Cost to Fence 1 Acre
Estimate what a fence will cost with real installed price ranges for the US and Canada.
Your result
Enter your numbers and press the button. Your result appears here.
A square acre is 208.7 ft on each side, so it takes about 835 ft of fence to go round it. Long, narrow plots need more.
How the estimate works
Cost = fence length × price per linear foot + gates + removal of an old fence. The range uses the low and high installed prices for the fence type you pick.
Example: woven wire (field fence) for 1 acre (about 835 ft of fence) comes to about $1,252 to $5,009, with a midpoint of $3,131.
Typical installed cost at a glance
Worked out with the same settings as the calculator above, changing only the acres.
| Acres | Low | High | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | $626 | $2,505 | $1,565 |
| 0.5 | $885 | $3,542 | $2,214 |
| 1 | $1,252 | $5,009 | $3,131 |
| 2 | $1,771 | $7,084 | $4,427 |
| 5 | $2,800 | $11,201 | $7,000 |
| 10 | $3,960 | $15,840 | $9,900 |
Installed cost per linear foot (US)
| Fence | Per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Wood | $20 – $50 |
| Cedar | $27 – $43 |
| Vinyl (PVC) | $30 – $60 |
| Chain link | $9 – $30 |
| Black vinyl-coated chain link | $13 – $40 |
| Aluminum | $25 – $75 |
| Steel | $20 – $85 |
| Wrought iron | $50 – $85 |
| Composite | $20 – $85 |
| Privacy fence (wood or vinyl) | $25 – $60 |
| Wood picket | $10 – $75 |
| Split rail | $12 – $30 |
| Concrete block | $10 – $30 |
| Barbed wire | $1.25 – $3.5 |
| Woven wire (field fence) | $1.5 – $6 |
| Wire fence (any type) | $1 – $10 |
| Cattle fence | $2.5 – $7.5 |
| Electric fence | $2 – $4 |
| Deer fence | $6 – $15 |
| Pool fence | $15 – $25 |
| Horse fence (split rail) | $12 – $30 |
Common questions
How much does a fence cost per foot?
Installed fences in the US typically cost about $9 to $30 per linear foot for chain link, $20 to $50 for wood, $30 to $60 for vinyl and $50 to $85 for wrought iron, according to HomeAdvisor.
Why do quotes vary so much?
Height, post spacing, the number of gates and corners, rocky or sloping ground, permits and local labour rates all change the price. Short fences cost more per foot because set-up costs are spread over fewer feet.
Does the price include removing my old fence?
Usually not. Removal is quoted separately; sources put it at about $3 to $20 per linear foot depending on the fence and how far it is hauled.
Do I need a permit?
Many towns require a permit for fences over a certain height, often 6 ft in back yards and 3 to 4 ft in front yards. Check with your local building department and any homeowners association.
How can I lower the cost?
Get at least three quotes, keep the fence to standard heights, limit the number of gates and corners, and consider doing the demolition or staining yourself.
Sources
- Angi, Wire fence installation cost: https://www.angi.com/articles/wire-fence-installation-cost.htm
- HomeAdvisor, Fence installation cost: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/fencing/install-a-fence/
- HomeGuide, Fence installation cost: https://homeguide.com/costs/fence-installation-cost
- Angi, How much does fence installation cost?: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-fence-installation-cost.htm