Fence Cost Estimator

As a typical 2026 US estimate, 100 linear feet of 6-foot wood privacy fence runs $2,764–$5,170 installed with one gate and no removal or permit — broken down as $1,200–$2,200 in materials, $234–$390 in posts, $130 in concrete, $200–$450 for the gate, and $1,000–$2,000 in labor. Adding old-fence removal ($300–$500) and a permit (~$150) moves the realistic total to roughly $3,200–$5,800. In Waukegan and Lake County, IL, clay soil and frost-depth holes tend to push projects toward the middle of the range.

Because fencing is digging, not just building. A 100-foot fence means 13+ holes, each 3 feet deep in northern Illinois, dug by hand or auger through clay, roots, and sometimes rock — then posts set plumb in concrete, panels or pickets hung level across uneven ground, and gates fitted to swing true. That is skilled, physical, day-long work for a crew. Materials for a wood fence are roughly half the installed price; the other half is the crew's time, equipment, and the warranty behind it.

Yes — always get it in writing, either included or explicitly excluded. Removal runs $3–$5 per foot with disposal, and it is the line most often "forgotten" in a lowball bid, only to reappear as a surprise change order. If you plan to remove the old fence yourself to save money, confirm the contractor is fine starting from a clear line, and check whether your municipality requires a separate disposal arrangement for the debris. Either way, decide before signing, not after.

The honest levers: choose a less expensive material (wood or chain link over vinyl), keep the fence line as short as privacy allows, minimize gates (each is $150–$600), remove the old fence yourself, and schedule in the off-season when crews discount. What not to skimp on: post depth and concrete (shallow posts heave in Illinois winters), gate hardware (cheap hinges sag within a year), and the permit. Saving $300 on posts can cost $3,000 in early replacement.

Many established fence contractors offer financing or phased payment schedules — typically a deposit at signing (25–50%), a progress payment at material delivery, and the balance on completion. For larger projects ($8,000+), some offer 6–12 month same-as-cash plans through third-party lenders. Be wary of anyone demanding full payment upfront; that is a classic red flag. A reputable Waukegan-area contractor will put the payment schedule, scope line items, and warranty in a written contract before work starts.

Thirty days is the industry standard, and any quote honored longer than that in a volatile lumber market is doing you a favor. Material prices — especially wood and steel — move with commodity markets, so a quote from spring may not hold in fall. If a contractor pressures you with "this price expires today," treat it as a sales tactic, not a material reality. Get the quote in writing with the line items, the validity period, and the payment schedule, then compare calmly.

The most commonly excluded items: old-fence removal and disposal, the permit fee, gates beyond the first one, staining or sealing a wood fence, grading or clearing the fence line, and repairing the lawn afterward. Some quotes also exclude hardware upgrades like self-closing hinges or post caps shown in the brochure photos. None of these are unreasonable extras — the problem is only when they are assumed instead of stated. Walk through this estimator's seven line items with every bidder and make each one confirm, in writing, whether it is in or out.

A fence adds modest appraised value but meaningful market appeal — appraisers typically credit only a fraction of the install cost, yet buyers with dogs, kids, or privacy concerns will pay more for (and choose faster) a home that already has one. In the Waukegan market, an attractive, well-maintained privacy fence is a genuine selling feature; a leaning, rotting fence is a liability that invites lowball offers. The best return comes from replacing a failing fence before listing rather than installing a brand-new one purely as an investment.