What the cost sites publish
| Item | Published range | Source (date shown) |
|---|---|---|
| Labor to install one post | $40 – $150 | Fixr (Jan 31, 2025) |
| Vinyl, wood, or composite post, installed | $50 – $200 each | Fixr (Jan 31, 2025) |
| Metal post, installed | $50 – $210 each | Fixr (Jan 31, 2025) |
| Concrete post, installed | $70 – $250 each | Fixr (Jan 31, 2025) |
| Brick or stone post, installed | $90 – $300 each | Fixr (Jan 31, 2025) |
| Concrete for post bases | $0.30 per pound | HomeAdvisor (Jun 20, 2026) |
| Post caps | $30 – $150 per cap | HomeAdvisor (Jun 20, 2026) |
Spacing, depth, and code
HomeAdvisor says posts are usually four, six, or eight feet apart, and that local building code dictates spacing, burial depth, and how much concrete is needed. It adds that setting posts below the frost line to avoid upheaval increases post length and concrete. HomeGuide says to plan one post for every 6 to 8 feet and notes posts set deeper than 3' in concrete cost the most. We do not publish a single depth: it depends on fence height, wind exposure, soil, and your local frost line. Your quote should state the depth and method for this job.
Setting method is a cost decision
- Concrete. Common and strong. Crown the top so water sheds away from the post; flat or cupped tops hold water against wood. HomeGuide notes concrete needs 1 to 4 days to cure unless a fast-setting mix is used.
- Tamped gravel. Drains well and HomeGuide says it speeds up installation compared with cement. Whether it holds depends on soil and fence height.
- Driven posts. Fast on chain link and farm fence with the right equipment and soil.
- Surface mount or core drill. For posts on existing concrete or pool decks; priced per post.
Corner, end, and gate posts
Terminal posts carry more load than line posts and many builders upsize them or set them deeper. Gate posts carry the most. Pricing them as separate lines shows the homeowner where the strength of the fence comes from and stops a low bid that treats every post the same from looking equal. See fence gate cost.
The dig is the risk
Every post hole is a dig. Rock, roots, old footings, and buried lines are where the schedule and the margin go. Put a rock and buried debris clause on every quote, call 811 before every job, and photograph the marks. The office side is on our 811 locate checklist; the cost side is on permit, survey, and locate costs. For the homeowner view of posts and concrete on a quote, see the fence quote guide on AI Fence Design.