How Much Does a Fence Cost?
Whether it’s a wood fence, composite fence, or vinyl fence, they can improve the appearance of a home, keep pets and children inside the yard, and discourage people you don’t want coming in. Fencing can make a home look better and increase the value of your home.
Depending on the type of fencing material used, installing a fence may be cheaper than you think. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of a new fence is $3,300. The cost of installing a privacy fence ranges from $1,600 on the low end to $7,000 on the high end.
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Table of Contents
Average Price to Install a Fence
Installing a fence can make your home safer, more private, more attractive from the street, and can even increase the value of your home. Installing a fence costs an average of $13 to $25 per square foot, depending on the size of your property and the type of material used. Most people prefer composite fences because they are easy to maintain and don’t cost as much as metal fences.
When homeowners plan to build a fence, whether it’s a full privacy fence or a classic white picket fence, there are some things they should consider. Of course, there are ways to save money, such as installing the fence yourself.
The size of your yard will affect the amount of materials and construction needed, which is one of the main factors that will affect the price. The materials themselves are another important factor to consider. Aluminum, composites, and metals are usually more expensive than materials like wood.
| COST TO INSTALL A FENCE | COST |
| Average Cost | $3,300 |
| Lowest Cost | $1,600 |
| Highest Cost | $7,000 |
Cost Per Foot of Fence Installed
Obviously, the larger your yard, the more the fence will cost. The price to install a fence can range from $2,000 to $5,300. Linear feet are used to measure the edge of your yard. Keep in mind that if your yard is not a straight line, it may be difficult to measure. You can divide your yard into smaller geometric shapes to determine the perimeter of your yard.
| LINEAR FEET | MINIMUM | MAXIMUM | AVERAGE |
| 100 | $2,000 | $3,200 | $2,600 |
| 150 | $3,100 | $4,800 | $4,000 |
| 200 | $4,100 | $6,400 | $5,300 |
Cost of Fencing Per Acre
You can also use the number of acres to calculate how large the yard is. A ⅕-acre yard requires 150 feet of fencing, a ¼-acre yard requires 200 feet of fencing, and a 1-acre yard requires 800 feet of fencing. While a one-acre yard may not seem like much, the cost of installing a fence can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
While you may not like having a small backyard, it can save you money on materials and labor when installing a fence.
| ACREAGE | MINIMUM | MAXIMUM | AVERAGE |
| 1/5 | $3,100 | $6,100 | $4,600 |
| 1/4 | $4,100 | $6,400 | $5,300 |
| 1 | $16,500 | $25,600 | $21,000 |
How Much Do Different Material Types of Fences Cost?
| MATERIAL OF FENCE | AVERAGE COST PER LINEAR FOOT |
| Aluminum or metal | $30 – $50 |
| Bamboo | $20 |
| Wood | $5 – $20 |
| Composite | $10 – $30 |
| Vinyl | $20 – $40 |
Metal and Aluminum
Wrought iron and aluminum fences are the most expensive types of fences. Wrought iron fences are durable but difficult to install yourself compared to steel, cast iron, or aluminum fences. The cost of installing an aluminum or metal fence is usually $30 to $50 per linear foot.
Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the cheapest fencing materials at only $20 per linear foot. However, keep in mind that the price of bamboo can vary greatly depending on where you live. If you live far away from bamboo, you’ll have to pay to have it shipped to you, which will raise the overall cost of the material. Anyone who has laid a bamboo deck knows this.
Also, keep in mind that while bamboo is good for the environment, durable and easy to care for. However, it scratches easily, especially carbonized bamboo. So you may need to re-sand your bamboo fence every once in a while to make it look better.
Wood
Wood fences come in a variety of wood types. Teak and mahogany are great for small fences around pools or hot tubs, and treated wood is best for fence posts. If you’re on a budget, you can opt for cedar lumber.
But the usual cost of installing a fence made of any kind of wood is between $5 and $20 per linear foot, about the same as bamboo. The cost will be lower if you choose cheaper lumber, but higher if you choose unique lumber.
