How Much Does A Vinyl Fence Cost? [Pricing Per Linear Foot]

Xiao Faria Da Cunha
by Xiao Faria Da Cunha

Fences are a popular addition to any home for their functionality and aesthetics effects, but there are so many options out there. One trendy fence option homeowners choose nowadays are vinyl fences.

It costs an average of $3,702 to install a vinyl fence between labor and materials. Homeowners spend an average of $22.50 per linear foot for vinyl fence installation. White vinyl is the cheapest colored vinyl at $17 per linear foot, and black vinyl is the most expensive at $60 per linear foot.

If you are looking for a more comprehensive guide on fence pricing, be sure to check out our ultimate fence cost guide. If you want to learn more about vinyl fences, then keep reading.

In this cost guide, you will find different ways to calculate your material cost, factors that affect installation cost, and tips for finding the right contractor. If you are a DIY person, we’ve got that covered too.

Do You Need Fence Installation or Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Why Choose Vinyl Fences?

First of all, let’s look at the pros and cons of vinyl fences. For it to be so popular, you know this material’s got its advantages. However, many homeowners tend to seek additional proof to justify the higher material costs.

Briefly, vinyl fencing has the following benefits:

  • Longer life span
  • Low maintenance needs
  • Easy installation and easy to work with
  • Medium price range
  • Alternative designs allowing different aesthetics

Meanwhile, they do have some shortcomings that you need to consider before opting for vinyl fencing, including:

  • Manmade material raises pollution concerns.
  • Not resistant to extreme weather
  • Low mold resistance or needs additional protection

Vinyl Fence Cost Range

How much do vinyl fences cost? Materials and installation together, vinyl fences cost $2,117 to $5,241 on average.

Of course, that number could fluctuate drastically depending on who you hire and what type of fence you need. Below is a table of the high, low, and average vinyl fence costs.

High, Low, And Average Vinyl Fencing Cost

High EndLow EndMedium CostNational Average
$11,400$850$2,848 – $5,696$3,702

There are different ways of calculating the PVC fence cost, depending on your project. The two most common calculation methods are by section or panel or by length and linear foot.

Vinyl Fence Cost Per Foot

Most vinyl fences cost between $15 to $30 per linear foot. This price is mostly affected by the style of your future fence. Use the table below to understand the unit cost of different types of fences.

Vinyl Fence Cost Per Linear Foot

Type of FenceCost per Linear Foot
Privacy Fence$28
Picket Fence$25
Shadowbox Fence$35
Horse Fence$12
Rails or Vinyl-covered Chain Link$8

This pricing chart includes the labor cost already. If you are looking to understand the material cost alone, refer to the next section to find out the vinyl fence cost calculated by section and panel counts.

Vinyl Fence Cost Per Section

Since vinyl fences are easy to install, many homeowners choose to purchase the fences by panels and do the installation themselves. Generally speaking, individual vinyl fence panels cost $60 to $100 per panel, depending on the design you are purchasing.

Directly purchasing panels is the go-to method if you want to build a privacy fence or a shadowbox fence. However, it is less suitable for traditional picket fences or horse fences.

Vinyl Fence Cost by Color

Another major factor affecting your vinyl fence cost is the color and design you choose. There are three popular colors in the market right now:

  • Classic white vinyl fences
  • Imitation wood or wood grain fences
  • Black vinyl fences

Each style has an aesthetic focal point. In the end, it comes to the overall vibe of your home and your budget.

Take a look at the overall price comparison of all three styles below:

Vinyl Fence Pricing By Color

ColorCost Per Linear FootCost per 200 ft
White Vinyl$17$3,425
Wood Grain$40$8,050
Black Vinyl$60$12,075

To fence in ½ acre, you will need approximately 300 – 400 linear feet of fences. This will help you estimate how much fencing material your yard needs and what the costs will be.

White Vinyl Fence Cost

White vinyl is the most classic vinyl fence style. They are elegant, simple, and sleek. The downside is the white color doesn’t deal with stain very well and thus may require regular cleaning.

White vinyl fences cost $15 to $30 per linear foot, labor included. They usually don’t go beyond $35 per linear foot.

