What a fence actually costs
Fence quotes look opaque because four different things are being priced at once: the posts (buried in concrete), the infill between them (pickets, panels or mesh), the gates with their hardware, and the labour — which is usually the largest single line. Split those out and the total stops being a mystery. This calculator does the split for you and lets you drop your own unit prices on top.
The quantity maths
- Posts = run ÷ spacing, rounded up, plus one. A 100 ft run at 8 ft spacing needs 13 bays and 14 posts. The extra post is the one at the far end.
- Rails = bays × rails per bay. A 6 ft wood fence normally uses two rails per bay; taller fences and heavier wind loads use three.
- Pickets = run length × pickets per foot. A 5½ in picket with a 1½ in gap gives a 7 in pitch, which is 1.71 pickets per foot, so 100 ft needs about 171 pickets.
- Concrete = bags per post × posts. One to two bags of fast-setting mix per post is normal; deeper holes and larger posts take more.
Typical material defaults
| Material | Default post spacing | Per bay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (dog-ear pine) | 8 ft | 1.71 pickets/ft (5.61 per m) | Posts 4×4 in, two rails per bay, pickets sold individually. |
| Vinyl / PVC | 8 ft | 1 panel | Panels come as 8 ft sections with rails built in; posts are concrete-set. |
| Chain-link | 10 ft | mesh + top rail | Mesh sold in 50 ft rolls (15 m), top rail priced per foot, one bag per post. |
| Aluminium | 6 ft | 1 panel | Rackable panels at 6 ft spacing, posts set in concrete. |
| Composite | 8 ft | 1 panel | Heaviest option: panels plus a concrete bag count like wood. |
The prices behind these defaults are planning figures only. Fence prices swing with region, height, wind rating and the season, so replace each one with a real quote before you commit — the quantities stay the same either way.
Where the money really goes
Professional installation commonly costs as much as the materials or more: a wood fence that is $12–20 per linear foot in materials can be $25–45 per foot installed. If you are pricing a DIY weekend, set the labour rate to zero and the calculator shows the parts list and the shopping total instead. Two hidden costs are worth budgeting for: removing an old fence (often charged per linear foot) and setting posts in concrete below the frost line, which adds depth, bags and time.
Choosing a material
Wood is the cheapest up front and the most repairable, but needs sealing every few years. Vinyl never needs painting and cleans with a hose, at roughly twice the material cost. Chain-link is the cheapest per foot by a wide margin and the obvious choice for pets and boundaries. Aluminium costs more but has the best strength-to-weight ratio and does not rust. Composite looks like wood with none of the maintenance, and is the heaviest and most expensive of the five.
Frequently asked questions
How many posts do I need for a 100 ft fence?
At 8 ft spacing, 14 posts — 13 bays of 8 ft plus the end post. If you would rather have equal bays that do not end with a short piece, 14 posts gives exactly 7 ft 8 in between posts (100 ÷ 13), which is the spacing the fence-post spacing calculator works out.
How much does a fence cost per foot?
Materials alone typically run $12–20 per linear foot for a 6 ft wood fence, $25–40 for vinyl, $8–15 for chain-link, $30–50 for aluminium and $35–60 for composite. Installed prices are roughly double the material figure, because labour is charged per foot on top.
How many pickets do I need per foot of fence?
About 1.7 pickets per foot for a 5½ in picket with a 1½ in gap, which is the most common privacy configuration. Wider gaps (2 in) drop it to about 1.6, and a tighter 1 in gap pushes it to 1.8. Multiply by the run length and round up.
How many bags of concrete per fence post?
One to two 50–60 lb bags per post for a standard 4×4 in post in an 8–10 in hole. Use two bags where the ground is soft, the post is carrying a gate, or the hole is deeper than 2 ft. Fast-setting mix can be poured dry and watered, which saves mixing time.
Is it cheaper to build a fence yourself?
Usually yes — labour is often half the installed price, so a DIY build can cost 40–60% less. The trade-offs are time, tools (a post-hole digger and a level are the minimum) and the risk of posts that lean or a fence line that wanders. Set the labour rate to zero above to see the parts-only cost.
Which fence material is cheapest?
Chain-link is the cheapest per linear foot and lasts decades with almost no maintenance, but it offers no privacy. Wood is next, and vinyl, aluminium and composite cost progressively more up front; composite and aluminium make up some of the difference in maintenance over 15–20 years.