A 6-foot privacy fence costs about $17 to $60 per linear foot installed, and a typical 150-foot backyard run lands between $3,150 and $9,000. Wood sits at the low end of that range, vinyl in the middle, and composite and aluminum privacy panels above it.
The rest of the spread is height, ground conditions and the line items a quote includes or leaves out: tearing out an old fence, gates, posts set in concrete, a survey and the permit.
Key takeaways
- Wood, 6 ft tall: $17–$50 per linear foot installed. Vinyl, 6 ft: $35–$60.
- Going to 8 ft raises the price to about $50–$85 per linear foot for wood or vinyl, because of longer posts, deeper holes and more boards.
- A 150-foot run, 6 ft tall, costs roughly $3,150–$9,000 installed; Fixr’s national average is $5,000.
- Labor is $5–$20 per linear foot, so building it yourself saves about a third to half of the bill on wood.
- Old fence removal adds $1–$20 per linear foot depending on the source and material; get it as its own line.
| Cost item | Typical range | How to keep it down |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy fence, 6 ft, installed (wood to vinyl) | $17–$60 per linear ft | Pick wood stockade or dog-ear over premium panels |
| Privacy fence, 8 ft, installed | $50–$85 per linear ft | Use 8 ft only on the sides that need it |
| 150 ft run, 6 ft, installed | $3,150–$9,000 | Measure exactly; subtract gate openings |
| Labor only | $5–$20 per linear ft | Clear the fence line yourself before the crew arrives |
| Old fence removal | $1–$20 per linear ft | Reuse sound posts if the new fence follows the same line |
| Gate, installed | $50–$300 each | One walk gate instead of two; avoid custom widths |
| Permit | $40–$400 | Ask whether the contractor’s quote already includes it |
| Property survey | $200–$1,200 | Look for an existing survey in your closing papers first |
Assumptions: professionally installed, materials and labor, flat and accessible yard, no regional adjustment. Ranges span HomeGuide (2026 prices, updated Dec 2025 and Feb 2026) and Fixr (updated Jan 2025); where they disagree, the table shows the full span.
Privacy fence cost per foot, by material
Privacy fence cost per foot is quoted per linear foot of fence line, at a set height, usually 6 feet. Material is the biggest lever: HomeGuide says aluminum and vinyl privacy fences can cost 2 to 3 times more than wood. The table compares installed prices for a 6-foot fence.
| Material (6 ft privacy) | Installed cost per linear ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood, all common species | $17–$50 | Fixr wood privacy $17–$37; HomeGuide $25–$50 |
| Cedar privacy fence | $35–$40 | HomeGuide average; knot-free western red cedar $45–$90 |
| Pine, low-grade untreated | $20–$45 | HomeGuide; Fixr puts pine fencing of all styles at $10–$25 |
| Pine, high-grade pressure-treated | $45–$90 | HomeGuide, for 6–8 ft privacy designs; sources disagree widely |
| Vinyl | $35–$60 | Fixr $35–$60; HomeGuide $40–$60 at 6 ft |
| Vinyl-aluminum hybrid | $42–$80 | Fixr; vinyl panels on aluminum posts |
| Composite | $43–$85 | Fixr $43–$55; HomeGuide $55–$85 |
| Aluminum privacy panels | $75–$130 | HomeGuide; slats in an ornamental frame $75–$110 |
| Simulated stone panels | $70–$85 | Fixr |
| Bamboo | $15–$30 | Fixr $15–$25; HomeGuide $20–$30 |
| Chain-link with privacy slats | $14–$48 | HomeGuide; slats alone add $5–$18 per linear ft |
Assumptions: installed, materials and labor, up to 6 ft tall unless noted. HomeGuide (privacy and wood fence guides, 2026 prices, Dec 2025) and Fixr (privacy and wood fence guides, updated Jan 2025).
The pine rows are where the guides split. HomeGuide prices basic untreated pine below cedar and high-grade treated pine above it, while Fixr prices pine of all styles at $10–$25. Read that as a range of lumber grades, not a fixed price, and ask each bidder which grade and post they are quoting.
- Wood is the cheapest true privacy fence; Fixr names a 6-foot cedar stockade as the least expensive option.
- Vinyl costs more up front but skips staining; HomeGuide notes vinyl privacy panels can blow over in high winds.
- Composite mimics wood without rot and, per HomeGuide, lasts 25–30 years.
- Aluminum privacy panels are the priciest and least common privacy material.
Which wood to buy and which board layout blocks the most view are covered in the wood privacy fence styles and lumber comparison; this post sticks to price.
Privacy fence cost by height: 6 ft vs 8 ft
Privacy fence cost by height jumps more than the extra 2 feet of boards suggests. HomeGuide puts a 6-foot fence at $25–$60 per linear foot and an 8-foot fence at $50–$85, because taller fences need longer posts, holes 3 feet deep or more, and extra post labor.
| Height | Wood, per linear ft | Vinyl, per linear ft | 150 ft run, all materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft (partial privacy) | $30–$55 (wood, vinyl or composite) | — | |
| 6 ft | $25–$50 | $40–$60 | $2,250–$6,000 |
| 7 ft | — | — | $3,150–$9,750 |
| 8 ft | $50–$75 | up to $85 | $4,500–$12,750 |
Assumptions: installed. Per-foot columns from HomeGuide wood, vinyl and privacy fence guides (2026 prices, Dec 2025); 150 ft totals from Fixr (updated Jan 2025), which spans basic cedar to premium simulated stone.
