How Much Does It Cost to Fence a Yard
It’s that time of year again, and if you’re sitting in your backyard, wondering how much does it cost to fence a yard, you’re certainly not alone.
Whether you want a new fence or to replace or repair an old one, the cost is always a factor. So, while we can’t tell you how much does it cost to fence a yard, we can give you a rough idea and some insight into what might affect the cost.
How Much Does a Backyard Fence Cost?
Most homeowners are looking for a per-foot price for fencing that they can use to calculate what a new fence might cost them. Most fence companies won’t give you a per-foot rate. That’s because they simply can’t calculate what your fence would cost without knowing more about the project, and they don’t want to be held to a number they can’t be sure of.
However, assuming you have an average-sized backyard and you have a normal type of backyard fence installed, you can expect to pay anything from about $2,500 to $10,000 for your fence.
That’s a pretty big range, so let’s break down why there’s such a big difference between the lower and higher numbers.
1. Type of Fence
The first thing that will affect the answer to the question “How much does it cost to fence a yard” is the type of fence you want.
Some types of fence, like a chain link, can cost around $15 to $20 a foot, while wood, vinyl, or ornamental fence could cost $50 to $70 a foot or more. So the type of fence you plan to install will be a major factor in the cost of fencing your backyard.
2. Number and Type of Gates
The next big factor that will affect the cost of a backyard fence is how many gates you want and what kind of gates they will be.
Smaller gates, like man gates or pedestrian gates, as they are also known, usually cost less than larger double swing gates.
Sliding gates or cantilever gates also cost significantly more than swing gates.
So, if you need several large gates in your fence line, your backyard fence will probably cost more.
3. How Far You Are from the Fence Company
If you live in a big city, you probably have several fence companies relatively close to your home. Most of those companies probably factor some travel in the city into their pricing, so they don’t need to add any travel or accommodation costs into their quotes.
However, if you live outside of a larger city or very far from the fence company doing your fence installation, they will either have to travel further, accommodate their staff during the installation, or both. That will affect the cost of a backyard fence project.
4. If You Have a Fence to Be Taken Down
Fence quotes are made up of materials and labor, and it’s usually (but not always) about a 50% split of the cost to install a new fence.
However, if you already have an old fence that needs to be taken down, the labor cost will increase by whatever it costs to do that part of the job, which might also include waste bin costs and dump fees.
So, if you have an old fence to remove, the cost of a backyard fence will increase by whatever those costs are.
5. If You Have a Difficult Site
You might not realize that there is a difference between one fence installation site and another, but there definitely is.
If your fence is being installed on a very steep slope, if machines and vehicles can’t access the site and fence line, or if there are trees, bushes, or boulders underground, that’s all going to change the cost of your backyard fence.
This is one reason why it’s so important to always ask for a site visit, but even with a site visit, fence companies can’t know everything – like what is underground. Hidden gas or water lines, old concrete slabs that have been buried, and other unseen issues can also increase the cost of a backyard fence.
6. When You Want to Install Your Fence
The final thing that will affect the answer to the question of how much does it cost to fence a yard is the time of year you choose to have your fence installed.
If you live in an area where the ground freezes, for instance, you might still be able to get a fence installed in the winter, but it will take longer to do it, so it might cost more.
On the flip side, most fence companies have “busy seasons” where they have a full order book. They tend to increase the cost of labor and their markup during that time, which might also mean you pay more for your fence.
The best time to have a backyard fence installed is usually in the in between seasons: either spring or autumn/fall. This is most likely to be the most cost-effective time to get the job done.
Get Multiple Quotes
The best thing you can do if you’re not sure how much does it cost to fence a yard and you want to get the best possible deal is to get multiple quotes from different companies.
Try to ask established and newer businesses, and make sure you also ask companies that specialize in the type of fence you want. Asking a wood fence company for a chain link fence won’t work, and vice versa.
Don’t let price be your only deciding factor, though. Fences are like everything else, and you really do get what you pay for.
Our fence directory is a great place to find fence companies in your area!
