Fence cost

Fences are priced per linear foot, so the first thing to nail down is how much fence you need. Measure the run, count the gates, and note anything awkward — slope, rock, tree roots, existing fence to tear out. Those variables, not the material catalog, are what separate a $3,000 job from an $8,000 one.

Rough 2026 per-linear-foot ranges by material, installed: chain link is the cheapest at roughly $10 to $25; wood around $20 to $50; vinyl around $30 to $60; aluminum around $25 to $75 (HomeGuide, 2026). Angi's data puts picket, rail and solid board at the low end starting around $5 to $6 per foot and vinyl commonly at $15 to $40 per foot. The overlap between sources is real — these are ranges, not prices, and your local labor market matters as much as the material.

Gates are the item people underestimate. Every gate needs heavier posts, hardware, and labor, and a double drive gate costs several times what a run of fence does. Get gates itemized separately on every bid.

Two things are worth paying more for and almost never show in a comparison: post depth and setting method, and hardware quality. A fence fails at the posts and at the hinges long before the pickets give out.

How to choose

Get the price per linear foot, not just the total

Divide each bid by the measured footage. It is the only way to compare bids that assume different lengths.

Itemize gates

Ask for gate cost separately, including posts and hardware. This is where quotes quietly diverge.

Ask what happens with the old fence

Tear-out and disposal is a real line item. Confirm whether it is included or extra.

Ask about post depth and setting

Depth below grade, concrete versus gravel, and whether posts go below the local frost line. Cheap bids usually cut here.

Confirm slope handling

Racked versus stepped panels on a slope changes both appearance and price. Decide before signing, not on install day.

Watch for survey and utility-locate costs

A property survey may be needed if the line is unclear, and utility locating is required before digging.