Fence Installation Cost by Linear Foot

Key Takeaways

• Fence prices are quoted per linear foot, and the per-foot rate drops as your run gets longer — economies of scale are real.
• Per-foot installed ranges in 2026: chain link $15–30, wood $20–45, vinyl $30–55, aluminum $30–55, wrought iron $40–80.
• A 100-ft fence costs roughly $1,500–$5,500; a 300-ft fence runs $4,500–$16,500 — but the per-foot price falls 10–20% on longer runs.
• Gates and corners add fixed costs that make short fences disproportionately expensive per foot.

Introduction

Every fence quote starts the same way: a price per linear foot. But that number is not a constant — it shrinks as your fence grows, because the fixed costs (mobilization, permits, corners, gates, end posts) spread over more footage. Understanding this is the difference between a good budget and a surprise.

This guide shows what fences actually cost at different lengths, why per-foot pricing shifts, and how to estimate your own project before a single contractor visits.

2026 Per-Foot Pricing by Length

• 100 ft (backyard only): $1,500–$5,500 total — $15–55/ft; the highest per-foot cost because mobilization and gates dominate.
• 150 ft (typical backyard): $2,500–$8,000 total — $17–53/ft.
• 200 ft (standard lot side + back): $3,500–$11,000 total — $18–55/ft.
• 300+ ft (full perimeter or acreage): $5,500–$18,000 total — per-foot cost drops 10–20% as fixed costs amortize.

Why Longer Fences Cost Less Per Foot

Three fixed costs dilute as footage grows. Mobilization — the crew’s travel, setup, and tool delivery — is $150–$500 regardless of length. Corners and end posts: every corner costs 2–3x a line post because of bracing and extra concrete, and every run needs two end posts; a 100-ft fence with two corners has proportionally far more of these than a 400-ft straight run. Gates are pure fixed cost: $150–$600 for a walk gate whether your fence is 50 ft or 500 ft. On a 100-ft chain link fence, a single gate can be 10–15% of the total; on a 400-ft run, it is 2–3%.

Material Breakdown per Linear Foot (Installed, 2026)

• Chain link 4 ft: $15–20 — $8–12 materials, $5–8 labor.
• Chain link 6 ft: $20–30 — taller gauge wire and posts cost more.
• Wood picket 4–5 ft: $20–35.
• Wood privacy 6 ft: $25–45 — pine $25–35, cedar $32–45.
• Vinyl 4–6 ft: $30–55 — premium materials, faster install than wood.
• Aluminum ornamental: $30–55.
• Wrought iron: $40–80 — custom fabrication and heavy posts.

Regional Differences

The same 200-ft cedar privacy fence runs about $5,500–$6,500 in Atlanta, $7,000–$8,500 in Chicago, and $8,500–$10,000 in Boston or San Diego. Labor rates explain most of it ($40–$60/hr in the South, $60–$90/hr on the coasts), with cedar pricing adding a regional kicker: cheapest near Northwest mills, 20–40% pricier in the Southeast. Frost depth changes post costs — 48-in. holes in the Upper Midwest versus 12-in. in the South add $1–3 per ft.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

• Survey: $400–$800 if the property line is unmarked — skip this and you may rebuild.
• Slope: stepping or racking panels on a grade adds $3–8/ft.
• Old fence removal: $3–8/ft including disposal.
• Permits: $50–$300.
• Gate hardware upgrades: self-closing hinges and latches $50–$200 extra (required for pool fences).

DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor

DIY per-foot savings are largest on wood and chain link: $8–$15/ft of labor on a 200-ft run means $1,600–$3,000 saved. But short fences punish DIY too — the fixed costs (tool rental $60–$120/day, auger rental, concrete) don’t shrink. If your run is under 100 ft, the DIY savings may be only $500–$800 after equipment and mistakes; if it’s over 200 ft, DIY starts to look very attractive — provided your soil is diggable and your weekends are free.

Money-Saving Tips

• Extend the run if you can — fencing the side yard in the same job as the backyard drops the blended per-foot price.
• Limit corners and gates — each corner adds $100–$300; each gate $150–$600.
• Choose materials by zone — chain link for utility areas, wood for privacy, and skip ornamental where nobody sees it.
• Get quotes for the same spec — post depth, concrete, and disposal included — or you are comparing apples to oranges.