Fence Cost per Linear Foot (Wood vs Vinyl vs Chain Link)
Quick answer: installed, a fence runs $15–$45 per linear foot — chain link $10–$25, wood $15–$35, and vinyl $20–$45. For a typical 150 ft fence, budget roughly $2,400–$4,800 depending on material. Here's the breakdown by material plus how to estimate your own line.
- Cost by material
- What drives the price
- How to measure your line
- Worked example: 150 ft
- Gates and corners
- Permits and property lines
Cost by material
Installed prices (materials + labor) in 2026. Materials-only is roughly half to two-thirds of these figures.
| Material | Installed / linear ft | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link | $10–$25 | 20+ yrs | Very low |
| Wood (cedar/pine) | $15–$35 | 10–15 yrs | Stain every 2–4 yrs |
| Vinyl | $20–$45 | 25+ yrs | Low (wash occasionally) |
| Aluminum | $25–$45 | 25+ yrs | Low |
| Wrought iron | $30–$60 | 50+ yrs | Paint over time |
What drives the price
- Material grade: pressure-treated vs cedar, gauge of chain link, grade of vinyl.
- Height: 4 ft vs 6 ft vs 8 ft changes materials and labor.
- Terrain: slopes and rocky soil add labor.
- Labor rates: $5–$15 per linear foot, depending on region.
- Gates and corners: each is a premium on top of the straight-line price.
How to measure your line
Walk the property line where the fence will sit and measure the total linear footage in feet. For a single straight run, that's your length. For a yard, add up every side. Fence posts typically go every 6–8 ft (or per your picket/panel style), and pickets are spaced a couple of inches apart.
Materials: how many posts, rails & pickets
For a typical 6-ft wood fence, a 150-ft run needs roughly:
- Posts: one every 8 ft + corners/ends ≈ 20–23 posts
- Rails: 3 horizontal rails per section ≈ 55–60 rails
- Pickets: about 4–5 per linear ft for 6-ft boards ≈ 650–750 pickets
- Concrete: ~1 bag (40–60 lb) per post for footings
Use the fence calculator to get exact counts for your length and spacing.
Cost by height
Height is one of the biggest cost drivers. Installed per linear foot (2026, typical):
| Height | Chain link | Wood | Vinyl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | $8–$18 | $12–$28 | $18–$38 |
| 6 ft | $10–$25 | $15–$35 | $20–$45 |
| 8 ft | $14–$30 | $20–$45 | $28–$60 |
Heights over 6 ft may need permits and, for some materials, extra engineering. Check local rules before you buy.
Post spacing & footings
Posts set the fence's strength. Standard spacing is 6–8 ft; tighter spacing means more posts (and cost) but a stiffer fence that handles wind better. Each post sits in a concrete footing — typically one 40–60 lb bag of concrete per post, set below the frost line in cold climates. This is the part most DIY fence failures get wrong: skimping on footings makes posts lean within a few years.
DIY vs professional
Labor is usually $5–$15 per linear foot, often a third to half of the total. DIYing can save that, and a straightforward flat 6-ft wood fence is a realistic weekend project for one or two people. But posts, footings, and digging are the hard part — renting an auger, mixing concrete, and setting plumb posts takes real effort. For vinyl or on slopes/rocky ground, hiring pros is usually worth it.
Worked example: a 150 ft fence
- Chain link @ $16/ft → ~$2,400
- Wood @ $25/ft → ~$3,750
- Vinyl @ $32/ft → ~$4,800
Add gates: a standard 4-ft walk gate runs ~$150–$400, and a driveway gate ~$500–$1,500. Add a few hundred for permits and corner posts.
Gates and corners
Gates are quoted separately and add up quickly — plan the number and size before you get quotes. Corners, end posts, and any changes in grade also add to material counts. Ask your installer for a per-linear-foot price that includes corners, and get two or three quotes to compare fairly.
Permits and property lines
Before you build, check local rules: many areas cap rear fences at 6 ft and front fences at 4 ft, require a permit, and enforce setbacks from the property line. A survey can settle a disputed boundary — cheaper than building and tearing down. These rules vary by city, so verify locally.
FAQ
Installed, a 150 ft fence runs roughly $2,400–$4,800 depending on material: chain link around $2,400, wood around $3,750, and vinyl around $4,800. Gates and permits add more.
Chain link is the cheapest installed — about $10–$25 per linear foot — and needs almost no maintenance. Wood is a step up at $15–$35, and vinyl runs $20–$45.
One post every 6–8 feet, plus one for each corner and each end. A 150 ft run at 8-ft spacing needs about 20–23 posts including corners.
Often yes — labor is usually a third to half the total cost. A flat 6-ft wood fence is a realistic DIY project, but posts, footings, and digging are the hard part; hire pros for vinyl or difficult terrain.