How Much Does It Cost To Fence Acre? (Overall & Per Foot)
The average cost to fence half an acre is $9,000 for materials, installation, and labor. Homeowners spend an average of $23 per linear foot to install a fence. You can expect to spend $18,000 to fence 1 acre of land, and composite fences cost $35 per linear foot.
Besides material cost, other factors such as landscaping and accessories also affect the final installation price. Because a fence is often between two properties, sometimes you may even need to pay for negotiation and legal costs.
We will cover everything you need to know from the permits and agreements required to build your fence to your best material options. We will also show you how to DIY fence installation and save on cost if you believe you are the handy type.
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Do I Need a Fence?
First thing first. Do you need a fence? Before starting any home improvement project, you always need to evaluate the pros and cons of your addition.
Are you going for home value improvement? Is ROI a critical factor you consider? How pretty do you want your project to look, and how long does it need to last? These are all great questions to ask.
When it comes to building fences, most people immediately think of security and privacy. However, there are many other benefits of having a fence.
Benefits of Having a Fence
Privacy and Security
Not all fences bring you privacy, but the idea of being separated from your neighbors sure sounds pleasing.
Even if you are only building a wire fence, you are still putting up a physical barricade that surrounds your space. For most homeowners, this alone is worth the investment.
Aesthetics
A good fence makes your house prettier. Everyone could agree to that. For example, a waist-high fence or a picket fence can draw people’s attention to your landscaping.
Noise Reduction
If you live near a busy street, a privacy fence of at least 8 feet tall can knock off a decent amount of traffic noise. Depending on the material and fence height, some families could reduce up to 85% of street and ambient noises with fences alone.
Disadvantages of Fences
Repair and Maintenance cost
All home addition comes with maintenance costs. When budgeting, make sure you understand the underlying maintenance needs of each material. That will save you a lot in the long run.
For example, wood fences need regular cleaning, staining, sealing, and painting. On the other hand, wrought iron fences may need to be powder coated.
Potential Conflict with Neighbors
Working on your property line can lead to a lot of issues. What if your neighbor pin stuff on the other side of the fence you built? Or worse, what if they have a problem with your fence altogether?
Most HOAs have specific regulations for fences. However, disgruntled neighbors could be a headache that lasts long after the fences are built.
Fences and Home Values
Many homeowners believe having a fence will increase their home value. However, it is safest to not assume it to be true. The best approach will be to consult your selling agent prior to starting any project.
Does a fence increase home value? The answer comes down to a few factors:
- What material you used
- What neighborhood you are in
- What condition your fences are
- And what your buyers are looking for
Typically, newer fences made with better materials, like wood, wrought iron, or high-grade vinyl have higher values.
Again, your selling agent is the best person to ask questions regarding home value increases. In extreme cases, a bad fence may reduce your property value.
How Much Does a Fence Cost?
How much does a fence cost? On a ½ acre lance, the low-end fence costs are $600 to $3,500, and the high-end costs range between $15,000 to $27,000. For larger projects, your contractor may offer you a bulk discount.
A few major factors affect your cost to fence in a yard:
- The quantity of fencing material needed in linear footage
- The area you want to fence
- The material or type of fence you choose
Let’s go through them one by one.
Fence Costs Per Foot
In general, fences cost $1 to $45 per linear foot depending on the material and style you choose. The height and design of your future fence can significantly affect this price.
For example, a waist-high fence will lay on the lower-cost end compared to a board-on-board privacy fence. Suppose you chose an exotic wood type, then your cost may go beyond the high end of $45 per linear foot we listed here.
Fence Cost Per Linear Foot (Low, Medium, and High-End Cost)
| Linear Foot | Low End | Average | High End |
| 1 | $1 to $6 | $10 to $20 | $25 to $45 |
| 100 | $100 to $600 | $1,000 to $2,000 | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| 300 | $300 to $1,800 | $3,000 to $6,000 | $7,500 to $13,500 |
It is vital that you understand how to compromise between expectations and reality. Try to keep your budget realistic while sticking to your original design as much as you can.