Composite Fencing
Composite fencing material is made from a mixture of wood and plastic. Therefore, it has the natural look of wood and the water and mold resistance of plastic. Composite fencing is durable, requires little maintenance, and comes in a variety of colors and styles. Composite fences usually cost more to install than wood fences, which typically cost between $10 and $30 per linear foot.
Vinyl
Vinyl is the second most expensive material, but it lasts a long time and doesn’t require much maintenance. If you want your fence to last longer, opt for the stronger vinyl. It requires very little maintenance. The cost of installing a vinyl fence usually ranges from $20 to $40 per linear foot.
Labor Costs for Fence Installation
Fence builders will pay you about $40 per hour to build your fence. Depending on where you live, the price can range from $35 to $70 per hour. Or, if you want to calculate the cost based on the length of the fence, the price can range from $5 to $14 per linear foot.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Fence Installation
There are a number of factors that affect the cost of fence installation, and all of the following will affect the price:
- Removing an Old Fence: Sometimes you not only have to install a new fence, but also remove the old one. This means you will have to pay a higher cost to remove the old fence.
- Types of Gates: Manual fence gates are cheaper than electric fence gates. However, an electric gate can increase the value of your home because it is more secure. No one can enter your property unless you allow it from a distance. Also, you can install some security cameras outside so you can see who is out there.
- Height of the Fence: A six-foot high fence is normal, but if you want to raise it to eight or ten feet, it will require more materials and more work and will cost more.
- Labor: Since the cost of living varies where you live, the cost of laborers to do the job will vary as well. Fence installers are usually paid by the hour, but some may charge by the project.
- Landscaping: Have you already thought about landscaping around your fence? Or maybe you just need to pay someone to cut down a tree. Either way, landscaping will cost more.
- Lighting Fixtures: To make your house safer, you may want to install outdoor security lights on your fence. Installing fixtures such as LED lights outdoors will also raise costs.
- Fence Materials: Also, keep in mind that aluminum, metal, or composite fences cost more than wood or bamboo fences. When selecting a fence, you should give some thought to the cost of the material, as this is one of the main factors affecting the overall cost of the building.
- License: Find out if you need a permit to install a fence where you live. An important part of building anything is getting a permit. However, you may not have to pay anything to build a fence where you live.
- Yard Size and Slope: It goes without saying that the bigger the yard, the more expensive it will be. In addition, building a fence in a sloped yard takes more time and costs more.
Benefits of Installing a New Fence
People aren’t always sure if they need a fence or if the cost of building one is worth it. Maybe there should be a fence around the yard to keep out wild rabbits, or maybe there isn’t enough privacy between neighbors. Additionally, a fence will keep out any unwanted visitors. Whatever the reason, installing a fence can increase the value of your home and even hide trash that is piled up in less-than-attractive piles.
Increasing the Value of a Home
People think that a house with a fence in the garden is safer, even if it’s just a wire fence. A nice fence will make the house look better from the street. Adding plants or vines is another way to make a fence more attractive and make a house prettier. If the fence around the house is well taken care of, the house may sell faster.
Better Security
Often, a house with a strong fence around the garden will keep strangers out of the yard. Lawn tools and toys can still be kept in the backyard and won’t be too easily stolen. If the fence is built high enough, it can also keep rabbits and other wildlife off your land.
Better Privacy
The best neighbors can become annoying after a while. Putting a fence around your land is one of the best and easiest ways to keep your family quiet. A typical 6-foot fence is tall enough to allow people to enjoy a hot tub while relaxing without worrying about neighbors coming over to gossip. People who live nearby may want to plant some trees near the fence to block more noise and sight lines.
Clearly Mark Property Boundaries
No matter how small a yard is, property line issues can arise. To take a shortcut, strangers may walk across the lawn, or a neighbor may want to build something on the land. Fencing the edges of your land can stop anyone from trespassing or encroaching, whether they mean to or not.
