood privacy fence, before gates and removal.
Which fence lasts the longest?
Vinyl, aluminium and composite last 20–30+ years with little upkeep; wood typically lasts 15–20 with maintenance.