Updated October 2026
How This Fence Calculator Works
Fencing is priced by the linear foot, so most lines in this calculator start from the length of the run. Each line works out materials and labor hours. Gates are priced per gate, and removal adds a disposal fee:
Materials = linear feet × material rate per foot
Labor hours = linear feet ÷ install pace (ft per labor hour)
Bid = (materials + labor hours × labor rate + disposal) × (1 + overhead/profit %)
These are the built-in rates for each fence type. They're per linear foot of finished fence and are meant to cover posts, rails, and panels or pickets together:
| Fence type | Option | Materials | Install pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (6 ft) | Pine / Cedar / Redwood | $8 / $14 / $20 per ft | 20 / 18 / 15 ft/hr |
| Wood height | 4 ft / 6 ft / 8 ft | × 0.70 / 1.00 / 1.35 | × 0.80 / 1.00 / 1.35 hrs |
| Vinyl | Privacy / Picket / Ranch rail | $28 / $18 / $14 per ft | 12 / 15 / 20 ft/hr |
| Chain-link | 4 ft / 6 ft / 8 ft | $9 / $13 / $18 per ft | 30 / 25 / 20 ft/hr |
| Split rail | 2-rail / 3-rail | $7 / $9 per ft | 40 / 30 ft/hr |
| Gate | Walk / Drive / Double drive | $200 / $500 / $800 | 2 / 4 / 6 hrs each |
| Removal | Any type | Disposal fee you enter | 0.12 hr/ft + 0.5 hr |
The wood height multipliers scale both materials and labor. An 8-foot fence takes taller posts, set deeper, plus more boards. A 4-foot fence uses less of everything.
Calibrating to Your Crew and Supplier
The built-in rates are starting points. Two numbers decide whether a fence bid makes or loses money, and both vary a lot from one contractor to the next.
Material cost per foot
Lumber and vinyl prices change with the market and vary by region and supplier. The most accurate way to get your number is to take your last materials invoice for a similar fence (posts, concrete, rails, pickets or panels, and hardware) and divide by the footage. If it's higher than the built-in rate, add the difference as a Custom line for materials.
Install pace
Pace is in feet per labor hour, not per crew hour. A two-person crew working 8 hours is 16 labor hours. To check the built-in pace against your own work, take a recent job, add up every labor hour (layout, digging, setting posts, hanging rails and pickets, cleanup), and divide the footage by that total.
Things that slow a job down and aren't modeled here:
- Digging conditions: rock, roots, clay, or hand-digging where an auger can't reach.
- Slope: stepping or racking panels on grade takes more time than a flat run.
- Many short runs and corners: 150 feet in six short sections is slower than 150 feet in a straight line.
- Locating utilities: calling 811 before you dig is required in most of the US. Build the waiting time into your schedule.
The pace isn't editable, so if your real numbers are slower, add the extra hours as a Custom line labeled something like "site conditions" or "additional install labor." The estimate stays honest, and you can see on paper where the time goes.
Worked Example: Backyard Privacy Fence
150 feet of 6-foot cedar privacy fence with one walk gate. All settings at their defaults ($50/hr labor, 20% overhead/profit).
| Line | Materials | Hours | Line cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar, 6 ft, 150 ft | 150 × $14 = $2,100 | 150 ÷ 18 = 8.3 | $2,517 |
| Walk gate × 1 | $200 | 2.0 | $300 |
| Subtotal | $2,817 | ||
| Overhead / profit (20%) | $563 | ||
| Bid | $3,380 | ||
Now check the hours. The calculator allows 10.3 labor hours for this job. Suppose your two-person crew usually needs two full days for a fence like this. That's 32 labor hours, so add a Custom line for the other 21.7 hours (about $1,083 at $50/hr). The bid becomes $4,680. A 38% gap from a single assumption is why it pays to calibrate pace against your own past jobs before you trust any fence calculator, including this one.
What This Calculator Doesn't Include
- Permits and surveys. Many towns require a fence permit, and HOAs often have height and style rules. If you pull the permit, add the fee and your time.
- Separate hardware and concrete costs. These are bundled into the per-foot rate. If your rate came from an invoice that didn't include concrete, gate hardware, or post caps, add them.
- Staining or sealing. New wood fence is often stained once it has dried out. Price it as a separate job, or a separate visit on the same estimate.
- Grading and clearing. Brush clearing, tree roots, or regrading along the fence line should be priced on their own.
- Equipment rental. If you rent a power auger or skid steer, put the rental in a Custom line.
Markup vs. Margin
The overhead/profit field is a markup on top of costs. Margin, which is profit as a share of the final price, is always lower: a 20% markup is a 16.7% margin, and a 25% markup is a 20% margin. Fencing is materials-heavy, so this percentage applies to a large materials number. Make sure it covers what it needs to without overpricing the materials portion compared to competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fence posts do I need?
For posts on 8-foot centers, divide the length by 8, round up, and add one: 150 feet needs 150 ÷ 8 = 18.75, rounded up to 19, plus 1 = 20 posts. Add extra posts for every corner, end, and gate opening, since gates need a post on each side.
How do I work out my price per linear foot?
Divide the total bid by the total fence footage. In the worked example above, $3,380 ÷ 150 feet is about $22.50 per foot at the default rates, or about $31 per foot after adding the calibrated labor. Quoting per foot is common in fencing, but build the number from materials and labor like this rather than copying a competitor's rate.
Should I charge for removing the old fence?
Yes. Tearing out the old fence, pulling or cutting off the posts, hauling, and disposal are real work and real costs. Add a Fence Removal line with the footage and your dump fee so it shows up as its own item on the estimate.
How much should a gate cost?
Gates take far more time per foot than a straight run because hanging, leveling, and hardware are fiddly. The calculator's built-in prices are $200 and 2 hours for a walk gate, up to $800 and 6 hours for a double drive gate. Adjust with a Custom line if your gates are heavier or custom-built.
Is my estimate saved or sent anywhere?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to a server. Use Copy Estimate or Print / Save PDF to keep a copy.