Understanding privacy fence price per foot is essential for accurate budget planning. This comprehensive guide breaks down the cost per linear foot for every privacy fence material, including materials, labor, and installation factors that affect your total investment.
Privacy Fence Price Per Foot Overview
Quick Price Reference (Per Linear Foot):
- Wood Privacy Fence: $20-35 per foot
- Vinyl Privacy Fence: $25-45 per foot
- Composite Privacy Fence: $35-55 per foot
- Aluminum Privacy Fence: $30-50 per foot
- Chain Link with Privacy Slats: $15-28 per foot
Detailed Price Per Foot Breakdown by Material
Wood Privacy Fence Price Per Foot
Pressure-Treated Pine
$20-28/ft
- • Materials: $12-16/ft
- • Labor: $8-12/ft
- • Lifespan: 15-20 years
- • Best for: Budget-conscious projects
Cedar Privacy Fence
$25-32/ft
- • Materials: $15-20/ft
- • Labor: $10-12/ft
- • Lifespan: 20-25 years
- • Best for: Natural weather resistance
Redwood Privacy Fence
$28-35/ft
- • Materials: $18-23/ft
- • Labor: $10-12/ft
- • Lifespan: 25-30 years
- • Best for: Premium durability
Cypress Privacy Fence
$26-33/ft
- • Materials: $16-21/ft
- • Labor: $10-12/ft
- • Lifespan: 20-25 years
- • Best for: Humid climates
Note: Wood privacy fence prices vary by height. 6-foot fences cost 15-20% more per foot than 4-foot fences due to additional materials and labor.
Vinyl Privacy Fence Price Per Foot
Standard Vinyl Privacy
$25-32/ft
- • Materials: $16-20/ft
- • Labor: $9-12/ft
- • Thickness: 0.130-0.150 inches
- • Best for: Low maintenance needs
Premium Vinyl Privacy
$32-40/ft
- • Materials: $20-26/ft
- • Labor: $12-14/ft
- • Thickness: 0.160-0.180 inches
- • Best for: High wind areas
Designer Vinyl Privacy
$38-45/ft
- • Materials: $25-30/ft
- • Labor: $13-15/ft
- • Features: Wood-grain texture
- • Best for: Upscale aesthetics
Vinyl Shadowbox Privacy
$30-38/ft
- • Materials: $19-24/ft
- • Labor: $11-14/ft
- • Features: Alternating panels
- • Best for: Airflow with privacy
Lifespan: Vinyl privacy fences last 25-30+ years with virtually no maintenance, making the higher per-foot cost a long-term value.
Composite Privacy Fence Price Per Foot
Standard Composite Privacy
$35-42/ft
- • Materials: $22-28/ft
- • Labor: $13-14/ft
- • Composition: 60% wood fiber
- • Best for: Eco-friendly option
Premium Composite Privacy
$42-50/ft
- • Materials: $28-34/ft
- • Labor: $14-16/ft
- • Composition: Capped composite
- • Best for: Maximum durability
Designer Composite Privacy
$48-55/ft
- • Materials: $32-38/ft
- • Labor: $16-17/ft
- • Features: Multi-tone colors
- • Best for: Luxury installations
Horizontal Composite Privacy
$40-48/ft
- • Materials: $26-32/ft
- • Labor: $14-16/ft
- • Features: Modern horizontal design
- • Best for: Contemporary homes
Value: Composite privacy fences offer wood aesthetics with minimal maintenance, lasting 25-30 years without staining or sealing.
Aluminum Privacy Fence Price Per Foot
Aluminum Privacy Slats
$30-38/ft
- • Materials: $19-24/ft
- • Labor: $11-14/ft
- • Features: Vertical slat design
- • Best for: Modern aesthetics
Aluminum Privacy Panels
$35-45/ft
- • Materials: $22-30/ft
- • Labor: $13-15/ft
- • Features: Solid panel inserts
- • Best for: Complete privacy
Powder-Coated Aluminum
$38-50/ft
- • Materials: $25-34/ft
- • Labor: $13-16/ft
- • Features: Custom color options
- • Best for: Coastal areas
Decorative Aluminum Privacy
$40-50/ft
- • Materials: $26-34/ft
- • Labor: $14-16/ft
- • Features: Ornamental designs
- • Best for: Upscale properties
Durability: Aluminum privacy fences resist rust and corrosion, lasting 20-25 years with minimal maintenance.
Chain Link with Privacy Slats Price Per Foot
Galvanized + Privacy Slats
$15-22/ft
- • Chain Link: $10-15/ft
- • Privacy Slats: $3-5/ft
- • Labor: $2-2/ft additional
- • Best for: Budget privacy
Vinyl-Coated + Privacy Slats
$18-25/ft
- • Chain Link: $12-18/ft
- • Privacy Slats: $4-5/ft
- • Labor: $2-2/ft additional
- • Best for: Color matching
Privacy Mesh Screen
$16-23/ft
- • Chain Link: $10-15/ft
- • Mesh Screen: $4-6/ft
- • Labor: $2-2/ft additional
- • Best for: Wind resistance
Heavy-Duty + Privacy
$20-28/ft
- • Chain Link: $15-20/ft
- • Privacy Slats: $3-5/ft
- • Labor: $2-3/ft additional
- • Best for: Commercial use
Privacy Level: Slats provide 85-95% privacy coverage. Mesh screens offer 90-98% privacy with better wind resistance.
