How Much Does a Fence Cost Per Linear Foot in 2026?
Ask three fence contractors for a quote and you'll get three wildly different numbers. That's not because anyone is lying — fence pricing genuinely swings on material, height, terrain, gates, and how much of the work you do yourself. This guide breaks down what a fence really costs per linear foot in 2026, so you can spot a fair quote and budget honestly.
Fence cost per linear foot by material (installed)
These are 2026 US installed prices from contractor quotes and home-improvement cost surveys, for a standard 6-foot privacy fence unless noted:
| Material | Cost per linear foot (installed) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $15–$30 | Budget privacy |
| Cedar | $25–$45 | Looks + longevity |
| Chain link (4 ft) | $10–$25 | Cheap, pet containment |
| Vinyl/PVC | $30–$60 | Low maintenance |
| Aluminum (ornamental) | $25–$55 | Front yards, HOA areas |
| Composite | $35–$65 | Premium, no upkeep |
| Wrought iron | $30–$100+ | High-end security |
The per-foot price usually includes posts, concrete footings, pickets or panels, and labor. Gates are almost always extra: $150–$500 per gate for wood, more for metal.
What a typical fence project costs
Per-foot pricing is useful, but nobody buys one foot of fence. Here is what whole projects look like:
- Small yard (100 linear ft), pine privacy: $1,500–$3,000 installed
- Average backyard (150 linear ft), cedar: $3,750–$6,750 installed
- Same 150 ft, vinyl: $4,500–$9,000 installed
- Large lot (300 linear ft), chain link: $3,000–$7,500 installed
A quick rule of thumb: measure your fence line, multiply by the per-foot rate for your material, then add $200–$400 per gate and a 10% contingency for rocky soil or slope. Or skip the arithmetic — run your measurements through our free fence calculator and it does the post count, picket count, and concrete bags for you.
What pushes the price up (or down)
Height. A 4-foot picket fence uses roughly a third less material than a 6-foot privacy fence, and most contractors charge $3–$8 less per foot.
Terrain. Flat, soft soil is the cheapest to dig. Rocky ground, heavy clay, or a slope can add $5–$15 per foot in labor. If your yard drops more than a foot over the fence run, expect a "racking" or stepped-panel surcharge.
Post installation. Posts set in concrete last 15–20+ years; posts just tamped into dirt last 5–8. Good contractors pour concrete — about $5–$10 per post in material. For a 150-foot fence with posts every 8 feet, that's 19 posts.
Gates. Every gate needs heavier posts, hinges, and a latch. Budget $200–$400 per walk gate, $500–$1,500 for a double drive gate.
Old fence removal. Tearing out and hauling away an old fence runs $3–$5 per linear foot. Some contractors waive it to win the job — always ask.
Permits. Many cities require a fence permit ($50–$200). HOAs may dictate material, height, and even color. Check both before you buy a single post.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
DIY a 150-foot pine privacy fence costs roughly $1,200–$2,500 in materials (posts, concrete, pickets, screws, plus a rented auger at ~$75/day). That's about half the installed price. The catch: it's 40–60 hours of real work for two people, and setting posts straight and level is a skill. Crooked posts are the #1 giveaway of a DIY fence.
Hiring a pro costs $2,500–$7,000 for the same fence but takes 2–4 days and comes with a workmanship warranty (typically 1–3 years). For vinyl, aluminum, or anything over 6 feet, hiring out is the smarter money — the materials are expensive and mistakes are costly.
The middle path: set the posts yourself (the skilled part is getting them plumb), then hire out or DIY the pickets. Or buy pre-built panels — they go up fast but look boxier than stick-built.
How to save real money on a fence
- Share with neighbors. A shared boundary fence split two ways is the single biggest saving most people miss. Many states have "good neighbor" fence laws — check yours.
- Keep it simple. Every corner, jog, and gate adds labor. A straight run is cheapest per foot.
- Choose pressure-treated pine over cedar if budget is tight — you'll restain sooner, but you save 30–40% up front.
- Get 3 quotes, and make them itemized. Per-foot price, gate count, removal, permit handling — line items stop padding.
- Build in the off-season. Late fall and winter are slow for fence contractors in most of the US, and discounts of 10–15% are common.
- Do the demo yourself. Pulling out an old fence is pure labor — save the $3–$5/foot removal fee.
International notes
Prices above are US 2026 figures. In the UK, expect £70–£120 per metre installed for closeboard fencing; in Australia, AU$100–$200 per metre for treated pine; in Canada, roughly CAD $25–$55 per linear foot. The math is the same everywhere — measure the run, pick the material, add gates. Our fence calculator works in feet or metres.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wood fence cost per foot?
Pressure-treated pine runs $15–$30 per linear foot installed in 2026; cedar runs $25–$45. DIY materials alone are roughly $8–$15 per foot. Staining adds $1–$3 per foot if you hire it out.
How much does a chain link fence cost per foot?
$10–$25 per linear foot installed for 4–5 foot residential chain link, including posts and top rail. It's the cheapest full-perimeter option, but offers no privacy — add slats for $2–$4 more per foot.
How much does a vinyl fence cost per linear foot?
$30–$60 per foot installed. Vinyl costs roughly double wood up front but needs no staining or sealing, so it often wins on 15-year total cost.
How much does it cost to fence 100 feet?
About $1,500–$3,000 for pine, $2,500–$4,500 for cedar, or $3,000–$6,000 for vinyl — installed, before gates. DIY roughly halves those numbers.
How much does it cost to fence half an acre?
A half-acre square lot needs roughly 590 linear feet of fence. At $25/foot (mid-range wood), that's about $14,750 installed. Most half-acre owners fence only the backyard — typically 200–300 feet, or $5,000–$9,000.
How long does a fence last?
Pressure-treated pine: 12–15 years. Cedar: 15–20 years. Vinyl and aluminum: 25–30+ years. Chain link: 20–25 years. Concrete-set posts and keeping wood off the soil are what separate the long-lived fences from the short ones.