Wood Grain Vinyl Fence Price

Many homeowners wanted that natural wood look but didn’t care for the high maintenance wood fences require. Therefore, wood grain or imitation wood vinyl fences have become more popular in the past few years.

Woodgrain vinyl fences cost $40 per linear foot, material and labor included. If you choose to buy panels, expect to pay $111 to $235 per 8-ft panel.

Black Vinyl Fence Cost

A black vinyl fence is a relatively new addition to the family. They add a professional, minimalistic, and modern look to your home. They also bring more accent to your home with their bold color choice.

Because black vinyl fences are less seen, they naturally cost more. Materials and labor together, expect somewhere around $60 per linear foot for black vinyl fences. You can purchase them in bulk or in sections. The average price for an 8-ft black vinyl fence panel can be as high as $369 per panel.

Vinyl Fence Cost by Fence Style

We briefly went over how different fence styles can significantly affect your vinyl fence cost earlier. Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at the individual costs of each fencing style.

Vinyl Privacy Fence Cost

Privacy fences are one of the most popular fence options among today’s homeowners. If that’s what you want, be ready to pay $2,848 to $5,696 or $20 to $36 per foot for your vinyl privacy fence.

The actual cost to build a vinyl privacy fence depends on the fence’s height. See the table below on how the fence height affects the vinyl fence cost. Pay attention as these prices are calculated using basic white vinyl fences.

Vinyl Privacy Fence Pricing

HeightPrice Per Foot
4’$20
6’$28
8’$36

There is a new type of privacy fence, called the shadowbox fence, that has been gaining favors among homeowners. Shadowbox fences cost slightly more than classic privacy fences and go from $32 to $36 per linear foot.

Picket Fence Cost

Traditional picket fences may not provide as much privacy, but they are still quite functional when it comes to offering additional protection against intruders and animals.

Picket fences are usually shorter than privacy fences. For a 200-ft long vinyl picket fence, most homeowners spend somewhere around $3,000. The table below shows you the price differences caused by fenced areas, calculated in linear footage.

Vinyl Pricket Fence Costs

Size/Linear FootPrice for a regular 4’ picket fence
100$1,528
200$3,056
400$6,112
600$9,168

If you have kids or animals at home, picket fences are great options to keep them from straying off. The design still allows you to enjoy the view and see what’s going on outside but is still tall enough to protect your little ones.

Vinyl Coated Chain Link Fence

Vinyl coated chain link fence is a much more affordable option compared to 100% PVC fencing. These fences only cost $12 to $15 per linear foot for a regular 4’ tall fence. As long as you are using decent metal links, these fences will provide the security you need without the cost of a full vinyl fence.

Increase the fence height or opting for heavier-duty metals will increase the final cost.

Vinyl Horse Fence

Vinyl horse fences cost $8 to $14 per linear foot. On average, a 100-ft horse fence will cost you $960 to $1,200. Horse fences are denser and more durable than regular residential fences and are perfect for farms and ranches. If you are adding rails or increasing the fence height, the price will likely increase.

A standard 3-rail vinyl horse fence will cost you $1,084 to $6,504, depending on how long the fence needs to be.

Vinyl Fencing Cost For Pools

Vinyl fences are great for pools because they do not rot as wood does. However, you do need to consider adding additional sealant coating to prevent mildew and mold from building up.

On average, you will pay $13 to $18 per linear foot for vinyl pool fences. For an average 600-square-feet pool, your vinyl fencing cost will be somewhere between $1,273 and $1,763.

Is Vinyl Fence Cheaper Than Wood?

Let’s look at the cost difference between vinyl fences and wood fences. In general, vinyl fencing costs $15 to $30 per linear foot, whereas wood fencing costs $12 to $27 per linear foot. Upon first glance, the upfront investment doesn’t seem to differ that much.

If you are going with the cheapest wood available, which is cedar in most cases, your price will lower to $6 per linear foot. In this case, there seems to be no point arguing for vinyl’s sake.

However, does the upfront saving really worth it? Let’s take a more in-depth look into the two materials.

Vinyl Fence vs. Wood Fence — Which One Is Better?