Factors That Affect Privacy Fence Price Per Foot
1. Fence Height
- 4-foot privacy fence: Base price per foot
- 6-foot privacy fence: +15-20% per foot (most common)
- 8-foot privacy fence: +30-40% per foot (requires permits)
Taller fences require more materials, larger posts, and additional labor for installation.
2. Fence Style and Design
- Solid board-on-board: Standard pricing
- Shadowbox style: +$2-4 per foot (double-sided)
- Horizontal slat: +$3-6 per foot (modern design)
- Lattice top privacy: +$4-8 per foot (decorative)
- Custom designs: +$5-12 per foot (unique patterns)
3. Property Terrain
- Flat terrain: Standard pricing
- Slight slope: +$2-5 per foot (stepped or racked)
- Steep slope: +$5-10 per foot (complex installation)
- Rocky soil: +$3-7 per foot (special equipment)
- Clay soil: +$1-3 per foot (concrete footings)
4. Gate Additions
- Single walk gate (3-4 ft): $150-400 total
- Double walk gate (6-8 ft): $300-600 total
- Single drive gate (10-12 ft): $500-1,200 total
- Double drive gate (16-20 ft): $1,000-2,500 total
- Automated gate systems: +$1,500-4,000 total
5. Site Preparation
- Old fence removal: +$3-8 per foot
- Brush clearing: +$1-5 per foot
- Grading/leveling: +$2-8 per foot
- Tree/stump removal: $100-500 per tree
- Utility line marking: Free-$100 total
6. Regional Labor Costs
- Rural areas: $8-12 per foot labor
- Suburban areas: $10-14 per foot labor
- Urban areas: $12-18 per foot labor
- High-cost metros: $15-22 per foot labor
Privacy Fence Cost Calculator Examples
| Project Size | Wood (Cedar) | Vinyl (Premium) | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft @ $28/ft | $2,800 | - | - |
| 100 ft @ $36/ft | - | $3,600 | - |
| 100 ft @ $42/ft | - | - | $4,200 |
| 200 ft @ $28/ft | $5,600 | - | - |
| 200 ft @ $36/ft | - | $7,200 | - |
| 200 ft @ $42/ft | - | - | $8,400 |
| 300 ft @ $28/ft | $8,400 | - | - |
| 300 ft @ $36/ft | - | $10,800 | - |
| 300 ft @ $42/ft | - | - | $12,600 |
How to Calculate Your Privacy Fence Cost
Step-by-Step Calculation:
- Measure your property line - Calculate total linear feet needed
- Choose your material - Select price per foot from guide above
- Multiply linear feet × price per foot - Get base cost
- Add gate costs - Include walk gates and drive gates
- Factor in terrain adjustments - Add slope/soil premiums
- Include site preparation - Add removal and clearing costs
- Add permits and fees - Include $50-200 for permits
- Add 10% contingency - Buffer for unexpected costs
Ways to Reduce Privacy Fence Cost Per Foot
Material Savings
- • Choose pressure-treated pine over cedar
- • Select standard vinyl over designer options
- • Buy materials during off-season sales
- • Consider chain link with privacy slats
- • Use standard heights (6 ft vs 8 ft)
Installation Savings
- • Schedule during fall/winter months
- • Get 3-5 contractor quotes
- • Handle site prep yourself
- • Share fence costs with neighbors
- • Choose simple designs over custom
Long-Term Cost Comparison Per Foot
| Material | Initial Cost/Ft | Annual Maintenance | 20-Year Total/Ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Wood | $24 | $2-3/ft | $64-84 |
| Cedar Wood | $28 | $1.50-2/ft | $58-68 |
| Vinyl | $36 | $0.25-0.50/ft | $41-46 |
| Composite | $42 | $0.50-1/ft | $52-62 |
*Vinyl offers the best long-term value despite higher initial cost per foot due to minimal maintenance requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest privacy fence per foot?
Chain link with privacy slats is the most affordable at $15-22 per foot, followed by pressure-treated pine at $20-28 per foot. However, consider long-term maintenance costs when choosing the cheapest option.
Does fence height affect price per foot significantly?
Yes, a 6-foot privacy fence costs 15-20% more per foot than a 4-foot fence, and an 8-foot fence costs 30-40% more due to additional materials, larger posts, and increased labor requirements.
What's included in the price per foot?
Price per foot typically includes materials (posts, panels, rails, hardware), labor (digging, installation, cleanup), and basic site preparation. Gates, permits, old fence removal, and complex terrain work are usually extra.
Is vinyl worth the extra cost per foot?
Vinyl costs $8-12 more per foot initially but requires virtually no maintenance over 25-30 years. Wood fences need annual staining/sealing at $2-3 per foot, making vinyl more cost-effective long-term.
How much does labor cost per foot?
Labor typically costs $8-18 per linear foot depending on your location, terrain complexity, and fence type. Urban areas and complex installations cost more than rural, flat terrain projects.
Can I reduce cost by installing myself?
DIY installation can save $8-18 per foot in labor costs, but requires proper tools, skills, and time. Professional installation ensures proper post depth, level panels, and compliance with local codes.
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