Discover how much wrought iron fence installation costs in Chicago, IL, depending on factors like its size, thickness, design, and location.
Chain-Link Fence Cost in Chicago [2026 Data]
Fencing service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
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Cost Insights
The length of fence you need and the design are the two biggest cost factors to consider, but fence height and material options will also influence your total.
The average property in Chicago is just 0.098 acres, just under 4,300 square feet, and your costs can vary widely if your lot is much larger or smaller.
The City of Chicago charges a flat fee of $150 for the required permit, so make sure to budget for this expense alongside materials and labor.
Upgrading to a thicker mesh and adding a protective powder coating are worthwhile upgrades to improve longevity in Chicago’s extreme weather.
The average cost to install a chain-link fence in Chicago is $1,899, and most residents pay between $1,115 and $2,715. Prices depend largely on your lot size and the length of fencing you need, but you should also consider fence height, material preferences, and local labor costs. Most homeowners in Chicago pay below the national average, partly due to smaller lot sizes.
Photos: genotar1 / Adobe Stock
Chain-Link Fence Cost Factors
The cost of a chain-link fence in Chicago can fall anywhere between $675 and $4,850. To get an accurate idea of your total, you’ll need to consider all of the following cost factors.
Length and Height
Chain-link fence installation costs $6 to $32 per linear foot, which includes all parts of the chain-link fence and labor, with an average price range of $7 to $16 per linear foot. Contractors issue estimates with a per-foot calculation, in most cases, and projects that require longer sections of fencing will always be more expensive.
The height of your fence can also play an important role in determining your material costs, and taller fences can take longer to install, driving up labor costs, too. Finally, fences under 5 feet tall in Chicago don’t require permits, so any project with a taller fence will include permit costs, which add $150 to your total. Here’s what you might pay based on chain-link fence height:
| Fence Height | Average Cost Range (per Linear Ft.) |
|---|---|
| 4 feet | $6–$16 |
| 5 feet | $7–$18 |
| 6 feet | $7–$23 |
| 8 feet | $9–$27 |
| 10 feet | $13–$32 |
Type of Chain-Link Fence
The most affordable types of chain-link fences (galvanized and wood-post) start at $4 per linear foot. On the other hand, the most expensive type (wrought iron) can reach prices up to $80 per linear foot.
Here’s how the type of chain link fence affects the cost in Chicago:
| Type of Fence | Average Cost Range (per Linear Ft.) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galvanized chain link | $3–$7 | Resists rust in Chicago’s heavy rain and snow | Appearance and longevity |
| Cyclone or hurricane fence | $6–$32 | Stands up well to extreme winds and blown debris | Appearance |
| Wood post chain-link Fence | $3–$36 | Nicer curb appeal | Maintenance requirements |
| Wrought iron post chain-link | $23–$79 | Most durable | High upfront cost |
Diamond Size
“Diamond size” refers to how large the opening is between each link. A smaller mesh adds to security and slightly improves privacy, but it also costs more because it requires more materials. The most common residential size is 2” x 2”, which costs between $2 and $7 per linear foot. Decreasing the diamond hole to 1” x 1” will drive your per-linear-foot costs up to between $6 and $12.
Gauge (Thickness)
The thickness of the chain that creates the links, otherwise called its gauge, plays a part in the material costs. Basically, the higher the gauge number, the thinner the metal strands, translating to a lower cost of materials.
Thicker strands last longer, especially in areas like Chicago, which see extreme winds and other severe weather, like thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes. Thicker strands also provide more security and are generally more resistant to rust and inclement weather, but they cost more.
| 11.5-Gauge Chain | 9-Gauge Chain | 6-Gauge Chain |
|---|---|---|
| $1–$5.75 per sq. ft. | $1.50–$8 per sq. ft. | $3–$16 per sq. ft. |
| Low security; light and thin | Most common type for residential fencing | Best for heavy commercial or security applications |
Posts
Your fence needs posts to help it remain sturdy and to provide a bit of unique aesthetic flair. Putting in standard metal posts costs an average of $2.40 per linear foot, or $24 per post. Most contractors wrap this cost into the overall estimate, as you can’t have a fence without something to hold it together.
