Chain-Link Fence Installation Cost Factors
While the average cost is $2,370, there are some crucial factors that influence the cost for a chain link fence. Small fenced-in areas with 3-foot chain-link fences might cost you as little as $400, while enclosing an entire yard with a 6-foot chain-link fence fitted with privacy panels might cost around $6,000 or more.
As you discuss the project with local fencing contractors, you should expect to consider materials, dimensions, labor, and more.
Material and Overall Dimensions
The size of your fence and its overall dimensions is a primary cost factor, as it determines the materials required and how much labor is needed to get the job done.
Chain link fence installations cost $8 to $40 per linear foot, which includes materials and installation, with an average price range of $10 to $20 per linear foot. Contractors typically issue estimates with a per-foot calculation, though these costs increase as the fence height goes up.
A standard chain link fence that is six-feet high comes in at $10 to $20 per linear foot, while an eight-foot fence costs $12 to $34 per square foot.
| Chain Link Height | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 4 feet | $8 – $20 |
| 5 feet | $9 – $22 |
| 6 feet | $10 – $29 |
| 8 feet | $12 – $34 |
| 10 feet | $17 – $40 |
The size of your fence can also push up labor costs, as we’ll discuss later, so this is the most significant cost factor overall.
Gauge and Thickness
The thickness of the chain that creates the links, otherwise called its gauge, reflects the project cost as it determines the cost of materials. Basically, the higher the gauge number, the thinner the metal strands, translating to a lower cost of materials.
Thicker strands last longer, provide more security, and are generally more resistant to rust and inclement weather. Here are some common gauge prices to consider.
11.5 gauge: This is a light and thin wire that doesn’t offer much by way of security, costing just $1.50 to $7 per square foot
9 gauge: There is a reason this is the most common gauge for residential fencing, as it is durable and secure without breaking the bank. 9-gauge chain link fencing costs $2 to $10 per linear foot.
6 gauge: This is considered overkill for most homeowners, but is the gauge of choice for heavy commercial or security applications. It costs $4 to $20 per linear foot for 6-gauge fencing.
Mesh Size and Diamond Size
The standard mesh size is two inches, meaning the point at which portions of the fence interlink measures two inches. For advanced security and durability, some homeowners decrease this mesh size down to a single inch. This requires twice the materials and one-inch mesh is more difficult to source. In other words, going this route could double or triple your overall cost, up to $55 per linear foot.
“Diamond size” refers to how large the opening is between each link. The smaller the diamond size, the more secure the fence, as it’s harder to climb. However, smaller mesh size does decrease visibility. Smaller diamond sizes also mean more materials, which means a higher cost. The most common residential size is 2” x 2” and costs $3 to $8 per linear foot. Decreasing the diamond hole to 1” x 1” costs $8 to $15 per linear foot.
Posts
Your fence needs posts to help it remain sturdy and to provide a bit of unique aesthetic flair. Putting in some posts costs around $3 per linear foot, or $30 per post. Often, contractors wrap this cost into the overall estimate as you can’t have a fence without something to hold it together.
Most posts are made from metal and come in standard shapes and sizes, but some homeowners choose wooden posts for a more natural aesthetic or decorative or custom-color posts for a more unique look. These options are all more expensive.
Labor
Labor accounts for around 50% of the total cost to install a chain-link fence, or around $1,200, on average. Professional fence installers charge $25 to $50 per hour, depending on experience, and this type of job takes anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to complete. Most contractors just lump their labor into the price as a single total, though, so they technically don’t charge by the hour.
Labor costs can increase with taller fences and those with unusual shapes and custom sizes, as both require more work to transport to the job site and dig posts for. Labor costs can also go up if you need tree or stump removal where your fence is to be installed, or if you need ground leveling for a safe installation.
Cost of Chain-Link Fences by Type
Chain-link fence design sticks to the script in most cases, but you do have some options to choose from. Traditional chain-link fences differ from fences with extra coatings for extreme weather. You can also opt for more stylish fence posts between the standard chain mesh.
Galvanized Chain-Link Fence
While many chain link fences are manufactured using galvanized metal, you can add another coat to further increase durability. Galvanized metal stands up better to moisture and resists rust for longer, which can extend the lifespan of your fence and reduce the need for ongoing maintenance. This is a great idea for reducing long-term costs, especially if you live in a humid area or near a source of saltwater, as moisture and salt in the air promote corrosion.
