Installing a hog wire fence costs $2,000 but can range from $1,000 to $2,900 depending on its size and whether it’s framed.
Installing a hog wire fence costs $2,000, though it can range from as little as $600 to as much as $21,750. Expect fencing and labor to cost $6.50 to $15.50 per linear foot. However, several factors affect its price, such as length and whether you build it with a frame or without one. Hog wire fences, also called hog panels or stock panels, are traditional agricultural fences that are gaining popularity thanks to their versatility and rustic look. Learn how to budget for this fencing project to keep your animals safe and secure.
The size of a hog wire fence is measured in both linear feet of length and in feet of height. On average, you can expect to pay $6.50 to $15.50 per linear foot for a framed hog wire fence. The cost difference is due in part to the range of available wire thicknesses and coatings.
Fence Size (Linear Feet) | Price Range |
---|---|
25 | $160 – $390 |
50 | $320 – $780 |
75 | $480 – $1,170 |
100 | $640 – $1,560 |
150 | $960 – $2,340 |
200 | $1,280 – $3,120 |
300 | $1,920 – $4,680 |
400 | $2,560 – $6,240 |
Most homeowners will use hog wire fencing to surround relatively small yards and gardens. Those with a lot of land or animals to protect may need to enclose several acres. Given the average cost to install fencing, hog wire provides an affordable alternative to most fencing types when it comes to fencing in large areas of land.
Number of Acres | Fence Cost (Installed) |
---|---|
1 | $5,400 – $13,000 |
2 | $10,800 – $26,000 |
3 | $16,200 – $39,000 |
4 | $21,600 – $52,000 |
5 | $27,000 – $65,000 |
Whether or not the hog wire fence is attached to frames, it will typically be secured to posts made of either wood or metal. Wooden fence posts are more common for permanent installations, especially for framed fences that use wooden frames. However, either option is viable depending on your needs and aesthetic preferences.
Fencepost Material | Average Cost per Post (Installed) |
---|---|
Metal | $5 – $60 |
Wood | $20 – $50 |
Hog wire is a type of farm fencing that comes in large rolls of ready-made welded wire. That wire gets stretched in one of two ways to enclose a space:
Frameless hog wire fencing is wire that’s hung or affixed to posts
Framed hog wire fencing is wire that is stretched across panels of varying sizes
Frameless hog wire fencing has a lower price point than its framed counterpart but it is less sturdy.
Frame Type | Average Cost per Linear Foot (Installed) |
---|---|
Frameless | $2.50–$6.50 |
Framed | $6.50–$15.50 |
Professional labor is a major cost factor for any fencing project. Installing a fence is difficult and takes a lot of time to do properly, so most homeowners end up hiring a local fence company to handle the job.
Fence installers charge anywhere from $1 to $4 per linear foot for labor alone. Expect rates on the higher end of this range if you’re installing a framed hog wire fence since the frames often have to be constructed on-site.
Your pro’s labor fee should cover all aspects of your hog fence installation, including assessing your property boundaries (if necessary), helping you pick the right fence materials, digging post holes, building fence panels, installing gates, and ensuring the fence is properly aligned and has structural integrity.
There are several features you can add to a hog wire fence to enhance its look and functionality. Some common examples include:
If you want access to the fenced-in area, you’ll need to install a gate. The cost to add a gate to a hog wire fence is typically lower than installing one on a traditional fence. Expect to pay $30 for a low-end DIY gate and up to $200 or more for a professionally installed one.
You may want to beautify your hog fence, and paint can work wonders in that department. Painting a fence costs an average of $2 to $3 per linear foot.
Rodents and other tiny critters may try to make their way into your enclosure. You can block small animals with a kickboard at the bottom of your frame for $0.50 per linear foot.
When properly maintained, a well-installed hog wire fence should last 25 to 50 years. Maintenance involves regularly priming and painting or staining wood components to prevent rot. The cost to stain or paint a fence is $3 to $14 per linear foot.
Most municipalities require that you obtain a permit before building a fence on your property. Expect to spend an average of $50 on a fence-building permit, though it can run between $30 and $200.
If you're in need of hog wire fencing for a small garden, you could save on the cost of labor by doing it yourself with ready-made panels. You can purchase a set of four to eight ready-made hog wire fence panels for $5 to $50 per linear foot depending on the style. These panels require no posts and can be stapled directly to a raised garden bed for a quick install.
For larger projects, however, you'll probably want to hire a fence contractor. Fencing installation is complex and very time-consuming, especially if your yard isn't perfectly level. Pro fence installers often provide warranties on their installation and labor, so you'll be covered in the event that something goes wrong with the installation.
As with any project, it’s great to save a little money. But you don’t want to skimp on quality to cut costs. Here are some ways you can install a hog wire fence while staying within or under budget.
Compare quotes by consulting at least three professional fence installers to get a good rate.
If you have the prior experience and necessary tools, consider DIYing part of the installation yourself.
Upcycle some of the materials. Ask friends and neighbors if they have any leftover wood for the framing, leftover wire, or paint for beautification.
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The most common hog wire gauge for a fence is 12.5. However, you can choose from a few gauges based on your needs. While 12.5 is a reliable gauge for penning in large, strong animals, 9 gauge is a better option of you have large animals that are easily spooked, such as horses. For smaller animals, like dogs or pigs, you can use a 16 gauge hog wire.
Most adult chickens can't fit through the large openings in a hog wire fence. However, young chicks or small breeds of chickens could potentially squeeze through a hog wire fence. To prevent this, consider adding extra reinforcements such as chicken wire fencing, mesh, or hardware cloth.
The plants that grow well on a hog wire fence are any type of climbing or vining plant. This includes garden crops such as green beans, squash, and potatoes as well as jasmine and ivy. Compared to other farm fencing costs, hog wire comes at an affordable price and makes a great trellis if you plant climbing vines along the base of the fence.