Fence installation costNew fence installation costs $6,000 to $14,000 on average or $50 to $90 per linear foot for wood or vinyl. Fence replacement costs $40 to $80 per linear foot. A privacy fence costs $45 to $75 per linear foot. A picket fence costs $40 to $60 per linear foot.

​Cost of fencing by material
The following table shows the various costs of fencing by material:

Wood
A wood fence costs $50 to $70 per linear foot installed. Wood is one of the cheaper materials for a fence, especially when made with basic pine, spruce, or even cedar. Prices can increase for pressure-treated wood and hardwoods. The most popular wood fencing types are picket, privacy, and split rail designs.

Vinyl
A Vinyl Fence costs $70 to $90 per linear foot installed. Many local homeowners prefer prefabricated vinyl fencing panels because they don't need much maintenance, besides the occasional power washing. Vinyl is great for humid or rainy climates. White vinyl picket fences are common in front yard borders or as a more decorative option. Some vinyl privacy fences have a texture that simulates wood and its color, often at a premium cost (add 10-15%).

Many other websites tout vinyl as being the "cheapest fence to install" but vinyl is not recommended for commercial applications due to the tendency for breakage. Like anything plastic that sits outside, it gets brittle and will crack if it comes into contact with any machinery, rocks, etc. Vinyl is hollow so it does not have density like that of wood, or even some composite materials. 

When looking at the total cost of ownership for fencing, vinyl fence material could be the cheapest for a residential property if is installed correctly (correct post hole depth in concrete) and no storm damage occurs. Vinyl fencing is very light weight so it can be picked up by heavy winds, so that must be factored into the overall cost if you have to replace it.

Composite
A composite fence costs $130 to $150 per linear foot installed. Most composite fencing is more expensive than vinyl panels, with limited exceptions. A composite fence can outlast a plain vinyl fence due to its combination of plastic and wood fiber design and thicker mil spec.
This composite fence material does not require any sealing and is resistant to rotting and insects. Plus, composite fencing comes in a few different styles that can mimic stone or wood privacy borders. Composite fencing isn't for everyone with its very high cost and requirement for a professional installation. If you have the budget for composite fence material, it is the best option.

Aluminum
An aluminum fence costs $70 to $80 per linear foot installed. Aluminum fencing is a popular fence material choice to build the required security borders around outdoor pools and to keep small children and pets in the yard. Flat-top aluminum fences are the cheapest, while aluminum ornamental and privacy fences are the most expensive.
Most aluminum fences come with a black powder coating and are naturally resistant to rust.

Metal / steelA metal fence costs $50 to $120 per linear foot installed for steel, chain link, or wrought iron fences. A steel fence costs $70 to $90 per linear foot. Common steel fence options include corrugated steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and commercial steel. Metal fences are durable but can be expensive.
Chain-linkA chain-link fence costs $50 to $80 per linear foot installed. Prices are cheapest for 4' tall fences with plain galvanized-steel mesh, while 8' to 10' tall chain-link fences for commercial applications are the most expensive. This fence type is durable, long-lasting, and suits areas prone to high-winds.
Alternatively, a black chain-link fence costs $60 to $90 per linear foot installed and features a vinyl coating on the fabric that protects against rust.

Wrought Iron
A wrought iron fence costs $90 to $120 per linear foot installed. This kind of fencing can be the most expensive, especially when built with high-quality 99% iron. Not only is the material expensive, but the cost of welding adds to the overall project cost. Wrought iron alloys outlast most other fences and serve as the best security borders since they're hard to climb, cut, or knock over. Wrought iron is typically only used for decorative or high-security applications.

Chain Link
A chain link fence costs $50 to $80 per linear foot installed. There are many variables such as height, number of gates, vinyl coating, if privacy screening is being added, and other styles that usually come into play when talking about commercial applications of chain link fencing. But for residential chain link fencing, it can be the lowest cost fence to install.

Chain link fencing can often be the cheapest fence to install, but it just depends on what is important to you. I'd venture to say that chain link lasts the longest over all other fence materials but doesn't look the nicest. So if cost and longevity are most important to you, a good ol' galvanized chain link fence is in your cards. Galvanized chain link fences are known to last 50 years+ with zero maintenance. But they don't offer any privacy and don't look very pretty.

Cost to install a fence by type
The following table shows the cost to install a fence by design type:

As you can see from the chart above, picket and rail style fences are the cheapest fence to install based on initial investment. Obviously thats not the only cost to consider when looking at the cost of a new fence. The overall cost of ownership should also be considered.

Privacy Fence Cost
Privacy fence often has a low upfront cost because it is mass produced, however it is still more expensive than a traditional picket style fence. Other fence styles such as pool fence or decorative picket fences do not meet this mold because they are not mass produced and depending on the type of material, could be a custom build or special order from the manufacturer.

