Are you contemplating a new fence for your backyard?
Investing in a fence isn’t the same as your average purchase. There’s much to mull over. Calculations need to be made.
You’re adding a feature to your property offering function and form. Your family’s privacy and security are in good stead when you install a high-quality fence. Moreover, an expertly crafted fence will add curb appeal to your property because of its eye-catching nature.
Adding a fence can be time-intensive, whether you DIY the installation or pay someone else to do it. Yet, the installation process doesn’t necessarily take much time–the decision-making chews into your calendar the most. Making the wrong choice can be costly, and making the right decision isn’t necessarily a slam dunk.
On the above note, All Island Fence works efficiently. We install fences promptly while maintaining our keen eye for quality and attention to detail. Beyond that, we want to help you with your purchasing process, so you can make a wise fencing decision in a streamlined fashion, limiting your stress and worry.
Therefore, we’re providing a fence installation cost guide to help you navigate the purchasing journey.
How Much Does A Fence Cost?
At All Island Fence, we base your fence installation cost on several factors. We’ll detail many of those topics throughout this guide.
For now, though, we’ll discuss more general averages to give you a broader idea of what to expect. So, these prices won’t always precisely reflect what you’ll be quoted at All Island.
Nationally, there’s a $3,000 average fence installation cost. These costs include professional labor expenses and materials.
Most often, you’ll find that a new fence throughout the US will cost between $2,000 and $4,500. That said, you could find an option for as little as $500 or a price as high as $8,500.
One way to estimate your project costs is through fence size.
The average national price per linear foot of a fence falls between $12 and $35. A standard lawn size in the US requires approximately 150 linear feet of fencing for a full enclosure. Initial calculations indicate this would cost you between $1,800 and $5,250.
Your fence’s material, height, and level of installation difficulty will all be significant dictators of the exact amount.
Materials Are A Significant Fence Installation Cost Factor.
Materials cost anything from $1 to $70 per linear foot, depending on your choice. Standard materials often land between $5 and $23 per linear foot.
Your choice of materials will be a prominent force in your final fence installation cost. Wood and vinyl–two of the primary choices for privacy fencing–generally range between $15 and $33 per linear foot. The quality of the wood you select will dictate where the price lands.
Vinyl and PVC are growing increasingly popular due to their low maintenance costs and durability. Often, you’ll find these materials can cost between $13 and $37 per linear foot.
Wrought iron, steel, and aluminum fencing are high-end options that cost you between $20 and $70 per linear foot. While these materials are more expensive on average, they typically offer a time aesthetic and last for years.
What Style Of Fence Do You Want?
What style of fence do you want to install? Your choice will impact your overall fence installation cost.
A more common choice is a privacy fence, which can be constructed with aluminum, vinyl, and wood. Generally, you’ll pay between $13 to $23 per linear foot, including installation and materials.
Picket fences are a classic option, costing between $15 and $25 per linear foot. The materials for this fencing are usually wood or vinyl.
Another type of fence is a shadowbox fence–a type of privacy fence that alternates between spaced and solid boards. This lends itself to a shadowed effect. Wood is the most common material for shadowbox fences and is typically priced between $22 and $40 per linear foot.
Rail fencing incorporates vertical and horizontal boards far apart in space. Wood, vinyl, steel, and aluminum can be incorporated into this style. This type of fence usually costs between $8 and $15 per linear foot.
How Tall Will Your Fence Be?
Your fence installation cost also involves your fence’s height. Taller fences will be more expensive than short ones.
Privacy fencing between 4 and 6 feet usually costs $15 to $40 per linear foot, while an 8-foot picket fence costs $20 to $40 per linear foot.
Standard fence sizes are 4, 6, and 8 feet. We can go taller or shorter at All Island, depending on the circumstances and your preference.
Residential areas usually have 6-foot-tall fences in the backyard and 4 feet in the front. Limitations are often in play for how tall a fence you can install. Investigating local building codes and regulations will be necessary before choosing a fence height.
Do You Want To Add A Gate?
Installing a standard gate into your fence can increase the price by $150 to $550. The type and size of your gate will dictate at what end of the spectrum the final price will land.
Materials such as aluminum, vinyl, steel, and wood can be used to construct gates. It’s also worth noting that automatic gates are more expensive than manual ones. Automatic gates–like ones you’d drive your vehicle through–often cost between $2,500 to $6,000.
How Much Do Labor Costs Factor Into Your Final Fence Installation Cost.
One source indicates labor accounts for nearly 60% of your fence installation cost.
Labor for fence installation costs between $35 to $70 per hour. This equates to around $7 to $12 per linear foot.
A typical fence installation project necessitates around 20 hours worked by two workers to install 150 linear feet of fencing. The final labor cost would be between $700 to $1,400.
