Most installed fences cost $20 to $60 per linear foot in 2026, which puts a 150-foot fence at $3,000 to $9,000. Those figures are national. We have no Chicago price list to publish, because each lot prices differently: how many feet, how tall, how many gates, what is in the way and whether a crew can get a machine down the gangway.
These price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor rates, material prices and what we find in your yard move the number. Last checked October 2026.
How much does a fence cost per foot?
| Material | Installed cost per foot |
|---|---|
| Chain link | $9 to $30 |
| Wood | $20 to $50 |
| Vinyl | $30 to $60 |
| Aluminum | $25 to $75 |
| Wrought iron | $50 to $85 |
How much does a 6-foot wood privacy fence cost?
The national range for a 6-foot privacy fence is $25 to $60 per foot installed. The totals below use the general $20 to $60 range. A 6-foot solid fence carries more wood and bigger posts than a low picket fence, so look toward the top of each row. In Chicago a fence over 5 feet also needs a city permit, which is a separate cost and a separate step.
| Fence length | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| 50 feet | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| 100 feet | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| 150 feet | $3,000 to $9,000 |
| 200 feet | $4,000 to $12,000 |
What is the cheapest fence to have installed?
Chain link, which starts near $9 per foot in the national figures. For a solid fence at the lowest cost, pressure-treated pine with dog-ear boards is the usual answer. For a large dog in the yard on a budget, 5-foot chain link does the job and stays under Chicago's permit line. Suburbs differ on chain link. Park Ridge and Lincolnwood accept it only with a brown, black or green coating, and Oak Park does not allow it in a front yard.
Is black aluminum cheaper than wrought iron or vinyl?
Aluminum is cheaper than wrought iron, at $25 to $75 per foot against $50 to $85. It overlaps with vinyl, which runs $30 to $60. On a Chicago front yard the bigger point is salt. Aluminum does not rust when the plow throws brine at it, and iron or bare steel does.
How much extra does a gate cost?
Each gate is priced as its own item, by width, material and hardware. A gangway gate is small and simple. An alley gate wide enough for a car needs heavier posts, deeper footings and stronger hinges, so it costs more, and an opener adds to that. You will see every gate as a separate line on our quote.
How much extra for a slope, brush or an old fence?
We price those on site, since no two yards match. Chicago lots are flat, so slope is rarely the extra here. What adds cost is taking out an old fence with its concrete, cutting back the weed trees and vines that grow through alley fences, and carrying everything through a narrow gangway by hand because no machine fits. Old footings, buried brick and garage slabs also slow the digging.
I got three quotes and they are far apart. Which one is realistic?
Trust the quote that spells out the most. Line the three up and check the footage, height, material grade, post size, post depth, number of gates, removal of the old fence, hauling and the permit. Post depth is where Chicago quotes drift apart. Digging 42 inches into clay costs more than digging 24, and a price built on shallow holes buys a fence that moves.
Does a fence add value to my home?
It helps a sale more than it raises a price. Buyers with children or dogs want a fenced yard, and a straight, clean fence makes the lot look cared for. Expect to recover part of the cost, not all of it. Whether a fence changes your assessment is a question for the Cook County Assessor.
The real price comes from a free visit and a written quote. Call (773) 741-0364 or text us a photo of the fence line.