Question 1

How much does fence installation cost?

Accepted Answer

Fencing costs vary dramatically by material and height. Per linear foot installed for a standard 6-foot privacy fence: Chain link costs $10-$20 per linear foot and lasts 15-20 years. Wood (pine/cedar) costs $15-$30 per linear foot and lasts 10-20 years with maintenance. Vinyl costs $25-$40 per linear foot and lasts 20-30 years with minimal maintenance. Aluminum costs $25-$40 per linear foot and lasts 25-30 years. Composite costs $35-$55 per linear foot and lasts 25-30 years. Wrought iron costs $30-$60 per linear foot and lasts 30+ years. For a typical 150 linear foot backyard fence: Chain link $1,500-$3,000, wood $2,250-$4,500, vinyl $3,750-$6,000, aluminum $3,750-$6,000, composite $5,250-$8,250. These prices include posts, rails, pickets/panels, gates (one 4-foot gate included), hardware, and installation labor. Additional costs: Fence removal ($3-$5 per linear foot), concrete for posts in soft soil ($50-$100 per post), gates beyond first one ($200-$600 each), digging through rocky soil or roots ($5-$10 extra per post), and permits ($50-$200). Terrain affects pricing - slopes add 15-25% to labor costs.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to install a fence?

Accepted Answer

Fence permits required in most jurisdictions, though requirements vary significantly. CHECK LOCAL CODES before installation - fines for unpermitted fences range $200-$1,000+, and may require removal/reconstruction. TYPICALLY REQUIRE PERMITS: Fences over 6 feet tall (some areas 4 feet), fences on corner lots (sight line restrictions), fences near property lines (setback requirements), any fence in historic districts, fences near easements or right-of-ways, front yard fences (often restricted or limited to 3-4 feet). SOMETIMES DON'T REQUIRE PERMITS: Short decorative fences (under 3-4 feet), temporary construction fencing, agricultural fencing in rural areas, fences replacing existing fence in same location (some jurisdictions). PERMIT PROCESS: Apply at local building department or planning office ($50-$200 fee), submit site plan showing fence location relative to property lines, provide fence specifications (height, material, design), wait for approval (1-7 days to 2-4 weeks depending on jurisdiction), schedule inspection after installation (usually included in permit fee). CRITICAL RULES TO KNOW: Property line location - Survey may be required ($300-$800) to establish exact boundaries. Fence placed on neighbor's property is trespass requiring expensive removal. Setback requirements - Most areas require fences 2-6 inches inside your property line, not directly on line. Height limits - Typically 6-8 feet max for backyard, 3-4 feet for front yard. Exceeding requires variance ($200-$1,000+). HOA approval - Homeowners associations often have strict fence rules superseding local codes. Get HOA approval first ($0-$50 application fee). Neighbor notification - Some jurisdictions require notifying adjacent property owners. CONSEQUENCES OF SKIPPING PERMITS: Fines and penalties ($200-$1,000+), required removal and reconstruction to code ($2,000-$10,000 loss), resale problems (must disclose, buyers may require correction), liability if fence causes injury (insurance may deny claims for unpermitted structures).

Question 3

Can I install a fence myself or should I hire a professional?

Accepted Answer

DIY fence installation possible for simple projects but professional installation often worthwhile for quality and speed. DIY FEASIBILITY BY TYPE: CHAIN LINK - Moderate difficulty, special tools needed (fence stretcher, come-along), posts must be plumb and aligned, fabric tensioning requires skill. Can save $5-$10 per linear foot. WOOD PANEL - Easiest DIY fence. Pre-built panels attach to posts, requires post-hole digger or auger, level and measuring skills, moderate physical labor. Save $8-$15 per linear foot. VINYL - Moderate difficulty, requires precise measurements and level posts, some systems easier than others (check manufacturer), mistakes visible and difficult to fix. Save $10-$18 per linear foot. PICKET (board-by-board) - Time-consuming, requires consistent spacing and alignment, significant skill for professional appearance, save $10-$20 per linear foot but quality difficult to match. DIY CONSIDERATIONS: PROS - Save 40-60% on labor ($600-$2,400 on 150-foot fence), work at own pace, satisfaction of completion, learn new skills. CONS - 40-80 hours for typical backyard fence (2-4 weekends), requires specialized tools ($200-$500 rental or purchase), physically demanding (digging 20-40 post holes), mistakes costly to fix, warranty only on materials not installation, professional appearance difficult to achieve. WHEN TO DIY: Straight, level ground (slopes very difficult), simple wood panel fence (easiest type), you have helper available, shorter fence (under 100 linear feet), accepting learning curve and imperfect results okay. HIRE PROFESSIONAL FOR: Sloped or difficult terrain, long fences (150+ linear feet), vinyl or ornamental metal (precision critical), want perfect alignment and appearance, time constraints (pros complete 150 feet in 2-3 days), desire warranty on installation. HYBRID APPROACH: Homeowners sometimes dig post holes themselves (save $2-$5 per linear foot) and hire pros for installation. Or DIY simple backyard fence, hire pros for front fence visible from street. TOOL REQUIREMENTS: Post-hole digger or powered auger (rent $50-$100/day), level (4-foot and string level), measuring tape, circular saw or miter saw, drill/driver, concrete mixer or bags of quick-set, string line for alignment, post level tool, hammer or nail gun.

Question 4

How long does fence installation take?

Accepted Answer

Fence installation timeline depends on length, material, terrain, and whether DIY or professional. PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION: 100 linear feet straight fence on level ground: 1-2 days. 150 linear feet typical backyard with one gate: 2-3 days. 300 linear feet large property with multiple gates: 4-6 days. Timeline includes: Measuring and layout, digging post holes, setting posts in concrete, allowing concrete to cure (24-48 hours), installing rails and panels or pickets, hanging gates, cleanup. Sloped terrain adds 30-50% to timeline. Rocky or hard clay soil adds 20-40%. Complex designs (curved fences, multiple height changes, ornate gates) add 50-100%. DIY INSTALLATION: Same 100-foot fence takes 3-5 days (20-40 hours spread over 2-3 weekends). Layout and planning: 2-4 hours. Digging post holes: 6-12 hours (manual) or 2-4 hours (powered auger). Setting posts: 2-4 hours. Concrete cure time: 24-48 hours (no work during this). Installing panels/pickets: 8-16 hours. Gate installation and adjustments: 2-4 hours. Count on 2-3x longer than professionals due to learning curve, limited tools, physical fatigue. PROJECT PHASES: Day 1 (Professional): Mark property lines and layout, dig all post holes, set corner and gate posts in concrete. Day 2: Set remaining posts in concrete (morning), allow concrete to begin curing. Day 3: Install rails, panels, and pickets after concrete cured sufficiently. Day 4: Hang and adjust gates, final touches, cleanup. WEATHER DELAYS: Rain stops concrete work and makes digging difficult (add 1-2 days). Frozen ground prevents digging (wait for thaw). Extreme heat affects concrete curing time. ACCELERATING TIMELINE: Use quick-set concrete (hardens in 20-40 minutes versus 24-48 hours), larger crew (3-4 people versus 2), powered auger versus hand digging (saves 50-70% of digging time), pre-built panels versus board-by-board construction. PERMIT INSPECTION: Factor 1-2 days for inspection scheduling and approval after completion.

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How much does fence installation cost?

Do I need a permit to install a fence?

Can I install a fence myself or should I hire a professional?

How long does fence installation take?