VinylWood
Durability and LongevityDoesn’t easily rot, split, or bend. Last forever, if maintained properly (50 years+).Degrade, rot, and bend over time. Lasts 10 to 20 years maximum.
Wind ResistanceCan stand regular weather but is vulnerable to extreme wind and stormsMore resistant against heavy wind and storm because the material is a lot heavier
Temperature ResistanceHeat and cold resistantCan split or break under extreme temperature
SafetyFire-proofCan catch on fire easily
ConcernsCan catch mold and mildew without proper sealingCan rot, catch mold, or become infested by termites
MaintenanceRequires little to no maintenanceExpensive, regular maintenance is necessary
Upfront InvestmentHigher cost upfrontLower cost upfront
RepairHigher repair costLower repair cost
AestheticsArtificial lookNatural wood look

Therefore, don’t be distracted by the differences in the initial cost. Instead, consider other aspects before you make the final decision. For example:

  • Are you planning on passing this home down to your children and their kids?
  • Does the aesthetics matter a lot to you? Are you a nature person?
  • Are you in an area with a high fire risk?
  • Do you live in an area with extreme weather conditions?
  • Would you like to invest more in maintenance down the road?

These questions will help you understand what’s the best fence material for you. After all, maybe neither vinyl nor wood suits you. Maybe you’d decide to go with a wrought iron fence instead, right?

Vinyl Fence Installation Cost

Installation always takes up a big chunk of the cost. In general, labor should cost you $35 to $40 per hour. Most contractors will bill you by project and offer a discount if you have a large area that needs to be fenced in.

Another way to look at installation costs is by linear foot. On average, plain vinyl fencing could cost $25 to $35 per linear foot altogether. If you are installing decorative fencing, then be ready to pay as high as $50 per foot for material and labor.

Installation Cost Factors

Like all fencing projects, the following factors also affect your final cost besides the fenced area and fence heights.

  • Landscape condition
  • Soil and ground condition
  • Fence location
  • Permit Costs
  • Additional Features

Landscape Condition

Flat, straight lines are easier to install than curvy, hilly grounds. If your landscape is peculiar or challenging, contractors may charge extra for the project overall. They may also switch to an hourly structure and bill you additional hours required to complete the work.

If there are trees that need to be removed to install the fence, you will need to hire other contractors for that portion of the project. Therefore, try to choose somewhere flat and obstacle-free to save on vinyl fence costs.

Soil And Ground Condition

The easier it is to dig into the ground, the less time the installation takes. In return, the cheaper your final cost will be. However, you don’t want to work on muddy, wet, or loose soil either. It’s more challenging for your contractors to install the fences under those conditions securely.

Fence Location

Backyard fences tend to be taller, whereas front yard fences need to tailor to the curbside structure. That is the main reason why the fence location can affect your vinyl fencing cost. Typically, backyard privacy fences are more expensive than front yard fences.

Permit Costs

If you are expecting your contractors to take care of the permits for you, expect them to charge you for the time spent on obtaining the permit. You can always go talk to your HOA and handle the permit yourself. That will help you save on overall spending.

Additional Features

If you are adding additional features to your fence, then expect to pay extra. For example, below is a chart of the cost to add gates to your vinyl fence.

Cost to Add Gates to a Vinyl Fence (White Vinyl)

Gate TypeInstallation Cost
4’ walk-through gate$300 to $400
8’ double gates$800
Custom gates taller than 8’$1,200 to $1,500

Other options, such as lamps and decorative poles, can be added to your fence.

What to Look For Before Hiring a Contractor

You should always ask for quotes from different contractors to avoid being overcharged. In addition, ask for the following information:

  • Proof of insurance
  • Warranty policy
  • Online review and previous experience

In short, make sure to hire someone trustworthy and properly certified, so you know you are in good hands. Warranty and proof of insurance are vital documents that will protect your rights if anything were to happen.

Additional Vinyl Fence Cost

We’ve already talked about the cost to add gates to vinyl fences. Depending on your fence’s style, design, and size, there are other things you can do to create your dream fence.

Permits and licenses

Before getting creative, the first additional and inevitable cost related to vinyl fencing is permit cost. The best way to find out the price is by giving your HOA a call. They will tell you how much it costs to get all the permits and licenses you need.

