How much does a wood fence cost?
How much does a wood fence cost?
$20 – $50 cost per linear foot installed
$4,000 – $10,000 average cost to build (200 linear feet)
Wood fence cost
Building a wood fence costs $4,000 to $10,000 on average. A wooden fence costs $20 to $50 per linear foot installed, depending on the size, type, and wood variety. Wood fence material prices are $10 to $30 per linear foot. Wood fence labor installation costs $5 to $20 per linear foot.
| Fence length (linear feet) | Average cost installed* |
|---|---|
| 50 | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| 100 | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| 150 | $3,000 – $7,500 |
| 200 | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| 300 | $6,000 – $15,000 |
| 400 | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| 500 | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| 750 | $15,000 – $37,500 |
| 1,000 | $20,000 – $50,000 |
*For picket and privacy fences up to 6' tall.
Cost of a wood fence by style
There are several different fence styles with varying costs. Privacy fences use the most material and have the highest costs while split rail fences use the least material and are the cheapest.
| Fence style | Cost per linear foot installed |
|---|---|
| Privacy | $25 – $50 |
| Picket | $20 – $40 |
| Split rail | $15 – $35 |
Wooden privacy fence
A 6' tall wood privacy fence costs $25 to $50 per linear foot installed with prices going up to $75 per linear foot for 8' tall fences. Other names include a board and batten fence, a board-on-board fence with overlapping slats, and edge-to-edge vertical or horizontal board fences.
| Height (in feet) | Cost per linear foot installed |
|---|---|
| 6' | $25 – $50 |
| 8' | $50 – $75 |
Another privacy fence option is the shadowbox fence with boards that overlap to make smaller gaps than standard fencing. A shadowbox fence is one of the few privacy fences that still allows airflow.
Wooden picket fence
A wooden picket fence costs $20 to $40 per linear foot installed for heights of 3' to 5' tall. Picket fencing can have an end-to-end design to close the gaps, or bigger gaps to allow
airflow in hot weather. Fence boards cut into pointed tips cost extra.
Other options include the shadowbox picket fence with either horizontal or vertical boards with smaller gaps than standard picket fencing.
Wooden split rail fence
A wooden split rail fence costs $15 to $35 per linear foot installed for common wood types like cedar and pine. This ranch-style fencing is popular on farmland and includes 2 to 4 rough-cut rails without pickets. A split rail fence is often the cheapest since it uses less materials.
However, a split rail fence provides no privacy and only contains large livestock. Additional wire mesh is necessary to contain pets in a yard.
Wood fence installation cost by type
Prices of a new wood fence installation vary greatly based on the type of wood chosen and
the height of the design.
| Wood type | Cost per linear foot installed* (privacy fence) |
Cost per linear foot installed* (picket & split rail) |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar | $35 – $40 | $25 – $35 |
| Western red cedar (high-quality grade) |
$45 – $90 | $22 – $45 |
| Pine (low-grade untreated) |
$20 – $45 | $15 – $25 |
| Pine (pressure-treated) |
$45 – $90 | $22 – $45 |
| Redwood (low-grade) |
$35 – $50 | $17 – $25 |
| Redwood (high-grade, uniform color) |
$70 – $120 | $35 – $60 |
| Spruce | $22 – $35 | $11 – $17 |
| Cypress | $27 – $43 | $13 – $22 |
| Composite | $55 – $85 | $20 – $35 |
| Black locust | $40 – $80 | $20 – $40 |
| Tropical hardwoods | $35 – $55 | $17 – $27 |
| Oak | $30 – $75 | $15 – $37 |
*Prices based on 6' to 8' tall privacy fence designs vs. picket & split rails up to 5' tall.
Cedar
A cedar privacy fence costs $35 to $40 per linear foot installed on average. A Western red cedar privacy fence costs $45 to $90 per linear foot for high-quality grade boards without knots. Some lower-quality Western red cedar fence pickets are the same price as Eastern white cedar wood.
Western red cedar lasts up to 25+ years and resists water damage and pests better than plain cedar.
