How to Estimate Fence Cost Per Foot Before You Call a Contractor
Updated 2026-11-03 · price data from our sourced November 2026 dataset
A 6-ft wood privacy fence runs $12 to $55 per linear foot installed depending on your state, so a typical 150-foot project costs about $1,800 to $8,250 before gates.
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Start With the Perimeter
Everything in a fence quote scales with the length of the run, so measure first. Pull your plat or survey map if you have one; it is the most accurate option and settles property line questions before they get expensive. No map? Walk the line with a tape measure or a measuring wheel, one side at a time, and write down each run.
Add up every side to get total linear feet, then subtract gate openings. A simple 50 by 75 foot backyard is 250 feet around minus a 4-foot gate, or 246 feet of fence. On slopes, measure along the ground rather than map distance, because the fence follows the terrain.
Pick Your Material Before You Price Anything
Per-foot prices only mean something once the material is fixed. Our tracked baseline is a 6-foot pressure-treated wood privacy fence, the most common residential fence in the US. As a rough guide, chain-link is the cheapest route, wood sits mid-pack, vinyl runs a bit above wood, and aluminum and composite sit at the top.
Installed pricing includes labor, which makes up roughly half of a typical fence quote in our tracked data. Materials-only lumber numbers look far cheaper on paper, so keep the two clearly separate when you compare bids.
Price Benchmarks by State (Installed)
These are installed ranges for a standard 6-foot wood privacy fence, updated November 2026. The typical job column applies each state's midpoint rate to the most common project size, 150 linear feet.
- Metros vary inside each state: in Texas, Austin starts near $10/lf installed while Dallas tops out around $54/lf
- All figures are installed (labor and materials) for a 6-ft wood privacy fence
| State | Low | Typical | High | Typical 150-ft job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $13/lf | $28/lf | $50/lf | about $4,200 |
| California | $16/lf | $29/lf | $55/lf | about $4,350 |
| Ohio | $12/lf | $20/lf | $32/lf | about $3,000 |
Count Posts, Panels and Gates
Contractors build the quote from three components: length, gates and cleanup. When you sanity-check a bid, multiply the per-foot rate by your measured footage, add the gates, and see how close you land. If the quote sits 20 percent or more above that math, ask what is driving it: slope, rocky soil, demo of an old fence and haul-off fees are the usual suspects.
- Posts go every 6 to 8 feet, so a 150-foot run needs about 19 to 26 posts
- Prefabricated wood panels are usually 8 feet wide; 150 feet is roughly 18 to 19 panels
- Each gate brings its own hardware and extra braced posts, commonly $150 to $700 installed for a standard single wood gate
- Corners and grade changes may need heavier posts, a small upcharge each
Your Pre-Call Checklist
Do this homework before the first contractor visit and the bids you get back will be tighter, more comparable, and harder to pad.
- Total linear feet measured along the ground, each side written down
- Gate count, widths and swing direction marked on a sketch
- Material and height decided (6-ft wood is the pricing baseline above)
- Utility locates called (811 in the US) before anyone digs
- HOA rules and setback lines checked
- Old fence removal noted, since demolition and haul-off is usually billed separately
FAQ
How much does a 6-foot wood fence cost per foot installed?
Roughly $12 to $55 per linear foot installed. Texas averages about $28/lf, California $29/lf and Ohio $20/lf for a standard 6-ft wood privacy fence as of late 2026.
How many fence posts do I need for 150 feet?
About 19 to 26 posts. Posts are spaced 6 to 8 feet apart, so divide your run by the spacing and add one for the closing post at the end of the line.
Do per-foot fence prices include gates?
Usually not. Gates are quoted separately because of the hardware and extra bracing, commonly $150 to $700 installed for a standard single wood gate.
Is a materials-only quote a fair comparison?
Only against other materials-only quotes. Labor runs close to half of an installed fence price in our tracked data, so a materials-only number can look about half as expensive while the final bill is not.
Related calculators
Estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual prices vary by project details — always confirm with on-site quotes from licensed contractors.