How Much To Fence Backyard

Who Is Responsible For A Shared Fence

If you have a shared boundary fence with a neighbour, it can be tricky knowing who is responsible when fencing needs to be repaired or replaced.

Normally, both parties must share the cost of installing a new fence, if it’s damaged or needs to be replaced due to disrepair. But there are exceptions to this, such as if you want a higher fence that is required by local laws.

If you’re thinking about replacing a common boundary fence, take the time to chat to your neighbour first. This is usually enough to avoid common disputes. If you and your neighbour cannot agree on your common fence, you have the option of applying for a Fencing Order. This is a court or tribunal order about what fencing work should be done and how the costs of that fencing work should be shared.

If you are adding a fence extension above a certain height , you may need a building permit. For example, if you want to build a fence extension in New South Wales, you are required by law to foot the entire bill.

Other Cost Considerations For Building A Fence

Figuring out what fence materials to use is not even the first step to building your fence. Before you even start, the first step would be to get a fence permit. You usually dont need a permit if you are building a fence that is 6 feet or under, but it is still good to check with your local planning and zoning office or your HOA . A fence permit can cost between $25 to $50.

Other things to consider that will affect the overall cost are:

• Hole digging labor and equipment
• Slope leveling labor and equipment
• Additional equipment if the ground is soggy
• Job complexity (corners add labor and material costs.
• How much does it cost to install a gate? Gates add anywhere between $150 to $500 per gate.
• Do you wantan extra-long or extra-high fence? That could add 20%-30% to your installation costs.

Like with most projects, always consider the projects full scope and dont just go off of a quick napkin calculation of length/price.

The Installation Process For Each Type

Installing a fence in your backyard can be daunting, but it doesnt have to be. The process can vary greatly depending on the type of fence you choose. For instance, installing a chain-link fence is often considered the easiest part of the job since all thats required is using steel posts to secure the mesh and fasten it into place.

Composite fences are also relatively easy to install if you have all the necessary materials they require no painting or staining. They are available with pre-made panels that snap together quickly. While wood fences might create an appealing atmosphere, installation requires more work, as each post must be securely cemented.

Recommended Reading: How Much Does Lawn Care Cost Per Month

Brick Stone Or Concrete Block

Installations made of brick, stone, or concrete block cost$2,100 to $7,000 and $15 to $40 per foot. These are more expensive options because they demand extensive labor as well as special equipment and skill.

As a material, concrete is the least expensive of the three. And the overall price of a stone project will also vary depending on the type used.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Beautiful appearance and great for privacy.

• Cons: Labor is extensive and expensive.

Brick Fencing Cost Per Metre

Brick fencing is extremely durable and a little more expensive than timber. It can usually be combined with another material, such as timber or steel. Colour options are almost limitless when painted or rendered.

Most brick fences cannot be more than 1.5 metres in height in a residential area, though some residential fences can reach 2 metres in height on a main road. You may need council approval to have a brick fence installed, which may depend on the size of the fence and its cost.

Standard brick fencing price ranges from $550 to $800 per metre, or $750 to $1000 per metre for a rendered brick and steel fence.

Also Check: What Color Patio Umbrella Is Best

Top 5 Fencing Materials With Average Cost

Determining what fence material to use and how much you will be spending comes down to what you are trying to achieve with the fence.

Do you want to block the nosey neighbor? Or are you needing to keep your livestock and/or children safe and on your property? How long do you want the fence to last before you have to replace it? How often do you want to maintain the fence to keep it in good condition?

These questions and the average cost of materials will help you make your decision much simpler.

Privacy Fence Installation Cost

Privacy fence installation costs depend on several factors, especially if the fence is brand new. Homeowners should always consider city or HOA guidelines before installing a new fence, as permits may be needed for fences more than six feet tall and zoning laws and utility lines could affect the fence perimeter and shape.

Labor costs could increase significantly if the ground conditions are too rocky or soggy. Extra-long or extra-high fences could also be more costly depending on how many more boards are needed and whether the planks need to be special-ordered.

The cheapest fences are built in straight lines with minimal corners. Adding complexities like curves or obstacles could drive up the fence installation cost. Corner posts tend to be more expensive than the material cost per foot the more corner posts are needed, the more expensive the project will be. If purchasing fence materials that are taller than 6 feet, expect to add an additional 25% of the material cost to the total budget.

If buying materials from someone other than a contractor, professional labor per hour can be added separately to the total budget. Homeowners can expect an average of $35 an hour for labor depending on their location and the chosen contractor.

