How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Fence Contractor for Repairs or Installation?

A fence can add charm to your home as well as security. When you need a fence to keep your favorite pet in or protect your small children, where do you turn?

You could certainly start with a local handyman or general contractor. But a fence contractor will have the expertise as well as the tools and materials to give you the perfect fence. Keep reading to learn what you can expect when you hire a fence contractor to repair or replace your current fence or install a brand new fence.

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Fence Contractor General Cost

Fence installation cost depends on material and length. Contractors will give you a quote based on the linear foot you need. You can plan on spending between $13 and $25 a linear foot. Thus, most individuals needing a fence will spend between $1,500 and up to $3,500 for fencing materials.

Materials make up approximately 70 percent of the price of total fence installation. Thus, as the cost of goods continues to rise, the cost of fence installation will rise as well.

You’ll best know your cost by seeking a local fence installer to get an estimate. You’ll quickly discover that you need around $2,800 to install a typical privacy fence.

Calculating Fence Needs

If you pay for a fence by linear foot, how do you know how many linear feet you will need? A reputable fence installer will help you figure out the specifics. In the meantime, you can establish a general idea by following these steps.

First, begin by contacting your homeowner’s association. Make sure you can actually have a fence, and then check to determine the requirements and restrictions in your neighborhood.

Then, hire a land surveyor. This professional will stake out your property lines before the fence installer arrives. This way the installer knows immediately where they’re working.

Next, measure the perimeter of the lot. You can do this with a tape measure or measuring wheel. You can also use your smartphone.

Log into Google maps. Use your GPS to track your movement, and then walk the perimeter of your lot. This tracking method will give you a more accurate read than a tape measure or measuring wheel.

Then, divide your perimeter number by 8 to know how many posts you will need for 8-foot spacing between posts. Finally, you’ll figure out how much lumber you need by dividing your total perimeter by the width of your panels or pickets.

These numbers will give you the linear feet and a general idea of what to expect when the fence installer arrives.

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Privacy Fence Cost

Privacy fence costs range from $13 to $40 a linear foot. This includes materials such as fence boards, posts, horizontal rails, area preparation, clean up, and concrete for posts. It also includes an installation fee.

Here’s a basic idea of how much you can expect to pay per linear food based on material:

• Wood: $8-$15 for materials, $5-12 for labor, and $13-27 per linear foot
• Chain link: $4-15 for materials, $5-15 for labor, and $9-$30 per linear foot
• Vinyl: $20-$26 for materials, $5-10 for labor, and $25-36 per linear foot
• Aluminum: $20-$25 for materials, $5-$15 for labor, $25-$40 per linear foot
• Bamboo: $8-$11, $7-$14 for labor, and $15-$25 per linear foot
• Wrought Iron: $25-$35 for materials, $5-$15 for labor, and $30-$50 per linear foot

Installation costs combined with the materials can add up. As you schedule your contractor, consider your materials carefully since the cost of the material along with the installation will vary based on the materials you choose.

Wood

If you want a privacy fence, wood is an ideal material. It has a natural, warm feel that still gives you the privacy you want. Plan on spending between $1,950 to $4,050 to have a 150-foot fence installed Homeowners on average spend around $2,800.

The vast price range exists because of the vast price range of types of wood. Most individuals choose pressure-treated pine wood, which costs around $17 a linear foot installed.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a low-maintenance, long-last option for a privacy fence. You will spend between $3,800 and $5,400 for a 150-foot fence or $25 to $36 for each linear foot. While vinyl materials cost double the cost of wood, vinyl will also last twice as long as wood and require less warranty.

Most vinyl also comes with a beefy warranty.

Bamboo

Bamboo fencing has the same natural feel as a wood privacy fence but can cost more, depending on your material. You will spend between $15 and $25 per linear foot or $1,500 to $2,500 on a 150-foot fence overall. Approximately 50 percent of the cost comes from the cost of materials for bamboo.

Bamboo is also one of the most sustainable materials and eco-friendly choices for fencing.

