What a fence actually costs in Portland
As of August 2026, a professionally installed fence in the Portland metro runs $25 to $70+ per linear foot depending on material. The Portland default — a 6-foot western red cedar privacy fence — typically lands at $40 to $70 per foot installed, so a standard 150-foot backyard costs roughly $6,000 to $10,500. Portland prices sit above national averages because of local labor rates and because wet-soil builds here are usually specced heavier (concrete-set or steel posts).
Price per linear foot, installed
| Material | Per foot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link | $20 – $40 | Cheapest, durable, zero privacy |
| Pressure-treated wood | $25 – $45 | Budget privacy; needs staining |
| Hog wire + cedar frame | $35 – $60 | The Northwest look; keeps views |
| Cedar privacy (6 ft) | $40 – $70 | The Portland default; ages well |
| Vinyl | $40 – $70 | No maintenance; looks like vinyl |
| Clear cedar / custom | $70 – $110+ | Knot-free boards, steel posts, design work |
Common add-ons
| Old fence removal + haul-away | $3 – $5 per foot |
| Walk gate | $250 – $600 each |
| Double / drive gate | $600 – $1,500 |
| Steel posts instead of wood | $5 – $10 per foot extra |
| Slopes, roots, tight access | varies — this is where bids diverge |
Permits and property lines
In most Portland residential zones, fences up to 7 feet need no building permit. Corner lots carry vision-clearance limits near intersections and driveways, and front yards allow lower heights than back yards. The expensive mistake isn’t permits — it’s property lines. Confirm yours (and talk to the neighbor who shares the fence) before anyone digs; a survey costs a few hundred dollars, moving a finished fence costs the whole project.
Why two quotes for the same fence differ by $3,000
Cedar grade, post spec, demo included or not, slope, roots, access, gate hardware, and each company’s backlog. None of that is visible in a price chart, including this one — which is why the only real number is competing written bids on your actual fence, with photos. That’s the entire reason HouseRules exists: post the fence once, license-verified contractors bid on it, and you compare real prices side by side without giving out your phone number.
Get real bids on your fence, free
Post your projectRanges are a survey of published Portland-metro installer pricing as of August 2026, quoted wide on purpose — real bids on a real fence are the only exact numbers. Also useful: what a deck costs in Portland, what a bathroom remodel costs, and how to verify a contractor’s license.