Read Also: Is It Better To Paint Or Stain Concrete Patio

Fence Project: A Real

Neely shared this actual quote he received from one of the fencing contractors he uses. Remember that your individual fence project will be quoted based on factors like your location, the type of fence material you choose, and how much fencing youre putting in. So, use this quote for educational purposes only and as a point of reference:

How Long Does It Take To Build A Fence

It will take between 2-5 days to build a fence yourself. This includes planning your fence, buying the materials and getting them delivered. Then adding the posts, rails and pickets. For most homeowners it can be done in a weekend.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for backyard video tutorials. You can also find us on and .

Read Also: What Is The Best Way To Cover Concrete Patio

How Much Does A Wood Fence Cost

Wood fences are the most attractive option and a great option for privacy. Wooden fences will not have to be replaced for at least 20 years if properly cared for.

On average, a wood fence costs between $13 to $19 per foot. Most homeowners spend anywhere from $1,950 to $2,850 in total. The cost is greatly affected by the species of wood you choose to use the most popular are pine, cedar, and redwood.

Cedar is the best wood to build a fence from due to the cedar oil in the wood. Cedar oil is naturally resistant to moisture, insect infestation, and decay. If you choose a cheaper wood, youll have to treat it with a waterproofing sealant yearly.

Diy Fence Cost Vs Contractor Prices

In addition to the materials at an average cost of $8 to $15 per linear foot, expect to spend at least a full week of labor installing your fence. Also, you will need to pay a one-time fee of $200 to $500 for all the equipment such as a drill, hammer, saw, auger, or post hole digger, and a measuring tape.

When hiring a professional, they can get the job done in half the time with labor costs between $5 and $15 per linear foot, which includes a warranty. For a 150-foot fence, labor will cost between $750 and $2,250 in total. The real question is, is one full week of your time worth that amount to have a professional install the fence for you?

Recommended Reading: How To Remove Patio Door

Here Are Factors That Affect Fence Pricing

Length: The amount of material, based on the length of the fence, is the most obvious cost factor. The longer the fence, the more materials you need, and the more it will cost.

Materials: The second factor that affects pricing is the material. Chain-link and wood are the least expensive options, but the cost can go up quickly if youre adding features like metal embellishments or latticework, for example. Metal and wrought-iron fencing will add a substantial amount to the total.

Style: The style of the fence will dictate not only the type of material and embellishments, but it also dictates the amount of material that is needed. For instance, a privacy-style fence will need more material than one that is simply meant to delineate property lines or act as an aesthetic enhancement.

Additional Factors: According to The Home Depot, other factors that could impact the cost could include permits to build a fence, tearing down and disposing of existing fencing, dealing with difficult terrain, the addition of gates, and the state of the lumber market.

How Do You Calculate Labor Cost For Fencing

Labor costs for fencing range between $5 and $15 per linear foot bank on a contractor taking around four days to install a fence of 200 linear feet. This may sound expensive, but if you want to save time and get the job done quicker, its best to call in the experts.

For those on a budget however, you can save around $10 per sq ft on labor costs if you do the job yourself. Keep in mind that you will need certain tools though, and these could come in at around $300 if you dont already own them. Before you splash out, ask friends, family or neighbors if they have tools you could borrow.

Recommended Reading: How To Stain A Wood Gazebo

How To Calculate The Amount Of Fencing Needed

Traditionally, a fence runs the perimeter of a property, so how much you need is determined by how big your property is. In metropolitan areas or new developments, the average lot size is about 1/5 acre or 8,712 square feet. This size lot requires about 150 linear feet of fencing.

To get a more precise estimate for the fence size and materials required for your yard, do the following:

Board On Board Or Shadowbox

Getty

Board on board and shadowbox fences are more of a style than a material. A central rail is installed across the fence where boards are placed on alternating sides. This creates an overlapping pattern that looks the same on both sides of the fence making it a great option for a 6-foot privacy fence in a backyard.

Board on board fences can be made with wood, vinyl, aluminum and composite materials. They are attractive options for many homes. Keep in mind that this fence style is not completely privateanyone looking at the fence from a side angle will be able to see through the small gaps between the boards.

Don’t Miss: How To Make A Paver Patio

How Much Does A Fence Cost And 5 Examples

Wondering how much a fence cost for different materials?

