Why per-linear-foot, not per-panel
Most online fence quotes lead with a panel price — "$120 per 6′×8′ panel" — which is misleading. A fence install is roughly 55–70% materials and 30–45% labour. The labour scales with linear footage, the panel price doesn't capture gates (typically $400–$1,800 each), end and corner posts (heavier than line posts), removal of an existing fence ($4–$12/ft), or footings to frost depth (essentially free on Vancouver's mild climate, $80–$140 per hole on Edmonton or Winnipeg). Per-linear-foot installed pricing is the only honest comparison.
Material-by-material installed pricing, 2026
Chain-link 6′ — galvanized $18–$32/ft, vinyl-coated black $28–$42/ft. The Canadian budget perimeter standard.
Wood privacy 6′ — pressure-treated pine $32–$52/ft, western red cedar $42–$72/ft. Cedar's higher upfront pays off on a 25-year ownership cycle.
Vinyl PVC 6′ — $48–$78/ft. The maintenance-free choice — single-rinse cleaning, no staining, no painting.
Aluminum ornamental 4′ — $52–$88/ft. Pool-rated profiles run $58–$95/ft.
Wrought-iron 4′ — $95–$180/ft custom-fabricated. Steel-tube ornamental at the lower end, true wrought-iron at the high end.
Frameless glass pool — $145–$240/ft. Quebec, Ontario, BC pool-fence regulations drive this segment.
Farm woven-wire 4′ — $4.50–$8/ft material-only, $8–$14/ft installed on flat ground.
What's NOT in the linear-foot quote
Gates add $400 (residential walk-gate) to $5,500+ (automatic double-leaf driveway gate). Slope adds 10–20% to labour. Removal of an existing fence adds $4–$12/ft. Frost-depth footings on prairie or northern sites add $40–$140/hole. Stamped engineering on commercial work adds $1,500–$4,500 per project. Permits — usually $80–$400 per municipal jurisdiction.
Regional variation
Atlantic — salt-spray punishes painted steel and cheap galvanizing; specify Class 2C chain-link and hot-dip-galvanized substrate on any wrought-iron or steel.
Quebec — pool-fence is regulated under the 2025 amendment; pricing on pool perimeter runs higher because the engineering and gate hardware spec is non-negotiable.
Ontario and Prairie — frost depth 120–180 cm; post footings are real money, especially on commercial bulk-installs.
BC — mild climate, 60 cm frost depth coastal; pricing efficiency on labour offset by typically higher material freight.
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
Temporary fence rental vs buy in Canada: break-even
Break-even analysis: rent temporary fence panels vs buy your own fleet for ongoing construction work. Rental tiers run 1-week / 1-month / 3+ month. Ownership economics flip in favour of buy after roughly 14-18 months of continuous use per panel, depending on freight and storage costs. B2B accounts get NET-30 terms and fast-track scheduling on either choice. Related: [temporary fence rental guide](/guides/temporary-fence-rental-canada), [browse temporary fence](/fences/temporary), [start a quote](/quote).
→Best fence for Canadian winter: 5-material durability
Which fence material handles −40 °C Canadian winter best? Vinyl, aluminum, wood, chain-link, and steel — each has different winter weakness modes. Vinyl can become brittle below −25 °C without UV-stabilized grade. Wood swells and warps with freeze-thaw cycling. Galvanized chain-link is the toughest budget choice. 25-year cost-per-year comparison favors cedar or vinyl for residential, galvanized chain-link for commercial. Related: [browse all materials](/fences), [frost-depth installation guide](/guides/frost-fence-canada), [start a quote](/quote).
→Quebec 2025 pool fence regulation: compliance guide
Complete guide to Quebec's 2025 pool fence regulation: 1.2 m minimum height measured outside, self-closing self-latching gate, no climbable surface within 1 m, picket spacing ≤100 mm. Applies to every residential pool ≥60 cm depth. Compliance window is 60 days from installation. Frameless glass and aluminum picket are the compliant material defaults. Related: [pool fence regulations across Canada](/guides/pool-fence-regulations-canada), [start a quote](/quote), [browse pool fence](/fences/pool-glass).
→One quote. Every material. Every province.
Tell us material, project size, postal code, and contact — we come back within 24 hours with pricing, lead time, and a local install or delivery slot.