Written by

Tom Grupa

October 6, 2023

Fencing Prices

Fence installation costs $4,000 to $12,000 on average. New fencing costs $20 to $60 per linear foot or $2,000 to $54,000 for 1 acre. Prices depend on the type of fence materials used and the length and height of the fence.

Fencing comes in over a dozen styles and materials with the most popular being wood, vinyl, picket, and chain-link. We cover every type of fence and its prices in detail in our cost guide below.

Fence Cost Estimator

The cost to install a fence runs from cheap to expensive depending on the material, length, height, if it’s on a hill or set in rocky ground, and whether professional or DIY installation.

For an average yard with 150 linear feet of home fencing on the property line, fencing costs about $2,500 for a wood privacy fence, $2,100 for chain-link fencing, and $1,700 for a picket fence using mid-grade materials.

New Fence Cost Per Foot

A new fence costs $1 to $44 per foot with most homeowners spending $10 to $18 per linear foot for materials and installation. A wood picket fence costs $10 to $14 per foot, while a privacy fence costs $13 to $19, and a vinyl fence runs $15 to $30.

Fencing Cost Per Acre

Fencing costs $1,100 to $33,400 per acre, with most homeowners spending $2,000 to $9,000. The cheapest backyard fence is barbed wire which costs as little as $1,1,00 per acre, whereas a split rail wood fence costs about $7,000 per acre.

• Fencing a large property costs more overall but typically costs less per acre.

• Prices increase if the acre is not square and contains corners or slopes.

Average Fencing Prices By Material

The cheapest fencing materials are wire with metal posts and wood, but even within those categories are many varieties of fence material costs. Compare fence prices in our list below. Keep in mind our prices do not include post holes & posts, gates, or other hardware.

Metal & Chain Link

Metal or chain-link fencing costs $9 to $50 per linear foot to install with most spending $1,400 to $3,900 to fence their yard. Prices depend on the height of the fence, with 4', 6', and 8' options, and if you decide to upgrade to vinyl coating.

Metal and chain link fences are known for security, and they provide excellent protection for children and pets. However, they aren’t as attractive as wood.

Chain link fences with black vinyl coating cost a bit more than uncoated galvanized chain link fences, but they also seem to disappear into your landscape. The vinyl coating doesn’t rust or corrode making this option a good choice for home use.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Affordable and secure

• Cons: Not so attractive; can rust; not a good DIY project

Wood & Privacy Fence

A wood fence costs $20 to $50 per foot installed, with most homeowners spending $4,000 to $10,000 for privacy fencing. Wood is the most common material for backyard fencing and can last for 20 years. Cost depends on the species of wood chosen with the most popular being pine, cedar, and redwood.

• Cedar is one of the best woods for fencing because of the cedar oil contained within. It will naturally resist moisture, insect damage, and decay.

• Using cheap wood fencing will require yearly treatment to protect it from moisture and insect damage.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Gives privacy; is strong and versatile

• Cons: Can be expensive; needs yearly maintenance

Vinyl Fence Cost

A new vinyl fence costs $30 to $60 per linear foot installed. Fencing a typical yard with a vinyl fence costs $6,000 to $12,000 depending on the size and height. Vinyl fencing comes in many styles and colors, with the most popular being white vinyl or a faux wood look.

Vinyl is a step up from wood and is a long-term investment since the materials are low-maintenance and longer lasting than wood. Vinyl fences are made from PVC plastic combined with other elements that make them strong and durable. Vinyl doesn’t warp, rot, or split like a wood fence might, and vinyl fences are free from the rust and corrosion problems that come with metal or some chain link fences.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Strong, durable, eco-friendly, easy to install, and private

• Cons: Not the best choice for security

Composite & Trex Fencing Prices

Installing composite and Trex fencing costs $20 to $40 per linear foot, with most homeowners spending $3,500 and $5,600. Composite fencing lasts for 20+ years and mimics the look of wood but never needs painting, sanding, or staining. Composite comes in various colors and styles.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Easy to install, durable, little to no maintenance

• Cons: High initial cost

Picket Fence Prices

A wood picket fence costs $1,500 to $2,100, with most spending $10 to $14 per foot. Picket fences are the epitome of the American dream. You can quickly put one up around your yard by using fence panels, which come in a variety of materials.

Wire Fencing Cost

Wire fencing costs between $1 and $7 per linear foot installed, or around $1,300 to $5,900 per acre depending on the type. Common wire fences include barbed wire, hog wire, and woven wire, each averaging $2 per linear foot to install.

Hog Wire Fence Cost

Installing a hog wire fence costs from $0.75 to $3.25 per foot. Hog wire and panels were designed for creating pens to contain hogs, but have been gaining in popularity for residences. The hog wire panel is framed with wood and attached to wooden fence posts for an attractive fence around your yard.

