Need a chain link fence constructed? Wondering how much it costs?

We have you covered. Use our easy-to-use chain link fence calculator below.

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Chain Link Fence Cost Calculator

Assumptions:

Includes Includes cost of 2″ mesh, 2-3/8″ corner poles, 1-1/2″ line poles, top rail, concrete post poles and approximate labor costs (i.e. installation).
Calculator assumes 60″ high chain link fence costs $6.04 USD per linear foot and 72″ high chain link fence costs $6.98 USD per linear foot.
Calculator assumes vinyl privacy slats cost $8.00 USD per linear foot.
Assumes two panel swinging gate costs $220 USD.

Disclaimer: Our calculator is for guideline purposes only. There is no guarantee that the ultimate cost will be exactly as set out above. There are many variables including cost of materials, labor, terrain and other considerations we cannot take into account.

Moreover, our calculator is not a professional quote for materials and/or services. It’s just an online tool to give you a rough idea about the potential cost for having a chain link fence constructed.

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Although it is not known as the fanciest of fence types, the venerable chain-link fence provides security and can provide privacy if you add slats or vinyl sheeting to it. Homeowners and business owners often choose the chain link design because the fence costs much less than other types and requires little maintenance. It also provides a sturdy option that can keep out intruders.

Chain link fencing provides a cheaper and more secure alternative than many other fence types including barbed wire, PVC fencing, privacy fencing, wood fence, vinyl fence, wrought iron, a picket fence, or chicken wire fence. It adds more beauty and provides a safer alternative than barbed wire fence or chicken wire fencing which can cause a danger to children and pets.

Businesses and prisons choose the security of chain-link fences because you can easily add to its top. Prisons typically add razor wire to the top of fences. Schools often add slats or vinyl wrap in school colors or with their mascot on it. Other organizations may add a vinyl wrap with their advertising logo and company name to increase privacy while advertising.

Homeowners often partition their yard using this type of fence to set aside a portion of it for a garden. Another frequent use for this fencing type is to cordon off a section of the yard for a playground or pet play.

You need to know precisely how much fence you need, then add just a bit for the overage. Calculators help with this as well as generating shopping lists for the other items required such as posts, cement, and tension wire.

Chain-Link Fence Calculators

1. Your Fence Store Chain Link Calculator

You need to know a few essential facts to use this calculator. This app works best if you simply want help creating a shopping list of items by the amount of the material needed. You must complete all fields for the calculation to work. You need to provide the:

linear feet of fence, which must equal at least ten,
desired fence height,
desired wire gauge,
number of end posts,
number of corner posts,
number of gate posts,
number of walkway gates,
number of driveway gates.

After entering your data and submitting it, the calculator returns a shopping list for you to copy and paste or print.

2. Fence Cost Calculator

The Fence Cost Calculator takes a different approach. It walks you through step-by-step the choices you need to make to determine your needed amount of materials and an estimated cost. Your first decision will be whether to use galvanized or black PVC coated fencing. You can only choose a standard style fence from the style tab.

You need your desired fence length and height, but the calculator only lets you choose a five feet fence height currently. You can only add a basic chain-link gate or no gate. The final option tab asks for your location, so the calculator can provide localized costs instead of a national estimate.

3. Hoover Fence Chain Link Fence Calculator

Rather than a cloud app or web app, Hoover Fence provides a simple table and a calculator. You can choose from various heights ranging from three to six feet in either galvanized or colored (PVC coated) fencing. The table presents three fencing options – residential, commercial, and industrial-grade fence materials.

The table calculates the cost per linear foot for the fence. The webpage also provides various mini-calculators to determine the number of terminal posts needed, the number and width of gates, including double gate drives, fence height, the gauge of chain-link material desired, and the grade and finish of the framework.

Completing all mini-calculators and submitting the webpage provides you with a list of materials and a cost estimate. This webpage provides a required section on fencing stretches. If you want to install it with the bottom tension wire, you need to note this by ticking the box.

4. Home Stratosphere Fence Calculator

The Home Stratosphere Fence Calculator requires only three inputs – the chain link fence height, gate type, and whether you want vinyl privacy weave. Submitting this information produces the resulting cost estimate for the chain-link fence.

5. Home Depot Fencing Calculator

Home Depot provides a popular, simple calculator that requires only three inputs – the desired fence perimeter, including gate openings in linear feet, the number of corners, and the number of gates desired. Submitting this determines the cost and essential materials.

6. Honeywyse Chain Link Fence Calculator

The Homewyse web app takes a much more efficient approach. You only need to input the linear feet of the fence you want to install and your zip code. You do not get results that include a full materials list, and this method only provides a ballpark estimate of materials.

