New fence installation costs $1,500 to $4,000. On average, homeowners spend $2,550. Prices vary by region, material and project specifics like size and difficulty, so it's important to keep materials and dimensions in mind as you build a budget. Wood options average $2,700 to install while brick or stone projects average $4,600. Chain link fences cost $1,900 while vinyl ones are closer to $3,500.
Updated February 11, 2022
Reviewed by Dan DiClerico, Smart Home Strategist and Home Expert.
There's a lot to keep in mind for this home improvement. The fence material you choose will determine how your house and exterior look to potential buyers. It will also determine how safe your home is for children and pets, along with how secure it is against potential burglars.
For some, the American Dream has a picket fence around it. For others, it's wrought iron. Regardless of type, most homes have some kind of fencing. These features can serve as decoration, property line markers, security features, or all three. The price depends on several factors, including the height and length needed, as well as the materials. Most professionals charge at a per linear foot rate that includes both their labor and the materials.
"Good fences make good neighbors. A bad fence will not only damage that relationship, it could reduce your home's value and make it less safe, secure and attractive. That's why you need to do your homework before tackling any fence project, and only work with an experienced installer."
Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor Smart Home Strategist and Home Expert.
Your project could range from $1 to $45 per linear foot depending on the material you choose and the style you want. A picket fence, for example, will be a lower-cost wood project than a board on board style. And exotic species of wood will demand a greater budget than more popular and widely available ones.
Cheap
Barbed Wire
Electric/Invisible
Woven Wire
Hog Wire & Hog Panel
Deer
Mesh & Chicken Wire
Moderate
Horse & Farm
Metal or Chain Link
Wood & Privacy
Split Rail
Board on Board
Expensive
Vinyl
Aluminum
Wrought Iron
Brick, Stone or Concrete Block
Security Fence
Composite & Trex
Measurements for materials are based on linear foot, which is the same as the per-foot measurement. The typical perimeter for a residential backyard is 150-170 linear feet.
| Linear Foot | Cheaper (Wire or Electric) | Moderate (Wood) | Expensive (Composite or Vinyl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1 - $6 | $10 - $20 | $25 - $45 |
| 8 | $10 - $50 | $100 - $200 | $200 - $400 |
| 100 | $100 - $600 | $1,000 - $2,000 | $2,500 - $4,500 |
| 150 | $150 - $1,000 | $1,500 - $3,000 | $3,500 - $7,000 |
| 300 | $300 - $1,800 | $3,000 - $6,000 | $7,500 - $13,500 |
Fencing projects range from $1,000 to $38,000 per acre, depending on the material used and difficulty of access and construction. For big projects, it's important to note that the more length you need, the lower your price-per-foot may be – as long as you go through a professional. Many manufacturers provide savings on higher volumes of orders to pros in the industry. If you order on your own, you may miss such discounts. For large projects involving tens of acres, that discount can equal thousands in savings!
| Acre(s) | Cheaper (Wire or Electric) | Moderate (Wood) | Expensive (Composite or Vinyl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter | $400 - $2,500 | $4,200 - $8,500 | $10,500 - $20,000 |
| Half | $600 - $3,500 | $6,000 - $12,000 | $15,000 - $27,000 |
| 1 | $1,000 - $5,000 | $8,000 - $17,000 | $21,000 - $38,000 |
| 2 | $1,200 - $7,000 | $12,000 - $23,500 | $30,000 - $53,000 |
| 5 | $2,000 - $11,000 | $19,000 - $37,500 | $47,000 - $84,000 |
| 10 | $2,500 - $16,000 | $26,500 - $52,800 | $66,000 - $120,000 |
| 20 | $4,000 - $22,000 | $38,000 - $75,000 | $95,000 - $170,000 |
| 25 | $4,200 - $25,000 | $42,000 - $84,000 | $105,000 - $190,000 |
| 40 | $5,500 - $32,000 | $53,000 - $106,000 | $132,000 - $240,000 |
Depending on the material you use, your project could cost anywhere from $1 to $45 per linear foot. This pricing should be relatively consistent by material but may vary with different heights. Typically, wood is the cheapest option while wrought iron is the most expensive outright. In addition to price, each type offers different positive and negative features.
| Material | Cost per Linear Foot Installed | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Barbed Wire | $1 - $6 | Cheap |
| Electric/Invisible | $1 - $6 | Cheap |
| Metal Chain Link | $5 - $40 | Cheap to Expensive |
| Wood & Privacy | $10 - $20 | Moderate |
| Vinyl | $20 - $25 | Expensive |
| Aluminum | $20 - $30 | Expensive |
| Wrought Iron | $20 - $35 | Expensive |
| Composite & Trex | $15 - $45 | Most Expensive |
Installing a wooden fence costs most homeowners an average of $1,700 to $4,000, or $10 to $20 per foot. Wood is one of the most common products for this project and it can last a long time if you treat it correctly. The products usually consist of pine, redwood, cedar, or other species that are resilient when wet. Though it usually has a natural look, it is both stainable and paintable. Wood, along with vinyl and stone, is a great product for privacy fencing.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Inexpensive and can last for years with appropriate treatment.
