Fence cost in 2026: per foot & by yard size
Installed cost per linear foot, by material
| Material | Installed $/lf | Typical 150-lf yard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood privacy (6 ft) | $25–$50 | $3,750–$7,500 | The default backyard fence. Cheapest up front; stain/seal every 2–3 years, 15–20 yr life. |
| Chain-link (4 ft galvanized) | $15–$30 | $2,250–$4,500 | Cheapest secure boundary; black vinyl-coated and taller runs push the top of the range. |
| Vinyl privacy | $25–$50 | $3,750–$7,500 | No painting, 20–30 yr life; brittle in extreme cold, higher material cost. |
| Aluminum / ornamental | $30–$60 | $4,500–$9,000 | Pool-code friendly, decades of life, no privacy. Estimate — quotes vary widely. |
Wood privacy fence, by yard size
| Fence length | Installed ($25–$50/lf) | DIY materials |
|---|---|---|
| Side-yard run · 60 lf | $1,500–$3,000 | Run the materials list › |
| Small yard · 100 lf | $2,500–$5,000 | Run the materials list › |
| Typical yard · 150 lf | $3,750–$7,500 | Run the materials list › |
| Large yard · 200 lf | $5,000–$10,000 | Run the materials list › |
| Corner lot · 300 lf | $7,500–$15,000 | Run the materials list › |
Ranges assume clear, workable ground. Teardown of an old fence, slopes, rock, and extra gates are the usual adders — get them itemized in the quote.
The DIY math
Fencing is honest DIY territory: no inspections in most yards (check height rules and HOA first), rentable augers, and forgiving tolerances. Materials for a 100-ft 6-ft privacy fence with one gate run about $1,300–$2,300 — against $2,400–$4,800 installed for the same run. The pro price buys straight lines on slopes, post holes through whatever is down there, and a crew that hangs 200 pickets before lunch. Split the difference: many owners hire the post-setting (the part that has to be right) and hang rails and pickets themselves. The fence calculator prices your exact length, height, and gate count both ways.
Sources
Updated August 2026Wood installed range: Ergeon 2026 real-install data ($32–$62/lf typical-to-premium; our $25–$50 band centers the national market including lower-cost regions). Chain-link: Angi 2026 and HomeGuide ($10–$40/lf span). Vinyl $30–$50 and aluminum $30–$60 (estimate) from the same 2026 cost surveys. Labor share and gate adders: Homewyse May-2026 install tables. Materials math on the calculator page uses big-box component prices, dated and itemized there.
Common questions
How much does a fence cost in 2026?
Installed per linear foot: wood privacy $25–$50, chain-link $15–$30, vinyl $25–$50, aluminum $30–$60. A typical 150-lf yard in wood runs $3,750–$7,500 installed.
How much does labor add to a fence?
Labor is roughly $10–$20 per linear foot of the installed price — about half the total on a wood fence. That is what DIY recovers: materials for a 150-lf wood privacy fence run about a third to half of the installed quote (run yours in the fence calculator).
What makes a fence quote come in high?
Slopes that need stepped or racked sections, rocky or rooty digging, old-fence teardown and haul-off ($3–$5/lf), long material carries, many corners and gates (each gate adds $150–$600), and 8-ft heights — which need 10-ft posts and more rail.
Which fence is cheapest?
Chain-link, at $15–$30/lf installed. Among privacy options, wood wins up front; vinyl usually wins over 20+ years once staining and board replacement are priced in.
Do fence quotes include the gates?
Usually quoted separately or as a line item — a standard walk gate adds $150–$400 built, and a double drive gate $400–$1,200. Confirm gates, teardown, and haul-off are in writing before comparing bids.