Fence Costs Per Acre
Most contractors may quote you by the acres on your fencing project. Usually, it costs $8,000 to $17,000 to fence in one acre using average materials. Large projects, again, may come with bulk discounts.
The table below shows you the low, average, and high-end costs to fence in half, one, and two acres.
Fence Cost Per Acre (Low, Medium, and High-End Cost)
| Acre(s) | Low End | Average | High End |
| ½ | $600 to $3,500 | $6,000 to $12,000 | $15,000 to $27,000 |
| 1 | $1,000 to $5,000 | $8,000 to $17,000 | $21,500 to $38,000 |
| 2 | $300 to $1,800 | $3,000 to $6,000 | $7,500 to $13,500 |
Again, your landscape, design, and material will significantly affect the final fence cost in addition to the surface area that needs to be enclosed.
Cost Breakdown Of Building A Fence
Types of Fences Available
In general, you can group all fencing materials into three sub-categories: low cost, medium, and luxury.
The low-cost, affordable fencing materials include:
- Different type of wires
- Electric/Invisible Fence
- Mesh
The average, most common materials include:
- Chain link fence
- Wood
- Split Rail
- Board on Board
Finally, the luxury, expensive fence materials are:
- Vinyl
- Aluminum
- Wrought Iron
- Brick, stone, concrete
- Security Fence
- Composite
On average, your material should cost you $1 to $45 linear foot. If you want to use any exotic material, you should expect to pay a lot more.
Fence Cost by Popular Materials (Per Linear Foot)
| Material | Cost Per Linear Foot | Category |
| Barbed Wire | $1 to $6 | Cheap |
| Invisible/Electric | $1 to $6 | Cheap |
| Chain Link | $5 to $40, but around $10 on average | Medium |
| Regular Wood | $10 to $20 | Medium |
| Vinyl | $20 to $25 | Expensive |
| Aluminum | $20 to $30 | Expensive |
| Wrought Iron | $20 to $35 | Expensive |
| Composite | $25 to $45 | Expensive |
A common method of balancing cost and expectation is mix-and-matching different materials. This also creates a more robust and diverse look.
How Much Does a Privacy Fence Cost?
As we mentioned earlier, one of the biggest reasons people build fences is privacy. So let’s look into the cost to build a privacy fence.
Most privacy fences are made of wood. Installing a wooden privacy fence costs somewhere between $1,700 and $4,000, or $10 to $20 per linear foot. The most common types of wood used for privacy fences are:
- Redwood
- Cedar
- Pine
- Or, a mixture of all the above
Alternative privacy fence materials include stone, vinyl, brick, and concrete walls. Of course, these materials are more expensive than regular wood panels.
Privacy Fence Costs for ½ Acre
The cost of building a privacy fence around ½ acre ranges from $6,000 to $12,000, assuming you are wrapping the entire property up. To save on the cost, many homeowners only put privacy fences on the street-side and the neighbor’s side.
To enclose a full ½ acre, expect to use at least 600 linear feet of materials.
Pros and Cons of a Privacy Fence
The biggest benefit of having a privacy fence is, of course, privacy. In addition, it can also reduce traffic noise. However, privacy fences need regular maintenance, especially if you used wood. Otherwise, your panels may bend and rot.
Privacy fences might increase property values if your buyer really cares about seclusion. Talk to your agent if you plan to add a privacy fence for investment purposes.
Cost Factors Behind Fence Costs
Besides design, material, and surface area, a few other factors also affect your fence costs. These factors include:
- Landscape condition
- Permit Cost
- Ground Condition
- Fence Location
- Height and Length
- Additional dispute costs and legal costs
Landscape Condition
Is your land flat, or is it hilly? As common knowledge, it’s the easiest to build a fence on flat land. If there are extreme landscape conditions on your property, your contractor may need to charge extra for the additional hours needed.