Privacy fencing has physically more fence materials and is typically a higher height overall, such as 6' which is most common. While picket is traditionally less than 6' unless you are looking at more of a decorative picket or semi-privacy style fence.

Picket Fence Cost
Picket fencing is usually much lower in cost because it is less materials and less labor to install. Vinyl is an exception to this because it can be a premium material or premium style for picket. But for pressure treated pine or cedar picket fences, they will always be less cost than a privacy fence. A wood picket fence takes substantially less materials overall than a privacy fence, and is also shorter in height, resulting in at least 1/3 cost versus privacy fence.

Rail Fence Cost
Split rail fence, or rail fence, is a very basic design consisting of 2-4 rails per panel. So in between each post will be 2-4 rails running horizontally to the vertical posts. Your typical split rail fence consists of just 2 rails and is often in pressure treated pine or cedar fence material. These are common for farms, commercial properties, or decorative for a front yard to mark a boundary. Split rail fences are not recommended for securing animals or children as they do not suit that purpose well. 

We recommend split rail fences for large acreage properties because it is very inexpensive compared to a traditional style fence - picket or otherwise. The labor to install as well as the materials are at least 1/2 the cost compared to standard style fences.

Cost of Ownership
The cost of ownership must always be considered when purchasing a new fence. While the initial capital investment is important, you don't want to have to replace that fence again in a few years. Also when it comes to wood fences, if you choose to stain it, it has to be maintained and that isn't cheap whether doing it yourself or hiring a fence company to do for you.

Shadowbox style fences, semi-privacy fences, picket fences, split rail fences, and the like all have a lower cost of ownership because they allow air to freely pass between the fence pickets. Privacy fencing blocks wind, so repairs are often needed due to the wind pushing on them constantly. The style of fence is definitely something to consider when budgeting for a new fence.

When shopping for a new fence and researching costs, you should consider the quality of the install. Sure, you may get a cheaper price from a fence contractor, but will they install it correctly? Each post needs to be set in concrete at least 3' deep in the ground with the proper nails and gate framing. When considering costs, think about that cheap fence guy and how many repairs and replacements you may have to do down the road. You may pay less upfront, but it'll cost you three times as much in 10 years.

If you have questions about fence installation, styles of fence, or overall costs please contact us directly. We respond to all requests within 24 hours and will be happy to come out to your property for an in-person consultation to answer all of your questions.

Many local homeowners and business owners are searching online for a "fence company near me" or "fence companies near me" and come up with a bazillion search results. It can be quite frustrating for anyone trying to find the right fence contractor to choose among all the fence companies out there. In this article we will bring to light the few things to look for when choosing a quality fence company for your home or commercial property.​

You'll want to find a contractor who has hundreds of pictures of their installations. Also be sure they are CURRENT. Not old pictures from a year or 2 ago. Recent fence installation pictures is crucial to ensure they are still performing quality work in in your local community.

Make sure the fence contractor installs what you are looking for. Many contractors don't install specialty of custom fencing to meet specific needs. So if you are looking for a horizontal fence, custom vinyl fencing, staining, or composite fence material you may be out of luck with the large fence contractors out there.

The standard fence material options like cedar, pine, vinyl/pvc, and aluminum are usually available from most fence contractors. It all comes down to the style you want and the type of work they can perform.

Many large fence contractors that have been around for awhile are "churn and burn". They install the cheapest materials with the cheapest labor available for the lowest price. This is not who you want installing your fence. In the long run, choosing a high volume fence contractor will end up costing you more. How? Because they won't go deep enough in the holes, they won't use concrete, they won't install it to industry standards, and/or they will use shotty cheap materials that won't last.

This is a heavy one. Getting a quality installation is often overlooked in favor of a lower price. While you can get a super cheap price from the "big guys" or a small "guy and a truck" operation, you are sacrificing your peace of mind. Installing a fence more than once is an extremely frustrating experience if you have to go through it yourself. Spending upwards of $10,000 and sometimes more is hard enough, then having to do it again after a year or 2 is even more frustrating and painful. 

Cutting corners on fence quality could cost you thousands of dollars. With the potential of the fence to blow down in the next storm or fall over from not being installed correctly. Many customers want the highest quality at the lowest price, but that's not how the world works. You will have to pay more for a higher quality installation.

Talk with the sales people from each of your chosen fence companies and ask them their process of installation. Compare it with industry standards of the American Fence Association. Here are our standards of fence installation:

• 36" deep minimum for each fence post
• Concrete in each hole
• Concrete left with 1-2" gap in each footing on top for ground cover
• Fence "racked" against grade of terrain

Surprisingly customer service is often overlooked, but it is to be experienced. If you talk to someone when you first call in, that is a great sign. If they get out to your home within a few days of calling, that is another good sign. If they get a quote to you on the spot or the same day, that's 3 in a row and the fence contractor you should choose. But often times clients have that great experience all the way through but still end up choosing the guy who doesn't pick up when they call, is late to the appointment, and/or is unprofessional and can't meet their needs.

