Fence cost per linear foot
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Every fence quote is linear feet × price per foot — plus the extras. Here are the per-foot tables for 5 materials, what gates and terrain add, and the DIY math.
Cost per linear foot by material (installed)
October 2026 · installed, 6-ft privacy height unless noted · ±25% planning range
| Material | Installed / linear ft | Materials only / ft | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain-link (galvanized, 4–6 ft) | $13–$25 | $5–$10 | 20–25 yrs |
| Wood privacy (pine) | $18–$30 | $8–$15 | 12–15 yrs |
| Wood privacy (cedar) | $28–$45 | $12–$22 | 15–20 yrs |
| Vinyl / PVC privacy | $30–$55 | $15–$28 | 25–30 yrs |
| Aluminum ornamental | $37–$60 | $18–$32 | 30+ yrs |
| Composite privacy | $44–$72 | $22–$40 | 25–30 yrs |
Installed ranges from the site's fence material data; materials-only splits are industry estimates (roughly 40–60% of installed). Taller fences (7–8 ft) add ~15–25% per foot. Budgeting estimates, not quotes.
How to measure your linear footage
Walk the fence line with a tape (or a measuring wheel — $30 well spent) and add up each straight run. The house itself usually covers one side: a 50×100 ft backyard with the house on one 50-ft side needs roughly 250 linear feet (50 + 100 + 100). Then:
- Add 5–10% waste for posts, corners, and cutting — order 265–275 ft of material for a 250-ft run.
- Count gates separately — each gate replaces ~4–12 ft of fence run but costs more than the run it replaces (see below).
- Note the terrain — slopes, rock, and roots change the per-foot math more than the material choice does (see adders).
Worked example: 150 linear feet, 3 materials
October 2026 · mid-range installed rates · includes one walk gate
| Material | 150 ft × mid rate | + Walk gate | Project total | ±25% range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain-link | 150 × $19 = $2,850 | +$275 | $3,125 | $2,344–$3,906 |
| Cedar privacy | 150 × $36 = $5,400 | +$275 | $5,675 | $4,256–$7,094 |
| Vinyl privacy | 150 × $42 = $6,300 | +$350 | $6,650 | $4,988–$8,313 |
Same 150 feet, three budgets: $3,125 vs. $5,675 vs. $6,650. The material decision is the whole project — which is why the long-term math matters. Cedar needs staining every 2–3 years (~$300–$700 per 150 ft each time); over 15 years that adds $1,500–$3,500, closing much of the gap with vinyl. See wood vs. vinyl: the 15-year true cost.
Gates: priced separately, always
| Gate type | Typical installed cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walk gate (3–4 ft) | $150–$400 | Framing, hinges, latch — the hardware is the cost |
| Double drive gate (10–12 ft) | $400–$1,200 | Needs a steel frame or it sags within a year |
| Self-closing / pool gate | $300–$700 | Code-required near pools in most jurisdictions |
| Gate operator (automatic) | $1,500–$3,500+ | Motor, safety sensors, electrical — a project of its own |
Industry estimates. The #1 gate mistake is hanging a heavy wood gate on a wood frame — it will sag. Insist on a steel gate frame (usually +$75–$150) for any gate wider than 4 ft.
Terrain and site adders
October 2026 · industry estimates — these vary the most by region
| Condition | Typical adder | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sloped ground | +$3–$8 per foot | Stepped or racked panels, more labor per post |
| Rocky soil | +$5–$15 per foot | Post holes need a jackhammer or auger, not a digger |
| Old fence removal | +$2–$5 per foot | Demo, haul-away, and disposal fees |
| Concrete / asphalt cutting | +$10–$25 per post | Core drilling for posts set in existing hardscape |
| Restricted access | +$500–$1,500 project | No machine access = everything by hand |
| Permit | $50–$300 flat | Many cities require one; HOAs almost always do |
A "cheap" $20/ft quote on rocky, sloped ground with an old fence to remove can easily land at $35+/ft all-in. Get the adders in writing before you compare per-foot rates — the fence installation cost guide covers labor in detail.
DIY vs. pro per foot
| DIY (materials only) | Pro (installed) | 150-ft cedar example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per foot | $12–$22 | $28–$45 | |
| Project total | $1,800–$3,300 | $4,200–$6,750 | |
| Your time | 2–4 weekends (posts are the work) | 2–4 days for a crew |
DIY fence saves roughly 40–55% — $2,000–$3,500 on a typical run. But the work is post-setting: digging 20+ holes 2–3 ft deep, setting each post plumb in concrete, and keeping the whole line straight. Everything after the posts is comparatively easy. Rent the two-man auger ($75–$100/day); your back will thank you. And call 811 before you dig — hitting a utility line turns savings into a very bad day.
How fence height changes the per-foot price
October 2026 · industry estimates
Everything above assumes 6-ft privacy — the most quoted height. But height moves the per-foot number more than most people expect, because taller fences need longer posts, deeper footings, and more material per foot:
| Height | Per-foot multiplier | 150-ft cedar example | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft (picket / ranch) | ×0.70–0.80 | ~$3,975–$4,540 | Front yards, HOAs with height limits, keeping the dog in |
| 6 ft (privacy standard) | ×1.00 (baseline) | $5,675 | Backyard privacy — the default choice |
| 7–8 ft | ×1.15–1.25 | ~$6,525–$7,095 | Busy streets, close neighbors, pools (check local code max) |
Two things to know before going tall. First, many municipalities cap residential fences at 6 ft in backyards and 4 ft in front — an 8-ft fence without a variance is a removal order waiting to happen, so check code before you price it. Second, wind load rises with the square of height: an 8-ft solid privacy fence catches dramatically more wind than a 6-ft one, which is why tall fences need deeper footings and heavier posts — the multiplier above bakes that in. If you need height for privacy but not a fortress, a 6-ft fence with a 1-ft lattice topper gets you 7 ft of screening at a fraction of the structural cost of a full 7-ft solid build.
FAQs
How much does a fence cost per linear foot?
Installed, in 2026 planning ranges: chain-link $13–$25, wood privacy $18–$45, vinyl $30–$55, aluminum $37–$60, composite $44–$72 per linear foot. Gates, slopes, rocky soil, and old-fence removal add on top.
How do I calculate linear feet for a fence?
Measure each side of the area and add them up. A 50×100 ft backyard with the house covering one side needs ~250 linear feet. Add 5–10% for posts, corners, and waste — and count gates separately.
What is the cheapest fence per foot?
Chain-link at $13–$25/ft installed. For privacy on a budget, pine privacy fence at $18–$30/ft is cheapest — but budget for staining every 2–3 years, which narrows the long-term gap with vinyl.
How much does a fence gate cost?
$150–$400 for a walk gate, $400–$1,200 for a double drive gate, installed. Gates cost more per foot than fence runs because of framing and hardware — always get them itemized, not blended into the per-foot rate.
Is it cheaper to build a fence yourself?
Yes — materials run ~40–60% of installed cost, saving $2,000–$3,500 on a typical 150-ft run. The hard part is setting posts plumb; rent an auger, call 811 before digging, and budget 2–4 weekends.