We’ll reiterate the broadness of some of these averages. The truth is these numbers differ project by project. For instance, labor would cost exponentially more to install a chain link or wrought iron fence because the process is more complex.
Permits Are Pivotal.
Permits from your local municipality are usually essential to your fence installation project. How much the necessary permits cost will vary based on the size and type of fence you have installed. The regulations in your area will also impact the price.
An average permit can cost you between $30 and $200.
Contact your homeowner’s association to determine any additional fees or requirements for building a fence in your community.
Ancillary Services.
This section is crucial for preparing for your fence installation.
Your fence installation may require extra work outside of the installation itself.
One of the services you might have to pay for is land leveling or regrading. You’ll need this work completed to install your fence on uneven or sloped ground.
Leveling and regrading your land typically costs between $800 and $4,000.
A fence installation company can perform this removal work for you and add it to your bill. Or you may need to hire someone else.
Having your old fence removed is another additional expense. Expect this cost to vary between $270 and $750, depending on your old fence’s size and type.
Any obstructing stumps and even full-on trees must often be removed before a fence is installed. Specifically, removal is necessary when roots have grown into or under your driveway, sidewalk, or foundation.
Removing a tree can cost between $240 and $1,750 throughout the US. Stump removals will typically cost between $120 and $350.
Another consideration is additional painting or staining after your fence is installed. Your fence size and type will dictate the cost, generally ranging between $700 and $3,000 if you hire someone to paint and stain. Vinyl fences come with pre-finished color–therefore, they won’t require staining or painting.
How Much Does DIY Fence Installation Cost?
Do you want to eliminate labor from your overall fence installation cost?
A company like All Island can work with you to simplify the fence installation DIY process.
Several factors will impact the overall DIY fence installation cost. Materials and fence length will have the most significant influence on the price.
On average, materials will cost between $5 and $23 per linear foot. The higher quality of the materials, the more they’ll cost. From there, necessary tools and equipment generally cost up to $400 if you don’t already have them.
Your typical DIY fence installation costs will range between $1,500 and $3,850. Note that your expenses could be vastly lower or higher than we’ve listed. These are just general averages.
Here’s a list of materials you’ll need to DIY your fence installation:
- First on the list is pickets. These are the vertical boards in the fence’s construction. Pickets are available in numerous thicknesses, finishes, heights, and widths.
- You’ll then require railings. These are the horizontal beams needed to connect your pickets.
- The vertical supports placed in the ground during fence installation are posts. They’ll be secured to the ground with concrete mix.
- Securing fence rails and panels will necessitate screws and nails.
- You can add post caps–but they aren’t necessary. Caps are a decorative component you can put atop your fence’s posts.
- Once installed, you can stain or paint your fence to garner a finished look.
- Do you want to fill in the gaps surrounding your fence’s base? Consider doing so with gravel.
Should You DIY Or Pay For Labor?
The answer to the above question depends on many factors, such as the scope of the job and your general handiness.
A fence installation project can be extremely straightforward with limited labor involved.
There could be no stumps and trees that need removal. You might have limited surface area to cover and could’ve chosen a more straightforward type of fence to install. People with the required skill set, who know how to use their tools, won’t struggle too much with this sort of DIY installation.
Moreover, the fencing company you purchase from can provide support to make the DIY process more simplified.
However, DIY isn’t for everyone. Even a less expansive, simplified project could be too much for people lacking experience as DIYers.
Alternatively, even the most experienced DIYers can need help with a fencing installation project as it grows more complex and expansive. Some materials can seem like a mystery and require arduous labor to install.
You can partake in the project’s installation process and DIY various components. Still, working alongside a professional to ensure a more complex project goes smoothly might be wise. Labor costs would still be reduced, just not as much as if you DIYed everything.
Also, paying a professional for aspects of this job could be more worth your time and money. Getting stuck in the DIY weeds could cost you more of both in the long run. You might have to restart the project due to a mistake or perform continual repairs due to flaws in the installation.
That said, if you’re 100% confident in your abilities as a DIYer, don’t let us dissuade you. Regardless, we suggest choosing “safe” over “sorry” and hiring a professional fence installer if you have any doubts.
What Is The Most Budget-Friendly Fence To Install?
Chain link fences are the most affordable options on the market. They’re durable and robust, too, especially if a galvanized wire is incorporated to fight against corrosion.
The primary place you lose out on with chain link fences is aesthetics. Modern options definitely look better than chain link fences of old. Nonetheless, a chain link fence cannot match the curb appeal of vinyl, wood, aluminum, etc.
If you purchase from a company like All Island, we’ll note that the value-for-dollar for our chain link fences (and our other options) is through the roof.
What Else Should You Know About Your Fence Installation Cost?
Do you have any more questions about your fence installation cost and how to prepare your budget?
We’d be more than happy to help you directly. So, contact us today with your inquiry. We can even offefr you a quote to give you a better idea of your fence installation cost.