Price per foot is not always as simple and straight forward as folks assume. We build a lot of fences in BCS. True, going rate for tear out and installation of 6' pine fence with wood posts is $26-27/pf.
HOWEVER: it can be more or less. Many variables to consider.
- How many gates?
- Any trees/roots/shrubs/vines/flower beds to work around or remove?
- Hauling off the old fence or just stacking it on the curb for bulk pickup?
Also, comparing price per foot to someone who had 300+ feet done to a 100-foot section is not going to be the same. You can get a much better price per foot on 300+ feet since the contractor can get more done with the same labor.
Going from wood posts to steel posts adds roughly $6/pf in material cost alone between the posts, brackets, and caps.
I'll also say, not all fences are created equal. I've been underbid by JV contractors/landscapers doing 20-22/pf and only using 2 rails or adding 1/2" spacing between pickets (which then becomes 1" spacing when the pickets dry out).
If you work your contractor down in price, they're probably just going to cut cost somewhere before they sacrifice margin. The best way to save would be get some neighbors in with you and go for more footage which can save you on the labor side.
Do your research, and in the end, don't just go for the cheapest bid. I doubt these quotes that are varying +/- 30% are apples to apples comparison.