Labor Cost

Labor is typically the minimal cost of fence installation. You will spend between $5 and $15 per linear foot for labor. Thus labor costs make up anywhere from 30 to 50 percent of the final cost. A professional fence installer will take around 15 hours to install your 100-foot fence.

Here’s a basic breakdown of labor costs based on material.

Vinyl Fence Cost

Plan on spending between $25 and $36 per linear foot for vinyl fencing. Homeowners will pay between $3,750 and $5,400 to have a 150-foot fence installed. You can purchase the vinyl in a wide variety of colors and sit back and rest as it requires little maintenance and can tolerate all kinds of weather.

Chain Link Fence Cost

Chain link fences are the stalwart of fences, with durability and strength. They will cost between $9 and $30 per linear foot to have installed. On average, you can plan on spending between $1,350 and $3,900 to have the chain link fence installed.

You can get a fence anywhere from 3 feet to 12 feet high made of black vinyl-coated steel or galvanized steel. The black vinyl-coated chain-link fence costs between $10 o $34 per linear foot.

Wood Fence Cost

Wood fence installation varies from $13 to $27 per linear foot depending on the type of food you choose.

For example, pine costs the least, running between $3 and $7 a linear food whereas tropical hardwood will cost up to $15 a linear foot. Thus, a wood picket fence will cost between $1,700 and $3,300 with most fence installers charging around $2,800 to install a fence.

With wood, you get what you pay for. The cheaper the wood, the less time it will last and the sooner you will have to replace it.

Split Rail Fence Cost

You can find split-rail fences at many ranches and farms. Traditionally built with wood, split rail fences now come in PVC because it’s easier to maintain and it lasts longer than wood. Plan on spending between $1 to $4 per linear foot, per rail.

All total, plan on spending between $15 and $25 per linear foot or between $1,50 and $2,500 for 100 feet of split rail fencing.

Wrought Iron Fence Cost

Wrought iron fence gives a home some old home charm, but it comes in at one of the highest costs of $30 to $50 a linear foot. The prices overall stretch from $4,500 to $7,500 for a 150-foot wrought-iron fence. For this fancy fence, materials alone make up 75 percent of the cost.

You can make your fence uniquely yours with wrought iron though, as many come with customized designs. Homeowners use them to enclose pools or mix them with brick to create an overall luxurious feel.

Wought iron fences require general maintenance. You will have to sand and repaint them every two to three years to keep them from corroding.

PVC & Composite Fencing Cost

PVC and composite last the longest of these materials. It ranges in price between $22 to $33 per linear foot. A 150-foot fence will thus cost around $3,750. You will have to purchase 6′ wide panels along with vinyl posts, fasteners, post concrete, and connectors for a vinyl fence.

Because PVC and vinyl are synthetic materials, insects cannot damage them, and mold and mildew cannot grow on them. You do not even have to repaint it, making it one of the easiest-to-maintain materials. If you have a PVC fence installed professionally, you can hope for it last up to 15 years or even longer.

Cost of Fence Removal

As you’re figuring out the cost of a fence contractor, remember to include the cost of fence removal. Many contractors will charge between $100 to $1,000 to remove you’re existing fence. This fee covers the labor and time involved in knocking down, dismantling, and disposing of your existing fence.

Fence Repair

When you simply need a repair and not a complete replacement, a fence contractor is your best choice. Fences are their business, so they will immediately see your problem and know how best to fix it. They’re used to working with all kinds of materials on all kinds of landscaping.

So while you may want to fix it yourself or call in a local handyman, a professional fence contractor will do the job best.

Calculate and Call

Do not call a general contractor or your local handyman if you want your fence done right. Look for a professional fence contractor. Do your homework by calculating your fence need and the type of fencing that works best for you environment. Make sure you check with your local homeowners association to ensure you can have the fence you want.

Then give a fence contractor a call. If you’re looking for the best in the business, contact us today for a free quote. We can hook you up with excellent materials and a professional fence contractor that will install the fence of your dreams.

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Michael Cynar On   /   Fences   /   1 Comment