Fence Installation Cost in 2026 (Per Linear Foot)

Most residential fence installations in 2026 run $20 to $60 per linear foot installed, which puts a typical job between $3,000 and $6,500. Where you land depends mostly on material: chain link sits at the bottom around $15–$30 per foot, while wrought iron and steel top out at $50–$90 per foot. Below is the full breakdown by material, plus how height, gates, removal, and terrain move the number.

How much does a fence cost in 2026?

Fences are priced per linear foot, installed (materials plus labor). Here are the 2026 ranges by material:

To estimate a job, multiply the per-foot rate by your total linear footage. A 150-foot run of cedar privacy fence at $45 per foot comes to about $6,750 before gates and removal. The same 150 feet of chain link at $22 per foot is closer to $3,300.

What affects fence installation cost

The per-foot ranges above move based on a handful of factors. The big ones:

• Material. This is the single largest driver. Chain link and aluminum sit at the low end; composite and wrought iron at the high end.
• Linear footage. More feet means more material and labor, but longer runs sometimes lower your per-foot rate slightly because crews work more efficiently.
• Height. A 6-foot fence costs roughly 20–35% more per foot than a 4-foot fence. More material, taller posts, deeper footings.
• Gates. Each gate adds $200–$1,200 depending on size and whether it's a walk gate or a double/driveway gate.
• Old fence removal. Tearing out and hauling away an existing fence runs $3–$7 per linear foot, usually $300–$750 for a typical yard.
• Terrain, slope, and soil. Sloped ground adds about 15–25% because each section has to be stepped or racked. Rocky soil that's hard to dig can add 30% or more.
• Permits. Most municipalities charge $50–$200 for a fence permit. Some HOAs and historic districts add their own requirements.

How height and gates change the price

Height is the factor homeowners underestimate most. The jump from a 4-foot fence to a 6-foot fence isn't just two extra feet of pickets, it's more rails, taller posts, and deeper concrete footings to keep a taller fence from leaning. Expect a 6-foot fence to cost about 20–35% more per linear foot than a 4-foot version of the same material. An 8-foot fence (often used for full privacy or noise blocking) climbs higher still and may trigger stricter permit rules, since many areas cap fence height without a variance.

Gates are priced individually, not by the foot, so they're easy to forget when you're eyeballing a quote:

• Walk gate (single, 3–4 ft wide): $200–$600
• Double or driveway gate (10–16 ft wide): $600–$1,200

A standard backyard with one walk gate adds a few hundred dollars. A property that needs a driveway gate plus two walk gates can add $1,500–$2,000 on top of the fence itself. Material matters here too: a wrought iron driveway gate costs far more than a chain link swing gate.

How to get an accurate fence quote

Online cost guides like this one are useful for ballparking, but they can't price your yard. The real number depends on your exact footage, the material you choose, the height, how many gates you need, whether there's an old fence to remove, and what the ground is like. That's a lot of variables, and a $20–$60 per-foot spread is wide enough to matter when you're budgeting.

The slow way to get an accurate number is to call three contractors, wait for callbacks, and schedule site visits so someone can come measure your runs. That can take a week or more before you even see a price.

The fast way is an instant quote. If a contractor's website asks for your linear footage, material, and height, it can return a real per-foot estimate in seconds. That's exactly what an instant fencing quote does: the homeowner enters a few details, gets a price range by email, and the contractor gets a qualified lead with the project specs already attached. No phone tag, no guessing.

For contractors, that means fewer wasted trips measuring jobs that were never going to close, and more time quoting people who are ready to buy. You can start free and have a quote calculator live on your site the same day.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a 6 foot privacy fence?

A 6-foot wood privacy fence runs $32–$62 per linear foot installed in 2026, so a typical 150-foot backyard costs roughly $4,800–$9,300 depending on whether you choose pine or cedar. Vinyl privacy at the same height runs $35–$65 per foot. Add $200–$1,200 per gate and $300–$750 if an old fence needs to come out first.

What's the cheapest fence?

Chain link is the cheapest fence at $15–$30 per linear foot installed. It's the go-to for back property lines, pet containment, and pool enclosures where looks matter less than cost and durability. If you want a more finished look on a budget, a 4-foot aluminum or basic pine fence is the next step up.

Do I need a permit for a fence?

In most areas, yes, and a fence permit usually costs $50–$200. Rules vary by city and county, and height is the most common trigger, many places require a permit or variance for anything over 6 feet. HOAs often have their own approval process on top of the municipal permit. A good contractor will know your local requirements and pull the permit for you.

How is fence installation priced?

Fences are priced per linear foot, installed, meaning materials and labor are bundled into one per-foot rate. You multiply that rate by your total footage, then add flat costs for gates ($200–$1,200 each), old-fence removal ($3–$7 per foot), and permits ($50–$200). Slope and rocky soil can push the per-foot rate up 15–30% or more.

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Fence contractors: stop driving out to measure runs that never close. Give homeowners a real per-foot number the moment they ask on your own website. Start free and put an instant fencing quote on your site today.