# Metal Fence Cost Calculator

Metal fence cost calculator for aluminum, steel, wrought iron, corrugated, and chain link. Get 2025 installed cost per linear foot with labor, gates, and removal.

## What this calculates

Metal fencing ranges from $15 per linear foot for basic chain link up to $120 for heavy wrought iron. This metal fence cost calculator estimates the total installed price from your fence length, metal type, height, gates, and region so you can compare contractor bids or set a realistic budget before hiring. It works for aluminum ornamental, steel, wrought iron, corrugated panel, and galvanized chain link.

## Inputs

- **Fence Length** (ft) — min 0 — Total perimeter of the metal fence in linear feet (include gate openings)
- **Metal Fence Type** — options: Aluminum ornamental, Steel ornamental / tubular, Wrought iron, Corrugated / galvanized panel, Chain link (galvanized)
- **Fence Height** — options: 3 ft (low garden), 4 ft (front yard standard), 5 ft, 6 ft (privacy standard), 8 ft (security / commercial)
- **Walk Gates** — min 0, max 10 — Standard walk gate is 4 ft wide
- **Drive Gates** — min 0, max 5 — Standard drive gate is 12 ft wide
- **Regional Cost Level** — options: Low (rural, South, Midwest), Average (suburban), High (urban coastal)
- **Include Old Fence Removal** — Adds $4-8 per LF for tear-out and haul-away of existing fence

## Outputs

- **Material Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Labor Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Gate Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Old Fence Removal** — formatted as currency
- **Total Installed Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Cost per Linear Foot** — formatted as currency

## Details

## Metal Fence Cost by Material (2025)

Installed cost per linear foot at 6 ft height, standard prep, average region:

| Metal Type | Material/LF | Labor/LF | Installed/LF |
|------------|-------------|----------|--------------|
| Chain link (galvanized) | $12 | $5 | $15-35 |
| Corrugated / galvanized panel | $22 | $10 | $25-45 |
| Aluminum ornamental | $32 | $16 | $35-65 |
| Steel ornamental / tubular | $42 | $23 | $50-85 |
| Wrought iron | $55 | $38 | $70-120 |

## What Goes Into a Metal Fence Cost Estimate

A full metal fence cost estimate has four components:

1. **Material cost:** dollars per linear foot times net fence length (minus gate openings)
2. **Labor cost:** 40-70% of material depending on metal type and install method
3. **Gate cost:** walk gates $300-900 each; drive gates 3-4x a walk gate
4. **Removal cost:** $4-8 per LF to tear out and haul away an existing fence

Add the four together for total installed price. Divide by linear feet for cost per foot.

## Aluminum Fence Cost

Aluminum is the most common ornamental metal fence today because it does not rust, comes in pre-assembled panels, and is lighter than steel. Aluminum fence cost averages **$35-65 per linear foot installed** at 6 ft, or $30-50 at 4 ft. A 150 LF aluminum ornamental fence with one walk gate costs **$5,500-$9,500 installed** in 2025. Powder-coated black is standard; bronze, green, and white run the same price.

## Steel Fence Cost

Steel ornamental (tubular steel) is heavier, stronger, and 15-20% more expensive than aluminum. Expect **$50-85 per linear foot installed** at 6 ft. Steel offers the same ornamental look as aluminum with better resistance to impact. The tradeoff is rust: steel needs a proper galvanized or powder-coated finish, and touch-ups every 5-10 years in humid climates.

## Wrought Iron Fence Cost

True wrought iron is the premium metal fence option. Wrought iron fence cost runs **$70-120 per linear foot installed**, with custom welded sections at the top end. For a 100 LF wrought iron fence with one walk gate, expect **$8,000-$14,000 installed**. Labor is higher than other metal fences (60-70% of material) because on-site welding, custom spears, and finials are labor-intensive.

## Corrugated Metal Fence Cost

Corrugated or galvanized panel fencing is the low-cost modern metal option. Costs run **$25-45 per linear foot installed** at 6 ft. It uses flat or ribbed metal panels mounted between wood or steel posts. Popular for modern ranch, industrial, and farm-style fencing.

## Chain Link Fence Cost

Chain link is the cheapest metal fencing option at **$15-35 per linear foot installed** at 6 ft galvanized. Vinyl-coated (black or green) adds $5-7 per LF. A 150 LF galvanized chain link fence with one walk gate costs **$2,500-4,500 installed**.

## Metal Fence Cost Drivers

These push the installed price up:

- **Height:** 8 ft adds 45% over 6 ft; 4 ft saves about 25%
- **Slope and rocky terrain:** adds 15-30% to labor (extra post-hole work)
- **Post holes in concrete or asphalt:** adds $20-40 per post
- **Permits:** $25-300 depending on jurisdiction
- **Old fence removal:** $4-8 per LF
- **Custom ornamentation:** spears, finials, rings add 10-20%
- **Automatic drive gate opener:** $1,500-$4,000 above the gate itself

## DIY vs Pro Metal Fence

Chain link and corrugated panel fences are the most DIY-friendly metal options; ornamental aluminum is moderate; wrought iron requires welding skills or bolt-together kits from a manufacturer. Labor is 40-70% of pro install cost, so DIY saves meaningfully on any metal fence over 100 LF. Expect 2-3 weekends for 150 LF of ornamental aluminum with two helpers, a post-hole digger, and concrete mixer.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How much does a metal fence cost per linear foot?**

A: Metal fence cost per linear foot in 2025 ranges from $15 for basic chain link to $120 for wrought iron. Most residential metal fences fall between $35 (aluminum ornamental) and $85 (steel ornamental) at 6 ft installed. Labor is typically 40-70% of material cost.

**Q: How does a metal fence cost calculator work?**

A: A metal fence cost calculator multiplies linear feet by a per-foot material rate for your chosen metal type (aluminum, steel, wrought iron, corrugated, chain link), adds labor as a percentage of material (40-70%), adds gate costs, and scales by regional factor. Total cost divided by total linear feet gives the final cost per foot.

**Q: Is aluminum or steel fence cheaper?**

A: Aluminum fence is 15-25% cheaper than steel for the same ornamental look. Aluminum averages $35-65 per LF installed at 6 ft; steel averages $50-85. Aluminum is also lighter to ship and does not rust, which trims total install cost further. Steel is stronger and better for high-security applications.

**Q: How much does a 100 ft metal fence cost installed?**

A: For 100 linear feet at 6 ft height with one walk gate: chain link $2,000-3,800, corrugated $2,800-5,000, aluminum $4,000-7,500, steel $5,500-9,500, wrought iron $7,500-13,000. Add 15-30% for sloped or rocky terrain. Remove 40-60% if you DIY and skip the labor cost.

**Q: Does metal fence cost include gates and posts?**

A: Material cost per linear foot includes line posts, panels or fabric, and hardware. Gates are priced separately: walk gates $300-900 depending on metal type, drive gates 3-4x a walk gate. Corner and gate posts (heavier duty) may add $30-60 each on large projects. This calculator separates all four: material, labor, gates, and removal.

**Q: How long does a metal fence last?**

A: Galvanized chain link: 15-20 years. Powder-coated aluminum: 25-40 years (no rust). Powder-coated steel: 25-35 years with touch-ups. Wrought iron: 50+ years with repainting every 5-10 years. Corrugated metal: 20-30 years. Climate and coastal exposure reduce lifespan; inland dry climates extend it.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/metal-fence-cost
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08