Get matched with top animal fencing pros in Sauk Centre, MN

How much does a privacy fence cost? Stockade fences cost $12 to $13 per linear foot for materials. You may find fencing that costs less, but it’s likely wholesale wood manufactured using young trees. Fencing materials made with young trees are less durable than those made with mature trees.

For installation, expect to pay $30 to $80 per hour. Installing a 150- to 200-linear-foot fence takes 20 to 35 hours, which comes to about $600 to $2,800 for labor.

To effectively keep animals out of your yard with a fence, choose a fence that anchors to the ground to deter digging. Also, consider adding a barrier below the fence to prevent burrowing. 

To make your yard less desirable to animals, eliminate food sources like a vegetable garden, and ensure your garbage cans are sealed and tamper-proof. Installing motion-activated devices like lights or sprinklers will startle animal intruders. Also, a fence won’t work well if you forget to keep gates closed and secure. If you still face persistent animal intrusion issues, contact a wildlife control expert who can offer specialized solutions.

Ideally, when you replace a fence post, you should also replace the concrete footing. The concrete bonds to your new post, creating a secure base. If you install a new post into old concrete, it won’t be as sturdy.

That said, it is possible. Sometimes the post will lift right out of the concrete. If not, you can use a high-lift car jack to try and lift the pole out of the footing. Put the new post into the same hole and backfill it with fast-setting concrete. Keep in mind, this won’t work well for metal posts.

Regular maintenance for wire fencing includes annual inspections for rust or damage, tension adjustments every two to three years, and immediate repair of any breaks or loose sections. You should also regularly check the fence posts for stability, particularly after severe weather, and make sure to remove any vegetation growing along the fence line.