Fence cost calculator
Reviewed 2026-07-04 · Ranges, because lumber and labor are local
Cost per foot, materials only: chain link $8–15, wood picket $10–18, 6 ft wood privacy $13–25, vinyl $20–35, field wire $2–6. Installed roughly doubles it. So a 100 ft wood privacy fence runs $1,300–2,500 DIY or $2,500–6,000 installed, plus $150–400 per walk gate.
Cost per foot by type
| Fence type | DIY $/ft | Installed $/ft |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link (4 ft) | $8–15 | $15–30 |
| Wood picket (4 ft) | $10–18 | $20–35 |
| Wood privacy (6 ft) | $13–25 | $25–60 |
| Vinyl privacy (6 ft) | $20–35 | $35–70 |
| Field / woven wire | $2–6 | $5–12 |
Price your fence
Ranges, not quotes: lumber prices and labor rates are local. Tear-out of an old fence adds $3–5/ft. Get three itemized quotes and compare per-foot.
Frequently asked
How much does a 100 ft fence cost?
Wood privacy DIY: roughly $1,300 to $2,500 in materials. Installed: $2,500 to $6,000 depending on region and wood grade. Chain link is about half that; vinyl about 30 to 50 percent more than wood installed, but with near-zero maintenance after.
Why do fence quotes vary so much?
Three things: post setting (rocky soil and frost-depth holes take time), gates (each gate is several posts worth of labor and hardware), and tear-out of an old fence, which can add $3 to $5 per foot on its own. Get the quote itemized and the variation makes sense.
Is it cheaper to build a fence yourself?
Materials are typically 40 to 60 percent of an installed price, so yes, roughly half price for your labor. The catch is post setting: digging 15 or more holes to depth and getting them plumb and aligned is the entire skill of fence building. Panels are the easy part.
How many gates should I budget for?
Walk gates run $150 to $400 in materials with hardware; a driveway double gate $400 to $1,500+. Each gate also needs beefier posts set deeper. One walk gate minimum; think hard about where the mower and wheelbarrow enter.
Related tools
Sources
- Material pricing ranges from big-box lumber and fencing category pricing; wide by region, verify locally.
- Post spacing and concrete counts per the fence post spacing chart on this site (manufacturer install guides).
- Gate hardware and labor ranges from published contractor pricing; itemized quotes beat all tables.