How Much Does Fence Installation Cost in San Francisco?

Normal Range: $1,852 - $4,488

The average homeowner spends about $3,117 to install a fence in San Francisco, CA, but most spend between $1,852 and $4,488. Your fence pro will factor in the length and material of your fence for an accurate quote.

How we get this data
Photo: Kristina Blokhin / Adobe Stock
Photo: Kristina Blokhin / Adobe Stock
Highlights
  • Your fence installation cost in San Francisco depends on primary pricing factors, such as its length, height, and style, though Additional factors can also impact the final cost. 

  • The average cost of fence installation is between $6 and $50 per linear foot.

  • Installing a fence on your property can increase its selling appeal and yield an ROI of up to 50%, depending on the type, style, function, and attractiveness of the fence.

The average fence installation cost in San Francisco is $3,117, with a typical range of $1,852 to $4,488. While the cost of living in the area is significantly higher than the national average, prices for fence installation remain reasonable in comparison. Type, size, and style of the fence are the primary pricing variables.

Fence Installation Cost Factors 

While installing a fence on your property is possible as a DIY project, doing so requires taking on a challenge and meeting strict requirements that most homeowners are unwilling to tackle on their own. Most homeowners in the area rely on the skills and expertise of a qualified local fence installation contractor to handle the project. Whichever route you choose, the primary cost factors remain the same. 

Size

The cost to install a fence can vary based on the amount of material used, which is, in large part, determined by the size of your fence. Longer fences will naturally cost more due to higher material costs and labor costs to install them.

Common prices for a residential backyard fence in San Francisco, CA by linear foot include:

Fence Length (Linear Feet)Average Cost
50$1,200
150$3,600
200$4,800
400$9,600

This all comes out to an average cost per linear foot for fence installation of between $6 and $50, depending on the material, with an average per-linear-foot cost of $24.

Material

Fence TypeAverage Cost (per Linear Foot)
Chain link$6–$40
Composite$11–$48
Vinyl$15–$40
Wood$10–$50
Concrete$10–$30

You can choose from many fencing materials, including wood, iron, aluminum, PVC, and chain-link.

9 fence material types compared visually, including composite, wood, vinyl, and wrought iron
Photos: Andy_Oxley / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images; Michael Prince / The Image Bank / Getty Images; OceanProd / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images; Nickbeer / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images; Aliaksandr Yarmashchuk / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images; ghornephoto / E+ / Getty Images; RonTech2000 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images; Vitaliy Halenov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images; Punkbarby / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

The costs vary wildly among the different fencing materials, with chain-link fences tending to be the most affordable, followed by wood fencing, iron, PVC, and then aluminum. The pricing of each material varies based on the design of the fence, though, so your total will depend on your front yard fence idea.

Style

Style of FenceAverage Cost (per Linear Foot)
Picket$6–$30
Rail$5–$30
Privacy$10–$50

The type of fence you choose is another important factor affecting cost. For instance, if you want to block the view of your yard entirely, a privacy fence costs around $24 per linear foot. No matter the type of fence you choose, a privacy fence will always require more material to provide a barrier, so the cost will be higher. Shorter decorative fences will likely be more affordable.

Demolition and Prep 

If you're replacing an old fence, you’ll need to take it down before installing the new one. Fence removal runs about $4 to $10 per linear foot, or roughly $600 to $1,500 total for a 150-foot fence. You can save money on dumping fees by recycling or scrapping the old fence materials.

If your yard is sloped, your installer may need to level the land, which costs an average of $1,000 to $4,000 in San Francisco.

You'll also want to budget to remove any trees or roots that are in the way. Removing a tree in San Francisco costs anywhere from $400 to $2,000, depending on the size, though most homeowners spend around $750.

Fence Pro Costs

While size, style, and length are among the primary cost factors, other variables will impact your invoice total. Variations in labor and permit costs around San Francisco will also play a role. Additionally, if you're installing a fence as part of a larger exterior upgrade project, you may also require the services of other pros.

Labor

Labor costs when hiring a fence installation professional in San Francisco will account for between 30% and 60% of the total installation price, which is a typical amount in comparison to national figures. 

Permit

Virtually all residential fence installations in San Francisco will require a construction permit. Your installer will obtain the permit, handle the necessary surveying and inspection requirements, and include the cost, which averages $20 to $60, in your invoice. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

If your new fence requires staining or painting after the installation is complete, or if your larger landscaping upgrade requires additional work to complete the project, you may also need the following professional services.

Does Installing a Fence Increase Home Value?

Installing a fence on your San Francisco property can increase your home's value and provide a significant return on your investment (ROI) of up to 50% of the cost of the installation. Additionally, installing a functional, purpose-built fence on your property can add significant selling appeal to the home as well.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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