How Much Does a Black Chain-Link Fence Cost to Install?
Typical Range:
$1,700 - $7,500
Typical Range:
$1,700 - $7,500
Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.
Updated July 19, 2022
Written by HomeAdvisor.On average, installing a 150-foot-by-4-foot black chain-link fence costs $1,700 to $5,000. However, adding height, a thicker gauge mesh, or installing it on difficult terrain can increase the price to over $7,500. For most residential projects, expect to pay $5 to $25 per linear foot for materials. Labor runs an additional $8 to $20 per linear foot or an average of $30 per hour.
This type of fence is nearly impervious to moisture and corrosion. While it won’t last much longer than its more affordable galvanized counterpart, it will suffer less rust and discoloration. As with any chain-link installation, you have four major cost considerations:
Height
Quality and gauge of the wire mesh
Size of the mesh holes
Difficulty of the terrain
Vinyl-coated chain-link costs $23 per linear foot on average or $13 to $40 per linear foot. You’ll pay $5 to $20 per linear foot for materials and an additional $8 to $20 per foot for labor.
Height | Materials per Foot | Total per Foot |
---|---|---|
4’ | $10 | $21 |
5’ | $11 | $22 |
6’ | >$11 | $23 |
8’ | $13 | $25 |
10’ | $20 | $36 |
If you purchase the materials yourself, expect to pay between $15 and $25 per hour for a handyperson or $25 to $50 per hour for a professional installer. Overall, you’ll end up spending $8 to $20 per linear foot for labor.
Vinyl or powder coated chain-link materials make up about 50% of the total project price or between $5 and $20 per foot. If you’re planning to do an install yourself, you can purchase complete kits from specialty suppliers that include all the following parts.
Part | Price |
---|---|
Wire mesh | $2 – $6 per linear foot |
Posts | $2 – $7 per foot |
Rails | $2 – $3 per foot |
Post cap | $0.50 – $15 each |
Post fittings | $1 – $6 each |
Tension Bars | $5 – $20 each |
Cement | $5 – $20 per post |
Truss Rods | $5 – $15 each |
Adding a gate onto your project adds another $150 to $500 for a residential style or $1,000 to $2,000 for a commercial rolling gate.
A 100-foot-by-4-foot vinyl-coated chain fence costs $1,000 to $4,800. Add $1,000 or more to increase it to a 6-foot height. It comes in standard colors of black, white, green, brown, gray, redwood, and beige. Custom colors are available though it may drive the price up and delay installation.
Vinyl coatings come in three varieties: powder coated, extruded and bonded, and extruded. The gauge of the wire is sometimes calculated on the underlying wire size and sometimes with the thickness of the coating included.
Class 1 extruded: The least expensive product with the PVC coating simply pulled over the wire much like you pull a glove onto your hand.
Class 2A extruded and bonded: Mid-grade quality used extensively in home and commercial applications. It’s the same as the above extruded method but also glued to the internal wire with a strong adhesive.
Class 2B thermally bonded: The superior product with the thinnest, hardest, and most durable coating. It uses vat-dipped powder coating methods to chemically bond the PVC to the wire.
The only difference between black, brown, green, and white is the color of PVC used. There are no other differences in price or use. Choose the color that best fits your home. You can find other colors like redwood, gray, and beige, though they are not commonly stocked at suppliers or home improvement stores.
Trying to decide between the less expensive galvanized, aluminized, and the higher-priced vinyl? They all have roughly the same life span of 15 to 20 years and require almost no maintenance. The main issues are cost, durability, and design.
Standard chain link fence installation costs $1,300 to $3,300, about half as much as black vinyl.
Type | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Vinyl-coated | Looks better longer, many colors, corrosion resistant | 25% – 50% more expensive |
Galvanized | Corrosion resistant, Least expensive | Industrial look stands out |
Aluminum / aluminized | Extremely corrosion resistant, more durable than galvanized | Double the price of galvanized |
Trying to decide between the cheaper galvanized and the higher-priced vinyl? They both have roughly the same life span of 15-20 years and require almost no maintenance. The main issues are cost and design.
Type | Pros | Cons |
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Vinyl chain link |
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Vinyl privacy fence |
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Vinyl picket fence |
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Although chain link is maintenance free, you’ll likely get more life out of your fence if you follow a few easy upkeep tips:
Clean the chain link fence yearly.
Clean and apply vinyl coating to exposed metal.
Keep the chain link fence weed-free.
Discourage climbing on the chain link fence.
Inspect, repair, or replace worn out connections as needed.
Chain link fence repairs cost $200 to $700, far less than a new installation.
Chain-link fences can be great DIY projects for the handy homeowner. Doing it yourself saves you half of the project costs or about $8 to $20 per linear foot. However, it will take an experienced DIYer at least 20 hours, almost three full work days, to install 150 feet.
Plus, it can end up costing you more than a simple install if a professional needs to fix any mistakes. Find a local chain link fence installer to compare costs before starting your DIY project.
The first 150 feet takes about 20 hours for the DIYer, or a single day for a professional installation crew. Add a day for each additional 100 feet.
The easiest way to get affordable black chain-link fencing is to search multiple suppliers and get quotes. Get an extruded variety with a thinner gauge wire but be aware it won’t have the same durability as a more expensive product.
The interior wire of black chain fencing is usually galvanized and covered with a vinyl coating.
Black cyclone or hurricane fencing is another name for a black, vinyl coated chain-link fence.
Both vinyl and vinyl-coated chain link are almost maintenance free. However, chain-link varieties don’t block the view or the breeze and will last five to 10 years longer for a fraction of the price of wood or vinyl fencing.