7. Wheatland Fencing Materials Calculator

The Wheatland Fencing Materials Calculator requires numerous inputs but produces very accurate results. You will need to make many measurements by hand to use it. You need the total linear feet, the number of posts, corner posts, and end posts, plus the number of gate posts.

It also asks about your fence framework and post hardware needs, as well as, tension wire, fence panels, and if you want an auto-close gate. The Wheatland Fencing Materials Calculator produces a material purchasing list so that you end up with the appropriate amount of product.

8. Yardgard Select Calculator

The Yardgard Select Calculator requires six inputs to complete its calculation. You need to enter the total linear feet of fence you want, the number of post hardware kits, how many corner, end, and gate posts you want. After entering this information, you click calculate to obtain your materials list.

9. Fencing India Chain Link Fence Calculator

Fencing India offers a useful calculator if you want to calculate in feet or meters. You can enter the fence’s boundary length and height in feet or meters. You can choose the other options from the dropdown menus. You must choose a hall pass of two to four inches to choose your grid and wire diameter in gauge. Submitting this information produces the materials list and estimate for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many questions arise when planning a chain-link fence. If you have not installed a fence before, consult this guide for important information on fence calculators, materials, and determining the best height for the fence.

What steps should you take to get ready to use a fence calculator?

Before you put forth any effort into erecting your fence, check with your city or town to make sure the zoning ordinances in your area allow its installation. If so, obtain any needed permit for the fence. Without proper permitting, the city has the right to dismantle your new fence.

Also, check your neighborhood’s covenants for height and fence type limitations. Your neighborhood association also has the right to dismantle your fence or take you to court over it if you erect something against the rules.

Next, you need to establish your property line. Contact city records or hire a surveyor. Your realtor may also have a plot map. Contact your utility department, too. You need to know where the utility lines in your yard are. The utility department sends an employee to your home to demarcate the utility lines, so you do not accidentally hit them when you install the fence posts.

Locate your property line and mark your post holes at least four inches inside your property. This ensures that when you dig your post holes and cement them, you will not encroach upon your neighbor’s property.

Measure from post hole marker to post hole marker. The total length of the four sides of fencing provides your linear foot measurement to enter into the chain-length fence calculator.

What type of fencing calculator works best?

This choice depends on your experience with fencing. If you have never installed a chain-link fence, you probably need to use one of the more complex calculators. These prompt you for each material type you need. Quick calculators are typically used by professionals looking to answer a ballpark estimate question on the phone or in-person. They already know how much to add to it for the fence posts, the wire, and connectors.

Should you do-it-yourself (DIY) a fence installation?

If you have installed many chain-link fences, then you can DIY the current one, too. Fence installation isn’t for everyone. You do need to know what you’re doing. If you have a friend who has installed this type of fence before to help you, you can work with them on your first install.

You do need to have pretty significant experience as a handy-person and some basic construction experience. Otherwise, you should hire a professional fence installer. You will still need the chain-link fence calculators since you need to check the estimate of the companies from whom you obtained estimates.

How do you choose a professional chain link fence installer?

Before you jump on your favorite search engine to plug in “chain-link fence installer near me,” take a stroll through your neighborhood. Make notes on any new fences erected or existing fences that still have their fence badge or placard attached. These small metal signs advertise the installation firm and provide their phone number.

This method works best because you see an actual representation of their work. You can view the fence posts and how tightly stretched the fencing is over the posts. Some fences may add slats or wrap to them, so you can see how the installer placed these. Once you find a few installers whose work you like, phone them for estimates on your job.

While you wait on your emailed or written estimates, check each installer on the Better Business Bureau and review sites such as Angie’s List, Google Business, and Yahoo Business. Meet with each installer at your property, so they can walk the perimeter and weigh in on any considerations such as unleveled property or areas of rocky terrain.

Use this opportunity to ask questions about putting in a fence that you might have, which arose while you checked on permitting and HOA needs.

Can you reuse a chain-link fence?

Theoretically, you could use salvaged chain-link fencing provided it was carefully dismantled. You will need new fence posts, but you may be able to salvage the top rail.

Can you electrify your chain link fence?

You can electrify a chain-link fence. The fence itself does not receive the charge. Instead, you install an offset electric wire and a charger also called a shock box.

How do you calculate chain link fence material?

The essential measurement is the linear feet of the fence. You determine this by inserting stakes in the ground at the four points you want the fence to close. You measure the length from stake to stake and add them together.

For example, if you have a rectangular backyard that measures 20 feet wide and 40 feet in depth, you would add them thusly:
20 + 20 + 40 + 40 = 120 linear feet

However, you do not purchase just 120 feet of fencing. You also need support posts, which differ depending on their job. A corner post differs from a general support post and both differ from a gate post. A fenced area does not require a gate, but they are typical.

