Fence installation cost calculator

Inputs

Linear feet of fence	200
Material $ per linear foot	$18
Post spacing (ft)	8
Post price (each, with concrete)	$35
Gates	1
Gate price (each, installed)	$350
Labor $ per linear foot	$12
Old fence removal fee	$0
Permit fee	$100

Supporting metrics

Posts needed	26
Material cost (panels + posts)	$4,510
Labor cost	$2,500
Gates cost	$350
All-in $ per linear foot	$37

About this calculator

Fence cost — three line items, no surprises

Fence pricing is honest math: linear feet × material rate + posts + labor + gates. The places contractors hide markup are usually post quantity, gate hardware, and "site prep" line items — knowing the components keeps the bid clean.

Material price by type (installed, 2025)

Pressure-treated wood: $20-35/ft installed, lasts 12-20 years
Cedar: $30-45/ft installed, lasts 15-25 years (and looks better doing it)
Vinyl: $35-55/ft installed, 25+ year warranty, no painting
Aluminum / steel ornamental: $40-65/ft installed
Chain-link: $15-25/ft installed (residential galvanized)

Posts drive 30-40% of fence quality

Skimping on posts is where bad fences are born. Look for:

4×4 PT posts minimum (6×6 for taller fences or wind exposure)
30-36 inches in the ground
Concrete-set with crown for water shed
Galvanized post anchors only on concrete patios — never structural

What's NOT in this calc

Demolition of mature plantings, root hauling, hand-digging in rocky soil, line-locating ($100-300 for 811), HOA approval timelines, surveying. Get those itemized separately on the bid.

FAQ

Wood vs vinyl — which is cheaper over 25 years?

Vinyl wins. A $40/ft vinyl install lasts 25+ years with zero maintenance. Wood at $25/ft needs restaining every 3-5 years ($1-2/ft each time) and full replacement at 15 years. Total 25-year cost: vinyl ~$40/ft, wood ~$55-65/ft. The exception is cedar, which can be left to silver-gray and lasts 20+ years untouched.

Do I need a permit?

In most residential jurisdictions: yes for fences over 6 ft, often yes for any fence in a front yard, sometimes yes for any fence period. Cost is usually $50-300. Skipping it can mean a tear-down order or fines. Always check before you call contractors.

Can I save money by setting posts myself?

Sometimes. The hard parts are line-staking, depth, plumb, and concrete crowning. If you've never done it, the time + concrete + tool rental usually equals what a contractor charges. Where DIY actually pays back: panel installation between contractor-set posts on a long flat run.

What about sloped lots?

Two methods: stepped (each panel level, follows slope in steps) or racked (panels follow slope continuously). Racked looks cleaner but costs 15-25% more in labor. Stepped is the default for slopes over 5%.