Fence Cost Calculator — Estimate Your Total Fence Budget
Estimate total fence cost including materials, posts, and concrete. Covers wood, vinyl, and chain-link fences with average U.S. material prices.
Enter Dimensions
Standard dog-ear picket: 3.5 in
Privacy fence: 0 in · Standard: 0.5 in
Results
Fence Posts
14posts
Rails
26rails
Pickets
330pickets
Sections
13sections
Each section = 8 ft wide
Editorial Standards
Each calculator is reviewed for formula accuracy, unit consistency, and alignment with current U.S. building practices before publication. We verify outputs against published engineering references and real-world project data. Learn more about our methodology.
Budgeting a fence project starts with an accurate material takeoff. Labor and permit costs vary widely by region, but material costs — posts, rails, pickets, and concrete — follow predictable per-unit pricing that you can estimate before calling a single contractor.
This calculator uses the fence material quantities from our Fence Calculator and applies average U.S. retail prices to give you a material cost baseline. Use it to compare fence types side-by-side or to sanity-check a contractor quote.
How to Estimate Fence Material Cost
Material cost estimate uses: (Posts × post price) + (Rails × rail price) + (Pickets × picket price) + (Posts × concrete bags × bag price). National average prices used: PT pine 6 ft picket $1.50, 8 ft 4×4 post $8, 8 ft 2×4 rail $4, 50 lb concrete bag $6.
Cost Comparison by Fence Type
- Pressure-treated pine (6 ft privacy): $8–$15/lf materials
- Cedar (6 ft privacy): $12–$20/lf materials
- Vinyl (6 ft privacy): $15–$30/lf materials
- Chain link (4 ft): $5–$12/lf materials
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wood fence cost per linear foot?
Pressure-treated pine runs $8–$15 per linear foot for materials only (posts, rails, pickets, and concrete). Cedar costs $12–$20/lf. Labor typically adds $10–$20/lf for a contractor-installed 6 ft privacy fence in most U.S. markets.
How much does a vinyl fence cost compared to wood?
Vinyl fence materials run $15–$30 per linear foot installed versus $8–$15 for pressure-treated wood. The higher upfront cost offsets long-term maintenance savings — vinyl requires no painting, staining, or rot treatment.
What is the most affordable fence type?
Chain link is the least expensive at $5–$12 per linear foot for materials. It provides security without privacy. For privacy fencing, pressure-treated pine is the most budget-friendly option at $8–$15/lf materials.
Does fence length or height affect cost more?
Length has a greater effect because both post count and material run increase with perimeter. Height adds cost through taller pickets and additional rails, but the multiplier is smaller than adding more linear footage.
How much does concrete for fence posts cost?
Each post typically needs 1–2 bags of 50 lb fast-setting concrete at $5–$7 per bag. For a 100-foot fence with posts every 8 feet (13 posts), expect to spend $65–$180 on concrete alone.
Looking for the general calculator?
Calculate fence posts, rails, and pickets for any wood, vinyl, or chain-link fence. Enter total run length and spacing for an instant material takeoff.
Open the Fence Calculator: Posts, Rails & Pickets →