How Much Does Fence Installation Cost? (2026)
A fence costs $10 to $50 per linear foot installed depending on material and style, or $1,500 to $10,000 for a typical backyard enclosure. Here is what drives the price and where you can save.
| Fence Type | Per Linear Ft (Installed) | 150 Ft Backyard | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link (4 ft) | $10–$20 | $1,500–$3,000 | 20–30 years |
| Wood picket (4 ft) | $12–$25 | $1,800–$3,750 | 15–20 years |
| Wood privacy (6 ft) | $18–$35 | $2,700–$5,250 | 15–20 years |
| Vinyl privacy (6 ft) | $25–$50 | $3,750–$7,500 | 25–30+ years |
| Aluminum ornamental (5 ft) | $25–$45 | $3,750–$6,750 | 30+ years |
| Cedar (6 ft) | $22–$40 | $3,300–$6,000 | 20–25 years |
Watch the fence pricing overview
The Average Cost To Install A Wood Privacy Fence
A solid homeowner-facing cost walkthrough that pairs well with the early linear-foot pricing table.
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Watch on YouTubeMaterial Cost Breakdown — Wood Privacy Fence
A 6-foot wood privacy fence is the most common residential fence type. Here is what the materials cost per 8-foot section (one post spacing):
Posts: 4x4 pressure-treated posts at $10 to $18 each (8-foot length for 6-foot fence with 2 feet below grade). One post per 8-foot section. Use our fence calculator to get your exact post count for corners, gates, and line posts.
Rails: 2x4 pressure-treated rails, 3 per section for a 6-foot fence (top, middle, bottom). At $5 to $10 per 8-foot rail, that is $15 to $30 per section.
Pickets: 1x6 dog-ear or flat-top pickets at $2 to $5 each. A standard 8-foot section needs 15 to 17 pickets (accounting for spacing) — $30 to $85 per section. Cedar pickets cost $4 to $8 each, roughly doubling the picket cost.
Concrete: 1 to 2 bags of 80 lb fast-setting concrete per post ($5 to $12 per post). Our post hole calculator will give you the exact bag count based on your post size and hole diameter.
Hardware: Screws or nails, post caps, gate hardware. Budget $1 to $3 per linear foot ($150 to $450 for 150 feet of fence).
Total materials per 8-foot section: $60 to $140 ($7.50 to $17.50 per linear foot). For 150 linear feet: $1,125 to $2,625.
Labor Costs: DIY vs Contractor
DIY cost: Materials plus post hole auger rental ($50 to $100 per day). A 150-foot fence with two helpers can be completed in 2 to 4 weekends. Budget $1,200 to $3,000 for materials for a wood privacy fence. The hardest part is setting posts plumb and at consistent height — a string line and a level are essential.
Contractor cost: Labor adds $8 to $20 per linear foot on top of materials. Professional crews can install 50 to 100 linear feet per day. Total installed cost for 150 feet of wood privacy fence: $2,700 to $5,250. Ask if the quote includes post hole digging, old fence removal (if applicable), and gate installation — these are common surprise add-ons.
Gate Costs
Gates add significantly to fence costs on a per-foot basis. A standard 3.5-foot walk gate costs $150 to $400 installed. A 10 to 12-foot double drive gate for vehicle access runs $400 to $1,200 installed. Gate hardware (hinges, latches, drop rods) alone costs $30 to $100 per gate. Budget for at least one walk gate — most fencing projects include two (front and back access).
Regional Price Variation
Lumber prices are the biggest regional variable for wood fences. Pressure-treated pine is cheapest in the Southeast where southern yellow pine grows. Cedar is most affordable in the Pacific Northwest and mountain states where western red cedar is harvested locally. Labor rates vary 20% to 35% regionally — the Northeast and California are highest, the Southeast and Midwest lowest. Rocky or clay-heavy soils can add $3 to $8 per post hole for difficult digging conditions.
Calculate Your Exact Materials
Fence material calculations depend on perimeter length, post spacing, fence height, and gate count. Our fence calculator handles all of it — enter your fence length and configuration, and get exact counts for posts, rails, pickets, and concrete bags. This prevents the common mistake of buying 10% too few pickets and making a second trip to the lumber yard.