A friend of mine who had newly acquired a farm lot called in the other day, asking me how much it would cost to fence a yard. He intended to raise goats on his farm, and thus, he wanted to have a ballpark figure on how much he would need to prepare for the fencing of his yard. Well, I told him the average might range anywhere from $6 to $22.5 per linear foot (midrange fence).
Besides, I also told him that high-end fencing might cost him up to $30 or more per linear foot. So, on average, he will be spending anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500. This cost, of course, will include the site plan, warranty, and building permits.
What Are Your Options for Fencing?
You got several material options for fencing your yard. You can use, for example, wood, metal, rigid plastic, or stone. The wood’s costs, however, depend on its quality and grains. Metal also has sub-categories. You can use, for example, steel, iron/wrought iron, or aluminum. Stones consist of limestone, bricks, or other rocks good enough for fencing. On the other hand, hard plastics can be PVC, vinyl, or a combination of plastic and other materials.
You also have various fence-style options. Nevertheless, the most followed styles are cedar fencing, picket fence, chain link, rail, and post fencing. You can also go for wrought iron fencing. Besides, you can add lattices to your fence to enhance its design. You can add these lattices at the bottom or top of an existing fence.
Moreover, you need post caps to give your fence a new slant. The hard plastic and metal styles can imitate the wood styles. However, the other types, like the chain link and wrought iron, are uniquely for metal fencing style.
Other options include electric fences, wire fences, and invisible fences. So, when it comes to fencing your yard, you indeed have ample choices from which you can choose.
How Much Would Each Type of Backyard Fence Cost?
If it is your first time building a backyard fence, you might be at a loss as to how much it would cost. The cost, however, would depend on many factors, but one factor that has a significant bearing on the overall cost is the material you will use. Below are some ballpark figures of how much it would cost to build a backyard fence relative to the materials you will use:
Cost of Chain-link Fence
Using chain-link for fencing, you will spend around $15 to $30 for each linear foot. Thus, if you will fence an area with a perimeter of 150 feet, you will most likely spend anywhere between $1,290 to $3,370. Therefore, chain-link material is still an affordable option.
A chain-link fence will last longer and requires less maintenance. Moreover, it is easy to install even if it is your first time installing a chain-link fence. However, the privacy level afforded by chain-link barriers is less because it is see-through.
You can use a metallic-coated chain-link fence, considering it is the most popular choice and the least costly option. Besides, you can choose from various color-coated chain links, though if you want to save, you can forgo the color-coated options.
Cost of Barbed Wire Fence
Barbed wire may cost around $1.25 to $1.48/foot. If you fence a 1,300 feet area, you will likely spend approximately $1,900 for 12-gauge barbed wire. You can use this fencing type in ranch to keep predators out and stock in. Barbed wire is perfect if you will fence a larger area. You can also use barbed wires as an extra security measure on the top of the fence.
Using Panel Fence
Using panels as a fence, you will likely spend anywhere from $5 to $19 for each linear foot of this material. Then, you need to spend around $39 or less for its installation per linear foot. You will find many styles and materials for this type of fence.
Examples of panel fences are dog ears, picket, horizontal, and lattice fences. You can buy this material per panel, which is easy to install.
Wood Fence
You will likely spend anywhere from $5 to $15 per linear foot if you use wood for fencing. The installation will cost you another $15 to $35. Wood fencing, of course, provides your fence with a rustic look. Besides, it can give you enough privacy and security. You can also use the wood fence as a decorative boundary.
Wood fences also come in various styles and sizes. You can also use multiple types of wood species for this purpose. Moreover, your wood fence can also be a picket or split rail fence. Remember that your fence’s costs will be dictated by the wood type you use.
Composite Fence
Composite fence comes in many different types. Besides, the materials used for composite fences are like those for composite decks. Composites mimic the appearance of wood. Yet, they require less maintenance.
Composite fences are more durable than wood. You can find a composite fence with a privacy style, and you will likely spend anywhere from nine to twenty-five dollars per linear foot. You can add up the installation costs of twenty-two to forty dollars per linear foot.
Aluminum Fence
The aluminum fence might cost you anywhere from ten to thirty dollars per linear foot. However, the installation per linear foot is from fifteen dollars to forty dollars. An aluminum fence is an excellent choice if you want to go for a metal option. It comes in various designs and might look like a wrought iron fence.
Aluminum, however, is lighter and requires less maintenance. Besides, it dents quickly. If you want a security fence, you might as well go for another type of fence material.