If any trees or obstacles need to be removed on the fence line, you should include that cost in your fencing budget too.
Permit Cost
Always do some research on permit costs for any construction project. Check with your HOA to see what the permit situation is. In general, a permit to build a fence costs $20 to $60. Some contractors may be willing to help you acquire the permit or file on your behalf.
Ground Condition
If you are burying poles and wood panels into the ground, then naturally the soil condition will affect your final cost. Some ground types require more work or equipment. For example, rocky or clay ground, as well as wet, loose, and muddy soil, can cost extra due to insurance requirements.
Fence Location
Are you putting your fence in the back yard or the front yard? Don’t be surprised. The fence location can affect the final quote also.
Backyard fences cost more in materials since they’re designed for better privacy. Meanwhile, front yard fences need to adapt to curb appeal. They are typically shorter and more for decoration purposes.
Height and Length
Irregular height and length might cost extra. If your fence is anywhere around or taller than eight feet, you may face an additional 30% in labor and material costs.
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, don’t shy away from this investment. It could protect you from more expenses down the road.
DIY Fence Installation
If you find the labor costs intimidating, why not try to DIY the fence on your own? Luckily, fence-building is one of the easier jobs for homeowners to handle independently.
Pros and Cons of DIY Fence Installations
The biggest advantage of installing a fence yourself is, of course, the major saving factors. You don’t need to pay any labor costs. It also allows you to customize your fence the exact way you want them to be. The only limitation here is local regulations and your knowledge.
Plus, you can’t beat that pride you feel after completing a remodeling project by yourself.
On the other hand, you will be spending a ton of hours installing that fence. If you have a busy schedule, you can see why DIYing could be more of a challenge than a benefit. Also, if you are completely new to construction, you’ll need to do a lot of learning and research.
However, the biggest concern with any DIY project is that there are no protections from a warranty or insurance. If anything goes wrong, it could cost you far more to fix the problem than hiring someone professional from the beginning.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Fence Yourself?
Assuming you don’t have any necessary tools, set aside $350 to $400 to cover equipment cost. Then calculate the linear footage you need and time it with the unit cost of your desired fence material. That will give you an approximate total cost.
Plan on spending somewhere around two days for the project — longer, if you can only work when you are not occupied with your regular job.
If you want to save on fence materials, look into a DIY pallet fence. You can find pallets for free in most places, online and offline. It also creates a unique look that showcases your craftsmanship.
Do You Need Fence Installation or Repair Services?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Related Questions
Can I Install a Fence Myself?
Of course! However, expect to spend 30 to 50 hours minimum on your DIY project. Installing a fence is not the hardest home improvement job, but it could still be time-consuming for someone who is not familiar with the construction world.Â
How Much Material Do I Need for ½ Acre?
Typically, you need 400 to 600 linear feet of fences to wrap ½ acre. If you are going with the basic wire fence, you’d be looking closer at the 600 feet end. On the low end, it costs about $3,500 – $8,000 to fence in ½ acre.
How Much Does a Fence Cost in General?
Labor, material, and general landscaping considered, the average fence cost is $1,000 to $38,000 for one acre. This number varies depending on your location, the design and material you choose, the land size, and who you hire.
How Much Does a Wrought Iron Fence Cost?
In general, a wrought iron fence installation typically costs from $2,500 to $5,200. On the low end, you may even be able to have everything taken care of with $480 to $550.You will also want to look deeper into wrought iron fence costs if this is what you want.
What Is the Cheapest Fence to Use?
The cheapest option would be wire fences. Wire fences cost $1.50 to 6 per linear foot. However, they come with many issues. They are not pleasing to the eye, therefore may harm your property value. They are also dangerous for wildlife who can get trapped and hurt in wires.A slightly better alternative will be chain link fences. Chain link fences cost $10 to $20 per linear foot on average.
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.
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