Cons: Requires regular upkeep and staining.
Chain link fences cost $1,100 to $2,700 to install and range from $5 to $40 per foot. Chain link is one of the most affordable options. The price varies mostly due to height, as a 6-foot or 8-foot style will take more material per linear foot than a 4-foot style. You can also expect to pay up to $2 more per linear foot for a vinyl-coated chain link versus an uncoated, galvanized chain link.
Since it's made for function instead of form, it's great for delineating property lines or keeping in pets, but it doesn't make for a particularly attractive border.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Durable, affordable, and effective.
Cons: Generally considered the least attractive product type and is susceptible to rust.
Vinyl fencing installation costs between $2,000 and $5,000 and averages $20 to $25 per foot. It is affordable, lightweight, durable, and easy to set up. It is not good for security, however, as it can't withstand attempts to cut through it. Some homeowners consider it to be unattractive. Some of these products mimic the look of wood, but most resemble plastic.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Easy installation.
Cons: Not appropriate for security.
Installing aluminum fencing costs the average American homeowner between $2,000 and $5,000 at a rate of $20 to $30 per foot. It offers an attractive, lightweight alternative to other kinds of metal, including the heavyweight wrought iron. Aluminum also tends to be one of the most affordable metal options, and it's durable, which means you'll spend less on upkeep in the long run.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Won't rust and requires little repair or upkeep.
Cons: Not the most secure type available.
Installing wrought iron fencing costs $1,300 to $4,100 and runs at a rate of $20 to $35 per foot. Wrought iron is one of the most secure products for this project and is also one of the most traditionally beautiful.
This heavy-duty option also makes for an effective barrier that will keep your yard secure from unwanted human, animal, and other guests. Since it is highly customized for each job, chances are that it will be a perfect fit.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Can last for a lifetime.
Cons: One of the most expensive options.
Barbed wire fencing costs $1,200 to $3,500 to install, at a rate of $1 to $6 per foot. Ranchers usually use it to keep livestock -- cows, horses, etc. -- confined in pastures or on ranches.
This style is sometimes used with woven wire to prevent large animals from breaking it down when they get rowdy or excited. For smaller animals, it's good at keeping them from digging underneath to get out. For farming or crop areas, it protects against large animals from getting in and destroying the crops.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Secure, inexpensive, good for farmland and ranches.
Cons: Potentially dangerous for kids and can be expensive if you use a lot of additional supplies.
Woven wire fence installation costs $1,700 to $3,500 and typically runs $2 to $4 per foot. The price marker used is one acre, or 836 feet, because this product is popular in agricultural situations. A 200-foot option could be as little as $400.
This product is more complex to set up, but it is a better option for containing horses, goats, and sheep than other wire alternatives or wood. It consists of wires secured together by knots where they intersect.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Secure, strong, and safe for farm animals like horses and sheep.
Cons: Animals grazing along the edge may get their foot stuck in the wire and wild animals may try to jump it.
The cost to install mesh and chicken wire usually lands in a range of $600 to $1,300 and $4 to $10 per foot. This average is for farm-use situations with 8 to 18-foot posts.
People use mesh and chicken wire to pen in small animals like pigs, rabbits, and chickens. Chicken wire is also known as poultry netting. It is durable, flexible, and made by twisting thin wires together to form a net structure.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Flexible and durable. Great for keeping in smaller livestock.
Cons: Can rust and stray wires may be hazardous to animals. You will have to check it regularly for cuts, holes, and loose connections.
Installing hog wire & hog panel fencing costs $500 to $1,000 for an average-sized backyard - which ranges from 150 to 170 linear feet - and runs $3 to $5 per foot. For a quarter of a mile, the cost would range from $4,000 to $6,500.
Hog wire, also known as hog panel, is a firm, rigid metal option that consists of welded wire intersections. It is usually a shorter option, up to 50 inches in height, used to pen in small animals or as a farm-style perimeter for residences.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Inexpensive, durable, and flexible.
Cons: Doesn't lend to privacy.
