What a fence costs per linear foot by material in 2026, from one published source, and what moves a quote up or down.
A fence is priced by the linear foot, and the price per foot depends on the material, the height, the ground it crosses, and whether you install it yourself or hire a fencing contractor.
LotSite has no price data of its own, so the figures on this page come from one source: Angi's cost guide How Much Does Fence Installation Cost? [2026 Data] (updated August 3, 2026). It gives fence installation at $6 to $50 per linear foot depending on the material, with an average of $23 per linear foot, and an average job at $3,277, with most homeowners paying between $1,860 and $4,843.
What these numbers are. Angi says its figures come from surveys of its own customers about their project costs, paired with outside research. That makes them one company's data. They are not an official statistic and they are not a quote for your job. Prices differ by region and by company, so use them to judge whether a quote is in the usual range, and get two or three local quotes.
| Material | Installed, per linear foot | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Chain-link | $8–$40 | Galvanized steel mesh on steel posts. Open, not a privacy fence unless slats are added. Vinyl-coated colors are available. |
| Wood | $10–$45 | Cedar or pressure-treated pine, as pickets, rails or privacy panels. Needs staining or sealing to hold up outdoors. |
| Composite | $11–$45 | Wood fiber and recycled plastic. Looks like wood and does not need staining. |
| Vinyl (PVC) | $15–$40 | Does not need painting or staining. Panels need exact post spacing to fit. |
| Aluminum | $17–$90 | Ornamental open pickets, lighter than iron. Common around front yards and pools; not a privacy fence. |
| Steel | $17–$90 | Heavier and stronger than aluminum, in similar ornamental styles. |
| Wrought iron | $25–$55 | Heavy ornamental fencing. Needs rust treatment and repainting over the years. |
Source: Angi, "How Much Does Fence Installation Cost? [2026 Data]", updated August 3, 2026. Figures are shown as published.
Know your perimeter length? Run it through the fence calculator with your own price →
A taller fence uses more material and needs stronger, deeper posts, so it costs more per foot than a short one in the same material.
Slopes, hills and rocky ground add labor. Stepped or racked panels on a slope take more cutting and fitting than a run on level ground.
Every gate is a separate line on a quote. A wide drive gate or an automatic opener costs more than a walk gate.
Rocky, clay or root-heavy soil slows digging. Each post is set in concrete, and in cold regions the holes go below the frost line.
Fence permit rules and fees vary by city and county, so check with your local building or permit office. Some HOAs have additional restrictions on height, material, color, and setback distance. Violating these can result in forced removal at your expense.
Taking out and disposing of an existing fence is its own line on a quote, and concrete post footings add to the work.
Source: Angi, "How Much Does Fence Installation Cost? [2026 Data]", updated August 3, 2026. Figures are shown as published.
Doing it yourself saves the labor. Angi puts the saving at $1,700 on average and labor at 50% of a project's cost. If you are comfortable with post-hole digging, leveling, and basic carpentry, a wood or chain-link fence is the realistic DIY job. You will need a post-hole digger or power auger, a level, concrete for the posts, and a helper.
A contractor handles the whole job. Permits, utility locating (the 811 call), post setting, panel installation, and gate hanging. Ask what workmanship warranty is included and get it in writing.
Materials that suit DIY: chain link and pre-assembled wood panels. Vinyl panels go up quickly but need exact post spacing, or the panels will not fit. Aluminum and wrought iron are better left to a contractor.
When to hire a pro: a yard with a real slope, rocky soil, underground utilities near the fence line, or a long run. Ask whether the price is lower outside the busy season.
Enter your address and trace the fence line on satellite imagery to get its length in linear feet, the number every fence quote starts from.
Then use our fence calculator to turn the length into panels, posts and a cost at your own price. The property survey guide covers what to check before you set posts.