Depending on what materials you use, as well as the length and height of the fencing, you could be spending anywhere between $5 to $25 a linear foot for fencing material and $10-35 for labor, resulting in a total end cost of about $1,500 to $14,000 per yard, averaging to about $2,016 to $40,000 per acre.

In this article well break down how much a fence cost and well share five examples of different fence materials to use.

Update

With lumber prices surging during the pandemic, prices have surged 3-4 times from the ones listed in this article.

Of course, these numbers are based on if you are purchasing all brand-new materials. The rest of this article will discuss the top five most popular fencing materials, how much they will cost to install, and a few ways you can cut costs with repurposed materials.

You can also look at the cheapest fence to build if you need to keep your budget low.

• Fencing Materials: Cost VS Function VS Aesthetics

What Are The Requirements For Pool Fences

Its particularly important to ensure you meet pool fencing requirements. Each state and territory has different minimum safety requirements for pool fences in place to prevent children from drowning.

Different standards apply in a few states, however there are some requirements around pool fencing common to all states and territories. These include:

• The fence must be at least 1.2 metres high all the way around
• The gap between the ground and the bottom of the fence must be no bigger than 100mm
• The gap between the panels or bars of the fence must be no bigger than 100mm
• The gate must open outwards away from the pool area and must be self-closing or self-latching
• There must be no climbable objects, like trees or furniture, within 900mm of the pool fence.

As pool fencing regulations can vary according to where you live, its important to talk to your fence builder and/or your local government before installing a pool fence to ensure youre meeting the relevant legal requirements.

Main image source: Jorge Salcedo/Shutterstock.com

This article was originally written by Tamika Seeto in 2019 and has been updated.

Thanks for visiting Canstar, Australias biggest financial comparison site*

This content was reviewed by Digital EditorAmanda Horswill as part of our fact-checking process.

Also Check: Best Place For Patio Furniture

How Much Does A Chain

On average, chain-link fences cost between $7 and $12 per linear foot, making them the most cost effective type of fence you can install. They’re made of steel that may be coated in zinc , aluminum, vinyl, or another coating that will protect the metal from rust and corrosion.

We surveyed some of our pros, Secure Superstructures and Jay-Mar Fencing Installation & Repair, on the installation cost of a chain-link fencing project in different zip codes.

Fence Installation Costs By Material

While there are multiple fencing materials to choose from, consider matching style, height, and material with your neighbors to maintain property values. Otherwise, most homeowners opt for wood or vinyl fencing, two affordable and long-lasting options. In addition, chain-link, aluminum, steel, wrought iron, and composite fencing are popular fence types.

Recommended Reading: Waterproof Outdoor Fans For Pergola

Fencing Quotes Per Acre

Fencing projects range from $1,000 to $38,000 per acre, depending on the material used and difficulty of access and construction. For big projects, it’s important to note that the more length you need, the lower your price-per-foot may be as long as you go through a professional. Many manufacturers provide savings on higher volumes of orders to pros in the industry. If you order on your own, you may miss such discounts. For large projects involving tens of acres, that discount can equal thousands in savings!

Cheap, Moderate and Expensive Fencing Costs by Acre

Legal Costs Related To Neighbor Disputes

It is no news that sometimes the court gets involved because two neighbors cannot agree on the fencing situation. If fences are already up at that point, your cost may be even higher.

Always send a communication to your neighbor beforehand to get their written consent. If you believe an attorney is necessary, dont shy away from this investment. It could protect you from more expenses down the road.

Also Check: How To Remove Urine Stains From Concrete Patio

What Is The Cheapest Fence To Install

The cheapest fence to install is a wood fence built with pressure-treated pine for a typical cost of $12 per linear foot for both materials and professional installation. Chain-link fences start at $15 per linear foot installed, while wire fencing can cost as little as $2 per foot but does not work well in residential applications.

Fence Post Installation Cost

are installed along with the rest of the structure, and their installation cost is included in the overall installation price. Sometimes, you may need to install a single new post to extend a fence or replace a post. In this case, you may be charged by the single post.

Fence posts come in the same materials as the rest of your fence. It may be possible to mix and match in some cases, such as using a metal post with a wooden fence. The installation costs do not vary tremendously by material or post shape. However, the post costs vary by material and shape. Some shapes are less than others, particularly for wood fences. The post shape does not tend to impact metal, composite, or vinyl fences in terms of cost the way wood posts do. The average labor to install a post is $40 to $150 per post.

Below are the total average costs to install fence posts by material.

You May Like: Tall Black Planters For Front Porch