Outdoor living made simple

Based on our last 12 months, most homeowners pay about $22–$56 per ft for wood and $36–$68 per ft for vinyl. Privacy fences fall in these ranges (they're typically solid wood or vinyl). Final price depends on height, gates, terrain, removal/haul-away, and permits.

• Wood: budget-friendly upfront; more upkeep over time.
• Vinyl: higher upfront; very low maintenance, consistent look.
• Add-ons: gates, post caps, staining/sealing, old fence removal.

Site factors: slopes, trees/rocks, utility locates can increase labor. Prices vary by city and season; we confirm exact costs after a quick site measure.

Source: Ergeon internal data, last 12 months; Wood (41,420 projects), Vinyl (15,556). Ranges reflect materials + labor and vary by city and season.

The lowest-maintenance options are vinyl and powder-coated aluminum. Vinyl privacy panels need only an occasional rinse. Aluminum picket won't rust and usually just needs a quick wash. Powder-coated steel is durable but should be checked for scratches/chips (touch up to prevent rust). Chain link (galvanized or vinyl-coated) is also low-maintenance, but offers little privacy.

• Vinyl (privacy): No painting or staining; wash with hose/soapy water as needed. Good fade resistance.
• Aluminum (open view/pool): Powder coat resists corrosion—even in wet climates. Minimal cleaning.
• Steel (ornamental): Tough and elegant; powder coat protects well. Inspect yearly for chips—touch up to stop rust, especially near sprinklers, de-icing salt, or coastal air.
• Chain link (economical): Galvanized or black vinyl-coated is virtually maintenance-free—just rinse. Minimal privacy unless you add slats/screens.
• Wood (for comparison): Highest upkeep—periodic sealing/painting and occasional board repairs.

For the least upkeep and long life, vinyl (privacy) and powder-coated aluminum (open style) lead the pack. Powder-coated steel is very durable but needs occasional touch-ups if the coating chips. Chain link also lasts a long time with little care but offers minimal privacy. Wood can last decades, but only with periodic sealing/painting and small repairs.

• Wood (most requested look): Classic and repairable. To reach long lifespans, plan on sealing/staining every 2–3 years, replacing the odd board, and keeping soil/irrigation off the pickets. With upkeep, 15–25+ years is common.
• Vinyl (lowest maintenance privacy): No painting or staining; rinse with hose/soapy water. Built-in color resists fading. Allow for thermal expansion in hot/cold climates. Typical life 20–30+ years with minimal care.
• Aluminum (open look / pool-friendly): Powder coat resists corrosion; usually needs only a rinse. Often 25–30+ years in residential settings.
• Steel (ornamental): Strong and elegant. Powder coat protects well—inspect annually for chips and touch up to prevent rust, especially near sprinklers/salt. 20–25+ years with care.
• Chain link (budget/utility): Galvanized or vinyl-coated frames last 20–30 years with very little maintenance; add slats/screens if privacy is needed.

For most homes, a 6-ft (or local max) privacy fence with a self-closing, self-latching, lockable gate is the best all-around security choice. For visible deterrence, spear-top aluminum/steel with tight picket spacing works well. Chain link is durable but offers little privacy unless upgraded.

• Vinyl privacy (lowest upkeep): Solid panels block sightlines and lack toe-holds. Set posts in concrete to frost depth and add a kickboard/continuous bottom rail to prevent lift-under.
• Wood privacy: Choose board-on-board or solid with the smooth face inside (no exposed rails to climb). Use beefier posts where loads are higher.
• Aluminum/steel (ornamental security): Go 6 ft spear-top with ≤ 3 in picket spacing. It's hard to scale and looks premium; steel may need touch-up if the coating chips.
• Chain link (utility): Use smaller mesh and a bottom tension wire/rail to prevent push-out. Slats reduce visibility but can add footholds; check local rules.
• Height & toppers: Many places allow a decorative topper (e.g., lattice/arched cap) that can bring total height to 7–8 ft. Always check your municipality's planning/zoning department—heights over 6 ft often require a permit and may have setback/corner-visibility limits.
• Gates & hardware (critical): Self-closing hinges, self-latching/lockable latch, through-bolted hardware, drop rod on double gates; keep the under-gate gap minimal.

In clear site conditions (no dense vegetation, steep slopes, tight access, or rocky soil), our crews install about 60 linear feet per day. That means a 100-ft run is ~1–2 install days and 200-ft is ~3–4 days. Posts are set in concrete and framing can usually begin the same day. Complex sites, extra gates, or pool code can add time. Concrete cures in ~30 days.

• Rule of thumb: ~60 LF/day in uncomplicated conditions.
• Access: Please keep 2 ft of clearance along at least one side; unmoved obstacles can trigger change orders or delays.
• Pool fences: Larger pool enclosures (80–90+ ft) are often multi-day; gates use self-closing/latching hardware per code.
• Utilities: We handle 811 utility marking (common clearance ~3 business days after pre-mark).
• Weather & site conditions: hard soil, hand-dig zones, rocky ground can extend timelines.

Yes where offered, we can file the permit and coordinate inspections. During quoting, we check your city's rules with our regulation tool. If a permit is required, you can file it yourself or have us handle it for a permit service fee (subject to change by municipality). Requirements vary by municipality (e.g., height, setbacks, pool code), and we'll confirm what applies to your property.

Most customers get a same-day or next-day quote. After the pre-install visit and 811 utility marking (often ~3 business days), we aim to schedule your build within ~20 days of quote approval. Installation timing depends on material, footage, and site conditions; some larger or pool projects may take multiple days, with concrete needing ~30 days to fully cure.

Your project is protected by our workmanship (craftsmanship) warranty and any manufacturer material warranties that apply. We maintain a warranty reserve to back our commitments long term. For specific terms and duration, please refer to the warranty attached to your quote or contact our team—we'll confirm coverage, how to submit a claim, and expected timelines.

• Craftsmanship Warranty covers defects from installation (fit, finish, fastening, alignment).
• Materials Warranty covers manufacturer defects in components used.
• Not included: See your contract; exclusions typically cover misuse, acts of nature, outside contractors, or owner modifications.
• Support: pm@ergeon.com or 1-888-374-3661.