Installed and DIY prices
Fence Cost Per Foot (2026)
A 6 ft fence costs $15-$75 per linear foot installed, including materials and labor. Chain link is the cheapest, wrought iron the most expensive. A linear foot is one foot of fence length along the ground, whatever the height: a 150 ft run is 150 linear feet.
Fence price per linear foot installed, by material and height
Materials and labor per linear foot on flat ground, national average, gates not included.
| Material | 3 ft | 4 ft | 5 ft | 6 ft | 8 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Link | $11 - $30 | $13 - $34 | $14 - $38 | $15 - $40 | $20 - $52 |
| Wood (Pine) | $13 - $34 | $14 - $38 | $16 - $43 | $17 - $45 | $22 - $59 |
| Wood (Cedar) | $15 - $41 | $17 - $47 | $19 - $52 | $20 - $55 | $26 - $72 |
| Vinyl | $19 - $45 | $21 - $51 | $24 - $57 | $25 - $60 | $33 - $78 |
| Aluminum | $19 - $41 | $21 - $47 | $24 - $52 | $25 - $55 | $33 - $72 |
| Wrought Iron | $23 - $56 | $26 - $64 | $29 - $71 | $30 - $75 | $39 - $98 |
| Composite | $19 - $49 | $21 - $55 | $24 - $62 | $25 - $65 | $33 - $85 |
| Split Rail | $9 - $23 | $10 - $26 | $11 - $29 | - | - |
Split rail is usually 3-4 ft tall, at most 5 ft, so it has no 6 or 8 ft price. Prices are national averages from contractor cost guides; in your state they can run 15% lower or 50% higher.
Fence material cost per foot (without labor)
What the materials cost per linear foot if you build the fence yourself: posts, rails, panels or pickets, concrete and hardware. Labor makes up the rest of the installed price.
| Material | 3 ft | 4 ft | 5 ft | 6 ft | 8 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Link | $4 - $11 | $4 - $13 | $5 - $14 | $5 - $15 | $7 - $20 |
| Wood (Pine) | $5 - $11 | $6 - $13 | $7 - $14 | $7 - $15 | $9 - $20 |
| Wood (Cedar) | $8 - $19 | $9 - $21 | $10 - $24 | $10 - $25 | $13 - $33 |
| Vinyl | $8 - $19 | $9 - $21 | $10 - $24 | $10 - $25 | $13 - $33 |
| Aluminum | $8 - $19 | $9 - $21 | $10 - $24 | $10 - $25 | $13 - $33 |
| Wrought Iron | $11 - $26 | $13 - $30 | $14 - $33 | $15 - $35 | $20 - $46 |
| Composite | $9 - $23 | $10 - $26 | $11 - $29 | $12 - $30 | $16 - $39 |
| Split Rail | $4 - $9 | $4 - $10 | $5 - $11 | - | - |
What changes the price per foot
Height
Compared with a 6 ft fence. A taller fence needs longer posts, deeper holes and more boards. Many towns cap backyard fences at 6 ft or require a permit or variance above that.
- 3 ft: -25%
- 4 ft: -15%
- 5 ft: -5%
- 8 ft: +30%
Slope and soil
A slope means stepped or racked panels; rock or roots mean slow digging, sometimes with a rock auger.
- Sloped: +15%
- Rocky: +35%
Gates
Gates are priced per gate, not per foot. One walk gate adds about $1-$3 per foot to a 150 ft fence.
- Single ($150-$400)
- Double ($300-$800)
- Sliding ($500-$1,500)
Removing the old fence
Tearing out and hauling away an old fence adds $3-$8 per foot. See fence removal cost.
Your state
Your state moves the price most. A 6 ft pine fence costs $14-$38 per foot in Arkansas and $26-$68 in Hawaii. Find your state.
Labor
Labor is usually 50-67% of the installed price. Building the fence yourself saves that part, minus tool rental such as a post-hole auger.
From price per foot to total cost
Measure the sides you will fence, multiply by the price per foot, then add gates. 150 ft of 6 ft vinyl at $25-$60 per foot comes to $3,750-$9,000, plus $150-$400 for a walk gate. Fencing a lot measured in acres? The cost to fence an acre guide gives perimeters from 1/4 to 5 acres, and farm fence cost covers barbed, woven and electric wire.