Land Clearing and Prep
You may need to budget for additional services to prepare your property for chain-link fence installation. Leveling and flattening your lot can help the installation go smoothly, as can clearing debris and removing bushes, shrubs, and trees that are in the way. Chicago is mostly flat, so land leveling isn’t a common service in the area, and since lot sizes are very small, your costs for clearing debris or vegetation, if necessary, will be minimal.
Land clearing cost: $150 to $2,250 per half-acre
Land leveling cost: $700 to $2,400
Add-Ons
Since chain-link fences are basic in their design, appearance, and functionality, many homeowners consider add-ons to get more value and utility from their project. You can use the table below to estimate what each add-on will cost.
| Add-On | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Faux ivy | $0.35–$0.80 per linear ft. |
| Swing gates | $75–$360 each |
| Privacy screens | $2.40 per linear ft. |
| Privacy slats | $2.40–$8 per linear ft. |
| Powder coating | $4.50–$6.50 per linear ft. |
In Chicago, where lot sizes are very small and neighboring properties are nearby, privacy features are some of the more popular add-on options. Powder coating can also add value and longevity to your fence, as it will help it stand up better to the extreme weather in Chicago, and it will reduce the risk of rusting in the above-average rainfall and snowfall.
Fence Installation Pro Costs
Hiring a fence installation company in Chicago will mean paying an average of between $725 and $2,000 for labor alone, which accounts for an average of 50% of your total. That comes out to an average of between $6 and $32 per linear foot of fencing for installation services.
Your pro will charge for materials and labor, and they should include a separate line item for permit fees. The City of Chicago requires permits for fence installations where the fence will be taller than 5 feet. The permit fee in these cases is $150.
Angi Tip
While fence installation may seem like a weekend DIY project, it requires careful preparation and planning. We recommend contacting a pro to ensure the job is done to your specifications and with the best materials.
Does a Chain-Link Fence Increase Home Value?
Chain-link fences add little to your home value because they lack the high-end curb appeal that you’d get from something like an aluminum fence or a high-end wooden fence. As such, your return on investment (ROI) will be limited with a chain-link fence.
You can improve your return by choosing add-ons that are valuable specifically in Chicago. Since lot sizes are small and severe weather is common, adding privacy screens or slats, as well as powder coating for protection, can help maximize your value-add. Paying a bit more for a black chain-link fence also improves curb appeal and can help boost property value.
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 survey 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.
Fencing services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Chicago, IL
4.1★ avg. • 67 total reviews
- Ignacio G.
Clearing a warehouse required relocating equipment into a different fenced area. The movers took time to understand what needed to stay accessible and what could be grouped together. Items were shifted gradually instead of all at once. That made tracking easier during the job. The crew stayed...
- Cujo L.
Cristian and his team were very communicative, prompt, and reasonably priced. Hired to take down a fence and will hopefully have more work for them in the future.
- Susan R.
The two guys that did my driveway, stairs, and walkways did a fine job ... like new now. Impressive for a new company with less than a year of experience. I will use them again to do my fence and patio next year. .
- Rachel C.
I had a 6 ft wood privacy fence put in the backyard. A&M did a great job and finished in just one day.
A&M Fence Corporation - Carla M.
Eddie was punctual and polite and made my fence and gangway concrete look new! Good honest value for the money.
Eddie's Painting and Powerwashing Service - Steven L.
Because of chain fence, it was very hard to remove big tree. I removed chain fence to help them. After remove tree, they help me to restore chain fence. They are very kind and mindful.
Pro Tree Service - Mika T.
Excellent, very pleased with quality fence & service I received.
Welds on Wheels LLC - Lillie T.
They started it in March and it went thru April and in the first week of May they finished it. They could have communicated a little better. I had to call them up. It snowed in March and they laid the steel for the wrought iron fence and it took them awhile to come back. I had to keep calling...
- Annette R.
My original date was moved up and completed in two days. The team was lead by Benny, and Raul even personally stopped by to check on the progress and make sure I was satisfied with everything. I love the fence and I've gotten multiple compliments from my neighbors. I would highly recommend...
Flores Fence Inc - Amy R.
<p>We ended up hiring another firm. The salesperson, Don, was responsive - - it took about a week to get him to come out, scope the work and send us a written proposal. But that's where the responsiveness ended. Once they had our deposit, they couldn't be bothered to even contact us about...
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