Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Driveways, Pools & Outdoor Living > Privacy Fence

Privacy Fence Cost


How Much Does a Privacy Fence Cost?

 
average costMaterials: $4-$75+ Per Foothigh costProfessional Installation: $6-$100+ Per Foot

Made with wood, with vinyl or screened chain link, a privacy fence is typically 4'-6' tall and solid, designed to block an area from view. Although it's possible to enclose an entire yard with a privacy fence, because of cost it can be more practical to screen a smaller area, like a patio, pool or hot tub.

A semi-privacy fence is also 4'-6' high but allows more air circulation by putting every other picket on the opposite side of the fence (also called a shadowbox fence); angling the pickets (a louver fence); or putting a small space between the pickets (this type of semi-privacy fence is taller than a traditional picket fence and the space between pickets is usually narrower).

Typical costs:

  • Materials for a 4'-6' semi-privacy or privacy wooden fence can cost $4-$75 or more a foot, depending on the type of wood, the height of the fence and the complexity of the design; materials for a basic solid wood privacy fence of treated pine or cedar and with no fancy patterns or ornamentation typically cost $7-$15 a foot, or $800-$1,800 for 100' and $2,200-$4,800 for 300' of fencing. With professional installation a semi-privacy or privacy wooden fence can be $8-$100 or more a foot, depending on material, complexity and location; a basic wood privacy fence typically costs $10-$30 a foot, for $1,000-$3,500 for 100' (depending on whether there's a gate) and $3,000-$10,000 for 300'. For example, Production Fence Works in Georgia estimates its basic 6' wood privacy fence (with pressure-treated fence posts in concrete) costs an average of $11.30 a foot in treated pine and $14.99 a foot in Western red cedar.
  • A 4'-6' tall privacy or semi-privacy vinyl fence typically costs $12-$25 or more a foot for materials, or about $1,300-$3,000 for 100' and $3,600-$8,000 for 300' of fencing, depending on height, materials and if there is a gate or gates. With installation, total costs can be $15-$70 or more a foot, depending on local rates and complexity of installation; with one gate total costs can be $1,600-$7,500 for 100' and $4,500-$22,000 for 300' of fencing.
  • Installation of a 4'-6' tall chain-link fence with privacy slats or a built-in fabric screen can cost $6-$40 a foot ($600-$4,000 for 100' and $1,800-$12,000 for 300') depending on the type of materials, whether installation in included, and the height, gauge and mesh of the fence.
Related articles: Wood Fence, Vinyl Fence, Chain-Link Fence, Garden Gate, Driveway Gate, Fence

What should be included:
  • Installation is typically done in two stages. After the fence path is cleared, post holes are dug and the posts installed in concrete (or gravel). A day or two later, after the concrete has hardened, the fencing is attached to the posts and any gates are installed.
  • Before installing a fence, call 811[1] to have utility companies come out and mark any underground utility lines; or contact local utility companies directly. Also check local zoning, building and neighborhood codes; many dictate the height and type of fencing allowed, and property line set-backs required. A building permit might be required.
Additional costs:
  • Factors that affect the total cost include steep slopes, unusual obstructions or difficult access, or adding decorative ornamentation or additional gates.
  • For do-it-yourselfers digging fence post holes, a manual post hole digger or auger typically costs $15-$110; buying a small power auger can cost $60-$600 or more depending on size and materials, and whether it's a one-man or two-man power auger; and a one-day rental of a powered post hole auger can cost $50-$95, depending on location and type of auger.
Discounts:
  • As an alternative, planting fast-growing bushes and trees along a boundary line creates a visual "softscape" privacy fence (a hedge or thick line of trees) without any fencing. The cost can vary from free if the shrubbery or small trees can be transplanted from elsewhere on the property to hundreds or even thousands of dollars for planting tall trees.
Shopping for a privacy fence:
  • Determine the length of fence needed and look for examples of the style desired. The American Fence Association provides a photo gallery[2] of different types of fences.
  • Fencing materials are available from most home improvement centers like Home Depot[3] or Lowe's[4] , or online retailers like Amazon[5] .
  • Search for local contractors through the American Fence Association[6] or the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute[7] .
  • Get several estimates; verify that the company is properly bonded and insured;and ask for and check references.
post Post   Comments (2)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
7\' privacy fence - arched piano key top with upgraded wood
Amount: $12,000.00
Posted by: Shane72 in San Jose, CA.Posted: June 16th, 2015 06:06PM
Number of Feet: 265Height: 8-9\'
8' privacy board on board fence - 7' plus 1' arched piano key. Upgraded redwood - construction grade B. A 70' section of my fence is actually 9' tall because of down sloping yard. I have 2 8ft pedestrian gates. Interior of yard will have 24' of 5' fence plus a gate around pool equipment.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
how much would a 8 ft chain link fence cost with barbed wire? 100 ft long
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: a user in modesto, CA.Posted: May 31st, 2014 11:05AM
Number of Feet: 100 ftHeight: 8ft
Installer: ?
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With a Privacy Fence
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Number of Feet: Height: 
Installer:   
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.call811.com/state-specific.aspx
  2.  www.americanfenceassociation.com/Consumers/InspirationGallery/tabid/65/Default.aspx
  3.  www.homedepot.com/undefined-Fencing/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg1Zbrk7/h_d2/Navigation?langId=...
  4.  www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogDisplay?Ne=4294937087&searchQueryType=3&langId=-1&langI...
  5.  www.amazon.com/gp/search/sr_nr_scat_3742341_ln?rh=n:3742341,k:fence&keywords=fence...
  6.  www.americanfenceassociation.com/Consumers/GatesAccessControl/tabid/124/~/Consumer...
  7.  associationsites.com/page.cfm?usr=clfma&pageid=872
More Home and Garden Topics
Check Out All Costs for Home and Garden How Much Do Replacement Windows Cost? How Much Does a Storm Shelter Cost? How Much Does Heating Oil Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost