What a new fence costs in Wilmington in 2026
The honest answer is a range per foot, plus gates, plus anything unusual about your yard. Here is how the numbers come together.
Fences are priced by the linear foot because most of the cost, posts, rails, boards or panels and labor, scales with length. Gates are priced separately because each one is a small project of its own, with a heavier post, hardware and fitting time. On top of that come the variables that differ from yard to yard: removing an old fence, digging through roots or old concrete, steps on a slope, and any permit fee.
The figures below are 2026 planning ranges for the Wilmington area, New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties, for typical residential jobs. They are not quotes. Short runs with many corners cost more per foot than long straight runs, and premium colors, heavier panels and taller fences sit at the top of each range.
Per-foot ranges by material
| Option | Installed, 2026 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link, 4 ft galvanized | $16 – $28 / ft | Least expensive enclosure |
| Chain link, 4 ft black coated | $22 – $36 / ft | HOA-friendly |
| Pine privacy, 6 ft | $28 – $42 / ft | Most common backyard fence |
| Pine shadow box, 6 ft | $34 – $50 / ft | Finished both sides |
| Aluminum, 4 ft | $36 – $60 / ft | Keeps the view |
| Vinyl privacy, 6 ft | $38 – $62 / ft | No staining |
| Cedar privacy, 6 ft | $40 – $60 / ft | Premium wood |
| Walk gate | $350 – $1,000 each | Material dependent |
| Remove old fence | $3 – $7 / ft | Haul-off included |
A worked example: 180 feet of privacy fence
A typical Wilmington backyard on a quarter-acre lot needs about 180 feet of fence to close the back and both sides to the house, with one walk gate on each side.
- 180 ft of six-foot pressure-treated pine dog-ear at $28 to $42 a foot: $5,040 to $7,560
- Two four-foot wood walk gates at $350 to $750 each: $700 to $1,500
- Removing 120 ft of old chain link at $3 to $7 a foot: $360 to $840
Total: roughly $6,100 to $9,900. The same layout in white vinyl privacy would run about $8,200 to $14,000, and in four-foot black aluminum about $7,700 to $13,400 with matching gates and the same removal.
Price questions
Why is a short fence more per foot?
Corners and ends need heavier posts and more labor, and setup time is the same whether the run is 40 feet or 400.
Is the estimate free?
Yes. An estimator measures the line and leaves a written, itemized price.
Do prices include removing the old fence?
Only if it is listed. We price removal as its own line so you can choose.
Do you require a deposit?
Material deposits are common on custom orders; the terms are written on the estimate.
Can I finance a fence?
Financing is available on larger projects. See financing.
Keep reading
Get a written price for your yard
Tell us where the fence goes and what you have in mind. An estimator comes out, measures the line and leaves a written price, free of charge.
- Measured on site, not guessed from a photo
- Material, height and gates priced line by line
- Or call (910) 807-8208. Calls answered 24 hours, 7 days.