Plain white cedar lasts 15 to 20 years and is more readily available than red cedar.
Pine
A pine privacy fence costs $20 to $45 per linear foot installed for basic low-grade wood or $45 to $90 per linear foot with high-quality and pressure-treated pine. While a basic pine fence lasts 5 to 10 years, a treated pine fence will last longer if well-maintained and sealed.
Pine wood is popular and budget-friendly but needs resealing every 1 to 2 years.
Redwood
A redwood privacy fence costs $35 to $50 per linear foot installed for low-grade common redwood without uniform coloring. High-quality redwood privacy fences cost $70 to $120 per linear foot installed for surfaced boards in premium colors. Redwood lasts for 25 to 35 years and resists pests and decay.
High prices for redwood are the result of the Redwood tree being an endangered species and cutting restrictions have limited the supply of this wood.
Spruce
A spruce privacy fence costs $22 to $35 per linear foot installed. Spruce wood is readily available and makes a good fence for dry climates. This softer wood type is easy to cut and install. However, spruce fencing lasts for 5 to 10 years and damages easily without annual resealing.
Cypress
A cypress privacy fence costs $27 to $43 per linear foot installed on average. Prices vary widely for cypress wood because it isn't readily available in all parts of the country. Most cypress fencing lasts for 20 to 25 years, has a naturally light color, and repels insects.
Composite
A composite wood privacy fence costs $55 to $85 per linear foot installed. Most composite fencing comes in panels up to 6' wide instead of individual rails or pickets. This material contains recycled plastic and wood fibers that make it stronger than vinyl.
Composite fencing is popular for its real wood-grain texture that mimics real wood while outlasting most wood types. Well-maintained composite fences last 25 to 30+ years, are rot-resistant, and don't require sealing.
Black locust wood
A Black locust wood split rail fence costs $20 to $40 per linear foot installed with rough-cut railings. Most people don't install a Black locust privacy fence because smooth-cut picket boards can cost $40 to $80 per linear foot due to the labor-intensive finishing of this extra-hard wood.
Black locust wood fencing lasts for 25 to 30+ years, resists rotting, and works well in all types of climates.
Tropical hardwoods
A tropical hardwood privacy fence costs $35 to $55 per linear foot installed. Materials alone cost $20 to $30 per linear foot for species like Red or Yellow Balau, Batu, Manilkara, Ipe, and Cumaru. People prefer tropical hardwoods for their exotic reddish colors and high fire-safety ratings.
Tropical woods are more moisture-resistant and last for 30 to 50 years when sealed every 2 to 3 years.
Oak
A privacy oak fence costs $30 to $75 per linear foot installed. Most white oak and plain oak fencing materials alone cost $15 to $50 per linear foot on average. Prices increase to $60+ per linear foot for premium grades of red oak.
While oak lasts 15 to 20 years and has a refined appearance, it requires regular staining and isn't readily available everywhere.
Wood fence cost calculator
Wooden fence labor costs range from $5 to $20 per linear foot depending on the type of fencing design installed. Split rail and picket fences are the cheapest and quickest to install. Privacy fencing is much more labor-intensive.
| Factor | Cost per linear foot* (privacy) |
Cost per linear foot (picket & split rail) |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $10 – $30 | $10 – $25 |
| Labor | $15 – $20 | $5 – $15 |
| Total cost to install | $25 – $50 | $15 – $40 |
*For up to 6' tall fences.
Common cost factors include:
Length & height – Taller and longer fences require more materials and labor, leading to higher project costs.
Wood type – Hardwoods, treated woods, and thicker fence panels cost the most, and thinner fence panels made from lower-grade wood are cheapest.
Fence style – Split-rail fences are cheapest but allow people to see through them. Overlapping board fences are expensive but offer the most privacy.
Customization – Handmade fences with specialty designs like basketweave fencing cost extra because they are labor-intensive to build. Fees also increase for lattice-cap rails at the top.
Posts – Prices for posts vary by quantity, type, and installation. Cement anchoring 2' deep costs more than setting posts in tamped dirt over gravel.
