Fence installation costs $15 to $25 per linear foot in 2026
That is Angi's range for professionally installed fences. The average job is about $3,206, with most $1,855 to $4,744. The cost of fence and installation varies with material: chain link starts about $8 per foot, wood privacy runs $13 to $45, and vinyl $15 to $40 or more.
Cost by fence type, per linear foot
| Chain link | $8 to $40 in Angi's table. Inch Calculator says most run $5 to $15. |
|---|---|
| Wood picket | $10 to $36 per foot installed. |
| 6 foot wood privacy | $13 to $45 per foot. |
| Vinyl | $15 to $40 in Angi. One vinyl guide puts full installs at $36 to $65. |
| Composite | $11 to $45. |
| Wrought iron | $25 to $55. |
| Invisible or electric | $3 to $9. |
| Labor | About $25 to $80 per hour. |
What pushes a quote up
| Length | Every foot is posts, rails and panels. |
|---|---|
| Material and height | A 6 foot privacy fence costs more than a 4 foot picket. |
| Gates | Each gate adds hardware and labor. |
| Ground | Slopes, rock and roots slow post setting. |
| Old fence removal | Tear out and disposal are often extra. |
Cost of fence and installation by region
| Lower cost states | $1,475 to $3,800. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $1,855 to $4,744. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $2,400 to $6,200. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Some 2026 contractor guides show $20 to $60 per foot as the planning range in busy metros.
Why the online averages and local quotes differ
Angi's $15 to $25 per foot and $3,206 average come from many small jobs, including short runs and side yards. HomeGuide puts new fence installs at $4,000 to $12,000, or $20 to $60 per foot for wood and vinyl. A 2026 fence company guide puts most backyard projects at $3,500 to $9,000 or more. A full backyard is often 150 to 200 feet, so the math adds up fast.
Measure your run before you call. Then multiply by $15 to $25 for a rough number and by $20 to $60 for the top of the market.
Permit and property line
Many cities require a permit for fences over a set height. See our fence permit cost page. Call 811 before anyone digs, and know where your property line is. Moving a fence later costs more than a survey now.
Why this costs more in 2026
Vinyl is PVC, made from oil and gas. Posts and panels are heavy freight, and post holes are dug with gas powered augers.
Fuel is the common thread. AAA's national average for diesel passed $6 a gallon for the first time on September 11, 2026, up from about $3.70 a year earlier (CBS 8 reporting AAA). Every truck roll and every delivery carries that. Materials moved too. Associated Builders and Contractors reported construction input prices up 4.8 percent in a year as of March 2026, the largest annual gain since January 2023, and the Associated General Contractors said diesel jumped 37.8 percent in one month, the largest one month rise since 1990 (Roofing Contractor, April 2026). Some suppliers added freight surcharges this year. Ask how long your quote is good for.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Get the linear feet and price per foot.
- Count the gates. And their prices.
- Ask post depth and material. Posts are where fences fail.
- Check removal and haul away.
- Ask who pulls the permit.
Ways to pay less
- Remove the old fence yourself.
- Use one gate, not two.
- Choose a standard height.
- Share the cost with a neighbor on a shared line.
What will this cost me?
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
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Book a free 15 minute callNo pitch deck. We run your audit live on the call.Common questions
What is the cost of fence and installation?
About $15 to $25 per linear foot in Angi's data, with most jobs $1,855 to $4,744.
How much does a wood privacy fence cost?
$13 to $45 per foot for a 6 foot fence.
How much does a vinyl fence cost?
$15 to $40 per foot in Angi. One vinyl guide says $36 to $65 installed.
What is the cheapest fence?
Chain link, often $5 to $15 per foot.
Do I need a permit for a fence?
Often, above a certain height. Check with your city.