How Much Does a Black Chain-Link Fence Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,500 - $4,000
Expect to spend between $1,500 and $4,000 to install a black chain-link fence around your home. Fence length is the main factor influencing cost, but height, posts, gates, and decorative elements also play a role.
Installing a black chain link fence costs $2,300 with most homeowners spending $1,500 to $4,000 on this project. Adding fencing around your property adds security and curb appeal, especially in the case of a unique finish, like black powder coating on a chain-link fence. In this guide, we’ll discuss black chain link fence costs and the factors to consider when pricing out your new fence.
- Average
- $2,300
- Low end
- $750
- high end
- $18,000
Black Chain-Link Fence Cost Factors
The average cost of a black chain link fence is based on several factors, all of which can push your total well above or below the average cost of $2,300.
Fence Length
Total fence length is the biggest cost factor for black chain-link fencing installation. The more chain-link fencing you use, the more you'll pay. Installation costs for a chain-link fence total between $15 to $45 per linear foot, including material and labor.
| Fence Length | Total Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| 50 linear ft. | $750–$2,250 |
| 100 linear ft. | $1,500–$4,500 |
| 150 linear ft. | $2,250–$6,750 |
| 200 linear ft. | $3,000–$9,000 |
| 300 linear ft. | $4,500–$13,500 |
| 400 linear ft. | $6,000–$18,000 |
Fence Height
Taller fences also cost more because they push up your material costs considerably. For example, a 5-foot tall fence may cost $22 per linear foot for materials and labor. A 10-foot tall fence might cost closer to $36 per linear foot.
| Fence Height | Cost per Foot (With Labor) |
|---|---|
| 4 ft. | $21 |
| 5 ft. | $22 |
| 6 ft. | $23 |
| 8 ft. | $25 |
| 10 ft. | $36 |
Fence Materials
Materials for a black chain-link fence project make up about 35% of the total cost. Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $25 per linear foot for materials, including wire mesh fence fabric, terminal and line posts, top rails, post caps, fittings, and other hardware.
| Fence Part | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Wire mesh | $2–$7 per linear ft. |
| Terminal post | $20–$35 each |
| Line post | $15–$25 each |
| Top rails | $2–$3 per ft. |
| Additional hardware | $1–$3 per linear ft. |
Type of PVC Coating
Black chain-link fencing consists of steel wire mesh coated in black vinyl. Mesh for most residential fences costs $3.60 to $9.80 per foot, but you can pay up to double for a premium industrial-grade wire mesh with a thicker PVC coating for added protection if your project demands it. There is no difference in price when it comes to coating color.
Gauge and Mesh Size
Wire gauge refers to the thickness of the wires in the fencing mesh, while mesh size refers to the space between parallel wires. Residential chain-link fencing usually uses a nine- to 12-gauge mesh with a 2-inch diamond.
Smaller wire gauges cost more since they’re thicker, sturdier, require more material per linear foot, and are harder to cut. Smaller diamonds also cost more since they use more metal, but they offer better security since they're harder to climb.
Terrain
It’s more expensive to install a fence on terrain that’s uneven, hilly, or full of obstacles like rocks, bushes, pools, and trees because they’ll be hard to work around. You may want to avoid installing a black chain-link fence in an area where there’s a steep incline, which tends to be better suited for PVC or wood fencing.
Labor
Labor makes up about half of a black vinyl chain-link fence’s cost, ranging from $10 to $20 per linear foot. But if your yard is on a crazy slope or has lots of little hills and bumps, labor may be more expensive. Additionally, your fence installer may need to spend more time digging fence post holes if you have an irregular yard shape, which could also push up labor costs.
Permits and Inspections
You’ll spend $40 to $175 on necessary permits to build your black chain-link fence. You may also need to spend between $250 and $1,000 for a property survey to locate your property lines.
Black Chain-Link Fencing vs. Other Chain-Link Fences
There are several types of chain-link fencing, all of which are low-maintenance with roughly the same life span of up to 20 years. The main factors to consider when choosing a chain-link fence are design, durability, and cost.
Standard chain-link fences are less durable and only come in a steel-gray color. However, they cost about half as much as a black vinyl chain-link fence costs.
| Chain-Link Material | Cost per Foot | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl coated | $9–$29 | Resists rust, corrosion, moisture, and fading; comes in various colors; more expensive than other options |
| Galvanized | $6.25–$17.50 | Strong, durable, and the least expensive option; only available in steel-gray; rusts when the coating wears off |
| Aluminized | $7.50–$15.50 | Salvageable, highly durable, and corrosion-resistant; only available in steel-gray |
| Aluminum | $9–$40 | Lightweight, attractive appearance, and extreme wear resistance; the most expensive option, on average |
Additional Fence Costs to Consider
Some additional costs to consider when planning your project include the inclusion of gates, the need for a property survey, and whether you need to cover fence removal, repair, or maintenance.
