Most cities require a permit for any fence over 6ft, and some require one for any fence in the front yard regardless of height. HOAs have their own separate rules. Call the county permit office before you dig, not after. The $50 to $200 permit is nothing compared to the cost of a tear-down order.

Fence Cost Calculator, installed-cost estimate by material, height, and linear footage

Q: Does height really matter that much?

Yes. Going from 4ft to 6ft adds roughly 35 percent to the total. Going from 4ft to 8ft nearly doubles it. You need taller posts, deeper concrete footings, and more pickets per foot. 8ft fences also usually trigger a permit even in counties that do not require one at 6ft.

What this calculator gets right

Most "fence calculators" are lead-gen traps. You type in your zip code and they hand you to three contractors who auto-dial you for a week. That's not a calculator. That's a contact form with a math skin.

This one gives you a real installed cost range with the materials and labor separated, so you can actually read a contractor quote and know whether you're getting played. The formula pulls from Homewyse, Fixr, Bob Vila, and the line-item breakdowns a few honest contractors shared when I was getting quotes for my own back yard last spring. No email required. No phone number. No "a local pro will reach out shortly."

Read the full fence cost guide if you want to see the math, or skim the FAQ for the 15 questions I get asked most.

Common questions

How much does a fence cost per foot?

Installed fence cost runs roughly $11 per linear foot for 4ft chain-link up to $60+ per foot for 8ft composite. The most common backyard build, 6ft pressure-treated wood with one walk gate, averages $23 to $32 per foot. DIY cuts that to $8 to $12 per foot in materials if you own the tools. Regional swing is huge. My brother-in-law paid $19/ft for the same fence in Alabama that quoted at $38/ft in the Bay Area.

Is DIY fencing worth it?

For a straightforward wood or chain-link run on flat ground, yes. You'll save 55 to 65 percent versus a contractor. Budget two people and a full weekend for 150 feet of fence, plus a second day if you're hanging gates. Skip DIY if your soil is rocky (renting a two-man auger from Home Depot helps but doesn't solve everything), your property line is disputed, or the run exceeds 300 linear feet. At that scale the time cost starts to look worse than the labor savings.

Does height really matter that much?

Yes, and more than people expect. 4ft to 6ft is a 35 percent bump. 4ft to 8ft is nearly double. You need longer posts, deeper concrete footings (more Quikrete per hole), and more pickets per foot. An 8ft fence also usually triggers a permit even in counties that wave through 6ft builds. If you only need the privacy from a 6ft run, don't spec 8ft for "future-proofing." It almost never pays back.

Do I need a permit?

In most cities, yes if the fence is over 6ft, and often yes if it's in the front yard regardless of height. Your HOA has separate rules. Call the county permit office before you dig, not after. The $50 to $200 permit is nothing compared to the tear-down order you'll get if your neighbor complains and the city finds out. My neighbor in Round Rock spent $4,800 tearing out a 7ft fence because she trusted the guy who said "nah, you don't need a permit out here."