Fence installation pricing is driven by material, linear feet, height, and terrain. 2026 installed per-linear-foot rates for 6-foot privacy: pressure-treated wood $20-$45, cedar $35-$65, vinyl $25-$50, chain-link $12-$25, ornamental aluminum $30-$55, composite $45-$85. Gates add $200-$1,500 each. Sloped terrain adds 15-30%.
Pick material based on 20-year cost
Pressure-treated wood: cheapest upfront, needs staining every 3-4 years, 15-20 year lifespan. Cedar: 30-50% more upfront, natural decay resistance, 25-30 year lifespan. Vinyl: premium upfront, no maintenance, 30-40 year lifespan — typically lowest 20-year total cost. Chain-link: cheapest overall, 30-40 year lifespan, no privacy. Aluminum: ornamental use, 30-50 year lifespan, no privacy. Composite: premium upfront and ongoing, no maintenance, 25-30 year lifespan.
Post depth and concrete
Post depth minimum = frost line depth + 6 inches (12-48 inches depending on climate). 4x4 posts for 6-foot wood fences, 5x5 vinyl posts for vinyl fences, 2-3/8 inch line posts for chain-link. Concrete footings: 2 bags 80-lb premix per 4x4 post hole, mounded above grade to shed water. Improper post depth is the #1 cause of fence failure — posts rock loose, gates sag, fences tip over in storms.
Gate hardware and framing
Gates are where fences fail first. Quality gate hardware: stainless steel or powder-coated galvanized hinges, steel gate frame inside wood pickets for 4-foot or wider gates, adjustable anti-sag kits, lockable latches. Budget $200-$500 per gate for quality hardware; double-drive gates (two swinging halves): $600-$1,500 with supporting posts. Cheap hardware fails within 2-3 years on daily-use gates.