Fence Material Calculator
Fence material takeoff — posts, panels, footings, and gates by linear foot for wood, vinyl, chain-link, or aluminum.
Wood 6 ft: ~$85. Vinyl 6 ft: ~$130. Chain link 10 ft mesh: ~$60.
4×4 PT 8 ft: ~$38. Vinyl post: ~$45. 2 in steel: ~$22.
Wood: ~8 LF/hr/crew. Vinyl: ~10. Chain link: ~14.
Result
- Postsat 8 ft spacing
- 14
- Panels / sections
- 13
- Concrete (60 lb bags)
- 21
- Post cost
- $532
- Panel cost
- $1,105
- Footing cost
- $126
- Gate cost
- $220
- Labor
- 12.5 hr · $688
- Total (material + labor)
- $2,671
This estimate is based on national average costs and may vary by region, project specifics, and market conditions. Use as a starting point for your bids.
How to estimate a fence build
Fence takeoffs are linear-foot math: posts every N feet, panels between them, plus a footing per post. The trick is corners, gates, and grade changes — each adds a post and often requires bigger lumber or special hardware. This calculator handles the straight-run base case; layer in corners separately if your job has them.
Post spacing — what to use
| Spacing | When to use |
|---|---|
| 6 ft | High-wind areas. Custom-cut wood panels. Hot dip galv requirements. |
| 8 ft | Standard residential. Stock vinyl panels are 6 or 8 ft wide. |
| 10 ft | Chain link only. Aluminum allowed if rails are heavy gauge. |
Post depth + concrete
Bury one-third of the post + 6 in gravel base. For a 6 ft tall fence, that's a 30 in hole. Go below frost line in northern climates (36–42 in). Each hole takes about 1.5 60-lb bags of concrete (or 1 80-lb bag). Gate posts and corners go 6 in deeper.
Pricing benchmarks
Installed pricing for typical 6 ft tall fence:
- Chain link: $15–25 per LF installed
- Wood privacy (PT, dog-ear): $25–40 per LF
- Wood privacy (cedar, shadow box): $35–55 per LF
- Vinyl privacy: $40–65 per LF
- Aluminum picket (3–4 ft): $30–50 per LF
Add 30–50% for hills, rocky soil, or tight access. Gate hardware (hinges, latches, dropbolts) typically runs $50–150 per gate on top of the gate itself.
Frequently asked questions
How many posts do I need per 100 linear feet of fence?
At standard 8 ft post spacing on a 100 ft straight run, you need 14 posts (12 mid-run + 2 ends, rounded). At 6 ft spacing, you need 18 posts. Always add one post per gate (gate posts are extra). Corner posts and end posts get a separate count and may need to be larger / set deeper.
How deep do I set fence posts?
Standard residential rule: bury one-third of the post length plus 6 in of gravel. A 6 ft fence on 8 ft posts means 2 ft deep + 6 in gravel = 30 in hole. In freeze zones (Zone 5 and north), go below frost line — often 36–42 in. Gate posts and corners go 6 in deeper than line posts.
How much concrete per fence post?
For a typical 8 in diameter × 30 in deep hole, about 1.5 60-lb bags of concrete (or 1 80-lb bag) per post. Wider holes for 4×4 posts (10 in dia) take 2 60-lb bags. The calculator above defaults to 1.5 bags as the midpoint.
Should I use wood or vinyl for a 6 ft privacy fence?
Wood is cheaper upfront ($25–40 per linear foot installed) but requires staining or sealing every 2–3 years and warps over time. Vinyl runs $40–65 per LF installed but is essentially maintenance-free for 15+ years. Over a 20-year period, vinyl typically wins on TCO if the install is in direct sun.
How long does it take to install a fence?
A 2-person crew installs roughly 50–80 linear feet of wood privacy fence per day, including setting posts, hanging panels, and installing trim. Vinyl is faster (80–100 LF/day) because panels click together. Chain link is the fastest (100–150 LF/day). Concrete cure time on the posts adds half a day before panels can hang.
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