The short answer
Fences are priced by the linear foot. National 2026 cost guides put installed wood at about $10 to $45 per linear foot, vinyl at about $15 to $40, chain link at about $8 to $40 and aluminum at about $17 to $90. Rail-style farm fence runs about $5 to $30 per foot. HomeAdvisor reports a typical new fence costs about $1,500 to $4,000.
Height, gates, removal of an old fence and how hard the ground is to dig usually explain the gap between quotes. Treat these as planning ranges, not quotes.
Typical fence costs by material
National installed ranges, with a 150-linear-foot example for a typical backyard.
| Material | Installed per linear foot | 150 ft example |
|---|---|---|
| Wood (incl. privacy) | $10–$45 | About $1,500–$6,750 |
| Vinyl (PVC) | $15–$40 | About $2,250–$6,000 |
| Chain link | $8–$40 | About $1,200–$6,000 |
| Aluminum / ornamental | $17–$90 | About $2,550–$13,500 |
| Rail / farm fence | $5–$30 | About $750–$4,500 |
| Gate (each) | — | About $300–$1,500 |
Per-foot ranges from Angi and HomeAdvisor 2026 data; the 150 ft column is simple multiplication. Gates, removal and permit fees are separate.
What drives the price
- Material: Wood and chain link are the budget options; vinyl costs more up front; aluminum and ornamental metal cost the most.
- Height: A 6-foot privacy fence costs more than a 4-foot fence, and in Gallatin a 6-foot fence also triggers a building review fee.
- Length and corners: More footage, corners and ends mean more posts and labor.
- Gates: Walk gates and wide drive gates add hardware and labor.
- Digging conditions: Rocky or hard clay ground can slow post-hole digging.
- Removal: Tearing out and hauling away an old fence adds cost.
- Acreage: Farm and horse fence covers long runs, so price per foot matters more than on a backyard.
Gallatin permits and rules
The City of Gallatin requires a fence permit before you build. You apply to the Building Department with a site plan, and the city lists a $75 Planning review fee for fences under 6 feet, or a $60 Building fee plus the $75 Planning fee for fences 6 feet or taller. If your neighborhood has an HOA or restrictive covenants, the city expects you to get that approval first.
In residential zones, Gallatin limits fences to 4 feet in a required front yard, where they can be no more than 50 percent opaque, and 6 feet in required side and rear yards. The finished side must face out, and fences can't block natural drainage or sight lines at intersections. Unincorporated parts of Sumner County follow county rules instead.
Middle Tennessee's humid summers are hard on wood. If you choose wood, ask about ground-contact rated posts and how the bottom of the fence is kept off the soil; if you'd rather not stain or seal, compare vinyl or aluminum over the life of the fence.
Ways to save on a fence
- Get at least two itemized quotes that list material grade, post depth, height and gate count.
- Split a shared property-line fence with your neighbor if you both agree on the style.
- Use privacy height only where you need it, and a 4-foot or open style elsewhere.
- Keep gates to standard widths and only where you need access.
- For acreage, compare rail, wire and board options before choosing.
- Have your site plan and HOA approval ready so the permit doesn't delay the job.
Call (629) 284-3203 for a free estimate
Sources checked 2026-10-29: Angi: fence installation cost (2026); HomeAdvisor: fencing prices; HomeAdvisor: vinyl fence cost; City of Gallatin: fence requirements. National figures are adjusted by local labor, materials and site conditions; treat every number here as a planning range, not a quote.