This style costs $5 to $8 per linear foot and results in a strong fence with a utilitarian, industrial gray appearance.
Cyclone or Hurricane Fencing
The terms cyclone fences or hurricane fences are alternative nicknames for the standard chain link fence. The names come from the design's reputation for standing up against high winds, water, and the damaging effects of salt, since wind can pass right through the fence with barely any lateral load transferred to the posts.
You'll find cyclone and hurricane fencing for anywhere between $8 and $40 per linear foot, depending on the finish used to protect its stability against the elements. Fences with aluminum coating, for example, will cost up to $12 per linear foot while vinyl-coating fencing reaches $20 per linear foot. Both protect the fence against corrosion from salt water and air.
Wood or Metal With Mesh Fencing
If you're hoping to combine the strength of a chain link fence with the classic look or a wood and metal design, you have options. Designers can attach chain links between two wood posts for between $5 and $45 per linear foot.
Wooden posts alone will cost between $10 and $30 a piece. You can also connect chain lines to ornate wrought iron posts for a total of $30 to $100 per linear foot. Wrought iron posts provide a more tailored aesthetic to your front lawn while offering even more protection against extreme weather. If you go this route, though, it’s a good idea to invest in a black chain-link fence to match the color of the iron.
| Type of Fence | Cost Range per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Galvanized Chain Link | $5 – $8 |
| Cyclone or Hurricane Fence | $8 – $40 |
| Wood Post Chain Link Fence | $5 – $45 |
| Wrought Iron Post Chain Link | $30 – $100 |
Permits
Most municipalities require a building permit for any fence, including a chain link fence. This is especially the case if you’re installing a fence on or near your property line. Permits ensure that your fence doesn’t exceed the height and set back limitations set by the local building code. Additionally, some areas dictate diamond and mesh sizes, especially in areas surrounding pools or livestock.
Building permits only make up a small fraction of your chain-link fence installation costs, though, as they typically total between $20 and $60.
Land Surveying
When building a fence, it’s wise to hire a local land surveyor to conduct a basic boundary survey to confirm your home’s property lines. Otherwise, you may mistakenly build a fence on your neighbor’s property. Land surveying costs about $525 on average, though it can range between $200 and $1,000, depending on the size of your property, the time of year, your terrain type, and whether it’s a rush job.
Additional Fence Costs to Consider
While materials and labor make up most of your costs, there are some additional factors to consider. Many of these are optional add-ons or only affect those living in certain parts of the country.
Gates
Installing a gate somewhere along your fence allows you to enter and exit without traipsing through the interior of your home. Gates are certainly handy, but keep in mind they do slightly reduce the overall security of your fence.
A standard residential swing gate costs $100 to $450, which includes materials and labor. Automated rolling gates are more expensive, at $500 to $1,800, depending on their size and features. You could pay more, depending on the size and location of the gate, but chain-link gates tend to be some of the most affordable, so the cost shouldn’t get too much higher.
Coating
Chain link fences are metal and, as such, are susceptible to rust, particularly in parts of the country with a heavy rain season, harsh winters, or salty air. Coating your fence with a more durable material helps make your fence more resistant to rust and adds a bit of visual flair.
There are many types of chain-link fence coatings out there, each with its own price range and typical use case scenarios.
Powder coating: This is an economical way to ensure your chain link fence resists rust and corrosion. Powder coating costs an additional $6 to $8 per linear foot, and it adds a textured matte finish to enhance curb appeal.
Colored vinyl: Looking for an elegant chain link fence that still offers resistance to rust and corrosion? Go for colored vinyl, which is typically available in black, green, blue, and white. This is an expensive coating type, however, coming in at $10 to $30 per linear foot. For instance, installing a black chain-link fence costs $5 to $25 per linear foot for materials.
Privacy Options
One of the potential downsides to chain-link fences is that they don’t offer much in the way of privacy, as you and everyone in your neighborhood can see right through them. However, you can add some privacy slats or other materials to make your yard less visible from the outside by covering your chain-link fence.
You can add privacy slats to the fencing for an additional $3 to $10 per linear foot. These wood, vinyl, or aluminum slats help fill in the gaps in the chain-link fence to partially or entirely obstruct views from curious onlookers. They are woven through the chain links and are strategically placed to increase privacy.