Before you price an 8-foot fence, check that you can build one. HomeGuide says most residential zones cap fences at 8 feet and many front yards at 3–4 feet. Privacy fence height rules are local, so ask your zoning office and HOA before you collect bids.
What a privacy fence costs by length
What a privacy fence costs by length is simple multiplication, but the low end of the range rarely applies to short runs, which carry the same setup and travel costs as long ones. The table gives installed totals for a 6-foot fence.
| Fence length | 6 ft wood or vinyl (HomeGuide) | 6 ft wood privacy at $17–$37/ft (Fixr rate) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | $1,250–$3,000 | $850–$1,850 |
| 100 ft | $2,500–$6,000 | $1,700–$3,700 |
| 150 ft | $3,750–$9,000 | $2,550–$5,550 |
| 200 ft | $5,000–$12,000 | $3,400–$7,400 |
| 300 ft | $7,500–$18,000 | $5,100–$11,100 |
Assumptions: installed, flat yard, no gates or removal. Middle column from HomeGuide’s privacy fence table (2026 prices); right column is Fixr’s wood privacy rate (Jan 2025) multiplied by length.
Fixr uses 150 linear feet as the average privacy fence, enough to enclose a typical backyard, and reports a national average of $5,000 for that length, with most homeowners paying $3,150–$7,500. To measure your own, walk the perimeter, then subtract the width of each gate.
Line items that make privacy fence quotes differ
Line items that make privacy fence quotes differ are the reason two bids for the same 150 feet can land thousands apart. One contractor includes removal and gates in the per-foot price; another adds them later. Ask for each as its own line.
| Line item | Typical cost | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Old fence removal and disposal | $1–$20 per linear ft | Is hauling included? Can any posts stay? |
| Walk gate, installed | $50–$300 each | Same material and height as the fence? Heavier hinges and post? |
| Electric gate | $750–$2,000 | Is the power run priced separately? |
| Posts, each, installed | $10–$200 | Concrete or gravel? How deep? Post spacing? |
| Rocky or rough ground | +20–40% on labor | Is an auger or rock bar priced in? |
| Grading a slope | $500–$3,000 | Will the fence step or rack instead? |
| Land clearing | $1–$2 per sq ft | Can you clear brush yourself? |
| Tree / stump removal | $400–$1,200 / $100–$400 | Can the line move around the tree? |
| Permit | $40–$400 | Who pulls it, and is it in the price? |
| Property survey | $200–$1,200 | Will the crew stake from survey pins? |
| Stain or paint | $2–$14 per linear ft | One side or both? When can it be applied? |
Assumptions: HomeGuide privacy and fence installation guides (2026 prices) for removal $10–$20, grading, tree work, permit $40–$150, survey and staining; Fixr privacy and wood fence guides (Jan 2025) for removal $1–$5, gates, electric gate, posts, rocky ground, land clearing and permits up to $400.
Removing the old fence
Removing the old fence is where the sources disagree most. HomeGuide prices removal and disposal at $10–$20 per linear foot. Fixr puts it at $2–$5 for wood and says a privacy fence replacement runs only $1–$3 per foot more than a new build.
Fixr also notes vinyl costs more to dispose of, because many recyclers will not take it.
Gates
Gates on a privacy fence are priced per gate. Fixr puts a privacy gate at $50–$200 plus $15–$25 labor, and a wood gate at $52–$100 for a 4-foot opening up to $156–$300 for 12 feet. A motorized gate runs $750–$2,000.
Posts in concrete
Posts in concrete cost more than posts set in compacted earth and gravel, but Fixr says concrete gives a wood fence much more stability. HomeGuide adds that posts set deeper than 3 feet in concrete cost the most, and that concrete needs 1–4 days to cure unless a fast-setting mix is used.
Fixr prices posts at $50–$200 each installed on its privacy fence guide, and wood posts at $10–$50 on its wood fence guide.
Slope, rock and clearing
Slope, rock and clearing push labor up fast. Fixr says rough, rocky ground adds 20–40% to normal labor and land clearing costs $1–$2 per square foot. HomeGuide prices grading a sloped yard at $500–$3,000, though many fences step down a slope instead.
Permit, survey and utilities
Permit, survey and utility costs are small next to the fence but expensive to skip. HomeGuide prices a fence permit at $40–$150; Fixr says a 6-foot or taller wood fence permit often costs $200–$400 when a contractor obtains it. A survey runs $200–$1,200.
Call 811 before any post hole is dug, whoever does the digging.