Blocking the View
Not all views from your backyard are beautiful. If your yard overlooks a dilapidated building or a neighbor’s overgrown yard. Then, a privacy fence can block the view and allow you to enjoy an evening outdoors. In this case, a chain link fence will not work well, so people should choose a vinyl fence, a composite fence, or a wood fence.
DIY Installation Yourself or Hire a Professional
When should you hire a professional contractor? You may be able to install wood or certain types of composite fences yourself if you have the right tools. However, installing wrought iron and metal fences is more difficult.
Do-it-yourself fence installation may seem cheap, but if something goes wrong, you could be wasting time, materials, and money. If you’re not sure what to do, it’s best to hire a professional.
How to Spend Less on Fence Installation
Here are some ways to save money on fence installation, whether you hire a professional or do it yourself.
- Do-it-yourself: If you think you can do it yourself, installing a fence yourself will save you a lot of money.
- Lower the height: A fence that’s less than six feet tall won’t give you much protection. But if you keep the fence at that height, you’ll save money on materials.
- Use a manual gate: It’s easier to use an automatic gate, but a manual gate costs much less.
- Compare prices: Don’t take the first deal. Instead, get prices from multiple companies and find the best general contractor in the neighborhood.
- Make the most of the off-season: It may seem strange to install a fence in the winter when everyone stays home. But if you install it in December, January, or February, you can usually find cheaper labor. This makes it a great winter home improvement job.
- Buy your own materials: You can save a ton of money if you go to the home improvement store yourself instead of having your contractor buy supplies. Buying in bulk isn’t always a smart move, but if you can combine several high-return home improvement jobs, that’s the best way to save money.
Summarize
If you’re on a budget, then a wood or bamboo fence is better for you. It is important to note that while these two fencing materials are low-cost to install, it does not mean that their total cost is low. These two fencing materials have a short lifespan and require regular maintenance and upkeep. Therefore, you will need to keep paying for regular maintenance even after the fence is fully installed.
Composite fencing is the least expensive fencing option when compared to expensive fencing materials such as vinyl or metal. Composite fencing material is cost-effective, long-lasting, and requires little to no maintenance. That’s why many people use it to install decks and build fences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Fencing Do I Need?
You will need to collect accurate measurements of the area to be fenced, as well as the number of fence corners. Only then can you estimate how much fence you’ll need. It’s simpler to have a professional assess your fence needs or utilize one of the many online calculators available.
What is the Typical Fence Height?
Privacy fences in residential districts often range from 6 to 8 feet tall. However, the maximum height is usually determined by local construction codes. Livestock fences that surround vast land parcels range in height from 3 to 6 feet. Shorter, ornamental fences are typical in front yards and are around 3 feet height on average.
In addition, fence height varies by material, with wood fences being 6 feet tall and chain-link and wrought iron fences half that height.
When is the Ideal Time to Install a Fence?
The optimum time to install a fence is during the fall and winter, which are the off-seasons for fencing businesses. Companies will have a more open schedule and may charge less owing to lower demand. Furthermore, the plants in your yard will most likely be dormant, making trees and other plants less likely to be damaged or obstructing the installation.
Do I Need to Notify My Neighbor that I am Erecting a New Fence?
According to the legislation, most landowners do not need to notify their neighbors before installing a fence. Nevertheless, you must ensure that you are building on the property line or on your side of the property line. Otherwise, the neighbor may protest, requiring you to knock down and replace the fence. In any event, keeping them informed is the neighborly thing to do!
Whether or not you notify your neighbors, be sure to use property records and land survey data. This will ensure that your fence is located within your property line.
How Can I Keep My Fencing Project Affordable?
Hiring a professional to build your fence may allow you to save money on materials. If you’re buying your own materials, visit a few different lumberyards or home improvement stores.
In addition, match your fence to your home and avoid getting caught up in all the high-end fence, gate, and hardware options.
Is Building a Fence Expensive?
Building a fence might be costly, but it does not have to be. Consider why you need or desire a fence, and then explore the many alternatives available. You may discover that your demands can be satisfied with a less expensive form of fence than you first anticipated.
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