You can pay less—between $0.50 and $1 per linear foot—for faux ivy to weave through your links, or invest in privacy screens to hang on the fence for around $3 per linear foot.
Removal of Old Fencing
In with the old and out with the new. Old fencing requires removal before new fencing is installed. You can expect to pay between $3 and $5 per linear foot for fence removal, or you could DIY this part of the job to save some money. You might also be able to recoup these costs by selling, recycling, or scrapping the materials. Talk to your pro about reselling the materials before going ahead with the removal.
Land Clearing and Prep
While flat land is not always necessary to build a fence, you will need enough space to anchor the posts and string the chain link panels. Unlike some other types of fences, chain-link fences aren’t ideal for installing on steep slopes. If you do opt to even out your yard, the price of land leveling for a fence ranges from $900 to $3,000 on average.
You may also need to clean away trees, roots, stumps, bushes, and shrubs where your posts will be placed. Land clearing costs as little as $250 for a half-acre that is only lightly forested with shrubs, trees, or rocks. If your fence cuts through a densely forested area, prices will start at $1,800 per half-acre.
| Additions to Chain Link Fence | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Gates | $100 – $1,800 |
| Coating | $6 – $30 per linear foot |
| Privacy Slats | $3 – $10 per linear foot |
| Permits | $25 – $500 |
| Fence Removal | $3 – $5 per linear foot |
| Land Clearing | $900 – $3,000 |
| Land Surveying | $380 – $745 |
Cost to Install a Chain Link Fence Yourself
Installing a chain link fence yourself costs $650 to $1,700, or around half the cost of hiring a pro. Learning how to build a fence is doable for experienced DIYers, so long as you have the time to spare and plenty of equipment on hand.
Expect to spend at least 25 hours on the project, and much more if you run into any hiccups. Buying or renting equipment drives up the cost, as well. For instance, renting a cement mixer to set the poles costs $25 to $150 per day. Other helpful tools include gas-powered post hole augers, wire cutters, pipe cutters, fence stretchers, and more. These tools eat into any potential savings unless you have a fully-stocked garage or toolshed.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Hiring a contractor essentially doubles your cost when compared to a DIY installation, but that is assuming you have ready access to tools and materials and that you are experienced enough to get the job done in a reasonable timeframe. Fence contractors charge $25 to $50 per hour, but they are experienced enough to finish the job quickly and overcome any potential obstacles.
Installing a new fence often requires light excavation duties or some general landscaping, which most fence companies can tackle for you in no time at all. Chain-link fencing is relatively lightweight, but stretching is to avoid sagging, setting the post holes plumb, and getting everything level can be a real challenge, even for experienced DIYers. If you’re comfortable with all of that, it might be worth trying.
However, we recommend hiring a professional if you’re installing your fence on your property line, if there are trees, roots, or stumps to remove in the process, or if you don’t have help available from friends or family members to lift and hold the fence into place while you work. In any of these cases, hiring a chain-link fence installer near you is likely well worth the investment.
5 Ways to Save Money When Installing a Chain Link Fence
Chain link fencing is an economical choice when compared to other fence types such as vinyl fencing and wood fencing, but your project can still total several thousand dollars. Here are some simple tips to consider if you want to save a few bucks on the installation process.
Limit corners: Each corner requires a post and associated hardware, so go with a design that limits corners as much as possible. Of course, you can only go so far here as you must adhere to the shape of your property and local building codes.
Mix up the height: Higher fences cost more, so consider going with a lower height to save money. Also, feel free to mix and match the height to suit different parts of your property. Go higher in areas that require more security and lower in areas that don’t. Every bit adds up.
Skip the concrete: If your soil is up to snuff, skip the part where you bring in a concrete mixer to lay the posts. Instead, save money by pounding the posts directly into the ground. This is only for certain types of soil, however, so talk to an expert beforehand.
Do some of it yourself: If the idea of a full DIY installation gives you the sweats, just do some of the smaller parts yourself. Removing old fencing and adding privacy slats are all easy tasks to accomplish on your own, and they can save you a few hundred dollars if you tackle them yourself.
Go in with neighbors: If you live in a close-knit community, reach out to your immediate next-door neighbor about splitting the cost of a chain link fence for the portion that sits between both of your homes. Just be sure to get the agreed upon plan in writing!
