Fence Pricing

Factors Influencing Fence Pricing

Fences serve a variety of purposes.  Often erected to denote property lines, they also are installed to keep people or animals either in or out.  Fence materials were often whatever was at hand such as lumber from trees or even rocks.  Today, however, fence materials include wood, vinyl or PVC, aluminum, cement, and a composite material.  The trend has been toward alternative materials, which neither rot or rust.  Aside from a functional purpose, fences also beautify a piece of property.  As you might expect, fence pricing varies widely depending on the material, height, color, and style. 

The best way to gauge the price of a new fence is to first determine the desired style.  There are numerous styles.  The basic categories are pool, decorative, privacy, semi-private, and horse fence.  A pool fence simply means that it meets or exceed BOCA pool code for enclosures.  Privacy fence is the most popular style of fencing, and serves the function which its name implies.  A semi-private fence has spacing between each picket and will allow limited visibility through the fence.  Decorative fences are most commonly referred to as picket fencing and conjure up images of the traditional white picket fencing.  Horse fence resembles split rail fencing and can have two, three, four or five rails.  All of these styles range in heights from three feet to six feet and sometimes eight feet depending on local codes. They will all have different fence pricing, as well.

Once the fence style has been chosen, the fence pricing can span the spectrum depending on the material chosen.  Alternative materials require a higher up front investment than wood or chain link.  However, the increase in initial investment will deliver future benefits far beyond the cost.  For example, aluminum or vinyl fences will require very little maintenance, while wood requires constant care.  In terms of lasting beauty, alternative materials will look brand new, even 10 plus years after their installation.  Wood, at ten years, is nearing the end of its usefulness.  An excellent way to gauge the price of a new fence is to visit your local home improvement center.  The next step is to call at least two local fence companies.  Ask for their fence pricing estimates and the reasons why their fence is superior to those on display at the local home improvement stores.  Keep in mind, as with all things and including fence, you do really get what you pay for.