Black Chain-Link Fence Gates
Most homeowners will install at least two gates on their fencing, either leading to the driveway or walkway for a fence in the front yard, or leading to the backyard on the sides for a fence in the rear yard. Total average installation costs vary by size and type.
A single walkthrough gate that hinges on one side costs $110 to $415.
A double walkthrough gate with two gates opening from the middle costs $185 to $775.
A drive-through rolling gate for a driveway that operates on rails costs $925 to $3,600.
Fence Line Survey
A fence line survey costs $200 to $1,000, depending on the size of the property and the terrain profile. These surveys help fence installers avoid neighboring properties by laying out precise property line indicators in advance.
Fence Removal
If you have an old fence, it must be removed before installing a new one. The average cost of professional fence removal is $3 to $5 per linear foot. If the removal fee doesn't include waste disposal, try to find a salvage company that will haul the materials away for free—or even pay you by weight for the scrap metal!
Fence Repairs
Black chain-link fencing is coated to resist all types of damage and wear. However, rust or impact damage can still occur over time. Fence repairs average around $580, depending on the fence size and the extent of the damage. You may want to factor in these ongoing maintenance costs upfront to avoid surprises down the road.
Privacy Add-Ons
Black chain-link fencing is easy to see through, so many people opt to cover their chain-link fence with privacy add-ons when neighbors live close by. For example, weaving colored plastic fence slats through the openings in your fence is an inexpensive way to cover a chain-link fence for privacy.
You can also plant hedges or climbing vines for a more natural approach to privacy. Other common privacy add-ons and their prices are in the table below.
| Privacy Add-On | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Fence slats | $1–$26 per linear ft. |
| Mesh or screen | $0.75–$10 per linear ft. |
| Tape strips | $30–$40 per roll |
| Wood or lattice panels | $4–$45 per panel |
Maintenance
Black chain-link fences are practically maintenance-free compared to other fencing options like wood or vinyl boards. They are coated to resist rust and corrosion and should last 20 years or more, especially if you care for them properly. Below are a few DIY tips to keep your fence in good shape and extend its lifespan:
Repair and replace any worn or sagging connections as you find them
Spray or pressure wash your fence once or twice a year
Weed around the fence and remove climbing vines
If the vinyl coating wears off, apply metal paint
Use a wire brush to remove rust before painting
Don't allow climbing on the fence
Cost to Install a Black Chain-Link Fence Yourself
Installing a chain-link fence yourself costs an average of $1,200, assuming you have all the necessary tools. The fencing materials cost $5 to $25 per linear foot, so DIY can save $10 to $20 per linear foot in labor fees. If you have to buy tools, you should add a few hundred dollars to the total.
That said, it takes about 20 hours to install 150 linear feet of chain link fencing, which includes a lot of physical labor, like digging fence post holes, setting posts in place, and unrolling and attaching every foot of fencing.
In most cases, it’s best to call a fence company near you to take on this project. You’re far more likely to have a final product you can be proud of and that will last you for many years to come. You’ll likely also get a warranty to give you peace of mind, and pros will handle obtaining any necessary permits.
10 Ways to Save on Black Chain-Link Fence Costs
Many choose to install black chain-link fences because they're more affordable than other fencing types, and they last longer than most other chain-link fences. However, black chain link fencing will still cost you more than a standard chain-link fence. If you're looking for more ways to save, try these tips:
Choose a lighter wire gauge or a larger mesh size.
Choose a shorter fence height.
Buy your fencing materials in bulk to get a discount.
Compare quotes from multiple chain-link fence installers near you to get the best price.
If you have good soil, save on concrete by pounding midline posts into the ground.
Include fewer corners in your design to reduce the posts and hardware needed.
Minimize the number of gates you want installed.
Skip the privacy add-ons for now.
Split the cost of fencing installation with neighbors who also want a new fence.
Think about DIYing chain-link fence removal, post installation, or privacy add-ons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Black chain link fences last an average of 15 to 20 years. The thicker a fence's wire gauge, the longer it will tend to last. The black vinyl coating gives the fence rust and corrosion resistance, but its life span may be lower in wet, humid, or coastal climates where moisture or salty air can corrode the coating more quickly.
While picking a standard chain-link fence might be your first instinct, that metal can easily rust over time, making your space look not-so-great. Black chain-link fences are a simple and affordable way to fence in an area of your yard and are also less prone to showing rust than traditional galvanized steel chain-link fences. Plus, black chain-link fencing is a more unique option that can look very striking and elegant when installed properly.
It takes one day for a professional installation crew to install a 150-foot chain fence, though it can take one to four days for the cement to cure fully. Each additional 150 feet will add about one day. From start to finish, including the time it takes to get permits, you can expect your fence project to take between two and four weeks. Those DIYing a chain-link fence should expect it to take about 20 hours to install the first 150 feet, plus one day for each additional 100 feet.