What "per foot installed" actually covers
Fence quotes are priced per linear foot installed — materials, posts, concrete footings, and labor in one number. This estimator uses typical US installed rates: $12/ft chain-link, $28/ft wood, $38/ft aluminum, $45/ft vinyl. Prices run higher in expensive metro areas and on sloped ground, which needs stepped panels and extra labor. The formula is simple: Total = (length × material rate) + (gates × $250) + removal. Measure your yard's perimeter and subtract the house width where the fence ties in.
Material trade-offs, honestly
Chain-link is the budget champion — tough and cheap, but it offers no privacy and determined climbers can scale it. Wood is the classic privacy fence, but it needs staining or sealing every few years or it grays and warps. Vinyl costs nearly twice as much upfront and then asks for nothing — no painting, no rot, just an occasional wash. Aluminum looks elegant and never rusts, but the spaced pickets won't stop a small dog from slipping through without added mesh. Match the material to your dog, not just your wallet.
Height: match the fence to the dog
A calm small dog is contained by a 4-foot fence; a large, athletic, or jumpy breed needs 5 to 6 feet. For diggers, the fix is a buried apron — wire mesh extending a foot outward underground along the fence line (an L-footer) — which most installers add for a modest upcharge. Puppies and tiny breeds need picket spacing under 4 inches or a mesh liner at the bottom.
The hidden costs
Three things surprise owners. First, permits and HOA approval: many cities require a fence permit and HOAs often dictate material, height, and even color — check before you pay a deposit. Second, old fence removal: hauling away a rotted fence runs about $4 per foot, and some quotes quietly exclude it. Third, gates: each walk or drive gate adds roughly $250 installed, and self-closing, self-latching gate hardware is worth every penny with dogs. Confirm the quote includes all three in writing.
