Pricing Guide: How Much Does a Wrought Iron Fence Cost?

Most homeowners pay from $2,334 to $4,769 for a professionally installed wrought iron fence, or $26-$34 per linear foot.

Wrought iron fencing isn’t cheap, but it’s not the most expensive fencing type, either. Most homeowners pay from $2,334 to $4,769 for a professionally installed wrought iron fence, with a national average of $3,552.

Breaking down the cost of different types of wrought iron fences, you can expect to pay $26 to $34 per linear foot. The more intricate your fence design, the closer your cost will be to the high end of that range. On average, homeowners nationwide spend about $30 per linear foot for materials and professional labor. 

How much does wrought iron fencing cost?

  • National average cost: $3,552
  • Typical price range: $2,334 – $4,769
  • Extreme low end: $340
  • Extreme high end: $8,800

While a typical wrought iron fence for an average-sized property will usually cost between $2,334 and $4,769, many factors can result in a much higher or lower total cost. 

A tall fence of 6 feet or more, a complex ornamental design, or a fence for an especially large yard could cost as much as $8,800. A shorter, simpler fence around a small area (like a swimming pool or air conditioning unit) might cost you as little as $340

Cost Estimator by Size

When it comes to fencing, the size of your yard is one of the biggest factors of budgeting, since it decides how much material you need and how many work hours your contractor will have to spend on the job. 

Most homeowners pay an average of $30 per linear foot for a standard wrought iron fence. A lower end project would cost about $26 per linear foot, while a higher end would be closer to $34 per linear foot

You can use these rates to figure out the approximate overall cost of your own wrought iron fence based on your yard’s perimeter. For example, if the fence you want is relatively plain and easy to install, you should take the low end rate of $26 and multiply it by your yard’s perimeter in linear feet. If you want a fancier fence, use the high-end rate of $34 instead. 

Using the average rate of $30 per linear foot, we’ve calculated the approximate total cost of a wrought iron fence for a small, medium, and large property.

A smaller property with a yard of 500 square feet will need about 69 linear feet of fence, which would cost approximately $2,070.

A medium-sized yard of 2,000 square feet would require 135 feet or so of fence, coming out to a total of $4,050.

  • It would take around 180 feet to fence a large yard of 3,500 square feet, and the project would cost about $5,400
YARD SIZETOTAL COST ESTIMATE
*materials and labor
Small yard (500 square feet)$2,070
Medium yard (2,000 square feet)$4,050
Large yard (3,500 square feet)$5,400

Other Factors That Affect Cost

Because wrought iron fences are so highly customizable, many other specific aspects of your project besides just yard size can drastically raise or lower the cost. You have to take factors like fence height, decorations, and the gauge (thickness) of the iron into account if you want an accurate price estimate. 

Price by type of wrought iron

White wrought iron gate set on top of brick and between brick columns
Photo Credit: denisbin / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0

Though many wrought iron fences look similar, there are different styles and types of material that can go into their construction.

For example, did you know that wrought iron comes in colors other than plain black? You can make your fence stand out from the crowd with colors like white, green, or bronze, but expect to pay more for these than you would for standard black. 

You also can find wrought iron fencing in a huge variety of different styles. Some may feature curved bars, custom post caps, or decorative shapes in the iron. For a highly ornamental wrought iron fence, the professional installation rate will be about $27 to $34 per linear foot.

For reference, a plain black wrought iron fence without much decoration should cost about $24 to $30 per linear foot. A slightly higher-end galvanized fence, which would be less susceptible to rusting, runs for around $28 to $32 per linear foot

TYPE OF WROUGHT IRONCOST PER LINEAR FOOT
*materials and labor
Plain black wrought iron$24 – $30
Galvanized wrought iron$28 – $32
Ornamental wrought iron$27 – $34

Cast iron vs. wrought iron

Close-up detail of an intricate iron gate
Photo Credit: bambe1964 / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0

Cast iron has an appearance similar to wrought iron but with a lower cost. That’s because cast iron fencing is much easier to produce en masse. Where craftsmen work wrought iron into different shapes with tools by hand, cast iron comes from a mold. 