DIY vs. hiring a pro for a privacy fence
DIY vs. hiring a pro comes down to labor, which HomeGuide puts at $15–$20 per linear foot for wood and $10–$15 for vinyl, on top of materials at $10–$30 and $30–$45. On a wood fence, labor can be half the bill.
| 150 ft, 6 ft tall | Materials only (DIY) | Installed by a pro |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | $1,500–$4,500 | $3,750–$7,500 |
| Vinyl | $4,500–$6,750 | $6,000–$9,000 |
Assumptions: HomeGuide per-foot materials and installed prices for 6 ft wood and vinyl privacy fences (2026 prices) multiplied by 150 ft. DIY column excludes tool rental, concrete delivery, gates and removal.
- Time: HomeGuide estimates 13–16 hours of labor per 100 feet for a standard privacy fence, 20–30 hours hand-nailed, and 19–22 hours for a replacement.
- Difficulty: Fixr does not recommend DIY privacy fences without fence experience, because the panels are large and heavy and need precise setting; it rates vinyl as the easiest to build.
- Reasonable DIY: a short, straight wood run on soft, flat ground with a helper and a rented auger; the steps are in how to build a wood privacy fence.
- Hire a pro: long runs, slopes, rocky soil, 8-foot fences, vinyl in windy areas, or a fence on a disputed line.
If you only need to screen a seating area, a few panels around the patio cost far less than a full perimeter; the patio privacy ideas post covers screens, planters and short panel runs.
What each material costs over its life
What each material costs over its life matters as much as the install price, because a cheap fence you replace twice is not cheap. HomeGuide gives these lifespans:
- Wood: 15–50 years, depending on species, posts and upkeep; Fixr puts pressure-treated pine at 10–15 years.
- Vinyl: 20–30 years with occasional cleaning.
- Composite: 25–30 years.
- Aluminum: 30–50 years.
Wood also carries a recurring bill: staining runs $2–$14 per linear foot (HomeGuide) or $7–$13.50 for a privacy fence (Fixr), repeated every few years. Over 20 years, a stained wood fence can close much of the gap with vinyl.
Mistakes that make a privacy fence cost more
Mistakes that make a privacy fence cost more are usually made before the first post goes in.
- Comparing per-foot prices instead of line items. The low bid often leaves out removal, gates or hauling.
- Skipping the survey. A fence built a foot onto the neighbor’s land is a fence you pay for twice.
- Pricing 8 feet before checking the height limit. Your zoning code or HOA may stop you at 6 feet.
- Choosing the cheapest lumber for posts. Ask whether the posts are rated for ground contact and how deep they go.
- Not asking about the ground. Rock, roots and slope can add 20–40% to labor once digging starts.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 6-foot privacy fence cost per foot?
A 6-foot privacy fence costs about $17 to $50 per linear foot installed in wood and $35 to $60 in vinyl, based on HomeGuide and Fixr. Composite runs $43 to $85 and aluminum privacy panels $75 to $130. Labor makes up $5 to $20 of each foot, so the material you choose sets most of the price.
How much does a 100-foot privacy fence cost?
HomeGuide puts 100 feet of 6-foot wood or vinyl privacy fence at $2,500 to $6,000 installed. Fixr’s wider range, $1,500 to $8,500, covers everything from basic wood to premium simulated stone. Gates, removal of an old fence and rocky ground are extra, so ask for them as separate lines on the quote.
What is the cheapest privacy fence?
Wood is the cheapest true privacy fence, and Fixr names a 6-foot cedar stockade as the least expensive style. Bamboo at $15 to $30 per linear foot and chain-link with privacy slats at $14 to $48 can cost less, but block less view and wind. HomeGuide says vinyl and aluminum cost 2 to 3 times more than wood.
How much more does an 8-foot privacy fence cost?
An 8-foot privacy fence costs about $50 to $85 per linear foot installed, against $25 to $60 for 6 feet, per HomeGuide. For 150 feet, Fixr puts 8 feet at $4,500 to $12,750. The jump comes from longer posts, holes 3 feet deep or more and extra labor. Check your local height limit first.
How much does it cost to replace a privacy fence?
Plan on the price of a new fence plus removal. HomeGuide prices tear-out and disposal at $10 to $20 per linear foot, while Fixr says a privacy fence replacement costs only $1 to $3 per foot more than a new build. Reusing sound posts on the same line cuts the bill; vinyl costs more to dispose of.
Do I need a permit for a privacy fence?
Often, and rules are set locally. HomeGuide prices a fence permit at $40 to $150, and Fixr says permits for wood fences 6 feet or taller often cost $200 to $400 when a contractor obtains them. Height limits, setbacks and HOA rules vary by city, so check with your local building department and zoning office first.
Sources
- HomeGuide, How Much Does a Privacy Fence Cost? (2026) (written Dec 22, 2025).
- HomeGuide, How Much Does Fence Installation Cost? (2026) (written Feb 3, 2026).
- HomeGuide, Wood Fence Cost (written Dec 22, 2025).
- HomeGuide, Vinyl Fence Cost (written Dec 22, 2025).
- Fixr, Privacy Fence Cost (updated Jan 31, 2025).
- Fixr, Wood Fence Installation Cost (updated Jan 31, 2025).
