How Much Fencing Costs By Material?

Posted by admin in Aug, 2016

You’ve probably noted the discrepancy in fence pricing between wood and vinyl. The pricing gap is actually much larger if you use more expensive materials. Here is a breakdown of expected costs for each major material as well as the pros and cons of each one.

Metal/Chain Fences: $1,100 – $2,300

Chain-link fences are the perfect choice if you want to install a basic, affordable structure. They also enjoy a long lifespan with minimal maintenance requirements. Plus, if you’re handling the project yourself, it’s the easiest material to install, making it the best for first-time fence builders. Despite its durability and thrifty cost, there is a major downside to chain-link fencing. It’s not aesthetically pleasing. If the curb appeal isn’t a problem, there are several options to consider.

• Metallic-coated is the most popular because it’s the most economical.
• Color-coated is simply colored material combined with metallic to make it slightly more attractive.
• Estate fencing — a type of steel fencing — provides a slightly different design that differentiates it from generic chain-link fences.

A professional will charge $14 to $19 per linear foot for the average metal fence.

Wood Fences: $1,500 – $3,500

As a fencing category, wood is the most difficult to evaluate due to the breadth of options. Most privacy fences employ some form of wood as the primary material. The type of wood chosen directly influences the cost of the project. If you select a more economical option such as cedar, the cost is comparable to chain-link fencing. Still, even this type of wood has differing costs depending upon how the wood is treated.

• A basic plank costs as little as $1.50, but one treated red cedar can be as much as $8.
• If you want the best looking materials, redwood is your best bet. It costs over double the finest cedar, though. Expect to pay about $17.50 per piece.
• Presuming you use cedar, a six-foot wood fence will cost $7 to $15 per linear foot if you install it yourself and roughly double that if a professional handles the job.

Wood fences provide greater security and privacy than chain link fences. However, they require more of a financial investment due to the increased labor and material costs. The durability of wood is also lackluster, though staining or painting it might increase its strength and longevity. Finally, adding a gate to a wood fence is an expensive proposition.

Privacy Fences

The most common reason for installing a wood fence is privacy. A 6-foot tall fence separates one home and backyard from the home and yard of a neighbor. Wood fences can also add an extra layer of protection for those installing a pool in their yard. Some homeowners use privacy fence as a way to differentiate different spaces in their yards as well. They can create a barrier between a garage and the yard or between a guest house and the yard.

To professionally build a privacy fence, a contractor will spend around 23 hours installing a fence of the average length of 150 linear feet. This equals out to around$30 to $33 per hour in labor costs. While that can add nearly $800 to the total cost of the job, most homeowners will find that paying someone to do the job is easier for them. Contractors can measure the space, purchase the necessary amount of wood and ensure the privacy fence will remain in place for years. Homeowners may also find themselves paying for additional materials. With fence posts, most contractors will ask that the client pay for the posts and the concrete or cement. Fence posts usually cost around $3 to $5, and depending on the size of the yard, the fence might require five or more posts.

Return to Top

Vinyl Fences: $2,000 – $5,000

Vinyl fencing has a lot of huge benefits, including:

• A different look from conventional materials such as wood and metal
• Wide variety of color options, meaning you can accentuate your home by matching its colors with the new structure
• Easy to clean, generally requiring only a quick hosing to wash away the grime

The reason why more homeowners don’t use vinyl is its cost. The materials are $10 to $25 per linear foot, and labor adds another $5 to $8. So, you could pay as much as $33 per linear foot as the cost of having an attractive fence. Vinyl also occasionally becomes brittle during inclement weather. It’s not a great option in places that get heavy snowfall.Return to Top

Aluminum Fences: $2,000 – $5,000

This is obviously a more expensive metal, but you get what you pay for. It requires little maintenance and is not prone to rust. You can hire a professional to powdercoatthe aluminum to add to its weatherized protection. It’s also an optimal choice for swimming pool fencing. If you are willing to pay more to get the look you want, aluminum costs $22 to $32 per linear foot and has hefty installation fees to boot.Return to Top

Wrought Iron Fences: $100 – $300 per linear foot

Considered the ultimate in fencing materials, wrought iron actually has significant drawbacks:

• It is prone to rust, which is problematic in rainy regions.
• it dents more easily than other materials listed above.
• The base cost is $20 to $100 per linear foot for materials, and if you require installation, the costs can soar to $300 for oversized, custom materials.

If these cons aren’t an issue, everything else about it is great. Wrought iron provides the best security of fencing, and it offers a stylized look that can boost your curb appeal dramatically.