How much does it cost to fence a typical GTA backyard?

A standard 100–150 ft of 6-ft pressure-treated privacy fence runs roughly $6,000–$10,500 installed, and the same in cedar lands closer to $8,000–$14,000. Add old-fence removal, a gate, and any slope, and a mid-range backyard usually comes in around $8,000–$12,000. The per-foot number drops on longer straight runs because setup costs spread out.

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Toronto, and what does it cost?

For a standard backyard or side-yard fence up to 6 ft (2 m), you generally do not need a permit in Toronto — you just have to follow the fence bylaw on height and material. Front-yard fences over about 4 ft (1.2 m) and pool enclosures do require a permit, typically $150–$450 in municipal fees. Bylaws vary by city, so Mississauga, Vaughan, and Oakville each have their own height and setback rules worth checking before you build.

What's the cheapest way to fence my yard?

Galvanized chain-link at $40–$55 per linear foot is the cheapest durable option and is hard to beat for pet containment or rear property lines. If you want wood privacy on a budget, a basic 6-ft pressure-treated board fence at $55–$65/ft is the best value. Keeping the run straight, the grade level, and reusing sound existing posts are the three things that cut the bill the most.

Why is cedar so much more expensive than pressure-treated?

Cedar lumber itself costs noticeably more per board, and that flows straight into the per-foot price — roughly $70–$95/ft installed versus $55–$70 for pressure-treated. You're paying for natural rot and insect resistance, a cleaner grain that takes stain beautifully, and a fence that ages to a nicer look. Over a 20-plus-year lifespan many GTA homeowners find cedar worth the premium, especially on a front yard or anywhere it's highly visible.

Fencing & Gates Cost in Toronto & the GTA (2026)

Most fence quotes in the GTA land between $40 and $95 per linear foot installed, but that range hides a lot — a chain-link run on flat ground is a different animal than a 6-foot cedar privacy fence on a sloped Etobicoke lot with old posts to dig out. The honest answer is that material, height, your grade, and how easy your backyard is to get equipment into move the number more than anything else. Below is what we actually charge GTA homeowners in 2026, broken down so you can see where your dollars go before anyone steps on your property.

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What it costs

Pricing tiers in the GTA.

Budget — chain-link & basic PT

$40–$55 per linear foot

Galvanized chain-link or a basic pressure-treated picket/board fence up to 6 ft, standard posts set in concrete on reasonably level ground. Functional, code-compliant, no frills.

Best for: Pet and property-line containment, side and rear yards, rental properties, or anyone who wants a clean boundary without a big spend.

Mid-range — pressure-treated privacy

$55–$70 per linear foot

Full 6-ft pressure-treated privacy fence — board-on-board or shadowbox, 4x4 posts in concrete, often pre-stained. The most common GTA backyard fence and the best value for a solid, private barrier.

Best for: Typical suburban backyards in Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, or Mississauga wanting full privacy at a sensible price.

High-end — cedar & aluminum

$70–$95 per linear foot

Western red cedar privacy or horizontal-slat fence, or a powder-coated aluminum/ornamental steel fence. Premium materials, cleaner detailing, longer lifespan, and stronger curb appeal.

Best for: Front yards, pool enclosures, and homeowners in Oakville, Richmond Hill, or North York who want the fence to look as good as the house.

Premium — custom & specialty

$95–$160+ per linear foot

Composite or hardwood (Ipe) fencing, glass pool panels, masonry-pier-and-aluminum hybrids, integrated lighting, or fully custom millwork on difficult grade. Engineered and built to spec.

Best for: High-end properties, designer landscapes, and pool/poolside installs where the fence is a feature, not just a boundary.

Where the money goes

Cost breakdown by component.

Materials (lumber/panels, posts, concrete, hardware): 40–55% of total
Labour (layout, digging, setting posts, building): 35–45% of total
Old fence removal & disposal: $400–$1,200 + dump fees
Walk gate (standard): $350–$700 each
Double / drive gate: $900–$2,500 (manual)
Permit (only if required — front yard over 4 ft, pool enclosure): $150–$450 typical municipal fee
Staining / sealing (optional, on PT or cedar): $4–$8 per linear foot

What moves the price

The factors that drive your quote.

Material grade
Biggest single driver. Chain-link sits at $40–$55/ft, pressure-treated $55–$70/ft, cedar $70–$95/ft, aluminum/ornamental $80–$120/ft, and composite/Ipe $100–$160+/ft.
Height & privacy style
Going from a 4-ft picket to a 6-ft board-on-board privacy fence adds roughly $12–$20/ft in extra lumber and labour. Board-on-board uses ~30% more boards than a standard panel.
Old fence removal & post extraction
Tearing out an existing fence and digging out concrete-set posts typically adds $8–$15 per linear foot, or $400–$1,200 for a standard backyard, plus dump fees.
Grade, rock & site conditions
Sloped lots needing stepped or raked panels, or hitting rock/clay/utilities while digging, can add 10–25% to labour. Hand-digging where an auger can't reach is the priciest scenario.
Site access
If there's no gate-width side access and materials plus spoil must be carried through the house or over the property, expect $300–$1,000+ in added labour. Tight semi and townhouse lots are common GTA culprits.
Gates
A standard walk gate runs $350–$700; a double drive gate $900–$2,500. Add an automatic opener for a driveway gate and you're looking at $2,500–$6,000+ all-in with electrical.

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Frequently asked

Fencing & Gates cost questions.

How much does it cost to fence a typical GTA backyard?: A standard 100–150 ft of 6-ft pressure-treated privacy fence runs roughly $6,000–$10,500 installed, and the same in cedar lands closer to $8,000–$14,000. Add old-fence removal, a gate, and any slope, and a mid-range backyard usually comes in around $8,000–$12,000. The per-foot number drops on longer straight runs because setup costs spread out.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Toronto, and what does it cost?: For a standard backyard or side-yard fence up to 6 ft (2 m), you generally do not need a permit in Toronto — you just have to follow the fence bylaw on height and material. Front-yard fences over about 4 ft (1.2 m) and pool enclosures do require a permit, typically $150–$450 in municipal fees. Bylaws vary by city, so Mississauga, Vaughan, and Oakville each have their own height and setback rules worth checking before you build.
What's the cheapest way to fence my yard?: Galvanized chain-link at $40–$55 per linear foot is the cheapest durable option and is hard to beat for pet containment or rear property lines. If you want wood privacy on a budget, a basic 6-ft pressure-treated board fence at $55–$65/ft is the best value. Keeping the run straight, the grade level, and reusing sound existing posts are the three things that cut the bill the most.
Why is cedar so much more expensive than pressure-treated?: Cedar lumber itself costs noticeably more per board, and that flows straight into the per-foot price — roughly $70–$95/ft installed versus $55–$70 for pressure-treated. You're paying for natural rot and insect resistance, a cleaner grain that takes stain beautifully, and a fence that ages to a nicer look. Over a 20-plus-year lifespan many GTA homeowners find cedar worth the premium, especially on a front yard or anywhere it's highly visible.

Per-foot pricing is a starting point, not a quote — your grade, access, old posts, and gate count are what actually set the number. A 15-minute walkthrough lets us measure the run and spot the cost drivers an online estimate can't see, so reach out for a free on-site quote.

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