Gates – Custom or automated gates will substantially increase the total cost.
Labor – Hourly labor rates fluctuate based on the contractor's expertise, crew size, region, and the complexity of the fence.
Site preparation:
Old fence removal costs $10 to $20 per linear foot extra, including disposal.
Yard grading costs $500 to $3,000 to smooth and level an uneven property.
Tree removal costs $150 to $500 to uproot a small tree from the area being fenced.
Tree stump removal costs $100 to $400 after the tree is cut down.
Painting or staining – The cost to stain or paint a fence is $2 to $14 per linear foot.
Surveying – The cost of a land survey is $200 to $1,200 to mark property lines and indicate where to legally build a fence.
Permit – A fence permit costs $40 to $150, depending on the locality.
Wood vs. other fence types
Wood is a traditional fencing material but requires regular maintenance. For those wanting a lower-maintenance option, consider these other fence installation alternatives:
A vinyl fence costs $30 to $60 per linear foot.
An aluminum fence costs $25 to $75 per linear foot.
A metal fence costs $20 to $85 per linear foot.
A chain-link fence costs $9 to $30 per linear foot.
A split rail fence costs $15 to $35 per linear foot.
Pros and cons
Wood is an affordable and versatile fencing material, but it may not be the best option for every yard. The following table shows the advantages and disadvantages of wood fences:
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
|
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Wood fence FAQs
What is the best wood for a fence?
The best wood types for a fence include pressure-treated varieties of:
Cedar
Black locust wood
Redwood
Oak
Spruce
Douglas fir
Pine and cypress are cheaper wood fencing materials that can last well if coated with a waterproof sealant every other year.
How long does a wood fence last?
A wood fence can last from 15 to 50+ years depending on how well the builders installed it, the wood type, and the level of maintenance it receives. The most common cause of wooden fence failure is not sealing the wood to protect it from water damage.
Does a wood fence increase home value?
A wood fence can increase a home's property value and add curb appeal to attract more homebuyers. Privacy fencing in a backyard adds more value and security than a shorter fence around the front yard. Pet owners especially are more likely to buy a home with backyard fencing.
How long does it take to install a wood fence?
The time it takes to install a wood fence depends on the type and whether the job is a fence replacement or new build.
| Fence type | Installation time (hours)* |
|---|---|
| Picket or privacy | 13 – 16 |
| Split rail | 10 – 12 |
| Hand-nailed | 20 – 30 |
| Fence replacements | 19 – 22 |
*Per 100 feet of fence length.
What kind of maintenance does a wood fence require?
A wood fence requires recoating with a waterproof sealant, stain, or paint every 1 to 2 years to prevent the wood from rotting. The more water the wood absorbs, the more likely it is to warp and crack as the seasons change.
How much does it cost to repair a wood fence?
Repairing a wood fence costs $150 to $250 minimum for fixing damages in a section of 6 to 10 boards. Replacing up to 10 linear feet of wood fencing costs $400 to $600 on average.
Getting estimates from wood fence installers
Before hiring a wood fence installer near you, be sure to:
Read their online reviews on Google and HomeGuide.
Confirm they have licenses, insurance, and have been in business for 5+ years.
Avoid choosing the cheapest bid that may result in low-quality work or materials.
Ask for a list of references and contact information.
Compare 3 to 5 estimates with the same fence materials.
Ask for a written contract and workmanship warranty before starting the project.
Don't make your last payment until after the fence is complete.
Questions to ask
Select the ideal fence builder for you by first asking:
How many years have you been installing wooden fences?
Which wooden fencing types do you specialize in?
Can you show me photos of past projects?
How long do you expect the installation to take?
How much maintenance will the fence require, and which wood types are best?
Do you offer a workmanship warranty?
How many people will be installing my wooden fence?
Do you see any potential challenges with my property?
Do you take care of the necessary permits and inspections?
Are all materials, labor, delivery, and cleanup fees part of this estimate?
Will the wooden fence installation affect my landscaping?
Do you call the utility department to mark the location of underground lines?
Can you get me a list of references to contact?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.