Since you pay less money, cast iron is less customizable and less durable (posts are usually hollow). The national average cost of a cast iron fence is about $1,850 to $3,500

Price by height

A 4-foot wrought iron fence, often found around front yards or swimming pools, is common. This height is enough to define your space and keep small children and animals in (or out) of your yard without blocking views. A typical 4-foot wrought iron fence is about $23 to $26 per linear foot

If you’re more interested in a wrought iron fence’s decorative properties, a smaller 3-foot fence might be a better option for you. A shorter fence will usually be more affordable ($22 to $26 per linear foot) and will still mark your property line without making the yard feel closed-off or uninviting.

Keep in mind, a 3-foot fence is probably too short for a proper swimming pool fence. 

A taller fence, meanwhile, can provide increased security for your front or backyard. Be careful with tall fences out front, though, as they can block views of landscaping and diminish curb appeal. A 5-foot wrought iron fence runs for around $26 to $30 per linear foot, and a 6-foot wrought iron fence would be about $33 to $36 per linear foot

FENCE HEIGHTCOST PER LINEAR FOOT
*materials and labor
3 feet$22 – $26
4 feet$23 – $26
5 feet$26 – $30
6 feet$33 – $36

Wrought iron gate cost

Old iron gate set between large stone columns
Photo Credit: Rusty Clark` 100k Photos / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

A gate is a necessary piece of your fence, since it’s the part that makes your space accessible. Depending on where you build your wrought iron fence, you may need different types of gates. 

For a fence around a backyard or swimming pool, for instance, you would probably want a small, single manual gate. If the fence lines your front yard, you may need a large automatic driveway gate instead. The size, style, and complexity of a gate will determine its cost. 

In general, you could pay anywhere from $313 to $8,250 for a wrought iron gate. That extreme high end includes the cost of hiring an electrician in addition to your fence contractor, which may be necessary for an automatic gate. 

Fence thickness

A fence made from thicker wrought iron will be more durable and more expensive than one with a higher gauge. While shopping for materials, keep in mind that — contrary to what you might think — thicker iron has a lower gauge, and thinner iron has a higher gauge. 

Wrought iron fence thickness can vary, so talk to your contractor or material supplier about what gauge of metal would best suit your needs and budget. Using higher gauge wrought iron might be an effective way for you to save money on your fence project. 

Adding brick columns

Iron fence and gate set between brick pillars
Photo Credit: RubyGoes / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Instead of using regular fence posts, many homeowners opt for brick columns with their wrought iron fence. Brick and wrought iron make a formal, charming combination that can elevate the look of your landscape. 

Based on the type of brick you use, whether you have hollow or solid columns, and how many columns you want, a project like this can get quite expensive. You can expect to pay about $434 to $1,258 per column.

To keep the look but make the fence more cost-effective, some people use regular wrought iron posts around the yard with brick columns outlining the gate. 

Permits

Before you start construction on your wrought iron fence, you’ll want to find out whether or not your city, county, or municipality requires a building permit for fencing. 

You have to pay for any necessary permits whether you work with a contractor or install the fence DIY, and the cost can range from $20 to $400 depending on project specifics and regulations where you live. 

Extra Services

If you have already hired a contractor to install your wrought iron fence, you may want to tack on a few related services at the same time. These services may or may not be relevant to your property.

Before you choose a contractor, check that they can provide any extra services you think you might need. 

Rust protection or painting

Wrought iron fences — even though they tend to be durable and long-lasting — can rust without proper preparation and maintenance. Galvanized wrought iron already has a protective zinc coating, so it doesn’t need supplementary rust protection. 

Aside from adding protective coatings, you may want to paint your wrought iron fence to alter the color to better match your property. Keep in mind that some paints can actually make the metal more vulnerable to oxidation and rusting. 

If you want a pro to apply protective coatings or paint for you, you’ll have to pay for the material itself and labor. 

Added cost: $8 to $10 per linear foot of fence to be painted/coated

Fence removal

If your new wrought iron fence will replace an existing fence, you will have to get the old one out of the way first. Removing a fence can be difficult and time-consuming because fence posts are usually set in concrete. Instead of doing it yourself, you can pay your fence installer an additional fee to dig up and haul away the old fence for you. 