Customer service is being on time, answering the phone, communicating the process, and providing a quote the same day of the appointment. Just think, the experience you receive during the sales process is the BEST you will get. So if that's lacking on the front end, you will only go down hill from there.

Something important to consider is how many years the fence contractor has been in business. While new contractors may still be of quality, they haven't been vetted by the test of time. You'll want to find a local fence contractor that has been in business for at least 2 years.

It could be argued that reviews is #1, but it's technically not the most important. Many clients who have great experiences don't take the time to leave reviews. Often times, the disgruntled, irrational customers who are the ones to take the time to leave negative reviews instead. Sometimes a client is happy about everything; the customer service, the installation, etc but they have a small hairline crack in one of the fence pickets so they leave a bad review just for that. Other times, a client is extremely happy and they just don' take the time to leave a positive review. 

So consider reviews with a grain of salt. Many fence contractors who have hundreds of positive reviews are paying someone from another country to leave them reviews to boost their rankings. Look for red flags such as fake looking names, duplicate experiences, etc. 

Is the fence contractor you are considering locally- based? That will determine if they will be on time and be able to service your fence if repairs are needed. 

Support local small businesses!
Many preach it but don't actually do it. While you may be able to get a cheaper price from a large fence company, it's much better to support your local community businesses. Local small businesses have been through a lot in recent years with shutdowns and overstepped government regulations. Large corporations have faired very well and posted record profits, so they don't need your money, small businesses do. Just remember, small businesses are owned and run by local families in your community. 

Does the company you are looking at post regularly on social media? Are they listed in many local directories in the community? Are they registered as a contractor with your local city/town? Any contractor that does business in your city must be registered to install a fence. That includes county and village.

Do they have a Facebook and Instagram where they post regularly? Do they have a Pinterest account where they post their latest fence installation work? If not, it may be cause for reconsideration as they are not proud of the fences they install.

Does the fence contractor you are considering use contracts or agreements? It's important to have everything signed off upon in writing. Without a written contract, you don't know what you will really be getting. If a contractor does work without a contract, run for the hills!

Many fence contractors are stuck in the middle ages with carbon copies and physical paper everything. With physical paper, you have no digital record. Also, any communication will be by mail or physical interaction every time they interact with you.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do they have electronic quoting?
• Do they have an electronic agreement
• Do they communicate via text?
• Do they communicate via email?

If the answer to any of these questions, consider choosing another company that is with the times and can keep up with the high demands of your project.

Many fence contractors have a minimum project cost. Most fence companies have a $5,000 minimum which tells you they don't need your business. Many fence companies won't even give you the time of day unless the project is over 200'. It's best to consider a fence company that has low minimums and also handles fence repairs, as most jobs under 30' are considered fence repairs.

Does the fence contractor you are considering handle commercial fence installation? That is a true testament to their skill and abilities. If they don't handle commercial, it should be a red flag that they are not capable of high quality fence installation. Commercial fencing poses a more highly skilled installation than that of residential fence installation.


So there you have it, the top reasons to choose a fence contractor in Illinois. Choose wisely, as choosing the wrong fence contractor could cost you thousands of dollars.

If you want a professional fence contractor to install a fence for you, we install fencing for all of Illinois and are based in Chicagoland. Call us for a free estimate today at 847-750-4995 or visit SchaumburgFence.com

Actual photo from a customer who chose the lowest price fence contractor.

Recently we've seen a tremendous increase in the amount of requests for people wanting to improve the exteriors of their homes. For us, we feel that a fence really brings out the true beauty in a home and can really add a ton of character. A nice solid sturdy stained wooden privacy fence adds a ton of value to the home as well as serves many purposes. Privacy for family parties and the kids playing in the yard, as well as keeping the dogs from jumping into the neighbors yard.
With the housing market taking a pretty big hit this year due to the Coronavirus/Covid-19 back in March, many people just don't have the option to buy a new home. That means that most just want to make their existing home the most comfortable they can while they will be living there for the next few years.

Even our vinyl fences offer the visual "curb appeal" that many are looking for when pulling up to a home. If current homeowners can make their houses look as nice as possible, if they do decide to sell at some point they've invested in their home to get more money from it down the line.

Deck building is also something that many are looking at alongside their fence build. A nice fence and deck go together very nicely and can add tremendous value to your home.

For commercial business customers, we are seeing the push for outdoor areas for people to congregate now that restrictions are loosening up. We can build a nice tall fence for privacy of your customers as well as decks for outdoor seating areas for restaurants.

We now are witnessing some changes that will forever be ingrained, so the needs of both homeowners and business owners will be different in the future than they are even today. We are in for the long haul to support your home or business in whatever those needs may be!