A simple way to boost your home's curb appeal while adding more security is to install a privacy fence. This type of fencing is typically taller than standard fences and offers you and your family protection from prying eyes. With a few different options to choose from, the cost of a privacy fence can vary depending on the material you choose and your desired height.
How much does a privacy fence cost? Read on to find out the average price of a privacy fence and what materials are available for construction.
Standard Services | Quantity | Low | High | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
What you can expect | |||||
Range per linear foot: | $20.57 | $33.74 | |||
Range for this type of project: | $2,571 | $4,217 | |||
Estimate: $3,394 | |||||
Wood Fencing Cost | 132 linear feet | $1,641 | $2,276 | ||
Cost of residential-grade, premium-construction fence boards, each 1"x6", set between 2"x4" top and bottom rail and mounted on 4"x4" posts. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect installation and occasional repairs. | |||||
Wood Fencing Labor, Basic | 20 hours | $662 | $1,613 | ||
Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete installation. Post locations will be laid out and post holes dug up to 3' deep, then wood posts will be set in concrete at 8' spacing. Two horizontal rails between each post will be installed, and 6'x6" fence boards attached. Fee is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup. | |||||
Wood Fencing Job Supplies | 132 linear feet | $194 | $221 | ||
Requisite supplies for the job, including fasteners, post concrete, and connectors. | |||||
Wood Fencing Equipment Allowance | 1 job | $74 | $107 | ||
Daily rental of specialty equipment for maximum quality and efficiency. These include 8" post-hole auger, 12" miter saw, pneumatic nailer, and portable concrete mixer. Consumable equipment elements not included. | |||||
Wood Fencing Debris Disposal | 125 linear feet | $787 | $896 | ||
Responsible disposal of all project debris, including the cost to load and haul old materials, installation waste, and any other refuse. | |||||
Optional Services | |||||
Option: Remove Fencing | 8 hours | $253 | $616 | ||
Rails, panels, posts, and concrete base (at up to 8' spacing) will be detached and excavated, and materials removed from premises. Available for wood, vinyl, and cyclone fencing up to 6' height. |
cost to install a wood fence | |
National Avg. Materials Cost per linear foot | $13.93 |
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 125 linear foot | $3,182.43 |
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 125 linear foot | $2,410.68 - $3,954.18 |
The average cost of a privacy fence is about $25 per linear foot, including labor, though the price can range between $19 and $60. Naturally, this number will fluctuate depending on whether you choose aluminum, wood, chain link, bamboo, PVC, or wrought iron for your fencing material and which contractor you choose to install it.
Calculate your cost to install a privacy fence by first finding the per-foot price of your chosen material and multiplying it by the number of feet you'll need. Add the cost of labor onto that number and the cost of removing your old fence if that applies. You’ll also need to factor in other possible items, such as gates, concrete, sealant, and hardware.
The average material cost of a privacy fence runs between $2 and $50 per linear foot, depending on the type of material you choose. For a fencing project of 125 linear feet, you can expect to pay between $250 and $12,500.
Linear Feet | Average Cost | Lowest Cost | Highest Cost |
100 | $1,100 | $700 | $1,500 |
125 | $1,375 | $875 | $1,875 |
150 | $1,650 | $1,050 | $2,250 |
200 | $2,200 | $1,400 | $3,000 |
300 | $3,300 | $2,100 | $4,500 |
400 | $4,400 | $2,800 | $6,000 |
500 | $5,500 | $3,500 | $7,500 |
In most cases, professional fence installation contractors are able to acquire your desired material, since they’ll have preferred suppliers. Wood is a popular choice for privacy fences due to its natural beauty, but other materials have their own benefits, such as greater security or a cheaper overall cost.
When planning the budget for your fencing project, you’ll need to consider several factors that influence the overall cost of a privacy fence.
These factors include:
Most carpenters or general contractors charge between $30 and $50 per hour for labor to install a new fence. The total project price may vary depending on the type of fencing you choose as well as the design and the total size.
A full privacy fence is a solid panel with little to no space between the boards. It’ll be at least six feet high since the point of a privacy fence is to block your property from outside view. The installation cost of a four to six-foot tall privacy fence is between $19 and $60 per linear foot, including the cost of the materials. The actual price may be as low as $8 per linear foot, or as high as $100 since the more expensive materials can be as much as $75.
If you intend to replace your existing fence, you’ll need to include the cost of removing and disposing of the old fence in your overall budget. For example, a 100 linear foot fence costs between $200 and $500 to remove. If you hire a contractor, tell them from the outset that the old fence will need to be removed first. This way, they can include the removal cost in their quote. If they don’t include it, you may be responsible for hauling the old fence away.
While most privacy fences are designed to completely obscure a property from outside view, semi-private options are also available. A standard privacy fence is usually between six and eight feet high. It’s composed of boards placed so tightly together that they form a virtually solid panel. A semi-private fence is the same height, only with gaps between the boards or whatever material you choose. If you’re concerned about airflow or don’t want to block out as much sunlight as a full privacy fence, then this option is a good choice for you.
If you decide you’d like to use wood to build your privacy fence, you should start by looking at the types of wood available for fencing. Some wood types are more durable than others, and some are less expensive, but each type has its own unique properties.
Here are the types of wood available for fencing:
Several factors will determine the total cost to install a privacy fence. These factors include the length and height of the project, whether you include any enhancements, and whether you plan to install a gate. If you’re on a tight budget, you can choose a less expensive option like pine or go to the opposite end of the cost spectrum and choose something like aluminum.
An average 200-foot privacy fence costs approximately $3,200, which comes out to around $16 per linear foot. The longer the fence, the more it’ll cost you for materials and labor. An unusual shape, like a polygon, will alter the labor cost to install your privacy fence since your contractor will need to use more posts and hardware.
An eight-foot-high fence will naturally cost more than a six-foot-high fence. The price difference between the two heights might only be a few pennies for lower-cost fencing material, but it could be several dollars more per foot for a more expensive material. It’s a good idea to add 20% to 30% more to your project budget if you want an eight-foot fence instead of a six-foot. Consider your privacy needs and decide if you can live with a six-foot-high fence to save yourself a bit of money.
You’ll need to include a gate for easy access to your yard. A gate that accommodates a six to eight-foot high fence will cost you $200 to $600, depending on your chosen material and design. Remember that the gate you choose doesn’t have to be made of the same material as the rest of the fence. You can choose something different to act as a decorative focal point. You may also want to decide how wide your fence will need to be if it’s meant to accommodate vehicles or lawn equipment. The kind of gate you choose will have an impact on the cost of the privacy fence.
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