Vinyl Fence
Another option for fencing is the vinyl fence. Vinyl fence usually gets wrought in PVC. This type of PVC is generally laced with other chemicals to improve its durability and strength. Vinyl, of course, is non-porous. Besides, it requires less maintenance and cleaning compared to wood.
Installing a vinyl fence is around twenty dollars per linear foot. So, you will likely spend anywhere from $2,800 to $5,500 for a vinyl fence. However, it depends on the size of your yard. You got limited style options if you opt for a vinyl fence.
Metal Fence
Aluminum and steel usually make metal fences. These fences get generally assembled off-site. This type of fence is vulnerable to rusting but requires less maintenance. Installing a metal fence ranges from $35 to $60/linear foot.
Wrought Iron Fence
The range of price of wrought iron fence is anywhere between $13 to $30 per linear foot. The installation will cost anywhere from $22 to $40/linear foot. Wrought iron fences get usually used for security and decorative purposes.
This fence is heavy and is usually powder-coated or painted. Its design may be simple or overwrought. The thickness of this fence usually dictates the price of the fence.
Electric fence
An electric fence may cost anywhere from $1 to $3 per linear foot and $6 to $9 per linear foot installation. You can keep your livestock inside your yard using this type of fence. Besides, you can make any type of fence electric by adding an electrified wire to the fence.
Additional Factors You Need to Consider When Calculating the Costs
Aside from calculating the cost of installation based on the material used, it will be best if you also consider the following factors in your calculations:
Size and Height of the Fence
The fence’s dimensions may also factor in the calculation of the fencing cost. The average costs of installation of a fence range from thirteen dollars to fifty dollars per linear foot. Most residential fences have an average height of four to six feet. Nevertheless, a fence can be anywhere as high as 12 feet.
Most front yards have a three-foot high fence, while most backyards have a six-foot tall fence. However, if you want to increase the height of your fence to eight feet, the cost of your fence might go a quarter higher.
Cost of Labor
The labor costs may comprise around fifty percent of the total costs of fencing your yard. The average price fence contractors will charge anywhere from $30 to $80/hour. It will usually take twenty to thirty-five hours to complete a 200 linear foot fence. So, you need to factor in the labor cost to come up with a credible estimate of the total costs.
Condition of the Area
It is easier to install a fence on soft soil and flat terrain. However, if the terrain is uneven with slopes and hilly grounds, the installation process might take longer, and the labor cost might go up. If the area needs leveling, there will be more work to do, driving the labor cost further.
Gates
You may also factor in the cost of the installation of the gates. Fences need gates, which vary in height, material, and style. Thus, the price of gates may vary depending on the abovementioned factors. Besides, you may need to install several gates, which will add up to the cost of the installation of the fence.
Removal of Old Fence
If there is an existing fence, you must pay to dismantle the old wall. The dismantling of old fence might cost three to five dollars per linear foot, amounting to several hundred dollars. If you want to save on the total costs of fence installation, you might as well remove the old fence.
Calculating the Fencing Needed
Fences usually hem in your property. As such, you need to get the exact measure of the perimeter of your property to get how many linear feet you need to work on. The perimeter of your property will depend on how large your property is.
Before you calculate the fence installation costs, it will be best to research the code restrictions of your neighborhood. Know the recommended height, allowable fence types, and post spacing in your area. Afterward, you can locate the property lines including the utility lines, and the point where you want to build your fence. Then, measure the length of the fence in the linear foot. Afterward, divide the total distance by the post spacing you want. Then, you can add two.
This way, you can figure out the number of posts you will need to install. If you have rails, you can multiply the total amount by 2 or 3. If you use vinyl, you can add up the panels you will use. Furthermore, you can divide the length by width if you opt for a picket fence.
How Much Would the Repair of Fence Cost?
If you want to lessen the cost of repairing your fence, you should engage in regular maintenance. Fixing your fence, of course, is less expensive than a total overhaul of your fence. However, the costs will depend on which materials you will use.
It will usually cost $550 on average when repairing a fence. You can also save if you would reprocess previous fencing materials like nails, wood, and posts.
Conclusion
The cheapest option you have is wire fencing which can cost around two dollars per foot. However, as your materials become more expensive, the total costs of fencing get higher. As an intelligent homeowner of a yard, you might as well estimate everything, and the more precise your estimate, the better it will be.
Besides, the better your plan is, the less likely the cost of fencing your yard will get higher, for you can avoid redoing any portion of the fence. As mentioned above, there are several factors to consider when building a fence, and if you have considered these factors well, you will not have much problem installing a fence around your premises.
