Fence Cost Calculator
Planning to build a fence? Enter your total linear footage and select material type to estimate material cost, total post count, and total installation cost.
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Fencing is priced by the foot, but built by the post
Material is quoted per linear foot, so the length of the run gives you most of the budget in one multiplication. The post count does not follow that pattern: a fence needs one more post than it has sections, because the last section has to terminate somewhere.
Formula: posts = (length ÷ spacing), rounded up, + 1
A 150 ft fence at 8 ft spacing is 18.75 sections, rounded to 19, so it takes 20 posts. Forgetting the plus-one is the single most common miscount in fence planning, and it is the post you discover you are missing on the last afternoon of the job.
Post spacing is a structural decision
| Spacing | Suits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft | Tall privacy, heavy panels, high wind | 33% more posts and concrete |
| 8 ft | Most wood, vinyl and chain link | The default; matches 8 ft rail stock |
| 10 ft | Light rail and wire fencing only | Rails sag between posts |
Eight feet is standard because rails and panels are milled in 8 ft lengths, so it wastes nothing. Drop to 6 ft for anything tall and solid: a 6 ft privacy fence is a continuous sail, and wind load is what pulls posts out of the ground. Posts go one third of their length below grade — a 6 ft fence wants 8 or 9 ft posts set 2.5 to 3 ft deep, and below the frost line wherever the ground freezes.
What the materials actually cost
| Material | Material per ft | Installed per ft |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link | $12 | $20 to $30 |
| Pressure-treated picket | $15 | $25 to $40 |
| Cedar or redwood privacy | $25 | $35 to $60 |
| Vinyl / PVC | $30 | $40 to $70 |
| Aluminum or wrought iron | $40 | $55 to $100 |
Labor typically runs $10 to $15 per linear foot on flat, clear ground and rises steeply from there. Slopes, rocky soil, tree roots and hauling away an old fence all add to it, and demolition of an existing run is usually quoted separately at $3 to $8 per foot.
Before you order: the two things that stop a fence
Get the property line surveyed if there is any doubt. A fence built even a few inches over the line is the neighbor's to demand you move, and the cost of a survey is a fraction of the cost of relocating a finished run. Many jurisdictions also cap fence height — commonly 4 ft in front yards and 6 ft in back — and require a permit above that.
Call 811 before digging, every time. It is free, it is a federal service in the US, and it is generally required by law. Buried gas, electrical, water and fiber lines sit at post-hole depth, and hitting one turns a weekend project into an emergency with a bill attached.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fence 150 linear feet?
For cedar or redwood privacy fencing at about $25 per foot, 150 feet is roughly $3,750 in materials, or $5,250 to $9,000 professionally installed. Pressure-treated picket at $15 per foot is about $2,250 in materials. Chain link at $12 per foot is closer to $1,800 in materials. Add $3 to $8 per foot if an existing fence has to be removed first.
How many posts do I need for a 150 ft fence?
Twenty. At 8 ft spacing, 150 feet is 18.75 sections, which rounds up to 19 — and a fence always needs one more post than it has sections, because the final section must terminate. The plus-one is the most commonly forgotten post in fence planning.
How deep should fence posts be set?
About one third of the post length below grade, so a 6 ft fence wants 8 or 9 ft posts set 2.5 to 3 ft deep. In climates where the ground freezes, the hole must reach below the frost line regardless of that ratio, or seasonal heave will lift the posts.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
Often yes, and the rules are local. Many jurisdictions cap height at 4 ft in front yards and 6 ft in back, with a permit required above that. Have the property line surveyed if there is any doubt, and call 811 before digging — it is free, and buried utility lines sit at post-hole depth.