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 and How Long It LastsWhat a vinyl fence costs per foot installed, privacy against picket styles, 6 foot fences, and what the cost guides say about lifespan.
Close-up of a chain-link fence
Chain Link Fence Cost by HeightWhat chain link costs per foot installed, how height changes the price, and how long a chain link fence lasts.
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 RulesHow cities limit fence height in front and back yards, when a permit is needed, corner lot rules, and why the HOA can be stricter than the city.
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 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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