How to Estimate Fencing Costs
Overview
Many older homes have old fences that are unsightly or damaged which may need to be repaired or replaced on your rehab projects. As a house flipper, you will need to be able to inspect the existing fence determine whether the fence needs to be repaired or replaced, and estimate an approximate budget.
Basics Of Estimating Fencing Costs
Fencing is typically measured by the lineal feet of fencing.
To measure how much fence you need you will simply need to measure the length of fencing you need to install in lineal feet.
There are several techniques you can use to measure the lineal feet of fencing needed:
- Eyeball Measurement
- Walking Measurement (stride length)
- Rolling Measuring Tape
- Laser Measuring Tape
- GIS Map
#1 Eyeball Measurement
If you have a good eye for lengths and distances you could visually 'eyeball' the measurement and guess the lengths of fencing needed to quickly estimate a rough fencing budget. When I'm first analyzing a deal, I will often quickly 'eyeball' the fencing measurement, because I know my fencing costs won't 'break the bank' if I'm off by 10 to 20ft.
#2 Walking Measurement
Another technique that can be used is your 'step length' or 'stride length'. If you know how many feet you take between each step, you can count the # of steps you take to calculate the total length.
#3 Rolling Measuring Wheel
A more accurate way to 'walk-off' a fence measurement is to use a rolling measuring tape. A rolling measuring tape can be used to measure the ground length more accurately on inclined or hilly yards.
#4 Laser Measuring Tape
A laser measuring tape can be a handy tool to quickly take measurements, however it won't be able to take into account hills.
#5 GIS Map
Most Counties have a GIS mapping tool available that can be used to view the lot lines for residential lots. These GIS Maps generally have measurement tools that you can use to measure distances on the map to measure the length of your fencing.
Installation Costs
Once you measure and calculate the lineal footage of fencing your property needs you can simply multiply the lineal footage by a price per lineal amount to calculate a rough budget for the fencing.
Below are some rough cost ranges for various types of fencing materials:
<div style="margin: 1rem 0;padding:1rem;border: 1px solid #cccccc;border-radius:6px;display:flex;gap:1rem;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:nowrap;"><div style="flex-grow: 2;"><img src="https://assets-global.website-files.com/64d10f0084f8214b5e90b654/64e62f02228818d839de1d3a_5e1b231f6934596ee9adacd8_galvanized-chain-link-fencing_orig.jpeg" style="max-width:225px;"></div><div style="flex-grow: 8;display:flex;flex-direction:column;"><h4 style="line-height:1.3rem;">Chain Link Fencing</h4><p style="line-height:1.2rem; font-weight:700;">$12 TO $20 / LF (LAB & MAT'L)</p><p style="line-height:1.2rem;">Cost to furnish and install 4ft chain link fencing.</p></div></div></div>
<div style="margin: 1rem 0;padding:1rem;border: 1px solid #cccccc;border-radius:6px;display:flex;gap:1rem;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:nowrap;"><div style="flex-grow: 2;"><img src="https://assets-global.website-files.com/64d10f0084f8214b5e90b654/64e62f02d99fb9e3811f072d_5e1b2166db4d52a7e2f995b7_Wood%2520Fencing.jpeg" style="max-width:225px;"></div><div style="flex-grow: 8;display:flex;flex-direction:column;"><h4 style="line-height:1.3rem;">Cedar Wood Fencing</h4><p style="line-height:1.2rem; font-weight:700;">$15 TO $30 / LF (LAB & MAT'L)</p><p style="line-height:1.2rem;">Cost to furnish and install 4 to 6ft cedar wood fencing.</p></div></div></div>