Added cost: $3 to $5 per linear foot of fence to be removed

Land grading

Does your yard have an intense slope? That could make your new fence a little more difficult to install and therefore more expensive, too. Your fence contractor may have to excavate and regrade any uneven land before they can install the fence. 

Added cost: $900 to $3,000 depending on how much work needs to be done.

Tree or bush remova

Existing landscape features like trees or bushes might stand in the way of your fencing project, too. You can remove these features on your own if they’re small enough, but a larger plant might require a professional’s expertise and equipment. You may have to hire a separate tree care company along with your fence installer for this service. 

Most of the time, a pro will charge for tree or bush removal based on the height of the plant, the complexity of the root system, and how accessible the spot is. 

Added cost: $385 to $1,070 per plant or $10 to $14 per foot

Cost of Installing a Wrought Iron Fence DIY

Close-up of the top of an iron fence
Photo Credit: bambe1964 / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0

If you want a highly customized wrought iron fence with unique details and frills, you won’t have any choice but to hire a professional to create it for you. That being said, you can purchase simple prefabricated wrought iron panels and posts from a fencing supplier and install them yourself. 

With prefabricated panels, installing a wrought iron fence shouldn’t be too difficult. As is the case for most types of fences, this project would take at least a few days and would be easier to complete with two sets of hands. 

Equipment needed

DIY wrought iron fence installation requires fewer specialized tools than you might think. Since you will be assembling pieces that someone else has made, there won’t be any difficult metal work involved. 

In fact, it’s likely that you’ll find all or most of the necessary equipment in your garage or tool shed. Even if you have to buy everything new, you won’t spend too much money on tools. 

Here’s what you will need for your wrought iron fencing project, with average pricing data gathered from Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Amazon: 

EQUIPMENTAVERAGE COST
Spray paint$5
Work gloves$10
Screwdriver$12
Mason’s line$15
Ground stakes$16 for 4
Protective safety glasses $16
Tape measure$18
Level$21
Post hole digger$50
TOTAL$163

Cost of materials

If you need additional wrought iron fencing materials, you usually will have to buy these from a specialty fencing supplier.

You might find “wrought iron” products from general retailers like Lowe’s or Home Depot, but those are almost always tubular steel or aluminum shaped to look like wrought iron. If you’re OK with settling for a substitute metal such as these, you could save yourself a lot of money and trouble. 

For our purposes, we calculated total costs for 150 linear feet of fence, which is about how much you would need for the average backyard. The overall cost of your project could vary significantly from the example here if you need more or less fencing. 

The fence in this example uses 20 6-foot tall wrought iron fence posts, 19 4-foot tall by 8-foot wide wrought iron fence panels, and 20 wrought iron post caps. 

ITEMAVERAGE COST
FOR ONE
APPROX. TOTAL COST
Post caps$4$80
Concrete mix$20 for large bag
Fence posts$43$860
Fence panels $83$1,577
Single gate$236
Gravel$400 for large bag
TOTAL$3,173

How to Install a Wrought Iron Fence DIY in 8 Steps 

1. Measure yard perimeter and plan fence. Before you know how much of each material you need to purchase, you’ll have to figure out the perimeter of your yard (or the area you want to fence in) in linear feet. Use ground stakes and a durable string such as mason’s line to outline where the fence will go. Then, you’ll need to select the specific panels and posts you want to use. 

2. Mark post holes. How wide are your fence panels? That’s how far apart your fence posts should be. This example uses panels that are 8 feet wide, so you would mark a spot for a post hole every 8 feet along the perimeter of your yard. Don’t dig just yet — simply use spray paint to mark the spots on the ground where you will dig later. Note where the gate will go with two parallel lines on the ground. 

3. Prepare post holes. On each spot that you measured and marked earlier, use a post hole digger to create a hole about 6 inches in diameter and about 2 feet deep. It’s important that you call 811 (the diggers’ hotline) to find out where your property’s underground utility lines lie before you start digging. 

