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Fence or deck costs in Des Moines

Here’s the ballpark for common fence or deck jobs around Des Moines, IA. Want one for your own project? A photo is all it takes.

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Des Moines

What it usually costs

  • Build a wood fence$14 – $41 per linear foot
  • Build a vinyl or metal fence$14 – $55 per linear foot
  • Build a chain-link fence$9.17 – $37 per linear foot
  • Build a wood deck$14 – $46 per sq ft
  • Build a composite deck$23 – $73 per sq ft

A ballpark, not a quote. All of these are national averages adjusted for Des Moines prices, so your job could land outside them.

Fence or deck in Des Moines

In Des Moines, the kind of fence you pick decides where it can go. Chain link can stand up to 6 feet tall, but never in a front yard. The same goes for a solid privacy fence. Pickets and metal can go out front if they stay at 3 feet or less, and they can rise to 6 feet in the side or back yard.

The permit line sits low here. The city's Permit and Development Center wants a permit for any chain-link fence over 4 feet and any other fence over 3 feet, so a normal backyard privacy fence needs one. Allow 7 to 10 days for the application, then a fence inspection once it's up. A fence within 5 feet of the house stays at 4 feet or under, and no fence goes in the public right-of-way.

In a local historic district, chain link isn't allowed at all, and any fence needs a Certificate of Appropriateness first.

Decks bring in the frost line. The city's deck handout puts frost depth at 42 inches and calls for footings at least 12 inches thick. It also says a deck can't hang off a cantilevered floor or brick veneer without special fasteners or an engineer's design. A hot tub on the deck needs an engineer, too. If the spot you picked has a brick face or a bump-out, expect that to shape the plan.

Sources

Questions homeowners ask

How accurate is a photo estimate?
It’s a ballpark, not a quote. A photo tells us a lot about the material and size, but a local pro who walks the yard will always be more precise. Use our number as the range to expect before you start calling around.
How is a fence priced versus a deck?
Fences are usually priced by the foot and decks by the square foot. We’ll ask one quick question to tell which you’re after, then size it from your photo and your answers.
Which materials can you estimate?
Wood, vinyl, chain-link and metal for fences; pressure-treated wood and composite for decks. Material is the single biggest price swing, so it’s worth picking the one you want.
Is this really free?
Yes. No signup, no credit card, no spam. We only make money if you choose to connect with a local pro — and that’s up to you.
What photo works best?
A wide shot of where the fence or deck will go — or of the old one you’re replacing — works best.

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