Hog wiring has a variable mesh, with a tighter mesh at the bottom, and can be purchased in a panel. The panels, which are 16’ long, cost $30 each and can be cut in half to create smaller sections of fence or gates.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Affordable, decorative, pre-cut panels are easy to use

• Cons: No privacy and does not keep out small animals such as mice

Woven Wire Fence Costs

The average cost to install a woven wire fence is $1.50 to $1.90 per foot. Woven wire is mainly used on farms and ranches and costs more than barbed wire. However, it's more attractive and not hazardous to children or pets. Woven wire comes in different sizes for different purposes.

• A mesh of 2” x 4” is good for animals with hooves, as the openings are too small to allow hooves through the fence. A roll of 100 ft that is 5 ft high costs $180.

• A mesh of 6” x 6” is suitable for containing large animals such as cows, goats, and sheep. A roll of 330 ft. that is 4 ft. high (the standard height for this purpose) is $190.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Perfect for containing animals, more attractive than the barbed wire option

• Cons: Difficult to install and maintain

Barbed Wire Fence Cost

A barbed wire fence costs $1.25 to $1.50 per foot including installation. The average construction cost for a 1,300-foot fence with five strands of 12-gauge barbed wire is $1,900. Typically used on ranches and farms, it’s a secure fence to keep animals in (or out). Barbed-wire fences are generally used when there are miles of fence line needed, but also can be configured to provide excellent security at the top of high walls.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Secure for animals, cheap, lightweight

• Cons: Not always secure for humans, can easily be cut, may be dangerous to kids, unattractive

Mesh and Chicken Wire

The cost to install mesh and chicken wire fencing is $2 to $4 per foot. If you install it DIY, a roll of 50' chicken wire that is 4' high costs $40. Chicken wire is an excellent way to keep chickens or other small animals/birds in a particular place.

Chicken wire is lightweight and strong enough to contain any small animals. It can also be used around your garden to keep out the bunnies. Chicken wire is used quite often in different crafts and even home decorating options.

• Pros: Lightweight, versatile, easy to shape and install

• Cons: Not secure or strong

Deer Fence Cost

An 8' high woven wire deer fence costs $1.80 and $2.50 per foot to construct. Deer fences are a safe way to keep deer off your property, but they need to be very high because deer can jump high. One option is a mesh fence with a ¾” mesh. The mesh can be tricky to put up, as it catches on everything, but it can easily be attached to posts, poles, or even trees. A deer fence will cost about $90 for the mesh and posts for a typical backyard if you install it yourself.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Economical and strong

• Cons: Can be tricky to install

Aluminum Fence Cost

A 4-foot tall aluminum fence costs between $24 to $32 per foot to install on average whereas a 6-foot costs $35 to $50 per foot. Most homeowners spend $3,600 to $4,800 to fence a 150 linear foot yard. Aluminum fencing is an economical alternative to the look of wrought iron and is widely used as a secure pool fence enclosure.

Aluminum fencing comes in a variety of picket or privacy styles and can also be ordered with aluminum as the frame around vinyl inserts. It’s available in a wide assortment of colors to match the current landscaping and curb appeal.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: It's lightweight, economical, and appropriate for a large number of applications

• Cons: It's not as durable as wrought iron, not the best choice for security, and less expensive brands can rust.

Board on Board Fence Cost

A board-on-board fence costs $16 to $22 per foot, with most homeowners spending between $2,400 and $3,300 for materials and installation. A board-on-board or shadowbox fence is a great choice for a backyard because it looks the same on both sides. The fence boards are attached to a framework of railing, alternating and overlapping at the same time.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: It’s an attractive fence solution.

• Cons: It’s not entirely private. If you stand to the side, you can see through the fence—in between the alternating boards.

Wrought Iron Fence Cost

A wrought iron fence costs $24 to $44 per foot to install on average. For a standard backyard of 150 linear feet, cost estimates are between $3,600 and $6,600. A wrought iron fence looks classy, and it will last nearly forever. It won’t rot or decay, and it is impervious to insect damage.

While still expensive as far as fences go, it’s more affordable than hand-forged fencing—true wrought iron is hand-forged and made to order. This kind of wrought iron can cost as much as $300 a linear foot. Installing a wrought-iron fence is no easy job as it is very heavy and requires knowledgeable hands and solid footing to do the work.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Solid, sturdy, and durable. Attractive and can last a lifetime.

• Cons: The cost of the fence and installation is prohibitive.

