Fencing costs vary more than most home projects, mostly because material choice makes such a big difference. Here's a realistic breakdown for St. Louis homeowners budgeting a new fence.
Average cost by material
- Chain-link: roughly $12–$20 per linear foot installed. The most affordable option for pure boundary marking or pet containment.
- Wood privacy: roughly $25–$40 per linear foot installed. Cost varies with board style (dog-ear vs. board-on-board) and wood type (pressure-treated pine vs. cedar).
- Vinyl privacy: roughly $30–$50 per linear foot installed. Higher upfront cost, but little to no ongoing maintenance.
- Ornamental aluminum or steel: roughly $35–$60 per linear foot installed. Common for front yards where an open, decorative look is preferred over privacy.
For reference, a typical quarter-acre backyard runs somewhere between 150–250 linear feet of fence line, so total project cost often lands in the $3,500–$10,000 range depending on material and yard size.
What pushes the price up
- Terrain. Sloped yards need stepped or racked panels, which take more labor to install correctly.
- Gates. Each gate — especially wider drive gates — adds hardware and labor cost beyond straight fence line.
- Old fence removal. Tearing out and hauling away an existing fence adds to the job, particularly for buried concrete footings.
- Property line surveys. If your property lines aren't clearly marked, a survey may be worth the cost to avoid disputes with neighbors later.
Don't skip proper post depth
In our clay-heavy soil, shallow fence posts are the number one reason fences lean or heave within a few years. Posts need to be set below the frost line with proper concrete footings — cutting corners here is the most common source of "why is my new fence already leaning" calls we get.
Getting an accurate number
Because terrain, gates, and removal needs vary so much yard to yard, an on-site walkthrough is really the only way to get a number you can trust. We measure your fence line, check the terrain, and give you a straightforward quote broken out by material option.
Planning a fence project in the St. Louis metro area? Get a free quote here.