Wire Fence Cost

• Materials for a four- or five-strand non-electric wire fence can cost $0.25 -$1.50 a foot, or $225 -$1,300 to enclose a simple square acre (about 830') and $1,300 -$8,000 for a mile of fencing, depending on the number of strands, and whether the wire is smooth, high tensile (a special hard, springy steel that does well under tension and can be tightened with a small winch) or barbed, and coated or uncoated. With professional installation it can cost $0.50 -$4 a foot, depending on materials and terrain, or $400 -$3,500 to enclose a square acre and $2,700 -$21,200 for one mile. For example, the University of Minnesota Extension Service estimates do-it-yourself installation of a five-strand barbed wire fence with metal T-posts every 16.5' costs $1,300 per mile (about $0.25 a foot), not including corner posts or braces. LivingTheCountryLife.com estimates that custom installation of five-strand barbed wire fence with alternating wood and steel posts every 12' costs $1.30 a foot, and notes that a fencing crew with skid loaders, hydraulic pile drives and ATVs to unroll the wire could install 2,000' in less than three hours.
• An electric fence can cost $0.05 -$0.75 a foot for do-it-yourself installation, depending on the number of strands and whether it's smooth or high tensile wire, or $50 -$650 to enclose an acre and $2,700 -$4,000 for a mile of electric fence. With professional installation costs can be $0.20 -$3 a foot, or $200 -$2,500 to enclose an acre and $1,000 -$16,000 for a mile.
• Woven wire fencing (also called American wire, page wire or sheep fencing) is a wire net of intersecting vertical and horizontal wires, and is effective with smaller animals like sheep, goats or pigs. It typically comes in rolls and is stretched between stakes (for short, lightweight fences) or standard metal or wood fence posts. To increase the effectiveness, one or two strands of barbed or electric wire may be strung along the top and/or bottom of a woven wire fence. Woven wire fencing can cost $0.40 -$1.50 a foot with do-it-yourself installation, depending on height, size of the mesh openings and weight of the wire, or $350 -$1,300 to enclose a square acre and $2,100 -$8,800 per mile of fencing. With professional installation it can cost $1.50 -$4 or more a foot, or $1,300 -$3,400 for a square acre and $8,000 -$21,000 for a mile.
• Deer fencing is a special lightweight, tight-mesh, woven wire fence 6'-8' tall that is typically used only in small areas because it can cost $4 -$7 a foot or more for just the materials. For example, Benner's Gardens in Pennsylvania sells kits with supplies for 100'-200' of woven wire deer fencing for $430 -$1,300.
• A 4'-6' chain-link fence typically costs $3 -$15 a foot with do-it-yourself installation or about $400 -$2,000 for 100' and $1,000 -$5,000 for 300' of fencing. With professional installation the cost is $5 -$35 a foot, or $600 -$4,000 for 100' and $2,000 -$11,000 for 300' of fencing.

• Professional fence installers often use hydraulic pile drivers to drive fence posts into the ground and special carts to unroll multiple strands of wire at a time, but the exact installation process depends on the type of wire fencing. A VeggieGardeneingTips.com video demonstrates installation of a simple garden fence; the Virginia Cooperative Extension explains how to build high-tensile wire fences; and Lowe's provides instructions for installing bracing and line posts and woven or barbed-wire fences.
• Before installing a fence, call 811 to have utility companies mark any underground utility lines; or contact local utility companies directly. Also check local zoning, building and neighborhood codes.

• For do-it-yourselfers, a manual post driver typically costs $20 -$50, and can be rented for $10 -$20 a day. A powered post driver rents for about $50 -$60 a day, depending on location and model. For details, see How Much Does a Fence Post Cost.

• The University of Missouri outlines what to consider when selecting wire fencing materials.
• Wire fencing materials are available from home improvement centers like Home Depot or Lowe's.
• Find local contractors through the American Fence Association or the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute.
• Get several estimates; verify that the company is properly bonded and insured; ask for and check references; and search for any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

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