Fencing is a pretty common choice for homes in Austin, and this can be for a series of reasons. Perhaps there’s a need for greater privacy, or it’s about giving unauthorized persons one more reason not to enter your property.
It’s the needs that will ultimately drive the decision of what kind of fence to go for and how exactly you plan to go about getting it installed. Will it be a wood or vinyl fence? What about a chain link fence? How big do you want it to be? Will you be getting it professionally installed?
Not only do these questions and others begin to indicate what the final product will look like, but they are also a measure of what the price will be. Today, the idea is to focus on chain link fences as they are a common choice for Texans. You are probably considering having one set up right now.
The idea is not only to give you a few figures so you can plan but also to provide some insight into chain link fence installation cost variables that will go into the total you may ultimately end up paying.
What Factors Go into the Chain Link Fence Cost?
Here are some considerations that ultimately decide how much you should expect to pay for your fence.
Diamond Size and Mesh Size
The term “diamond size” has nothing to do with real diamonds. When you look at the links in the fence, you will notice a consistent diamond-shaped pattern, and this is where the name comes from. Smaller sizes mean that you have a more secure fence. However, it also means that visibility will be more limited.
Typically, residential fencing will use a 2″ x 2″ size, which costs about $3 – $8 per linear foot. The smaller the size, the more it will cost, with 1″ x 1″ diamond holes costing up to $15 for each linear foot.
Gauge or Thickness
Both gauge and thickness are interchangeable terms used to speak to the same thing. It’s a big part of the cost consideration as it will speak to the amount of materials that will be needed to complete the project, which, of course, feeds into the overall cost.
The gauge will have a number, which, when higher, indicates that the metal strands are thinner, meaning the cost will be lower. However, the thicker you go with the strands, the more security you get, and there will also be a greater level of resistance to the elements and rust. Some typical gauge sizes that chain link fences tend to have are 11.5 gauge, 9 gauge, and 6 gauge options.
Costing is $7, $10, and $20 per linear foot, respectively. The 9 gauge option tends to be the preferred one for homeowners, with businesses usually opting for the 6 gauge as it provides a high level of security.
Dimensions
The overall dimensions are another crucial piece to determine what you will pay. This may be the primary determinant. That’s because it’s the main indicator of the required materials and the extent of labor costs that will come with the project since it tells you how much professional labor will be required.
Installations tend to be between $8 – $40 per linear foot. This figure considers both the installation and the materials. On average, you’ll find yourself somewhere in the $10 – $20 range.
When your contractor gives you an estimate, it will likely be per foot, with the costs increasing with the height of the fence. For example, the average cost corresponds to standard 6′ high fences. However, if you were to opt for an 8′ fence, for example, you would have to pay between $12 and $34 for each linear foot of fencing.
Labor
If you’re going to be using professional services for the installation as you should, expect it to cost more than if you were going to do the job yourself. Total costs tend to be a pretty even split between labor and materials, which is why the standard narrative out there is that a professionally installed fence will cost double a DIY installation.
Depending on the experience level of the contractor, you will usually be charged somewhere between $25 and $50 hourly, and on average, a chain link fence installation will run between 24 and 72 hours.
When you put that all together, your total labor cost will be somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000 for a fence that’s about 150 linear feet. Of course, when you start going for custom sizes or taller fences, you can expect the installation cost to increase with such decisions.
Next to Read: How Long Does Fence Installation Take? | Factors to Consider
Posts
You will need posts in your fence if you want it to be sturdy. Additionally, they provide aesthetic benefits too. Per linear foot, posts usually cost about $3, which translates to about $30 per post.
Corner posts are critical to maintaining the structure of the fence. Since a fence such as this can’t exist without being held together this way, the charges are wrapped in the overall estimates.
Metal posts are the most commonly used variety; however, since homeowners often want a natural aesthetic instead, you’ll find that many chain link fences use wooden posts instead, which are on the more expensive side.
Type of Fence
Now, it’s time to look at the different structural options and their part in determining how much you will pay for the chain link fence installation.
Cyclone or Hurricane Fencing
While the name may sound incredibly attractive, this is actually what you call a standard fence. As you can imagine, the names come from the fact that these fencing options have built a reputation for being able to stand up pretty well to the elements, as well as the potentially damaging effects that can come with salt.
This kind of fencing will run you between $8 and $40 per linear foot, which will depend on the finish that is used to achieve the kind of protection alluded to.
If you’re trying to protect the fence from salt, air, or water, two popular choices are aluminum and vinyl. Aluminum is cheaper, costing up to $12 per linear foot, with vinyl coating being on the more expensive side at up to $20 for the same measurement.
Wood or Metal with Mesh
There are different options for those who may be keen on getting the strength of a chain link fence alongside the classic aesthetic that can come with wood fences, for example.
As indicated before, wood posts are an increasingly popular choice for these applications. When installers are asked to use wood posts with chain link fencing attached, the cost can range between $5 and $45 per linear foot.
The posts themselves can run you between $10 and $30 each. To take things even further, you may wish to have chain lines connected to ornate wrought iron posts, which will then see you paying anywhere between $30 and $100 per linear foot. This option is for those who want even better protection against extreme elements while having a fence that looks great with the front lawn.
Galvanized Metal Chain Link Fencing
Galvanized metal is typical during the manufacturing process of chain link fences. The idea is to provide a heightened level of durability. However, some people may choose to have another coat added to make it even more durable. Doing so will cost about $5 to $8 per linear foot, but the strength that comes with this can make it worth your while.
Other Costs to Think About
Some of the costs you need to consider come before you even think to install chain link fence elements. Here is a look at a couple of those that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Old Fence Removal
The need to do this before you install a chain link fence depends on whether you have another fence to begin with. Naturally, you’ll have to remove it before installing the new one can start. Removal tends to cost about $3 to $5 per linear foot. What many people do to try to recover the cost is to sell the materials. Some contractors will even outright buy them for their clients.
Land Surveyance
It’s never a bad idea to call in a local land surveyor as you think about erecting a fence. This allows a boundary survey to be done since you don’t want to go over your property lines and deal with the inconvenience and legal troubles of going over into your neighbor’s space. Note that depending on how large your property is, this can be around $400 or up to $750.
Coating
As indicated before, choosing to coat your fence is a great way to increase its durability. You have a ton of coating options to choose from for both the protection and the visual flair that you can get. Powder and vinyl coatings are among the most popular options. The former costs $6 – $8 per linear foot, with the latter costing $10 – $30.
Privacy Slats
If security is a big concern, you can increase yours by adding slats to fill in the chain link fence gaps. Per linear foot, this will be about $3 to $10.
Gates
If you have a gate along the fence, it makes entry and exit pretty convenient. However, the security of the fence is reduced. Standard gates can cost between $100 and $450, with automatic variations going as high as $1,800.
Is Hiring a Professional to Setup a New Chain Link Fence Necessary?
You don’t have to hire a professional to install your chain link fence, but it is recommended that you do so to achieve the best possible quality and to ensure that best practices are followed. If not, you’ll need in-depth knowledge about post placement, fence stretchers, material types and quantities, etc.
The Bottom Line: Chain Link Fence Costs
So, there were a lot of numbers thrown around just now, which can be pretty confusing. Here’s what you need to remember, the total cost of your fence will usually be an almost even split between materials and labor if you use professional services and will average $1,000 – $3,000.
Variances in the price will depend on other elements such as surveyance, gates, old fence removal, etc., as well as the length, height, material, and finish of the fence.