Deer fencing costs $600 to $900 for a typical backyard and will be around $4 to $6 per foot. For larger properties and acreage, expect to pay closer to $5,000 to $8,000.
This option consists of a very strong, tight mesh and people consider it a safe way to keep deer off your property.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Safe, low-cost means of deterring deer.
Cons: Tighter mesh will incur more overall damage when struck or broken.
The cost to install board on board fencing is $3,500 to $4,500 and $15 to $25 per foot.
This style consists of board panels on either side of central rails, layered and overlapping by an average of an inch. This makes for an elegant design and excellent privacy. They primarily consist of wood, though there are vinyl alternatives available.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Elegant design that both provides privacy and adds curb appeal.
Cons: Wood options will require regular maintenance and treatment to prevent rot and warping.
The average backyard security fence costs $2,500 to $6,000 and around $15 to $40 per foot.
Wire mesh, chain link, and metal options are commonly used materials for this purpose. The following are the most ideal qualities of a security-minded barrier:
8 feet tall or more
Pointed edges on top
Zero passage without the use of a secure gate.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Offers visibility and safety at once, making your property less vulnerable to crime.
Cons: Height adds significantly to the overall expense. Must inspect regularly for cuts and breakage to ensure optimal safety.
Electric fences cost $1,000 to $1,500, or $1 to $6 per foot, to put in and they are great for containing your pets. They are also more economical than erecting other products.
Electric styles are a great way to train your pet and protect them from hurting themselves or potentially hurting someone. They're an effective way to not compromise the beauty of your landscape and keep your pet safe. They're also considered a humane form of training.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Affordable, allows flexibility in landscape, and still effective for pet training.
Cons: Can be painful for the dog while they train, considered punishment for the pet, and some types involve digging up the yard.
Horse & farm fencing installation costs $600 to $5,000 and ranges from $5 to $30 per foot. The range in price is due to the variety of options. Horse and farm options include wooden styles like split rail and ranch, wire styles like mesh and woven, as well as vinyl versions of ranch styles. Wire styles are cheaper, coming in around $5 to $10 per foot, while vinyl ranges up near $15 to $30 per foot.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Lots of options available to meet your needs, from low-maintenance vinyl to low-cost wire.
Cons: There's no such thing as a "no-escape guarantee," so you'll need to keep an eye on the structure to make sure it remains intact. Vinyl railings, for example, can come loose under pressure. And wood can break, splinter and rot.
The cost to install split rail fencing is $2,500 to $4,000 and $10 to $20 per foot.
Split rail is also known as a log fence. It is made from split logs of various species of wood, and your price will vary based on the type of wood you choose. The split logs are affixed horizontally as rails and supported by posts. This feature is commonly used as a barrier for livestock and horses.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Has a classic, rustic visual appeal and is great as a barrier for animals and livestock.
Cons: Made of a high-maintenance material that will demand resealing or repainting. Risk of rot.
Installations made of brick, stone, or concrete block cost $2,100 to $7,000 and $15 to $40 per foot. These are more expensive options because they demand extensive labor as well as special equipment and skill.
As a material, concrete is the least expensive of the three. And the overall price of a stone project will also vary depending on the type used.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Beautiful appearance and great for privacy.
Cons: Labor is extensive and expensive.
Installing composite and Trex fencing costs $4,000 to $6,000 and typically runs $15 to $45 per foot. It involves a significant investment upfront, but it will not require as much maintenance and upkeep as most other products. Composite comes in various styles and colors and can last over 20 years. With composite, you can get the visual appeal of wood without the high maintenance.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Long lifespan and extremely low maintenance.
Cons: High initial investment.
Labor expenses can vary as greatly as material expenses when you take factors like permits, grading, and job complexity into account. Though part of your labor rate depends on the contractor and his or her skill level, the following are common factors that will also have an influence.
If your area requires one, a permit for a fence could cost $20 to $60. This type of project almost always requires a permit from the local authorities due to the property modification. Determine what kinds of permits are necessary, which authority grants them and who will file for them. Some contractors will file themselves while others depend on the homeowner to complete this administrative task.
Requesting that local utility companies locate their respective lines within the proposed fencing area is another administrative task to complete before work begins. Ask whether the contractor will contact and schedule appointments for the following utility companies to inspect the area:
gas,
electricity,
telephone or internet and
water.
Uneven land or higher-grade areas can mean tough working conditions for contractors. It also means that the project and products won't be straightforward. Instead, contractors need to customize components to fit the grade. Certain products are suited to uneven land and high grades, so be sure to get an expert opinion.