4. Lay gravel base. Before you install the posts themselves, pour 2 to 3 inches of gravel in each post hole. This gravel base will help water drain away from the posts in the future. 

5. Prepare concrete. Follow the instructions that come with your concrete mix to prepare it for pouring. Usually, all you’ll have to add is water. You can use any kind of mix you want, but a fast-setting concrete will make the whole installation process go quicker. 

6. Install fence posts. In each post hole, place a wrought iron fence post and pour concrete around it. While one person pours concrete, have another person hold the posts plumb. If you’re working solo, use stakes to brace the posts and keep them straight. Fill in each hole with concrete, leaving about 4 inches of space at the top. Backfill those last inches with dirt. As you work, use a level to ensure all the posts are in line with each other. Wait at least a few days for the concrete to set before you move on. 

7. Attach fence panels. Attach fence panels at the top and bottom bracket between each post. Line up the panels with the posts and secure them using screws or bolts. 

8. Install gate. Using the hardware that most likely came with the gate you purchased, attach the gate in the spot you left for it. If you want an automatic gate with an electrical hookup, you’ll probably need a professional’s help with this step. 

DIY cost vs. professional installation cost

Because wrought iron fence materials can be difficult to find, even installing a wrought iron fence DIY is fairly expensive.

For the simple, 150-foot fence in this example, you would spend about $3,336 total for the necessary tools and materials. Aside from the money, you also will spend a few days of your time (and preferably a friend’s time, too) on this project. 

For comparison, based on the national average price per linear foot, having a professional install a similar fence would cost about $4,500 for materials and labor. By building your own fence, you would save more than $1,000 on a project like the one in this example.

The savings could be even greater for a larger fence that takes longer to install. 

Cost of Wrought Iron Fencing by Location

Unlike wood fences, the cost of materials for a wrought iron fence doesn’t vary too much based on where you live. That’s not to say, though, that the same national average prices apply to everywhere in the country. Even if the material costs are consistent, the labor costs aren’t.

In a small town, fence installers will most likely charge a lower rate per work-hour than in a big city. Alternatively, small businesses with fewer customers might charge more than large companies that have more sources of revenue. 

Remember that where you live and the specific contractor you hire are significant factors in pricing for a wrought iron fence. Don’t be surprised if your local costs are different from the national averages given here.

FAQ About Wrought Iron Fences

1. How do I take care of a wrought iron fence?

The main threat to a wrought iron fence is rust. To help prevent rust, you can apply water repellent spray or another protective coating to your fence. 

Inspect your fence regularly, and if you notice excessive dirt or shallow rust spots, scrub them away with warm, soapy water. If the rust has set in too deeply for you to scrub it away, use sandpaper or a wire brush to remove it before it can spread further. 

2. How long will a wrought iron fence last?

With proper maintenance, a wrought iron fence can easily last a lifetime or even longer. 

3. What paint should you use on wrought iron?

Before painting, apply a rust-inhibiting primer. After that, you should use an exterior-grade enamel paint — preferably, a specialized direct-to-metal (DTM) paint that also contains a rust inhibitor. 

DIY or Hire a Pro to Install Your Wrought Iron Fence?

Whether you install it yourself or hire a professional fencing contractor to do it for you, you should prepare to spend a few thousand dollars on a wrought iron fence. For the money, you get a durable fence that will stand the test of time with low maintenance compared to, say, a wood fence. 

The national average cost of a professionally installed wrought iron fence is about $3,552, with a typical range of $2,334 to $4,769. Your yard’s size, the type of wrought iron you use, and certain attributes of your property will decide the exact budget for your project. 

The cost of materials and equipment required to put together your own wrought iron fence would cost about $3,336 for 150 linear feet of fencing. Other types of metal fence (such as a steel or aluminum fence) will almost always be more affordable, but they won’t be as durable. 

Note: Fence Gnome may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.

Main Photo Credit: Spencer Means / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

Jordan Ardoin

Jordan Ardoin is a writer and editor with a passion for sustainable, earth-friendly gardening and lawn care practices. When she isn't sharing her knowledge about lawn care and landscaping, you can find her curled up with a good book and a cat in her lap.