Ornamental metal fencing carries a 25-40 year reserve life and costs $30-$85 per linear foot to replace in 2026. Aluminum runs $25-$75 per foot installed and resists rust for 50+ years but is less impact-resistant, while wrought iron or steel runs $50-$85 per foot and can last 50+ years only with periodic repainting. In practice, reserve replacement is usually triggered by accumulated corrosion at welds and post bases or by widespread coating failure rather than wholesale structural collapse.
Last verified 2026-07-06
Typical useful life
25–40 years
2026 replacement cost
$30–$85
per linear ft, national range
Typical HOA quantity
1,000 linear ft of fencing
Measure linear footage separately for aluminum versus iron/steel runs, since their unit costs and maintenance needs differ significantly. For iron fencing, fund a repaint cycle every 5-10 years as its own component — a maintained repaint schedule is what lets the fence reach the 40-year end of the range and defers the far larger replacement cost. Include gates, which cost several times the per-foot rate and often fail first at hinges and latches.
Inspect annually for rust at welds, fasteners, and where posts meet concrete; sand and spot-prime rust immediately. Repaint wrought iron or steel every 5-10 years with a rust-inhibiting coating, and hose salt and irrigation deposits off aluminum powder coating. Keep sprinkler heads aimed away from the fence line — constant wetting is the most common corrosion accelerator.
Coastal salt air accelerates corrosion on ferrous fencing and can cut useful life substantially, while high-labor metros add 20-30% to installed costs.
National 2026 ranges · verify with local bids.
Typical small HOA: 1,000 linear ft of fencing
Set-aside = replacement cost ÷ useful life (25–40 years). A new installation funds toward the long end; an aging one needs catch-up funding — run the full calculator for that.
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Retrieved and verified 2026-07-06. National planning ranges — local bids govern. Informational only; not engineering, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for a professional reserve study. Report a data issue.
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