Fence Cost per Linear Foot
Sourced 2026 fence costs per linear foot for wood, vinyl, chain link, and aluminum, how labor splits the bill, and three ways to measure fence length.
By the AboveYard team · Updated October 16, 2026 · 6 min read
Fence quotes are priced by the linear foot, so two numbers decide the bill: how many feet you need and what each foot costs for the material you choose. Get the first number wrong and every bid is off. This guide covers both, with sourced 2026 cost ranges and a worked example.
How to measure fence length
Before you call anyone, know your footage. Three methods, from most to least hands-on.
1. Measuring wheel or tape
Walk the exact line where the fence will stand. Measure each straight run separately, corner to corner, and write them down. Add the runs for total linear feet. A 100-foot tape works for short sections; a rolling wheel is faster for a full back yard.
Two cautions:
- Measure where the fence will go, not the property line. Many towns require a setback, and some neighbors have existing fences you may tie into.
- Measure flat distance. If the yard slopes, the fence follows the ground and needs slightly more material, but contractors quote on the plan length.
2. Satellite trace
Open the property on a satellite map and click along the planned fence line. The tool adds each segment and returns total length. Our free fence length calculator does this and lets you mark gate openings. It is the fastest way to get a number for several quotes, and it is how many fence companies pre-qualify jobs before a site visit.
Zoom in at corners, and check one run with a tape if trees hide the ground.
3. Parcel maps and plats
Your county GIS site or the plat from your closing documents lists lot dimensions. These give the property line, which is a ceiling on fence length, not the fence itself. Use them to confirm where the line sits, then measure the actual run with method 1 or 2.
Gates and corners
- Gates: Each gate replaces a section of fence but costs more than the panels it replaces. Count them separately. Walk gates are typically 3 to 4 feet; a driveway gate is wider and often motorized.
- Corners and ends: Every corner, end, and gate post is a heavier post set in concrete. More corners mean more posts for the same footage, so an L-shaped run costs more than a straight one.
- Shared fences: If a neighbor's fence already covers one side, leave it out of your total but confirm who owns it.
Fence cost per linear foot by material
Three sources, all installed prices (materials plus labor).
| Material | Fixr | Bob Vila | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | $15–$35 | $17–$45 | Pine cheapest, cedar and redwood higher |
| Vinyl | $15–$40 | $10–$40 | Price climbs with height and style |
| Chain link | $12.25–$40 | $15–$30 | Galvanized low end, vinyl-coated high end |
| Aluminum | $15–$40 | $17–$90 | Ornamental and tall styles push the top |
| Wrought iron | $22–$40 | $30–$55+ | |
| Composite | $22–$40 | $11–$45 |
Fixr's general figure is $12 to $35 per linear foot across most materials, with a national average project of $4,500 for 200 linear feet of 4-foot cedar picket with a gate and a typical range of $3,000 to $7,000. Fixr HomeAdvisor's overall range is $6 to $50 per linear foot, with $23 the most common, and an average project of $3,276 (typical range $1,860 to $4,844). HomeAdvisor Bob Vila's average is $3,059, range $1,743 to $4,431, at $13 to $25 per foot. Bob Vila
Wood
Fixr puts wood fencing at $15 to $35 per linear foot installed, with an average project of $4,500 for 209 feet. Fixr Style drives the number more than species:
| Wood style | Per linear foot installed |
|---|---|
| Split rail | $8–$16 |
| Picket | $10–$18 |
| Stockade | $15–$20 |
| Shadowbox | $17–$35 |
| Privacy | $17–$37 |
Source: Fixr. By species, spruce or pine runs $10 to $25 per foot, cedar $15 to $30, and redwood $25 to $40. Fixr
Vinyl
Vinyl has the widest spread by height. Fixr lists 4-foot vinyl at $15 to $25 per foot, 6-foot at $15 to $40, and 8-foot at $30 to $45, with an average project of $5,800. Fixr Wood-grain and lattice styles reach $45 per foot. Fixr
Chain link
The budget option. For 9-gauge galvanized with a 2-inch diamond, Fixr lists 4-foot at $13.15 to $23.50 per foot and 6-foot at $15.25 to $25.40, with a national average of $3,000 for 200 feet of 4-foot fence with a gate. Fixr Vinyl-coated chain link runs $18.75 to $40.50 per foot. Fixr
Aluminum
Aluminum looks like wrought iron without the rust. Fixr lists powder-coated aluminum at $13 to $45 per foot and ornamental at $15 to $55, with most homeowners paying around $7,150 for a 100-foot fence. Fixr Labor on aluminum is higher than on vinyl at $15 to $40 per foot. Fixr
How much of the price is labor?
