Read this first: these are general market ranges to help you budget, not our price list. Material prices move, and every yard is different. An on-site estimate is the only real number.
Installed Cost per Linear Foot
| Fence | Typical installed range per foot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Galvanized chain link, 4 ft | $15 to $30 | Lowest cost per foot |
| Black vinyl-coated chain link, 4 to 6 ft | $20 to $40 | Required in some front yards |
| Treated pine privacy, 6 ft dog-ear | $25 to $45 | Most common backyard fence |
| Board-on-board or horizontal wood, 6 ft | $35 to $60 | More lumber, no gaps |
| Cedar privacy, 6 ft | $35 to $65 | Pine posts with cedar pickets lowers it |
| Vinyl privacy, 6 ft | $35 to $65 | Material grade swings the price |
| Aluminum, 4 to 5 ft | $35 to $70 | Pool-rated styles at the higher end |
| Wood board fence, 3 or 4 board | $12 to $30 | Farm and road frontage |
| Woven field fence or barbed wire | $4 to $12 | Long runs, braced corners extra |
Gates
- Walk gate (4 to 5 ft): roughly $250 to $900 depending on material and hardware.
- Double drive gate (10 to 16 ft): roughly $700 to $4,000, with aluminum and steel-frame at the top.
- Automatic gate system: commonly $5,000 to $15,000 or more for the gate, operator, access controls and safety sensors. Electrical work is extra if power is not already there.
A Sample Budget
A typical Gainesville back yard: 150 feet of 6 foot treated pine privacy fence with one walk gate, on fairly level ground.
- 150 ft at $25 to $45 per foot: $3,750 to $6,750
- One walk gate: $250 to $600
- Ballpark total: about $4,000 to $7,350
Add old fence tear-out and haul-away (often a few dollars per foot), and adjust upward for slopes, rock or a second gate.
What Pushes the Price Up
- Height. An 8 foot privacy fence uses more material and needs deeper, closer posts than a 6 foot one.
- Slope and rock. Steep lake and North Hall lots and rocky ground in Lumpkin and White counties add labor.
- Gates and corners. Each one adds heavier posts and hardware. A short fence with many corners costs more per foot than a long straight run.
- Tear-out. Removing an old fence set in concrete is real work.
- Access. Narrow side yards and no truck access mean material is carried in by hand.
- Clearing. Brush, vines and small trees on the fence line.
Ways to Spend Less
- Mix materials. Privacy fence where you need screening, chain link or split rail with wire on the sides nobody sees.
- Use existing fence. If a neighbor's fence is in good shape, you may be able to tie into it with their agreement.
- Keep the line simple. Fewer corners and gates mean fewer heavy posts.
- Pine posts with cedar pickets. Most of the look of cedar for less.
- Compare quotes line by line. Post size and depth, wire gauge, picket thickness and fastener type are where cheap quotes cut corners.
Ready for a real number? Here is how our estimates work, or call (678) 679-0911.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest fence to install?
Galvanized chain link has the lowest cost per foot for a yard fence. For large acreage, woven field fence or barbed wire is cheaper still.
Is vinyl more expensive than wood?
Usually, up front. Over 15 to 20 years, vinyl can come out even or ahead because it never needs stain and does not rot.
Does a fence add value to a home?
A well-built, good-looking fence is a selling point, especially for buyers with dogs or kids. It rarely returns its full cost at sale, so build it for your own use.
Why do fence quotes vary so much?
Different materials, post depth, post spacing, lumber grade and fasteners. Line up quotes item by item to see what you are actually comparing.