Privacy fence pricing in the DC metro comes down to one number per linear foot and a short list of factors that move it. Below are the planning ranges we use when a homeowner from Fairfax to Bethesda asks what a fence will cost, plus the factors that push an individual quote up or down.
What does a privacy fence cost per linear foot?
These are typical planning ranges for a straight run on reasonably open ground. Your estimate confirms the number for your yard.
| Material | Typical planning range, per linear foot installed |
|---|---|
| Wood privacy (pressure-treated pine or cedar) | $30–$55 |
| Vinyl privacy | $40–$70 |
| Composite privacy | $60–$95 |
| Ornamental aluminum, for comparison | $38–$60 |
| Chain link, for comparison | $18–$32 |
Most privacy fences in the DC metro land between $30 and $70 per linear foot installed, with wood at the low end and composite at the high end. Regional material costs move, so treat these as planning ranges, not quotes. Our fence installation cost guide keeps the full picture current. One measuring note: footage runs along the fence line itself, including the turns around a corner.
How do height and style change the price?
Height and style ride on top of the per-foot range. A 6-foot solid panel is the baseline most quotes assume; stepping up to 7 or 8 feet adds taller posts, deeper footings, and more material per foot. Shadowbox styles use more boards than solid runs to look finished from both sides, so they price a step above plain stockade. Lattice and spindle tops add a trim layer and a little labor.
Gate choice works the same way. A plain walk gate is a modest add; a wide double gate needs a heavier frame, and an automatic operator adds the operator, safety edges, and access controls. Decide the gate count before the estimate so the number you get is the number you need.
What moves the price up or down?
Four factors do most of the moving.
Gates. A walk gate adds material, hardware, and a post that carries extra load. A double driveway gate or an automatic operator adds more. Most backyards need one walk gate; plan for it, and count on the latch side needing a sturdy post — a gate is only as square as the post it hangs on.
Old fence removal. Pulling and hauling an existing fence is real labor and real disposal weight. Same-line replacements carry this cost; brand-new lines usually do not. If the old posts are set in concrete or the old material needs special handling, mention it when you book.
Grade. Sloped yards take stepped panels, longer posts, or both. A gently rolling yard adds little; a steep side yard adds a noticeable amount. Slope also shapes the look — stepped panels read tidy, racked panels follow the ground — and that choice is easier to make standing on the slope.
Access. A fence built along an open rear line goes up fast. A fence carried by hand through a narrow gate, around a deck, and down a townhouse side yard takes the crew longer. Tell us about parking for the truck and the path to the line; surprises found on install day are the unwelcome kind.
How much does 80 feet of privacy fence cost?
Run the planning math. At 80 feet, wood privacy lands roughly between $2,400 and $4,400 installed, and vinyl between $3,200 and $5,600. Add a walk gate and any old-fence removal on top of those figures. For a scenario built around your own footage, try our fence cost calculator, then let an on-site estimate confirm it.
Do permits and utilities add to the cost?
Permits vary by jurisdiction. Some, like Fairfax County, generally need no building permit for residential fences; Maryland jurisdictions such as Montgomery County do require one. Permit fees are typically modest, but the paperwork takes calendar time — a fence delayed a week for a form is the hidden cost most homeowners forget. The Miss Utility locate at 811 is free and required by law before we dig.
What does a written estimate include?
A useful privacy fence estimate reads like the list above, itemized: material and style, linear footage, gate count, removal of any old fence, and the permit steps your jurisdiction requires. Line-item numbers let you compare bids honestly — a bid that looks lower has often just left the haul-away or the second gate out.
We walk the property before pricing, because grade and access are easier to see than to describe. The estimate is free, and it puts the planning range and your yard's factors in one place.
The number that matters is the one for your yard. Request a free on-site estimate or call (888) 820-6099, and we will measure the line, price the materials you are weighing, and put it in writing.