About half, across every source we checked.
- HomeAdvisor: labor runs about $1,600, roughly half of the total project. HomeAdvisor
- Bob Vila: labor is approximately 50 percent of installation cost, at $30 to $80 per hour, with 150 to 200 feet taking 20 to 35 hours. Bob Vila
- Fixr: labor is $5 to $20 per linear foot depending on material. Wood is $10 to $20, chain link $6.75 to $15, and vinyl, aluminum, or steel $5 to $10. Fixr
The practical takeaway: materials you can shop; labor you can only reduce by simplifying the job. Fewer corners, flat ground, no old fence to tear out, and clear access for an auger all bring the labor side down.
Gates and other add-ons
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard walk gate, installed | $50–$400 | Fixr |
| Wood walk-through gate | $150–$250 | Bob Vila |
| Chain link swing gate | $90–$250 | Fixr |
| Vinyl swing gate | $200–$1,100 | Fixr |
| Driveway gate, installed | $1,000–$6,000 | Fixr |
| Old fence removal | $3–$5 per linear foot | HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila |
| Land survey | $200–$545 | HomeAdvisor |
| Permit | $20–$60 (HomeAdvisor) to $400–$800 (Bob Vila) | HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila |
Permit costs vary that much by town, so call your building department before budgeting.
Worked example: 150 feet of 6-foot privacy fence
A back yard needs 150 linear feet, one walk gate, and the old chain link removed.
| Line item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| 150 ft wood privacy at $17–$37/ft (Fixr) | $2,550 | $5,550 |
| Walk gate (Bob Vila) | $150 | $250 |
| Remove 150 ft old fence at $3–$5/ft (HomeAdvisor) | $450 | $750 |
| Total before permit | $3,150 | $6,550 |
Swap to 6-foot vinyl at $15 to $40 per foot (Fixr) and the fence line becomes $2,250 to $6,000. Swap to 6-foot galvanized chain link at $15.25 to $25.40 (Fixr) and it drops to $2,288 to $3,810.
Note that the low and high ends of a range rarely both apply to one yard. Ask each bidder what drives their number: post spacing, concrete per post, picket thickness, and whether the price includes haul-away.
For contractors: price from the measurement
If you install fences or sell fencing as an add-on to landscaping, the fastest way to quote is to measure the line on the satellite view, count gates and corners, and apply your per-foot rate by material and height. AboveYard does that in one screen and sends the customer a quote they can approve online, so you can turn around a number the same day without a site visit for every lead. It is free during early access.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a fence cost per linear foot installed?
- Fixr lists installed fencing at roughly $12 to $35 per linear foot across common materials, with wood at $15–$35, vinyl $15–$40, chain link $12.25–$40, and aluminum $15–$40. Bob Vila's ranges run a bit wider, with aluminum reaching $90 per foot for ornamental styles.
- How do I measure fence length?
- Walk the planned fence line with a measuring wheel and add each straight run. Or trace the line on a satellite map with a fence length calculator. Subtract gate openings from the panel count, but add the gates back as separate line items.
- What share of fence cost is labor?
- Roughly half. HomeAdvisor puts typical labor at about $1,600 on a $3,276 average project, and Bob Vila and Fixr both estimate labor at around 50 percent of the total.
- How much does a fence gate cost?
- A standard walk-through gate installed runs $50 to $400 per Fixr, or $150 to $250 for wood per Bob Vila. Driveway gates are a different budget: $1,000 to $6,000 installed according to Fixr.
- How many linear feet of fence do I need for a quarter acre?
- It depends on the shape. A square quarter acre (10,890 sq ft) is about 104 feet per side, or about 417 linear feet to enclose fully. Most homeowners fence only the back yard and share one or two sides with neighbors, so measure the actual line.