Published May 15, 2026
Fence Cost in Minnesota — Wood, Vinyl, Chain Link & More
A typical Twin Cities backyard fence (150 linear feet, 6 ft tall) runs $3,500 to $9,500 installed, depending on material. Per-linear-foot, that's $25–$70 installed for most homeowner choices.
Per-foot pricing by material
| Material | Installed cost / linear ft | 150 ft total | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link (4 ft, no privacy) | $15 – $25 | $2,250 – $3,750 | 15–25 yr |
| Chain link (6 ft + privacy slats) | $20 – $35 | $3,000 – $5,250 | 15–25 yr |
| Cedar privacy (6 ft) | $30 – $55 | $4,500 – $8,250 | 15–25 yr |
| Pressure-treated pine (6 ft) | $25 – $45 | $3,750 – $6,750 | 10–15 yr |
| Vinyl privacy (6 ft) | $40 – $75 | $6,000 – $11,250 | 25–40 yr |
| Ornamental aluminum (4 ft) | $35 – $65 | $5,250 – $9,750 | 30+ yr |
| Black chain link (6 ft) | $25 – $40 | $3,750 – $6,000 | 20–30 yr |
| Composite (6 ft) | $50 – $90 | $7,500 – $13,500 | 25–35 yr |
What's included in a real quote
- Materials — pickets, rails, posts, hardware, gates.
- Post setting — concrete footings, 42 inches deep (Twin Cities frost line).
- Demo of old fence — usually $5–$10/ft extra.
- Locate calls — 811 Gopher State One Call (free, mandatory).
- Cleanup & haul-off.
- Gates — single 4-ft walk gate: $200–$450. Double 8-ft drive gate: $500–$1,200.
- Permits — varies by city ($50–$200).
What you're really paying for
Posts
The expensive, slow part. Each post = a hand-dug or auger-drilled hole, 42 inches deep, with concrete. Twin Cities clay soil is rough digging — expect $40–$80 per post installed in materials alone. A 150-foot fence has ~20 posts.
Material grade
- Cedar #1 grade vs. #2 — $8 vs. $5 per picket. #1 lasts 5+ years longer.
- Pressure-treated southern yellow pine vs. cedar — cheaper but warps; expect 3–5 ugly years from year 8 onward.
- Vinyl wall thickness — cheap import vinyl yellows and cracks in 8–10 MN winters. Pay for 0.135"+ wall.
Terrain
Slopes, rocks, tree roots, removing chain link, cutting through old concrete footings — all add labor.
Twin Cities-specific factors
Frost line
Posts must be set at least 42 inches deep (and ideally 48 in north metro) to prevent heave. Quotes that mention "30-inch posts" or "30-inch sonotubes" are not winter-safe — walk away.
City permits & setbacks
- Minneapolis — fence permits required >6 ft; rear/side setback rules vary by zoning.
- St. Paul — permit required for any fence; max 6.5 ft rear, 4 ft front yard.
- Edina, Eden Prairie, Plymouth — most require permit and setback survey.
- Most cities require finished side facing the neighbor.
HOA covenants
Many newer Twin Cities developments restrict to specific styles, heights, even colors. Check before quoting.
Locate calls
Always call 811 (Gopher State One Call) 48 business hours before digging. Free. Failure to do so = personal liability for hitting buried gas/electric/cable.
Wood vs. vinyl vs. chain link — which to pick?
Choose cedar if: you want classic look, expect to maintain (stain every 3–4 years), willing to replace in 20 years.
Choose vinyl if: you want zero maintenance, plan to stay 15+ years, budget allows the 50% premium. White and tan hold up best in MN UV.
Choose chain link if: dog containment is the goal, view doesn't matter. Black-vinyl-coated chain link is the most under-rated option — disappears against landscaping.
Choose aluminum if: pool fence (most cities require self-closing, self-latching gate, 4 ft+).
Saving money
- Share with the neighbor — split the cost on the property line (get it in writing).
- Order at end of season — November installs are 10–20% cheaper.
- Skip the gate hardware upgrade — basic galvanized hinges last 20+ years.
- Stain the fence yourself in year 2 — saves $1,500+.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a survey? Strongly recommended if you're going on the property line. A pin survey runs $400–$800 and prevents very expensive disputes.
Can I install over an old fence line? Only if the old posts are out. Trying to set new posts beside old footings = leaning fence.
How long does install take? 150 ft fence: 2–4 days. Concrete cures 24–48 hr before gates can be hung.
What about Frostline-Plus warranties? Some installers offer "no heave" guarantees with proper depth + gravel base. Worth paying $2–$5/ft extra in MN.
Request a free quote — we measure on-site, mark utilities, and email a written estimate within 48 hours.