How Much Does It Cost to Put Up a Fence? Complete 2026 Guide
Putting up a fence costs $15-45 per linear foot when professionally installed, or $3,000-$9,000 for a typical 150-200 foot backyard project. This includes all materials, labor, and setup. Chain link is most affordable at $12-25/ft, while premium materials like vinyl and aluminum run $25-45/ft.
← Part of our Complete Fence Cost Guide
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Cost to Put Up a Fence by Material
Material choice determines the majority of your fence setup cost:
| Material | Cost Per Foot | 150-ft Project |
|---|---|---|
| Chain Link | $12-25 | $1,800-$3,750 |
| Wood (Pine) | $15-30 | $2,250-$4,500 |
| Wood (Cedar) | $20-35 | $3,000-$5,250 |
| Vinyl | $20-40 | $3,000-$6,000 |
| Aluminum | $25-45 | $3,750-$6,750 |
For detailed material comparisons, see our guides on wood fence costs, chain link costs, and vinyl fence costs.
What's Included When You Put Up a Fence
Professional fence setup includes everything needed for a complete installation:
- Materials: Posts, rails, fence boards/panels, concrete, hardware, gate(s)
- Delivery: Materials delivered to your property
- Site prep: Clearing brush, marking property lines, locating utilities
- Post installation: Digging holes, setting posts in concrete, leveling
- Fence assembly: Attaching rails, installing panels or boards
- Gate setup: Installing gates with proper hardware and latches
- Cleanup: Removing debris, hauling away waste materials
- Warranty: Labor warranty (typically 1-5 years)
Not typically included: Permits ($20-200), old fence removal ($3-5/ft), grading or landscaping.
How Long Does It Take to Put Up a Fence?
Installation timeline depends on project size and complexity:
- 50-100 linear feet: 1 day (professional) / 1-2 weekends (DIY)
- 100-200 linear feet: 1-2 days (professional) / 2-3 weekends (DIY)
- 200-300 linear feet: 2-3 days (professional) / 3-4 weekends (DIY)
Factors that extend timeline: rocky soil, slopes, tight access, concrete cure time (24-48 hours before attaching fence), and weather delays.
Cost to Put Up a Fence by Project Size
Here's what to budget for different yard sizes:
- Small yard (100 ft): $1,500-$4,500
- Average backyard (150 ft): $2,250-$6,750
- Large backyard (200 ft): $3,000-$9,000
- Full quarter-acre (250+ ft): $3,750-$11,250+
Put Up a Fence Yourself vs Hire a Pro
DIY fence installation saves 30-50% but requires significant time and effort:
DIY Installation
- • Materials: $8-25/ft
- • Tool rentals: $75-150
- • Time: 2-4 weekends
- • 150-ft total: $1,350-$4,000
Professional Setup
- • Fully installed: $15-45/ft
- • Timeline: 1-3 days
- • Warranty included
- • 150-ft total: $2,250-$6,750
Ready to Put Up Your New Fence?
NC Fence Co handles fence setup from start to finish. Free estimates in Wilmington and southeastern NC.
Call (910) 443-4113FAQ: Putting Up a Fence
How much does it cost to put up a 150 foot fence?
A 150-foot fence costs $2,250-$6,750 to put up professionally. Wood runs $2,250-$5,250, vinyl $3,000-$6,000, chain link $1,800-$3,750.
How long does it take to put up a fence?
Professional crews put up 150-200 feet in 1-3 days. DIY takes 2-4 weekends for the same length.
What is included in fence installation cost?
Professional installation includes materials, delivery, post digging, concrete setting, assembly, gate installation, cleanup, and labor warranty.
Related Guides
About NC Fence Co: We've put up fences throughout Wilmington NC since 2015. Call (910) 443-4113 for a free estimate.