<div style="margin: 1rem 0;padding:1rem;border: 1px solid #cccccc;border-radius:6px;display:flex;gap:1rem;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:nowrap;"><div style="flex-grow: 2;"><img src="https://assets-global.website-files.com/64d10f0084f8214b5e90b654/64e62f02480e98b970d06c83_5e1b2331693459dba4adad13_white%2520vinyl%2520fencing.jpeg" style="max-width:225px;"></div><div style="flex-grow: 8;display:flex;flex-direction:column;"><h4 style="line-height:1.3rem;">Vinyl Fencing</h4><p style="line-height:1.2rem; font-weight:700;">$20 TO $30 / LF (LAB & MAT'L)</p><p style="line-height:1.2rem;">Cost to furnish and install 4 to 6ft white vinyl fencing.</p></div></div></div>
<div style="margin: 1rem 0;padding:1rem;border: 1px solid #cccccc;border-radius:6px;display:flex;gap:1rem;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:nowrap;"><div style="flex-grow: 2;"><img src="https://assets-global.website-files.com/64d10f0084f8214b5e90b654/64e62f0244208feab0b500f6_5e1b23a1a7d3a27b17351740_aluminum%2520fencing.jpeg" style="max-width:225px;"></div><div style="flex-grow: 8;display:flex;flex-direction:column;"><h4 style="line-height:1.3rem;">Aluminum Fencing</h4><p style="line-height:1.2rem; font-weight:700;">$25 TO $35 / LF (LAB & MAT'L)</p><p style="line-height:1.2rem;">Cost to furnish and install 4 to 6ft aluminum fencing.</p></div></div></div>
<div style="margin: 1rem 0;padding:1rem;border: 1px solid #cccccc;border-radius:6px;display:flex;gap:1rem;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:nowrap;"><div style="flex-grow: 2;"><img src="https://assets-global.website-files.com/64d10f0084f8214b5e90b654/64e62f02397552c2d1c87e21_5e1b2392e402b6558782ff00_wrought%2520iron%2520fencing.jpeg" style="max-width:225px;"></div><div style="flex-grow: 8;display:flex;flex-direction:column;"><h4 style="line-height:1.3rem;">Wrought Iron Fencing</h4><p style="line-height:1.2rem; font-weight:700;">$30 TO $75 / LF (LAB & MAT'L)</p><p style="line-height:1.2rem;">Cost to furnish and install 4ft to 6ft wrought iron fencing.</p></div></div></div>
<div style="margin: 1rem 0;padding:1rem;border: 1px solid #cccccc;border-radius:6px;display:flex;gap:1rem;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:nowrap;"><div style="flex-grow: 2;"><img src="https://assets-global.website-files.com/64d10f0084f8214b5e90b654/64e62f03dfe4bb769ba1235c_5e1b365419c05cd6f593ef82_Wood%2520Fence%2520Gate.jpeg" style="max-width:225px;"></div><div style="flex-grow: 8;display:flex;flex-direction:column;"><h4 style="line-height:1.3rem;">Fence Gates</h4><p style="line-height:1.2rem; font-weight:700;">$250 TO $1,000 / EACH (LAB & MAT'L)</p><p style="line-height:1.2rem;">Cost to furnish and install fence gate (varies by size & material)</p></div></div></div>
Price Considerations
#1 Fencing Materials
The type of material (wood, aluminum, wrought iron) will obviously affect the price of your fencing. Chain link fencing is the cheapest fencing option with wrought iron fencing being the most expensive.
#2 Height of Fence
The height of your fence will affect the cost of the material. A short 4-foot fence will be cheaper than an 8-foot privacy fence.
#3 Length of Fence
The longer the fence, the more cost-effective the installation. If you are installing a short run of fencing (less than 50ft) then your price per LF will be more expensive than a larger project (economies of scale)
#4 Shape of the Fence
If the fence has polygonal shapes, and corners it will require more layout and more posts which will increase the price.
#5 Gates
Gates can cost around $250 to $750 to install depending on the size & material, so make sure you include those in your estimate.
Writing A Scope Of Work & Getting Bids
Fencing contractors will generally provide an all-inclusive bid to 'furnish and install' all labor and fencing materials on the project.
Here is an example of how to write a Scope of Work that ensures your Fencing Contractor provides an all-inclusive bid.
Example Scope Of Work
All Fencing work is to be contractor-purchased Purchased, and Contractor Installed.
- Furnish and install new fencing, posts, footings, gates, and components per local building codes.
- Remove and dispose of existing fencing (if applicable).