How Much Does a Fence Cost in Anniston & Oxford?
Short answer: most new wood or vinyl fences fall between $20 and $60 per linear foot installed, according to HomeGuide's national guide.[1] Below is what moves your number up or down, using published ranges rather than guesses.
Cost by fence length
| Fence length | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| 50 ft | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| 100 ft | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| 150 ft | $3,000 – $9,000 |
| 200 ft | $4,000 – $12,000 |
| 300 ft | $6,000 – $18,000 |
How to measure: walk the line you want, count the feet, and subtract nothing for gates. Gates are usually priced on their own (see below).
Cost by material
| Material | Per linear foot | Expected life |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link | $9 – $30 | 15 – 20 years |
| Wood | $20 – $50 | 15 – 50 years |
| Vinyl | $30 – $60 | 20 – 30 years |
| Aluminum | $25 – $75 | 30 – 50 years |
| Composite | $20 – $85 | 25 – 30 years |
| Wrought iron | $50 – $85 | 50 – 100 years |
Cheapest isn't always cheapest over time. HomeGuide notes wood needs sealing every one to two years, while vinyl doesn't.[1] Compare materials on the fence types page.
Cost by style and height
- 6-foot privacy fence (wood or vinyl): $25 to $60 per foot. Going to 8 feet raises it to about $50 to $85 per foot.[1] Check the height limit first: Oxford's zoning ordinance caps fences along a residential lot line at 6 feet.[2]
- Picket fence (usually 3 to 5 feet tall): $20 to $50 per foot.[1] A good fit for front yards, where Anniston's posted zoning file limits fences along the front yard to 36 inches.[3]
- Split rail: $15 to $35 per foot.[1]
Costs people forget to budget
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Tearing out and hauling off an old fence | $10 – $20 per linear foot |
| Land survey to mark the property line | $200 – $1,200 |
| Grading uneven ground | $500 – $3,000 |
| Painting or staining | $2 – $14 per linear foot |
| Replacing a fence (instead of new) | $30 – $80 per linear foot |
| Repairing a damaged section | $300 – $900 |
Gates, deeper posts set in concrete, rocky or sloped ground and hard-to-reach yards all add labor, HomeGuide says.[1]
The permit fee in Anniston
Anniston publishes its residential construction permit fee as $25 for the first $2,000 of project value (the contract amount), plus $7 per thousand after that.[4] Worked example: on a $6,000 fence contract, that's $25 + (4 × $7) = $53. HomeGuide's national range for a fence permit is $40 to $150, for comparison.[1]
Oxford posts a permit fee schedule on its Building Services page; call 256-831-9685 if you have questions about the amount.[5] More on both cities is on the permits page.
How long it takes
HomeGuide puts a typical installation at 2 to 4 days, and notes that posts set in concrete may need 1 to 4 days to cure, depending on the mix.[1] Add the three business days Alabama 811 needs to mark buried lines before anyone digs.[6]
Comparing quotes: what Alabama's licensing board recommends
- Get it in writing, with the contractor's license number on the contract. If it's not in the contract, you may not get it.[7]
- Ask for proof of insurance: liability, and workers' comp where it applies.[8]
- Agree on a payment schedule and start and finish dates, and put them in the contract. Spell out materials, colors and brands.[8]
- Don't rush. Don't hire the first contractor who comes along, and check references.[7]
- Verify the license before you sign a contract over $10,000.[9]
When you compare two quotes, line them up on the same things: total feet, height, material and grade of lumber, post spacing and depth, number and width of gates, old-fence removal, and who pulls the permit and calls 811.
Sources
- HomeGuide, Fence installation cost (national ranges, updated Feb 3, 2026) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Oxford, Zoning Ordinance (adopted Sept 26, 2017, as amended) (PDF) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Anniston, Zoning Ordinance file posted on the City's Zoning page (dated 6/26/24, marked “Draft”) (PDF) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Anniston, Fees & Codes (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Oxford, Building Services (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- Alabama Power, Call Before You Dig (Alabama 811) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board, Do's and Don'ts of Hiring a Contractor (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board, Before the Contractor Begins Work (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board, How to Hire a Builder (accessed Oct 17, 2026)