Security Fence Cost

A security fence costs $30 to $60 per foot and is typically constructed from steel, iron, wire mesh, chain link, or a combination of metal. For the average home, expect to spend $4,500 to $9,000 on security fencing.

A security fence has one purpose, and that’s to keep people out. Commonly installed with spires and pointed edges on top, most security fences are at least 8 feet tall, and built with a very secure gate system. Security fences are topped with pickets, either straight or curved, with a flat or pointed top.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Extremely secure to protect life and property.

• Cons: High cost. High-end security fences can cost a whopping $100 to $400 per linear foot.

Electric & Invisible Fencing

An invisible or electric fence costs $100 to $300 to install on average for a typical home. A five-strand high-tensile electrified wire fence used for livestock costs $0.89 to $1.24 per foot to professionally install.

An invisible fence is one way to keep your view and your dogs inside your yard. Once installed, a small amount of electricity surrounds your perimeter—not enough to hurt a dog, but just enough to stop him.

Another kind of invisible fence uses a radio signal to create a zone for happy play. The dog wears a collar that communicates with the fence. Once the dog goes through the perimeter, it is reminded by a mild shock to return to the yard.

• For $59 you can go to Lowes and buy an electric fence that you plug in. It covers up to 5 acres.

• An invisible fence from Amazon is $277, and it will cover up to a half acre.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Proven dog training method, no unsightly fence, and affordable.

• Cons: Doesn’t work with all dogs.

Horse & Farm Fencing

Installing horse and farm fencing typically costs $2 per foot installed or $1,300 to $5,900 to fence one acre with wire fencing. Another option for a farm is split rail fencing which costs $12 to $17 per foot, or about $10,000 to $14,200 per acre.

There are usually many acres to fence in, so anything else other than barbed wire or woven wire is cost prohibitive. The prices below take into account the labor required to build the fence, fence posts, staples, and assorted hardware.

• A quarter mile of barbed wire fence costs $1.50 installed.

• A quarter mile of woven wire fencing costs just a little more at $2 per linear foot.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Affordable, keeps the horses and cows secure.

• Cons: Unattractive.

Split Rail Fence Cost

A split rail fence costs $12 to $17 per foot for materials and installation. For a typical 150 linear foot yard, expect to spend between $1,800 and $2,550. A split rail or log fence is a rustic type of fence made up of split logs that are stacked alternately to create a slight zig-zag pattern. Split rail fencing is an open fence any animal (dog, goat, etc.) could crawl through it, and it’s usually quite short (3’–4’ tall). It’s used mainly in the country.

Brick, Stone, or Concrete Block Fencing

Brick, stone, and concrete fencing costs between $6 and $20 per square foot with most homeowners spending between $3,600 and $12,000. Brick or stone walls are constructed by masons, who are craftsmen of high quality. These walls are attractive, strong, and typically priced by the square foot.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Attractive, strong, secure, and private.

• Cons: Expensive and difficult to build.

Paling Fence Prices

A paling fence is found in Australia. Fence boards are nailed to crossbeams, but the boards are butted against each other, providing complete privacy. Normally constructed from treated pine, it is the most common and cheapest privacy fence to be found in Australia.

Cost Considerations To Build A Fence

The cost of building a fence can vary greatly depending on the following factors:

• Front yard vs. Backyard Fencing

• Extra-long or High Fence

• Permits

• Utilities

• Grading

• Ground Conditions

• Job Complexity

• Gates

Front Yard vs. Backyard Fencing

Most people only fence their backyards because it’s where the kids play and the dogs run. Also, we want privacy, especially if we have a pool or hot tub. Backyard fences tend to be 6 to 8 feet tall to ensure privacy, and the most popular fencing material is wood pickets.

Fences in the front yard are generally decorative—think white picket fence—and are 3 to 4 feet tall. Front-yard fences add to curb appeal and can be an important part of a landscaping plan.

Extra-Long or High Fence Costs

An extra-long fence costs more according to how many more boards it will take to build the length you want. For example, a 500-foot-long fence made from cedar costs $6,300–$9,300.

An extra-high fence costs extra because fence boards come in 6- and 8-ft heights, and having fence boards cut to 10’ means an additional expense of 20% to 30%. The lumberyard may charge you a premium for having to cut custom boards.

You will also have to check zoning laws and your HOA for guidelines on fences that are higher than the standard 6-foot height.

Permits

A fence permit costs $25 to $50, depending on location. In general, you won’t need a permit to build a fence that is less than 6 feet tall, but check with your local planning and zoning office, or wherever building permits are issued in your county. Also, check your HOA rules regarding fence heights. Be sure you know the guidelines, or you could spend a lot of money for nothing.

