Fences are a common privacy and property value adder that many homeowners opt to invest in at one time or another. If your home doesn't have a fence, it's likely that you've thought about it. However, you first need to understand what it's likely going to cost you to determine if it will fit in your budget.
It All Starts With Fencing Materials
One of the biggest factors that will determine the overall price for a home fence installation is the type of fencing material used. There are tons of options on the market today, ranging from wood and vinyl to chain-link and steel.
Each comes along with its own price and advantages. Here are some average cost comparisons:
Chain-Link: $12 per linear foot
Wood: $15 per linear foot
Vinyl: $18 per linear foot
Wrought Iron: $25 per linear foot
Composite: $24 per linear foot
Aluminum: $25 per linear foot
When it comes to fence pricing, you'll be charged by the linear foot for the materials used. A linear foot is simply 12 inches of fencing material. Chain-link, wood, and vinyl are going to be your cheapest materials. Aluminum, composite, and wrought iron are going to be the most expensive.
Gates Up the Price
You're likely planning on having at least one gate on your fence so that you can maneuver in and out of the confined space. It's important to realize that gates are going to cost more than just the linear foot price of the material that you'll be using. It's best to check in with a professional like Midwest Fence & Gate Company in Fort Dodge to get an exact price, however, you can expect an increase of a few hundred dollars when you choose to add the addition of a fence to your estimate. If you want to have multiple gates installed, you're going to need to multiply this price by the number of gates that you want.
Higher Fences Cost More
The height of your fence is going to play a large role in determining the overall price of the project. The typical front yard fence is 3 to 4 feet high. The usual backyard fence ranges from 4 to 6 feet. If you're debating constructing a higher fence, consider adding an additional 30% to the overall cost for every foot that you want to go over the usual heights.
Don't Forget Labor Costs
Apart from paying for the fencing materials, you'll need to pay labor fees for your fence expert to install it. This labor fee includes things like obtaining and transporting the materials, digging holes, job complexity, slope leveling, and the use of fencing equipment. On average, the labor fee for installing a household fence is going to be equal to half of the total material costs. It's crucial to note that labor costs are going to vary depending on the specific fence installer that you utilize so make sure to select one that delivers quality work rather than just the cheapest option otherwise, it might cost you later in expensive repairs.
Difficult Terrain Can Increase the Price
Installing a fence in a flat yard is going to be easier than installing a fence in a very sloped yard. Your chosen fence installer is going to have to put more work into leveling out your slope to make the fence both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, if your yard always remains soggy, expect to pay more for the installation process. This is because your fence installer is going to have to likely put your posts further into the ground for structural integrity, and it's going to take longer for the installation process than doing so on solid ground.
Fencing Color Plays a Role in Price
Color is another factor that's going to play a slight role in determining the overall cost of your fence installation project. When it comes to pre-colored materials like vinyl and wrought iron, you're going to pay more for uncommon colors. When it comes to vinyl fencing, white is going to be the cheapest because it's the most popular. When it comes to wrought iron, black is going to be the cheapest.
For fencing materials that are not pre-colored, like wood, adding color is going to up the cost. For example, wanting your wood fence painted blue or white is going to cost you additional fees for the paint material as well as the labor to perform the job. The same goes for staining wood fences.
Add-In Your Permitting Needs
Each municipality is going to have different rules regarding the installation of a fence at your home. Your fence installer should be able to tell you if you're going to need to submit a plan and pay for a fencing permit. For municipalities that do require a permit, they typically run anywhere from $25 to $100. You'll want to factor this fee into the overall cost of your new fence.
Putting It All Together
To actually determine a ballpark price for having a fence installed at your home, you'll first want to measure the total linear footage of fencing that you desire. Be sure to mark down how many gates you want to have installed. Now, simply take your linear footage and multiply it by the price estimate for the type of fencing material that you want to purchase.
Next, count up the number of gates you want and multiply that number by the average gate cost. Take your total price so far and multiply it by 1.5 to get the total cost of materials and labor for your project. This is a good strategy for getting a ballpark figure. However, it's best to check in with the experts to get an official quote.
Having a fence installed at your home can be affordable for almost any budget. You just need to pick the right options to meet your desired price range. If you're ready to invest in a new home fence in Iowa, contact the experts at Midwest Fence & Gate Company today to get the assistance that you need.