PROJECT SUMMARY
Fence
Run100 lin ft · 13 sections
- Material
- Wood · privacy
- Height
- 6 ft
- Posts
- 15 (8 ft spacing)
- Gates
- 1
- Setting
- Concrete footings
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Build time
- 3–5 days
- Estimated materials
- $2,475–$3,348
Fence Cost & Materials Calculator
Lay out posts, panels, concrete and gates for any fence run — instantly.
Configure
Fence
Advanced optionsframing, footings, finishing…
Estimates are planning aids, not an engineered design. Confirm spans, footings and setbacks against your local code and permit before buying.
Cost breakdown
Material only · national-average rates| Posts & Panels | $1,822–$2,464 |
| Concrete & Footings | $417–$564 |
| Fasteners & Hardware | $102–$138 |
| Gates & Latches | $60–$81 |
| Finishing & Sealant | $51–$69 |
| Connectors & Brackets | $24–$33 |
| Total | $2,475–$3,348 |
Excludes tools, delivery, tax and permit fees. Labor not included — this is a DIY materials estimate.
Materials
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Concrete — 80 lb bags15 posts · 12" dia × 42" deep | 70 × bags |
| Posts — 4×4 PT14 line + 1 gate | 15 × 10 ft |
| Rails — 2×4 PT2 per section | 26 × 8 ft |
| Pickets — 1×6 (6 ft)privacy layout + 10% waste | 241 × boards |
| Post caps | 15 × ea |
| Gate kit (Wood)hinges + latch incl. | 1 × ea |
Hardware & fasteners
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Exterior screws / nails≈ 1120 fasteners | 4 × box |
| Rail brackets (if butt-joined) | 26 × ea |
Shopping list
Grouped by store sectionPosts & Panels
- 15× 10 ftPosts — 4×4 PT — 14 line + 1 gateFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 26× 8 ftRails — 2×4 PT — 2 per sectionFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 241× boardsPickets — 1×6 (6 ft) — privacy layout + 10% wasteFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Concrete & Footings
- 70× bagsConcrete — 80 lb bags — 15 posts · 12" dia × 42" deepFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Connectors & Brackets
- 26× eaRail brackets (if butt-joined)FindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Fasteners & Hardware
- 4× boxExterior screws / nails — ≈ 1120 fastenersFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Gates & Latches
- 1× eaGate kit (Wood) — hinges + latch incl.FindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Finishing & Sealant
- 15× eaPost capsFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Tools
✓ required · ○ helpful- Post-hole digger or power auger — 15 holesFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- String line & line level — straight runsFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 4 ft level (post level)FindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Tape measureFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- TamperFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Wheelbarrow / mixing tubFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Circular sawFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Cordless drill / impact driverFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Nail gun — speeds picketingFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Project notes
- Quantities assume a straight run; add posts for each corner and direction change beyond the gate posts already included.
- Footings reach 42" — below a 36" frost line. Let concrete cure before hanging panels or stretching fabric (a day is plenty for most mixes).
- Call 811 (or your local utility locate service) before digging. It's free and required almost everywhere.
- Confirm the line, setbacks and height limits with your municipality and, where relevant, your neighbors — fence disputes are the costliest mistake here.
About this planner
How the Fence Builder works
Enter the run length, height, material and number of gates, and the Fence Builder lays out the whole job: post count and spacing, rails or panels, picket coverage, concrete, gate kits and fittings — plus tools, a cost range and a realistic build time.
Pick wood, vinyl, aluminum or chain-link and the materials list reshapes itself. Open advanced options for post spacing, slope handling, frost depth, rail count and waste.
Step by step
How to build a fence
A high-level walkthrough of the build. Pair it with your plan above and always confirm spans, footings and setbacks against your local code.
- 1
Confirm the line and call 811
Verify the property line (a survey if there's any doubt), check local height limits and setbacks, and call 811 to mark utilities. Fence disputes and cut lines are the costliest mistakes here.
- 2
Lay out the runs and gates
Run a string line for each straight run and mark every post location at your spacing, plus a dedicated post on each side of every gate opening. Mark the corners and ends first, then divide evenly between them.
- 3
Dig the post holes
Dig each hole below the frost line (or to about a third of the post height), wider at the base. Gate and end posts carry the most load — go deeper and set those in concrete.
- 4
Set and plumb the posts
Set the end and corner posts first, plumb them on two faces, and brace them. Pull a string between them and set the line posts to it. Set in concrete or tamp with gravel as you chose; let concrete cure before adding weight.
- 5
Hang rails or panels
For wood, fasten the rails between posts; for vinyl, aluminum or chain-link, install the panels, top rail or fabric. On a slope, step or rack each section to follow the grade.
- 6
Install pickets or fabric
Fasten pickets to the rails with a spacer for consistent gaps and a string line for a level top, or stretch and tie chain-link fabric tight with a fence stretcher.
- 7
Hang the gates
Hang each gate with heavy-duty hinges, check that it swings freely and latches, and add an anti-sag cable or brace — sagging gates are the number one fence failure.
- 8
Cap and finish
Add post caps, then seal or stain wood for weather protection. Walk the line and tighten any loose fasteners before calling it done.
Equip the job
Recommended gear for this build
Hand-picked categories that match the shopping list above. Links open a current selection so you can compare brands and prices.
Concrete & FootingsFast-setting concrete mixPour-and-set mix that skips mixing for fence posts — just add water in the hole.
$6–9/bag
Gates & LatchesHeavy-duty gate hinge & latch setSagging gates are the #1 fence failure — oversize the hardware.
$25–60
ToolsPost level (band-style)Straps to the post and shows plumb on two axes hands-free.
$8–15
ToolsFence stretcher / come-alongEssential for tensioning chain-link fabric tight and even.
$20–40
Keep planning
Related builders
Answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep should fence posts go?
A common rule is one-third of the post's above-ground height, and always below the frost line if you set them in concrete. The planner uses whichever is deeper, with a minimum of 24 inches. Gate and end posts carry more load — go deeper and use concrete there even if you tamp the rest.
Do I need concrete for every post?
No. Many runs are perfectly stable tamped with gravel, which also lets posts dry and last longer. Concrete adds rigidity and is strongly recommended for gate posts, corners, and tall or windy fences. The planner lets you toggle this and adjusts the materials accordingly.
How do I handle a slope?
Two options: step the panels (each section drops a fixed amount, leaving a triangular gap underneath) or rack them (the panel parallelograms to follow the grade). Wood builds rack easily; pre-assembled vinyl and aluminum panels rack only within a limited range, so check the spec before buying.
What about property lines and permits?
Call 811 before digging to mark utilities — it's free and legally required in most areas. Many cities cap fence height and require setbacks from the property line or sidewalk, and some require a permit. Confirm the line with a survey if there's any doubt; a misplaced fence is expensive to move.