Use this free cost to install a fence calculator to estimate your 2026 fencing project in seconds. Enter your fence length and material — wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum, or composite — add gates, height, and old-fence removal, and get an instant cost range plus the price per linear foot.
Quick answer: The cost to install a fence in 2026 runs about $10 to $65 per linear foot installed, so a typical 150-foot yard costs $1,500 to $9,750 depending on material. Chain link is cheapest ($10–$25/ft), wood is mid-range ($15–$45/ft), and vinyl, aluminum, and composite cost more ($25–$65/ft). Gates, extra height, and old-fence removal add to the total. Enter your own length and material above for an instant estimate.
Estimate by fence length or yard perimeter. Figures are 2026 national averages — get local quotes to confirm.
Need to work out your yard perimeter first? Use our square footage calculator to measure the area, then add the four sides for the fence length. Comparing exterior projects? See the asphalt driveway cost calculator and gutter installation cost calculator.
Fence installers price by the linear foot, bundling posts, panels or pickets, concrete footings, and labor into one per-foot rate. Gates are priced separately. This calculator uses the same method:
Total = Length × Rate/ft × Height factor + Gates + Removal
Rate depends on material; taller fences and gates add on top.Material and height together set most of the price. Gates and old-fence removal are the line items homeowners most often forget when budgeting.
| Material | Installed Cost / ft | Lifespan | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link | $10–$25 | 15–20 yrs | Budget, pets, security |
| Wood (pressure-treated) | $15–$30 | 15–20 yrs | Privacy on a budget |
| Wood (cedar) | $25–$45 | 15–25 yrs | Popular privacy fence |
| Vinyl | $25–$55 | 20–30 yrs | Low maintenance |
| Aluminum | $25–$55 | 25–40 yrs | Decorative, sloped lots |
| Composite | $35–$65 | 25–30 yrs | Premium, no upkeep |
Chain link is the most economical option and works well for large yards and pet containment. Cedar is the most popular privacy material, while vinyl and composite cost more upfront but avoid the staining and painting that wood requires.
This table shows typical installed cost for a standard 6-foot fence by length and material, before gates and removal.
| Length | Chain Link | Wood | Vinyl | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lf | $1,000–$2,500 | $1,500–$4,500 | $2,500–$5,500 | $3,500–$6,500 |
| 150 lf | $1,500–$3,750 | $2,250–$6,750 | $3,750–$8,250 | $5,250–$9,750 |
| 200 lf | $2,000–$5,000 | $3,000–$9,000 | $5,000–$11,000 | $7,000–$13,000 |
| 300 lf | $3,000–$7,500 | $4,500–$13,500 | $7,500–$16,500 | $10,500–$19,500 |
These figures use the full per-foot material range at standard height. A 6-foot privacy fence lands toward the higher end; gates and old-fence removal are added on top.
📋 Scenario
A homeowner fences a 150-foot backyard with a 6-foot cedar wood fence, 1 walk gate, and removal of the old fence.
Base fence: 150 ft × $15–$45 = $2,250–$6,750
Height (6 ft, +20%): $2,700–$8,100
Walk gate: +$150–$450
Old-fence removal: 150 ft × $4 = $600
Choosing chain link instead of cedar for the same 150 feet would cut the base to roughly $1,500–$3,750. Adding a driveway gate raises the range by another $400–$1,200.
Material. The primary driver. Chain link to composite spans a wide range for the same footage.
Length. More linear feet means more posts, panels, and labor. Long straight runs are cheaper per foot than short runs with many corners.
Height. Each additional foot of height adds roughly 15–25% for extra material and labor. A 6-foot privacy fence is the most common upgrade.
Gates. Walk gates run $150–$450 installed; single driveway gates $400–$1,200; double drive gates more. Gates are always priced on top of the per-foot fence total.
Terrain and soil. Level lots cost 15–30% less than sloped ones. Rocky or clay soil makes post-setting harder and raises labor.
Removal and permits. Tearing out an old fence adds $3–$5 per foot. Many areas require a permit ($50–$200) for fences over 6 feet.
Choose chain link or pressure-treated wood if budget is the priority and full privacy is not essential. Get three itemized quotes that break out posts, panels, gates, removal, and permits separately so you can compare bids fairly. Fence only what you need — skip sides that already border a neighbor's fence. Consider a hybrid DIY approach: pay a crew to set posts in concrete, then hang panels yourself. Install on flat, cleared ground where possible, since slope and obstacles drive labor up.
Homeowners budgeting a new fence, buyers pricing yard work before a purchase, contractors giving fast ballpark quotes, and DIYers weighing materials against labor. Planning a bigger yard project? Pair this with our concrete calculator for post footings and our tree removal cost calculator if trees are in the fence line. Rolling the cost into a home purchase? Try the mortgage calculator.
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