A fence is one of the highest-return outdoor projects in Canada — it adds privacy, security, and curb appeal, and the cost is driven overwhelmingly by one decision: material. Chain-link is the budget workhorse at $15–$35 per linear foot; pressure-treated wood ($30–$55) and cedar ($45–$85) dominate residential yards for their look and value; vinyl ($45–$85) trades a higher upfront price for near-zero maintenance; and aluminum or ornamental fencing ($60–$115) is the premium, rust-free option. Labour alone accounts for 40–60% of the installed price.
This calculator estimates your project from four inputs that actually move the number: fence length, material, height, and gates. Select your city and quality tier, then choose the length bucket, material, and height — the breakdown separates the fencing (panels/pickets) from posts and footings, gates, and optional old-fence removal, so you see where the money goes. City cost-index adjusts the estimate for local labour and permit conditions.
The two most common budget surprises are height and gates. Stepping from a 4 ft to a 6 ft privacy fence adds roughly 25–30% in material on the fencing and posts, and each gate typically adds $300–$650. Decide on your height and gate count before you finalize a budget — and check your municipality's permit and property-line rules, which vary widely across Canada.