A typical Portland fence runs $18–70 per linear foot installed in 2026. Cedar — the PNW classic — lands in the $25–45 per foot range. Chain-link is the cheapest at $15–25 per foot; composite is the priciest at $40–70. Below are the real material-by-material ranges, plus the Portland-specific factors that explain why two bids on the same backyard can differ by thousands.
The Portland fence cost table
Prices below are installed totals — materials plus labor. Each range covers the spread from a basic install on a flat, easy yard to a higher-grade build with quality posts, hardware, and finish. Add a few feet of vertical for tall privacy designs; expect to land in the upper half for sloped or rocky sites.
| Material | Cost / linear foot (installed) | Typical lifespan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar (Western Red) | $25–45 | 15–25 years | The Portland default — natural rot resistance, ages gracefully to silver-grey |
| Pressure-treated pine | $18–35 | 10–20 years | Budget privacy fences; needs staining to look its best |
| Vinyl | $30–55 | 20–30+ years | Low-maintenance homeowners who want one-and-done |
| Composite | $40–70 | 25–30+ years | Premium look without the upkeep; matches composite decks |
| Aluminum | $35–60 | 30+ years | Pool fencing, slopes, decorative borders — not full privacy |
| Chain-link | $15–25 | 15–25 years | Big yards, pets, fast install; add slats for privacy |
Quick math for typical Portland yards
Most Portland residential yards run between 100 and 200 feet of fencing. Here's what that looks like in dollars at the mid-point of each range:
| Yard size | Cedar (mid) | Vinyl (mid) | Composite (mid) | Chain-link (mid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 linear feet | $3,500 | $4,250 | $5,500 | $2,000 |
| 150 linear feet | $5,250 | $6,375 | $8,250 | $3,000 |
| 200 linear feet | $7,000 | $8,500 | $11,000 | $4,000 |
| 300 linear feet | $10,500 | $12,750 | $16,500 | $6,000 |
These are mid-point ballparks. A high-end cedar build on a sloped lot with multiple gates can easily push a 200-ft job past $9,000 — and that's still a fair price for what you're getting.
What moves a Portland fence price up
Two contractors can quote the same 100-foot fence at $3,500 and $5,500 and both be honest. The spread comes from these factors:
Slope and grading
Portland is a hilly metro. Sloped lots cost more because each post is set individually rather than in a straight, repeatable line. Expect a 10–25% premium on any run with significant grade. "Racked" fence panels that follow the slope cost more than stepped panels that hold horizontal.
Soil — clay, fill, and rock
Much of the inner east side sits on dense clay; outer east and Cascades-adjacent neighborhoods have rock. Both make post-hole digging harder, and concrete usage goes up. A clay-heavy site can add $3–8 per foot just on the dig.
Old fence removal and disposal
If you're replacing rather than building new, demolition and dump fees run $3–8 per linear foot on top of the install price. Some contractors fold this into one number; others itemize. Ask up front.
Gates
Each gate adds $300–800 for a single walk-gate, more for double or driveway gates with proper posts and hardware. Most yards need at least one; many need two.
Post hardware and concrete
The "cheap" bid often skimps here: smaller posts, less concrete, fewer fasteners. Portland's wet winters punish under-spec'd posts within five years. A pro using 4×4 cedar posts set in concrete with proper drainage will quote higher and your fence will outlast theirs by a decade.
Permits and HOA review
Most residential fences don't trigger a building permit (see our Portland fence rules guide), but if your project does — over 7 feet, masonry walls, or in certain overlay zones — add permit fees and time. HOA design-review fees are another $50–250 in some neighborhoods.
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Get a free estimate →What moves a Portland fence price down
- Doing the demo yourself. Hauling the old fence off is straightforward DIY and saves $3–8/ft.
- Standard panel sizes. Stock 6-ft cedar dog-ear panels are the cheapest to source and install. Custom heights and pickets cost more.
- Booking shoulder seasons. Spring (March–May) and fall (Sept–Oct) crews are less booked than peak summer. Some contractors discount 5–10% off-season.
- Sharing the run with a neighbor. If the fence sits on a property line, an even cost-split with the neighbor halves your bill. Get it in writing.
How a real Portland estimate is structured
A professional estimate should itemize, not just give a lump sum:
- Materials — lumber/panels/pickets, posts, concrete, hardware, gate kits, finish (stain or paint).
- Labor — measured separately or rolled into per-foot pricing.
- Demolition & haul-off — if applicable.
- Permits and fees — if applicable.
- Gates and special features — itemized per gate.
- Workmanship terms — what's guaranteed, for how long.
- CCB license number — required on every Oregon contractor's estimate.
If a bid is one line at the bottom of an email, ask for the breakdown. A serious contractor will provide it.
Cedar vs vinyl vs composite — at a glance
The three most-asked-about materials in Portland, side by side:
| Cedar | Vinyl | Composite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost / ft | $25–45 | $30–55 | $40–70 |
| Lifespan | 15–25 yrs | 20–30+ yrs | 25–30+ yrs |
| Maintenance | Stain every 3–5 yrs (optional) | Hose off occasionally | Hose off occasionally |
| Look | Natural wood, ages to silver-grey | Uniform, plasticky up close | Wood look, holds color |
| PNW weather | Excellent — naturally rot-resistant | Excellent — no rot | Excellent — no rot |
If price is the deciding factor and you don't mind staining: cedar. If you want to forget about it for 20 years: vinyl or composite.
Honest pricing red flags
If a "Portland fence company" quotes you under $12/ft for cedar installed, walk away. The math doesn't work — they'll either skip permits, use bargain-bin lumber, set posts in dirt instead of concrete, or vanish after collecting the deposit. Real Portland labor + materials can't deliver quality cedar fencing under about $20/ft.
Always verify the CCB. Every Oregon contractor's CCB license number is searchable for free at search.ccb.state.or.us. Make sure it's active, the bond is in place, and there are no recent disciplinary actions before you sign anything.