FenceCostCalculator.us

🔗 Chain Link Fence Calculator — Detailed Study

Calculate the detailed costs for your chain link fence project, including materials, labor, and optional features.

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ℹ️ Understanding The Calculator Fields (Chain Link)
A detailed breakdown of each input field specific to chain link fences.

🔧 Main Parameters:

📏 Dimensions

  • Total Fence Length (ft): The overall length of the fence line.
  • Fence Height (ft): Common heights are 3ft to 8ft. Affects mesh quantity and post length.

🧱 Mesh Material

  • Mesh Coating: Galvanized (standard, rust-resistant) or PVC Coated (vinyl coated over galvanized steel, often colored, adds durability and aesthetic appeal, usually more expensive).
  • Mesh Size (inches): The diagonal distance between parallel wires (e.g., 2", 2.25"). Smaller mesh is stronger and more expensive.
  • Wire Gauge: Thickness of the wire (e.g., 9, 11, 11.5). Lower gauge numbers mean thicker, stronger, and more expensive wire.

🪜 Construction

  • Distance Between Posts (ft): Typically 6 to 10 feet for chain link. Closer spacing means more posts but can be stronger.
  • Post Type: Steel Round Posts are common. T-Posts can be used for lighter duty or temporary fences.

🚪 Gates & Components

  • Number of Gates (Single, Double, Rolling): Each gate type adds specific hardware and cost.
  • Include Top Rail?: A horizontal pipe along the top of the fence for added stability and a finished look. Common for most permanent installations.
  • Include Bottom Tension Wire?: A wire stretched along the bottom of the fence to keep the mesh taut and prevent animals from pushing under. Recommended.
  • Include Barb Wire Top?: Adds strands of barbed wire above the fence for increased security. Specify number of rows if selected.

⚒️ Installation & Soil

  • Include Installation Cost?: Toggle to include professional labor costs.
  • Soil/Surface Type: Level soil is standard. Slopes require more labor for proper post setting and mesh stretching. Concrete/Asphalt surfaces require specialized methods for post installation (e.g., core drilling, surface mounting).

💲 Unit Costs

  • Use Custom Material Prices: Allows input of specific local prices for mesh, posts, top rail, tension wire, and barb wire. Otherwise, calculator uses pre-set average prices.
  • Labor Rate Type & Rate: If installation is included, define if labor is charged per foot of fence or as a fixed project cost.

📐 What The Calculator Computes:

  • Total linear feet of mesh fabric.
  • Total number of line posts and terminal posts (corners, ends, gates).
  • Total linear feet of top rail (if selected).
  • Total linear feet of tension wire (if selected).
  • Total linear feet of barb wire (if selected).
  • Estimated cost for gates and their hardware.
  • Estimated cost for fittings (post caps, rail ends, tension bands, brace bands, tie wires).
  • Total material cost.
  • Total installation cost (if selected), adjusted for soil type.
  • Grand total estimated cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (Chain Link Fence)
Answers to common questions about calculating chain link fence costs.