How Much Does a Privacy Fence Cost to Install in Washington, D.C.? [2026 Data]

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Cost Insights
  • Washington, D.C., homeowners can expect to pay $10 to $55 per linear foot for a new privacy fence.

  • Vinyl and composite fences are the most expensive to install, while wood is a more budget-friendly material.

  • You should also leave room in your budget for labor, which costs about $50 per hour.

  • Hiring a fencing pro in Washington, D.C., is the best way to ensure that your fence is well-built and up to code.

Privacy fence costs in Washington, D.C., range between $1,960 and $8,712, with homeowners in our nation’s capital spending an average of $4,683. The fence’s length and material have the biggest impact on your total, but the cost of labor and prep work also come into play. Here’s how.

Privacy Fence Cost Factors

Let’s take a look at the main factors that affect the cost of privacy fence installation in Washington, D.C.

Size

Fence installation is priced by linear foot, with an average range of $10 to $55 per linear foot fully installed. So, the larger your yard, the higher the cost. The fence material also greatly impacts the price, as does your yard’s layout.

The table below shows the average cost range for fences of various sizes, from 50 to 300 linear feet.

Fence Size in Linear FeetAverage Cost Range
50$545–$2,720
100$1,090–$5,450
150$1,630–$8,170
200$2,180–$10,900
250$2,720–$13,600
300$3,270–$16,300

Material

A privacy fence can add beauty to your property. Wood privacy fences blend with surrounding trees, while metal fences complement a chic, modern vibe.

The table below shows the average cost of a privacy fence by material for a 150-linear-foot fence.

Fence MaterialDescriptionAverage Cost
WoodLower-cost, less durable$2,940
BambooLightweight, little maintenance required, not as long-lasting$3,050
VinylLittle maintenance required, more costly than wood$4,030
CompositeLong-lasting, wood-like appearance, very costly$4,570
Corrugated metalLow-cost, durable$2,720

Note that the cost of a board-on-board privacy fence will be higher because they require more materials and more complex installation.

Prep Work and Additions

If you need to remove an old fence or get rid of some pesky stumps that are in the way of your dream fence installation, you’ll end up paying a bit more. Many people also decide to add plants like hedges around their new privacy fence to complement the fence’s aesthetics and increase privacy even more.

WorkAverage Cost
Old fence removal$3–$5 per linear foot
Tree removal$200–$2,000
Stump grinding$120–$400
New hedges$200–$900

Fencing Pro Costs

To calculate the final cost of your project, you’ve got two more expenses to consider: labor and permits.

Labor

When building a privacy fence (or any other kind of fence), it’s best to hire a qualified professional. Fencing pros in Washington, D.C., have the skills, knowledge, and tools to install a fence safely and prevent future problems (like sagging and leaning). On average, you’ll spend around $55 per hour on labor for this job (or about $10 to $15 per linear foot).

Permits

Whether you hire a pro or go the DIY route, you need a permit to replace or install most types of fences on private property in Washington, D.C. To get it, you’ll go through the D.C. Department of Buildings (DOB) permitting process—which is far easier to navigate for experienced contractors, who deal with it regularly. The total cost of a permit in Washington, D.C., includes several components, which you can find on the DOB’s Building Permit Fee Schedule.

Does Installing a Fence Increase Home Value?

After installing a fence in Washington, D.C., you can expect a 30% to 70% return on investment (ROI). The exact ROI of a fence hinges upon a few factors, including its height and material. However, privacy fences offer a better return than shorter ones, since they’re better at containing pets, reducing noise, and creating a secluded outdoor environment—all things that are desirable to potential buyers. Plus, since it’s often hard to find private yard space in cities like Washington, D.C., a fence could be even more valuable here.

How Angi Gets Its Local Cost Data 

To help homeowners plan their next project, Angi provides readers with carefully researched cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We start with national average project costs, which we collect by analyzing competitor information, retailer material costs, and input from professional contractors. We then apply local price index data to calculate location-specific estimates that reflect what homeowners typically pay in their local area. To do that, we use data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), including its Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which measure price differences across cities. This helps us account for differences in labor, materials, and overall cost of living, so estimates in higher- or lower-cost areas better reflect real-world local pricing.

Every estimate undergoes a thorough editorial review to verify accuracy, consistency, and alignment with observed market conditions.

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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