Fence guides

Costs, materials, permits, property lines and hiring, written for homeowners and sourced line by line.

A house with a new wood fence around the front yard
How Much Does a Fence Cost?Installed fence prices per linear foot by material, what a typical yard costs, and the extras people forget: gates, removal, permits and a survey.
Close-up of wood fence boards
Wood Fence Cost: Pine, Cedar and Privacy FencesWhat a wood fence costs per foot installed, pine against cedar, what a 6 foot privacy fence runs, and how long each lasts.
A white vinyl fence around a backyard
Vinyl Fence Cost: Per Foot, by Height and for a Whole YardWhat a vinyl fence costs per foot installed and for 50 to 300 feet, by height and style, plus gates, panels, lifespan and city rules.
Close-up of a chain-link fence
Chain Link Fence Cost: Per Foot, by Height and for a Whole YardWhat chain link costs per foot installed and for 100 to 400 feet, by height, gauge and coating, plus slats, gates, removal, lifespan and city rules.
A wood fence beside a house in winter
Fence Repair Cost: Posts, Panels and GatesWhat it costs to fix a leaning fence, replace a post or panel, or repair a gate, by material, from two published cost guides.
A wood fence at the back of a grassy yard
Call 811 Before You Dig Fence Post HolesWhy a fence counts as digging, how far ahead to call 811, what the paint colors mean, and which lines 811 will not mark.
A row of backyards divided by fences
Property Lines and Fences: Find the Line Before You BuildHow to find your property line, why a survey matters, which side of the fence faces out, and who pays for a fence between neighbors.
A wood privacy fence with a gate
Wood vs Vinyl vs Chain Link vs AluminumHow the four common fence materials compare on price, upkeep and lifespan, from cost guides, an extension service and the makers themselves.
A wood fence with yellow flowers growing over it
How to Make a Wood Fence LastWhy wood fences fail at the posts, what ground-contact treated lumber means, how to set posts so water drains, and how often to restain.
A house with a white picket fence along the street
Fence Height Limits, Permits and HOA Rules by CityFront and back yard fence height limits and permit rules for the cities we cover and Calumet City, IL, how height is measured, corner lots, permit fees and HOA rules.
A black ornamental metal fence under trees
Pool Fence Rules: Height, Gaps and GatesThe Consumer Product Safety Commission pool barrier guidelines: 48 inch height, gap limits, self-closing gates and where the latch goes.
A house with a new wood fence around the front yard
Best Fence for Dogs: Jumpers, Climbers and DiggersHow to pick a fence that keeps your dog in: height, climb-proof materials, stopping diggers, secure gates, the trouble with invisible fences, and what each option costs.
A backyard lawn lined by a fence
HOA Fence Approval Letter: Free Template and What to IncludeA fill-in HOA fence request letter, what to attach so the board can say yes the first time, and what state law says about how an HOA must answer.
A wood fence along the side of a house
Hiring a Fence Company Without Getting BurnedEstimates, licensing, permits, deposits, the written contract and the red flags, from the FTC, state attorneys general and the BBB.
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