pvc fence cost

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Average Cost of Vinyl Fencing and Installation

The average cost to install 120 feet of a basic 4 foot tall PVC vinyl fence is around $15 per foot or $1,800 for a DIY fence installation. Hiring a fence installer near you, the average 120 foot 4′ pvc fencing cost is $4,080 or $28 per linear foot.

When installed by a professional, they will generally include the cost of all vinyl fence materials, installation supplies, any permits and site surveys for property lines and underground utilities that are needed, etc. Disposal of an old fence will add to your cost.

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2022

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Overview of Vinyl Fences

Vinyl fences, also called PVC fences, are available in many attractive styles influenced by wood fencing. They are a popular choice as decorative or privacy fencing and some can be used for security. The cost of vinyl fencing falls in the upper half of the range for fence materials, but vinyl’s durability and low maintenance requirements make it a good value over the fence’s lifetime. Installing a vinyl fence requires similar time, tools and techniques as most other types.

This Costimate is your guide to vinyl fence costs for the fencing, installation supplies and the installation itself, along with factors that affect pricing. Below you’ll find vinyl fence prices from online and local sellers along with cost submissions from other readers who have installed a vinyl fence of their own. These give you an idea of what to expect when you get vinyl fence cost estimates.

Product and Supplies Cost Details

Vinyl Fence Cost Factors

Vinyl fence estimates vary significantly based on the details of the project such as the fence style, height and accessories used.

• Style of the Fence: A vinyl rail fence with posts and two or three crossbars cost the least because of the limited amount of material. Fencing with elaborate design or individual pickets cost the most.
• Height of Fence: Vinyl fences start at about 3’ tall and range upward to 8’ tall in increments of one foot.
• Linear Feet of Fence Installed: The longer the fence, the more material will be needed, of course.
• Number and Types of Gates: Single gates for walkways and double gates for driveways typically cost more than standard fencing panels and require additional hardware.
• Accessories: Decorative fence post caps and stylish hardware will add to the total cost.
• Color: When fence panels are available in more than one color there might be a price difference

Cost of Supplies

Here are costs for the materials needed to build a vinyl fence. You can use these prices to compare the costs of other fence types such as wood privacy fences which we covered in this Costimate.

• $10-$25 | Stakes, String and Marking Paint to establish the fence path.
• $40-$160 ea. | Per pre-assembled panel. Common sizes are 4’ x 8’, 6′ x 8′ and 6′ x 6′. 4×8 panels range from $50 – $280 each, depending on height, features, etc.
• $12-$20 ea. | Rails 8’ long, can be used instead of panels to create a ranch-style rail fence.
• $18-$52 ea. | Posts are available to match your fence panels and are priced by their height, color and style. Make sure to get the right number of end posts, corner posts and standard posts to fit your design.
• $38-$60 ea. | Steel post inserts give the fence much greater stability, but they’re expensive. Pressure-treated 4 x 4 posts might be an acceptable alternative. Check with your building code department for local rules.
• $8-$16 ea. | Pressure treated 4”x 4” posts, if used in place of steel post inserts.
• $125-$395 ea. | Gates cost significantly more than panels and most include the hinges and hardware needed to hang them.
• $3-$9 ea. | Vinyl fence post caps range in style and cost from very basic to elegant and costlier.
• $3-$5 ea. | Bag of concrete – In most soil conditions, you’ll use about 2 bags for every 3 posts to hold them securely in place.
• $12-$36 ea. | Gate hardware with latch. One is needed for each gate.
• $5 / 100 Feet of Fence | Coated screws with caps. You’ll need about $5 worth of screws for every 100 linear feet of fence you install.
• $60-$80 per Day | Powered auger rental – Digging post holes will go faster and easier with a one-man or two-man gas-powered auger.

Note: If you hire a contractor to build your fence, the contractor might get better pricing on materials than you would. It’s likely that the contractor will get wholesale pricing rather than retail and can pass the savings on to you. If you’ve already priced the materials you need, ask the contractors for estimates with and without materials to determine the best way to save money.

Permits, Inspection, and Installation Costs

Before we get to installation, let’s cover a few miscellaneous costs you’ll incur whether you do the work yourself or hire a fence contractor.

Permits and Inspection

While pulling a permit and having the work inspected might seem like a money-wasting nuisance, there are two reasons to do it. First, it is important to make sure the fence you’re installing meets local codes so you’ll have no issues after its built. Secondly, having the work inspected ensures that it is done properly. It protects the significant cost investment you’re making in your property.

Note: If you’re part of a homeowner’s association, check the HOA bylaws regarding fences to make sure yours will comply.

• $0-$75 | Underground utility lines must be located and marked to prevent hitting them during digging. Call 811 to have this done. In most areas, this is a free service provided by the utility companies. They don’t want the cost or liability of having to repair damaged lines.
• $75-$150 | Property line survey – If your fence will be installed near a property line, you should have a surveyor mark the line to ensure that your fence is built entirely on your property. A cheaper option is to rent or borrow a metal detector to find the steel pins that mark the corner of your property. They’re tops will be right at ground level or slightly below. Stake the pins and run a string between them. Some pins are beneath the street pavement and might be impossible to find. A quick call to your building department will answer the question of whether this could be a DIY task or not.

Installation Cost and Time

When the fence contractor is developing your vinyl fence installation estimate, time and materials will determine the price. We’ve covered materials. Here’s the cost of installation followed by factors that will affect time and determine where on this spectrum the installation cost for your fence will fall.

• $4.50-$10.00 per linear foot | Installation

Time will be a factor for the type of fence, extra time for each single gate (+) or double gate (++) and the site conditions such as:

• Accessibility to Location—Homes at a distance from the fence company facility and yards that are difficult to access raise cost.
• Obstructions—When trees must be trimmed or brush removed to install the fence the cost will go up. Save money by clearing the fence path yourself.
• Levelness of Yard—If the yard is hilly or low areas need to be filled, these conditions will add to the cost.
• Soil Type—It takes longer to dig holes in hardened clay and very rocky soil and the price will go up accordingly.
• Time of Year – The key to getting the most competitive vinyl fence cost estimates is when the companies aren’t as busy as they’d like to be. This is often late fall and early spring, if the ground isn’t frozen. In warm climates, winter can be a good time to get competitive cost estimates.

Note: In any season, the key to the getting the lowest estimates is to request estimates from several fence companies that know they are competing for the work.

Completed Installation Time

If you would like to know how long crews will be working in your yard before you can enjoy your new PVC vinyl fence, here’s an estimate:

• 2-3 days | Simple installation in small, flat yard.
  
  Day 1-2 involves marking the fence path, digging holes and setting the posts in concrete.
• 3-4 days | Simple installation in large yard or difficult installation in small yard.
  
  Day 2-4 are spent installing fence panels, gates and post caps and cleaning up the job site.
• 3-6 days | Larger, or more challenging installations.
  
  Days 4+ might be required on larger and more challenging vinyl fence installation projects.

DIY or Hire a Pro

I’ve helped a friend install a PVC vinyl fence in the past. It’s really not a hard job as long as you have the right tools and knowledge to get it done right. Regardless of this, I still suggest a homeowner taking on their first fence installation, call in a few fencing companies near you to get an estimate before hand. Once you see the discount a company can get on materials and also learn more about the work that goes into installing a fence, you may change your mind.

• Requires a lot of digging and planning.
• Familiarity with a wide array of hand tools, math, power tools.
• Rent a post hole digger for the holes.

With common sense, a good plan and a few strong helpers, diy vinyl fence installation is a project many can handle.