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Fence Cost Calculator

Estimate fence material, labor, gates, tear-out, and stain costs per foot and total.

Results

Material cost
$5,000
Labor cost
$3,000
Gates
$350
Tear-out/removal
$0
Stain/finish
$0
Estimated total cost
$8,350
Cost per foot
$42

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter fence length and height.
  2. Enter per-foot material and labor costs.
  3. Add gates and optional tear-out/stain allowances.
  4. Review total cost and cost per foot.

Inputs explained

Fence length/height
Total linear feet and finished height.
Material cost/ft
Boards/panels, posts, concrete, hardware, average per linear foot.
Labor cost/ft
Install labor per linear foot.
Gate count/cost
Number of gates and cost per gate (material + labor).
Tear-out cost/ft
Removal/disposal of old fence per linear foot.
Stain/finish/ft
Optional stain/paint per foot.

How it works

Material + labor are per foot; gates add lump sums per gate.

Tear-out and stain are optional per-foot adders. Total is summed then divided by length for cost/ft.

Formula

Material = Length × Material $/ft
Labor = Length × Labor $/ft
Gates = Gate count × Gate cost
Tear-out = Length × Tear-out $/ft
Stain = Length × Stain $/ft
Total = Material + Labor + Gates + Tear-out + Stain
Cost/ft = Total ÷ Length

When to use it

  • Budgeting a new fence before collecting contractor bids.
  • Comparing DIY vs pro labor costs per foot.
  • Adding gates or tear-out to see total project impact quickly.

Tips & cautions

  • Labor and material costs vary by material (wood, vinyl, metal). Adjust per-foot costs accordingly.
  • Gate costs can swing with hardware and width—use a higher number for double or custom gates.
  • If removing an old fence, include tear-out/disposal per foot to avoid surprises.
  • Does not price terrain difficulty, rock/drainage issues, or permit fees.
  • Assumes linear pricing; complex layouts may change labor or waste.
  • Stain/finish is a per-foot average; exact product coverage may vary.

Worked examples

200 ft fence, $25 material/ft, $15 labor/ft, 1 gate @ $350

  • Material = $5,000
  • Labor = $3,000
  • Gate = $350
  • Total ≈ $8,350
  • Cost/ft ≈ $41.75

150 ft fence, $18 material/ft, $12 labor/ft, 2 gates @ $400, $5 tear-out/ft

  • Material = $2,700
  • Labor = $1,800
  • Gates = $800
  • Tear-out = $750
  • Total ≈ $6,050
  • Cost/ft ≈ $40.33

Deep dive

This fence cost calculator multiplies your fence length by per-foot material and labor, then adds gates, tear-out, and optional stain to show total cost and cost per foot.

Use it to compare DIY vs contractor pricing, add gate counts, and see how removal or finishing changes your budget.

FAQs

What materials cost more?
Vinyl/metal cost more than basic wood; adjust material and labor per foot to match your quotes.
Does this include permits?
No. Add permit/inspection fees separately based on your locality.
Rocky soil or slopes?
Not included. Expect higher labor/waste; increase per-foot labor or add a buffer.
Custom gates or arbors?
Raise gate cost to cover premium hardware or custom builds.
DIY vs contractor?
Set labor to $0 for DIY to compare material-only cost. Keep gates/tear-out/stain if they still apply.

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Estimates only. Labor and material pricing vary by region, material, and site conditions. Verify with local contractors before contracting.