Utilities

Always check with your local utility companies before you dig any holes. Call 811 to have them come out and mark utility lines, usually at no cost. Digging holes without knowing where the utility lines are could cost you some big bucks.

Grading

The cost to level a yard is $500 to $5,000, depending on the size and slope. If the area you want to fence is on a slope, you may have to level it out. If you need to build a fence on a slope without grading, it will have to be built with fence pickets (or boards); fence panels will not work.

Ground Conditions

If your soil is rocky or soggy, that might increase the labor costs of installation. Working with such ground is harder and may require additional labor or equipment.

Job Complexity

The cheapest way to build a fence is in straight lines. Building a square or rectangular fence will cost less than building a fence with lots of corners and obstacles. Every corner post and turn of the fence will add labor and materials costs. Corner posts and line posts are more significant than a fence board and cost more. A fence with multiple corners and little out-of-the-way areas is appealing to the eye, but more costly too.

Gate Costs

The cost to install a typical gate ranges between $150 and $500 per gate. Gates can be useful or decorative, or both. If you opt to install it yourself you can get a chain link gate that is 4’ x 4’ for $60, or you can get a 4’ x 4’ aluminum, decorative, metal fence gate painted black that costs $350.

Pros and Cons of Installing a Fence

Pros

• Protect your possessions, children, and pets.

• Keep out intruders or wild animals.

• Block damaging wind.

• Ensure privacy.

• Block street noise.

• Increase your home's property value.

• Protect children around pools and hot tubs.

• Mark your property line.

• Add to your curb appeal.

Cons

• A fence might cost more than you’re willing to pay.

• A fence will most likely need maintenance in the coming years.

• Trimming and mowing are more difficult around a fence.

• If your neighbor doesn’t want a fence, you could have problems.

How to Estimate Your Fencing Costs

Many fencing companies now have apps available on their websites, where you can plug in your details, and it will spit out an estimated cost of building your fence. Or you can do it the old-school way—with a tape measure, a pencil, and some graph paper.

• Take some precise measurements of the area to be fenced, or hire a land surveyor for about $200-$1,200.

• Estimate the number of corner and line posts that will be needed.

• Decide how wide the gate will be and what kind of hardware you want to use.

• Decide how high the fence will be.

• Choose your fencing material—one within your budget.

It would be easier to call and get an estimate from a fence installation company. Always get at least three estimates from three different companies. You don’t necessarily want to take the lowest bid automatically.

Free Fence Quotes Online

Any fencing company will give you a free estimate on HomeGuide. Many fencing companies have online estimators or calculators that you can use to plug in your measurements, and they will email you an estimate. Some estimators are instant, and you won’t even have to wait for an email.

There are apps (free) available that allow you to draw your fence on your property via Google Earth and the app will also let you know what you need to build a fence.

Fence Pricing FAQs

What Is The Cheapest Yard Fence To Build?

The cheapest fence to build around your yard would be made woven wire, barbed wire, or hog wire at an average cost of $2 per foot. The next cheapest fence to build around your yard would be a chain link fence.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Build A Privacy Fence?

The cheapest way to build a privacy fence is with recycled materials. If you know where to look, you can often find low cost or even free materials to build your privacy fence.

• Wood – look for pallets that are being given away, wood scraps from the lumberyard or a local mill, or wood flooring from a building that is being torn down. This is probably the cheapest way to build a privacy fence.

• Glass – use some quick-dry cement to hold rows of glass bottles in place, and build as many rows as you need to create privacy in your backyard.

• Chain Link – is not expensive to buy. Install a chain link fence and then plant fast-growing vines at the foot of the fence. You’ll have a cheap privacy fence before the end of summer!

How Much Fencing Do I Need?

You’ll need to take precise measurements of the area to be fenced and the number of corners on the fence. Only then can you estimate the amount of fencing that you’ll need. It’s easier to ask a professional to estimate your fencing needs or use some of the online apps available to calculate it all.

How Can I Make My Fencing Project Affordable?

• You might get a better deal on materials by hiring a professional to build your fence.

• If you’re purchasing your own materials, check with several different lumberyards or home improvement stores.

• Match your fence to your house and don’t get caught up in all the higher-end options for fences and gates and hardware.

Is Building A Fence Expensive?

Building a fence can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Consider why you need or want a fence and then look at the different options available. You might find your needs will be met with a cheaper type of fencing than you initially thought.

Hiring Your Fence Company

There is so much information and so many options available when it comes to building a fence that it might be a good idea to approach this project over a few months rather than on a long weekend. Get all your ducks in a row—measure out your area, get permits, follow HOA guidelines, and study zoning laws first. Once you have a plan, be sure to get at least 3 estimates from local contractors. Having a professional fence installer do the job will be faster and more economical in the long run.