Fence Removal

If you need to remove an existing fence, you will be paying $3.50 per linear foot for the removal. Ask your fencing contractor to see if they can include removal in the project and if you can get a discounted price.

Fence Hardware

Many people like to add decorations to the fences afterward, such as hanging plants and outdoor decors. Make sure you are buying UV-resistant and water-resistant hardware.

The table below gives you an idea of what hardware is available and how much they cost.

Popular Vinyl Fence Hardware

Hardware TypePricing
Post Guards$6-$20 per pair
Bracket Clips$8 to $11
On-fence Hooks$25 to $46 per pair
Post Caps$3 to $30 each

Check with your contractor and see if they’ve included any basic post guards, protections, and caps in their quote. Most contractors do this by default and allow you to pay for an upgrade.

Fence Painting

What if you don’t like the available color options but don’t want to pay a ton for customized fences? You paint them. If you are hiring someone for the paint job, expect to pay $350 on average, including the paint. Otherwise, you are looking at paying $40 per gallon of paint.

Make sure you check with your HOA that the color you want is allowed before starting the job.

DIY Vinyl Fence Installation

One of the biggest perks for vinyl fences is easy installation. Unlike wood and wrought iron fences, an average homeowner can perfectly install vinyl fences on their own with a little research.

For materials, the basic white vinyl fence starts at $17 per linear foot. If you are building a privacy fence, consider buying premade panels because they are a lot easier to install.

You will need some essential tools, including power drills, vinyl fence cement, hammers, nails and bolts, and a shovel. If you want to add additional security to your fence, you can mix concrete and use that to stabilize the poles. You can find concrete mixes from any hardware store.

How Much Does It Cost To Install A Vinyl Fence?

Vinyl fence installation, on an hourly basis, costs $35 to $40 per hour. This price varies according to your local contractor’s pricing. If your contractor bills by project, they’re most likely quoting you $25 to $35 per linear foot.

Keep in mind that taller fences, difficult location, loose, or overly hard-to-dig soil can all increase the cost.

Is It Hard To Install Vinyl Fencing?

Vinyl fences are a lot easier to install compared to other materials, and you don’t need a whole lot of tools. There are plenty of how-to videos on YouTube you can follow, and the project, overall, is low-risk.

If you’ve never installed fences before, it may be best to start with less complicated designs like a basic pricket fence. Privacy fences with premade panels are also a good option for DIY installation.

However, keep in mind that DIY installations are not covered by warranty or insurance. Therefore, if you make a mistake, it will be more expensive to fix it.

Do You Need Fence Installation or Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.


Related Questions

How much does vinyl fencing cost?

A typical 6-ft vinyl fence will cost you $3,702 in materials and installation. This price varies according to the color, design, and style of your fence. For example, wood grain fences can go up to $35 to $45 per linear foot, and black vinyl fences can cost you up to $60 per linear foot.


Does a vinyl fence increase home value?

This question is best for your selling agent. However, in most cases adding a fence does not guarantee any home value increase. So if you are purely looking for a high ROI, you may want to consider other projects, like adding a sunroom.However, depending on the materials you use, your neighborhood, and what your buyers are looking for, a vinyl fence might bring a slight increase in home value. Again, check with your selling agent for a more detailed answer.


How long does a vinyl fence last?

The quick answer is forever. The more accurate answer is 100 to 200 years. Vinyl fences are extremely durable as long as they’re correctly maintained. If they break, it’s mostly due to extreme weather conditions like brutal wind or tornadoes.That aside, vinyl fences do not rot, split, or bend over time. Neither are they affected by insects and critters. However, they are susceptible to mold and mildew, so make sure you seal your fences with water-resistant materials after installation for a longer lifespan and lower maintenance needs.

Xiao Faria Da Cunha
Xiao Faria Da Cunha

With a deep passion for content and creative writing, Xiao Faria da Cunha finds a strong sense of accomplishment in creating quality home guides that resonate with homeowners. When not writing, you can find Xiao creating art masterpieces.

More by Xiao Faria Da Cunha

Next