Ground condition and type can vary even in the same yard area. Though professionals can work with most ground conditions, and may even be able to anticipate where challenging ground lies, some ground types require more work or equipment than others. Rocky, wet, or clay ground areas, for instance, could increase project expenses.
Pre-existing structures, trees, and other materials on the project site can impact the complexity of the job and its final cost. Be sure to understand the job complexity and timeline before signing on with a professional.
Whether you are fencing in the front yard, backyard, or both will play a key role in your project.
Backyards benefit from higher, privacy options, which will cost more in materials. Wood, board on board and vinyl options are popular for backyards.
Front yards need to cater to curb appeal and are most attractive with shorter styles. They can be more for decoration than function. Picket and wrought iron are popular for front yards.
If your neighborhood and county allow you may be able to put up an eight-foot fence. Extra height like this, or extra length, could add around 30 percent to both material and labor expenses.
Adding regular gates will be around $200 to $600 per gate. This number is dependent upon the product used and how involved the work is. Matching the gate material to the fence isn't necessary but will impact overall expense. If you are in need of a driveway option, security gates cost an average of $700 to $3,000.
Other considerations and potential benefits or drawbacks to keep in mind are:
Property value: When determining whether to put up a fence, think about your neighborhood. If all the other houses in your area have them, then it's likely to increase the value. If none of the other houses have them though, yours is going to stand out and probably decrease the value.
HOA: Homeowner associations sometimes have specific outlines about what kind you can have. That's because it must match the rest of the neighborhood. This includes materials, depth, and height. You need to be ready to meet those standards and have a budget prepared.
Return on investment: This home improvement usually provides a good return on investment, if you follow the above-mentioned guides. You also shouldn't spend more on this feature than the value of your home. Akin to a bathroom remodel, you shouldn't spend more than 5% of your home's value on this project - probably lean more towards 1% of your home's value.
Neighboring fences: If your neighboring property has a wood fence and you put up a brick one, your home is going to stand out - and not in a good way. Try to have yours blend in as much as possible. It will appeal more to potential buyers.
Security: You want an installation that's secure, so think about making it at least 6 feet tall so it's not easy for people to climb over. Pick a material that complements your home while keeping your home safe.
Pets & children: Akin to security, you want to keep your pets and children safe. Enclosing your yard keeps them from wandering away. Make sure you plant the fence deep so animals can't easily dig out underneath it. You also don't want it too short so that dogs can't jump over it, and children can't easily climb over, either.
Most homeowners choose to work with a professional due to the level of skilled labor required for this project. Before contacting a professional, though, start to get an idea of the pricing involved. Be sure to estimate the basic material prices in advance and compare those calculations with the total project estimates from a professional.
These components are subject to the homeowner's preferences and the project budget. Determine the best look for the site, whether it's basic chain link, smart wood, or elegant wrought iron, and opt for a level of quality appropriate for the budget.
The cost to hire a land surveyor to measure your yard accurately falls between $300 and $700. Only a legal survey can determine the precise property line around which to construct a fence. Refer to this official document when calculating measurements and dimensions.
Not all experts are created equal, and some have more experience or better reviews than others. Be sure to read reviews from trusted resources or fellow homeowners to find the best contractor for the job.
Get three estimates from different pros before hiring. If you only solicit an estimate from one contractor, you'll have no way of knowing how that measures up against other local contractors. Obtaining estimates from three different contractors will give you a more accurate picture of the materials and labor rate in your area.
Electric fences are the cheapest for residential yards, but only serve a limited purpose. Wire styles, like barbed and chain link, are also very affordable.
Make accurate measurements before you order products or before you call professionals for quotes.
Don't go overboard on style and elegance if it doesn't answer for your actual needs.
If you're looking at a high-end product, like redwood or cedar for wooden fencing, consider lower-end options that perform similarly, like treated pine.
Let your professional order materials in order to make the most of expert-only rates.
Consider lower-priced gates. The gate and fence material doesn't need to match to look good.
The expense of this project can be very high if you use top-of-the-line materials, need customization, or are dealing with a large area. Wire and electric options make this project much less expensive - comparable to many small home projects.
To get the correct measurements, confirm where your property lines are. Once you know this, you can measure the perimeter of your yard to find the right linear footage for your project. There may be obstructions to consider, such as trees, slopes, and utility lines. A land surveyor can help you to make the most accurate calculation. You have to keep all of this in mind, so it is valuable to consult with a contractor and your HOA, so you don't end up with the wrong product. You want to make an investment that lasts with little maintenance and repairs needed. A professional contractor can help you to maximize on your investment, choose the right materials, get price-cutting expert-only discounts and perform proper installation for optimum security and appeal.