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A privacy fence typically costs around $4,900
Adding a privacy fence to your backyard means you can fire up the grill or add a new flower to your garden without your neighbors seeing it all. Not only that, but a privacy fence can add character to the yard and complement the rest of the home. Depending on the type of material, width, and height of the fence, the price will range from $1,500 to $8,000.
How Much Does a Privacy Fence Cost by Linear Foot?
Since you’re only doing the outline of your property, you’ll measure this project in linear feet rather than square feet. The average privacy fence will run about 150 linear feet. But you’ll need to measure your property line to determine how far yours is. For a 150 linear foot privacy fence, expect to pay around $35 per linear foot on average.
How Much Does a Privacy Fence Cost Near You?
How much you pay for your privacy fence will depend on the cost of living in your area. For example, you might need to pay a premium in areas such as Washington and Rhode Island because properties are normally priced higher than those found in rural Utah and Georgia.
Check out the average cost of a 150 linear foot privacy fence in the following states:
- Washington: $3,900
- Utah: $3,000
- New Mexico: $2,600
- Georgia: $2,200
- Michigan: $2,100
- Iowa: $2,200
- Delaware: $3,100
- Rhode Island: $3,300
Privacy Fence Cost Breakdown
Between labor, height, and add-ons, the price of a privacy fence can vary quite a bit. You and your neighbor may both put up fences and end up with two drastically different prices.
Labor
To install a privacy fence, expect to pay around $35 per hour on average. If the team you hire needs to prep the site, remove an old fence, or paint your fence, this will require more time and money.
It typically takes a fencing contractor around 24 hours’ worth of labor time to tackle a 150 linear foot privacy fence. So expect people in and out of your yard for several days.
Materials
Regardless of what fence you decide to build, there are a few key materials you’ll need. This includes posts, concrete bases, and a gate to enter and exit.
Here’s a look at the common materials you’ll need for a privacy fence, and the cost of each:
- Concrete post bases: $0.30 per pound
- Top and bottom rails: $80
- Panels: $270 per panel
- Wood posts: $4 per post
- Vinyl posts: $90 per post
- Post caps: $30 per cap
- Gate (manual open): $275
Height of Fence
The cost of any fence you install will rise or fall depending on height. For privacy fences, the two standard heights are 6-foot fences and 8-foot fences. Your HOA or city may have limitations on what size fence you’re allowed to have.
For a 150 linear foot privacy fence, expect to pay:
- 6-foot: $4,700
- 8-foot: $6,300
Add-Ons
Hiring a pro fence installer means they’ll give you add-on options to choose from. This can be an automatic gate opener, painting, or lighting fixture.
The costs of privacy fence add-ons are as follows:
- Automatic gate opener: $2,700
- Paint: $2,000
- Light fixtures: $80 per light
Removing Old Fence
If you have an old privacy fence that needs removing, you’ll need to add on an extra $3 to $5 per linear foot. Keep in mind this won’t include extra labor costs.
How Much Does a Privacy Fence Cost by Style?
A privacy fence doesn’t only have to be for privacy, either. You can choose a fencing style to match your yard’s style. Wood privacy fences offer a relaxing ambiance by blending in with surrounding trees, while metal fences create a workshop vibe to get all of your DIY projects done.
Wood
The cost to install a wood fence is around $2,700 on average. Wood privacy fences often cost a little less because the materials aren’t as sturdy as vinyl and metal. To reinforce wood, fencing companies may combine metal and wood, which will raise the price quite a bit.
Vinyl
Vinyl fencing costs around $3,700 on average. The classic white picket fence used to be made from wood, but now it’s more commonly vinyl. A vinyl privacy fence is perfect for keeping the small ones in a safe space (as long as your small ones don’t have paws and try to dig underneath).
Aluminum/Metal
Metal fences tend to be the highest-priced option because they’re the sturdiest. Though you’d never know these fences are made out of aluminum by simply looking at them. They look like a variation of vinyl fencing but with a wood stain over them. Aluminum privacy fences will run you around $4,600.
(Photo By Татьяна Антоненко - stock.adobe.com)
How Much Does a Privacy Fence Cost to Build Yourself?
To build a fence yourself, there are a few items you’ll need to rent or already own to accomplish the task. You may need to allocate more time to the project as well.
Items you’ll need include:
- Shovel: $10 to $20
- Posthole digger: $50 to $100
- Drill: $100 to $250
- Circular saw: $100 to $250
- Sealant: $75 to $100
However, installing a fence is best left to the professionals. Any mistakes you make, such as not digging the fence bases deep enough or not accounting for slopes, will end up costing more money in the long run. Fencing companies often offer warranties to help correct these mistakes.
So even if you save around $10 per linear foot initially, you might lose this money on mistakes and maintenance.
FAQs About Privacy Fences
How long does it take to put up a privacy fence?
If you hire a fence installer for the project, expect them to take around 20 to 30 hours to complete the project. Tackling the project yourself will take around 40 to 50 hours.
When’s the best time to install a privacy fence?
Installing a fence in fall and winter will often result in you saving money. These are the slow times for most fencing companies since fewer people tend to use their backyard during these seasons.
Do you need permits for privacy fence installation?
You’ll need permits to put up a fence and possibly permission from your HOA if you have one. Permits will cost around $50 to $500. The city may limit how deep you can dig, how high the fence may be, and even the colors you can paint it.