The Budget Workhorse
Dogs contained, kids corralled, property lines settled — for the lowest cost per foot of any real fence. Chain link isn't glamorous; it's just the most fence you can buy per dollar, and modern black-coated mesh looks far better than the playground fencing in your memory.
Galvanized (the silver classic) is the value king — zinc-coated steel that handles Rochester weather for decades. Black vinyl-coated costs a bit more and is the sleeper hit: the dark mesh visually recedes against lawns and tree lines, so the fence reads as almost invisible from the street. It's the difference between "chain link fence" and "wait, you have a fence?" Green and brown coatings exist too for wooded lots toward Mendon and Victor. Add privacy slats if you want screening without switching materials — though if privacy is the actual goal, compare against a real privacy fence first; slats screen maybe three-quarters of the view.
Installed chain link in the Rochester area typically runs about $15–$30 per linear foot — height, gauge, coating, and gates set the number. A 150-foot dog yard in 4-foot galvanized often lands around $2,500–$3,800 installed; black coating and taller heights push toward the top of the range. Full comparison on the fence cost page.
Four feet holds most dogs; five to six for jumpers and big athletic breeds. For diggers, we run the fabric tight to grade and can add tension wire at the bottom. Tell us the breed and their personal record and we'll spec accordingly.
Galvanized mesh resists rust for decades; the usual first spots are scratched fittings and cut ends, years down the road. Black vinyl-coated adds a second barrier over the zinc. Either way, rust is a someday-maintenance item, not a design flaw.
Usually, yes — heights and mesh sizes are standardized, so extending a run, replacing a stretch, or adding a gate to existing fence is routine work. That's repair territory and we're happy to quote small jobs.
Many Monroe County towns restrict fence heights and sometimes styles in front yards — commonly capping them around 3–4 feet — and corner lots add sight-triangle rules. We'll check your specific town's code as part of the quote so the fence you buy is the fence you're allowed to keep.
Free chain link quotes across Rochester & Monroe County.