You might fence a backyard without a gate so that the only access came from inside the home. This protects children from accidentally wandering away and thwarts pedophiles from snatching them out of the yard.

Where can you install a chain-link fence?

You can install a chain-link fence in most areas in most topography. It does require specific weather conditions. You must dig fence post holes, so you cannot install these types of fences when the ground is frozen. In some locations, this precludes a winter installation.

You also cannot install this type of fence in muddy conditions, or dry cracked earth. The ground needs to be dry, but not cracking and the soil should be loamy for best results. You can install a chain-link fence in sandy conditions such as a desert or a beach, but you will need to dig the post holes deeper.

How do you fix a sagging chain-link fence?

You can have the fence stretched and re-anchored to the fence posts. You can also attach it at the bottom with wire and the top with a fence rail post.

How do you secure the bottom of a chain-link fence?

You can secure the bottom of your chain link fence using tension wire. This ensures that your dog cannot dig under the fence and escape the lovely yard you enclosed just to make him or her safer.

How can you make your chain link fence look nice?

You can landscape around your new fence. Use shrubs to add to the privacy provided by the fence. You can beautify the edges of the fence with flower beds, too. You can add privacy mesh to the fence to block prying eyes. If you choose the six feet high fence this ensures that the average height person cannot see inside your yard.

How far can you stretch a chain-link fence?

You use a tension rod to stretch the chain-link taut between the two post rods, but no further than that. A chain-link isn’t like a rubber band. It only goes so far, and then it stops, and you attach it to the fence post and continue unrolling the fencing until you reach the next fence post and repeat the process.

How much does a chain link fence cost?

This varies widely. Many of the calculators include a zipcode option, so you can obtain a local materials quote. Costs also vary depending on the grade of chain-link. Residential fencing costs the least while commercial-grade fencing costs a bit more and industrial-grade fencing costs the most. The cost also depends on how many linear feet you need.

How many tension bars do you need for a chain-link fence?

You use one tension bar, but you secure each length of the fence to its post with three tension bands, so it can move out of place.

How much does a chain-link fence cost to install?

The labor costs of installing a fence vary by location as well. The national average in the US ranges between $1,801 to $1,941.

What is the unit of measurement for steel wire fencing?

You use linear feet to measure all types of fencing.

Can you shorten the height of a chain-link fence?

Not exactly. You can choose various fence heights. Chain-link for fencing gets manufactured in heights of three, four, five, and six feet. You can sometimes acquire a taller height by special order, but typically, you would run two strips of fencing to equal the desired total height.

For example, if you wanted an eight-foot-tall fence, you would stretch two four-foot spans of chain link fence to the anchoring posts, one on top of the other. You would join the two at their four-foot height meeting point with tension wire similar to that used to anchor the bottom of a chain-link fence.

How do you know what fence slat will fit into your fence?

You must measure the fence diagonals and the slats to ensure they will fit. Measure your fencing first, then purchase your slats.

What can you do with old metal fence posts?

If you demolished an old chain-link fence but salvaged the posts, you can re-use them. You will need to hammer off the cement that held them into the ground. If you want to make some money and have no other use for the fence you can sell the posts and old fencing for scrap.

Do chain link fence posts need concrete?

Although you will read on some websites that you could get away without this, you really should anchor them in place with cement. Post holes should be about twelve inches deep. You should surround the post with cement to anchor it into the hole. This cement barrier provides stability to the post as well as lessening the negative effects of expanding and contracting ground.

How much is a chain-link fence worth for scrap?

Scrap metal prices vary slightly by location but, on average, you would get paid $.047 to $0.49 per pound. You would probably get more money for the fencing by selling it to an individual who wants to re-use it in their yard.

How long does a galvanized chain link fence last?

Whether welded or woven, a galvanized chain link fence lasts about 20 years.

Do you need a top rail for a chain-link fence?

Using a top rail for your fence will add to the fence’s stability. It provides the fence with a finished look, too.

How tall should your chain link fence be?

Your height of fence depends on your desires. If you want a fence to keep kids or pets in the yard, you could choose a three or four-foot fence. If you want a fence to keep out intruders or provide privacy, you can add slats or a vinyl wrap.

Do chain link fences require a lot of maintenance?

This type of fence requires virtually no maintenance. If you install slats or a vinyl liner, you will need to power wash it periodically to keep it looking nice.

References:

Treehozz: Can You Electrify a Chain Link Fence?

Find Any Answer: How Far Can You Stretch Chain Link Fences?

Microsoft Bing: Cost to Install a Chain Link Fence in 96123

Scrap Monster: USA Scrap Metal Prices

Pacific Fence and Wire: Vinyl Coated vs. Galvanized Chain Link Fences