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🏡 Fence Cost Calculator
Estimate Your Fence Installation Cost
Reviewed by Mike Patterson
Fence Contractor • 16 years • 2,000+ installations
feet
$18-28/ft
💡 Pro Tips from Mike Patterson
- Cedar vs pressure-treated saves nothing long-term: Cedar fence $22/ft, pressure-treated $18/ft. Cedar lasts 20 years, pressure-treated 12-15 years. Over 20 years you'll replace pressure-treated 1.5 times = $27/ft equivalent. Cedar wins.
- DIY only saves 40%, not 70%: Materials are $12/ft for wood. Pro install $20/ft total ($8 labor). You save $8/ft...but rent post-hole digger ($75), buy tools ($200), spend 40 hours. For 100ft fence: save $800, spend $275 + 40 hours. Only worth it if your time is free.
Fence Material Comparison 2025
| Material | Cost/Ft | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Link | $10-18 | 20-30 years | None |
| Wood | $18-28 | 12-20 years | Stain every 3-5 years |
| Vinyl | $25-40 | 25-30 years | Rinse annually |
| Composite | $30-45 | 25-30 years | None |
| Wrought Iron | $25-35 | 30+ years | Repaint every 5-7 years |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Forgetting property line survey: Build fence 2 feet onto neighbor's property = $8k to tear down and rebuild. Always get survey ($350-500) before install.
- Not checking HOA rules: HOA allows max 6ft fence, you build 8ft = forced to remove top 2ft at your expense. Check covenants FIRST.
- Choosing cheapest contractor: Low bid $3k vs average $4.5k. Cheap guy uses 4×4 posts instead of 6×6, fence leans after 2 years. Saving $1,500 costs $5k to fix.