Wood fence installation costs $20-$50 per linear foot on average. National average total project: $3,065 (typical range $1,763-$4,416). The biggest variable is not the wood species. It is the fence style and your post spacing.
| Metric | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Installed/ft | $20 | $50 |
| Materials/ft | $10 | $30 |
| Labor/ft | $5 | $20 |
| 100 ft project | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| 150 ft project | $3,000 | $7,500 |
| 200 ft project | $4,000 | $10,000 |
| National avg | $3,065 total | Range $1,763-$4,416 |
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The wood fence calculator handles pickets, rails, post spacing, gates, and 50-state labor pricing. It takes about 60 seconds.
Wood fence cost varies dramatically by style because each design uses a different amount of lumber per foot. A 6 ft privacy fence uses roughly 3-4 times more wood than a split rail fence of the same length.
Installed: $25-$50/linear ft
8 ft height: $50-$75/linear ft
Solid board, board-on-board, board and batten, and shadowbox all live in this family. Board-on-board uses about 20% more material but looks finished on both sides.
Best for: backyard privacy, pets, noise reduction, pool enclosuresInstalled: $35-$65/linear ft
Labor profile: higher layout and fastening time
Modern horizontal layouts need tighter reveal control, stronger framing, and more labor care to keep lines clean over long runs.
Best for: modern homes, premium curb appeal, design-forward yardsInstalled: $20-$40/linear ft
Typical height: 3-5 ft
Spaced pickets use less lumber per foot than privacy fences, so they stay cheaper while still improving curb appeal and boundary definition.
Best for: front yards, gardens, decorative boundariesInstalled: $15-$35/linear ft
With wire mesh add-on: +$3-$8/ft
Rough-cut rails and open spacing make split rail the lightest wood system. It is affordable, but it provides no privacy on its own.
Best for: acreage boundaries, ranch style lots, decorative landscaping| Style | Installed Cost/ft | 150 ft Total | Lifespan | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split rail (2-rail) | $15-$25 | $2,250-$3,750 | 15-20 yr | None |
| Split rail (3-rail) | $20-$35 | $3,000-$5,250 | 15-20 yr | None |
| Picket (standard) | $20-$40 | $3,000-$6,000 | 15-25 yr | Low |
| Shadowbox picket | $25-$42 | $3,750-$6,300 | 15-25 yr | Medium |
| Privacy (solid) | $25-$50 | $3,750-$7,500 | 15-30 yr | Full |
| Board-on-board | $28-$55 | $4,200-$8,250 | 15-30 yr | Full |
| Horizontal slat | $35-$65 | $5,250-$9,750 | 15-30 yr | Full |
| 8 ft privacy | $50-$75 | $7,500-$11,250 | 15-30 yr | Full |
Picket fences look cheaper because they use less material. Privacy fences usually climb fastest because taller boards, longer posts, more concrete, and tighter post spacing all stack at the same time.
Wood species affects upfront cost, maintenance frequency, and service life. Expensive species can still win on lifetime value if they need less staining and fewer board replacements.
| Wood Species | Material Cost/ft | Installed Cost/ft | Lifespan | Maintenance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $10-$18 | $20-$35 | 15-20 yr | High | Most affordable; must be stained |
| Cedar (western red) | $14-$22 | $25-$45 | 15-30 yr | Medium | Natural rot resistance; most popular |
| Spruce (SPF) | $8-$15 | $18-$30 | 8-15 yr | Very High | Budget option; shortest lifespan |
| Redwood | $18-$30 | $30-$55 | 20-35 yr | Low | Premium; natural rot and insect resistance |
| White oak | $20-$35 | $35-$60 | 20-40 yr | Low | Extremely durable; harder to source |
| Black locust | $25-$45 | $40-$70 | 40-75 yr | Very Low | Most durable; rare; premium price |
| Tropical hardwood (ipe) | $30-$50 | $50-$85 | 40-75 yr | Low | Extremely dense; premium look |
| Composite wood | $18-$35 | $30-$60 | 25-40 yr | Very Low | Wood fiber and plastic; no rot |
| Factor | Cedar | Pressure-Treated Pine |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost/ft | $25-$45 | $20-$35 |
| Upfront premium | +$5-$10/ft | Baseline |
| Staining frequency | Every 5-7 years | Every 2-3 years |
| Lifespan (maintained) | 20-30 years | 15-20 years |
| Natural rot resistance | Yes | No |
| Splinter risk | Low | Medium |
| Odor when new | Pleasant cedar | Chemical; fades in 6 months |
| Cost Category | Cedar | Pressure-Treated Pine |
|---|---|---|
| Install cost | $3,750-$6,750 | $3,000-$5,250 |
| Staining over 20 yr (DIY) | $600-$900 | $1,200-$1,800 |
| Board replacement (20 yr) | $300-$600 | $600-$1,200 |
| 20-year total | $4,650-$8,250 | $4,800-$8,250 |
Cedar and pine often land at nearly the same 20-year ownership cost. Cedar charges more upfront, but it usually needs less maintenance and fewer replacements.
If the budget is tight, pressure-treated pine keeps the first invoice lower. If you care about maintenance drag, cedar is usually the better value for a typical backyard fence.
Longer fence runs usually lower the effective cost per foot because mobilization, setup, and cleanup are spread across more footage.
| Fence Length | Low Estimate | High Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | $1,000 | $2,500 | Short runs often carry minimum charge |
| 100 ft | $2,000 | $5,000 | Standard small backyard |
| 150 ft | $3,000 | $7,500 | Most common residential project |
| 200 ft | $4,000 | $10,000 | Average backyard perimeter |
| 300 ft | $6,000 | $15,000 | Large backyard or side and rear |
| 400 ft | $8,000 | $20,000 | Quarter-acre perimeter |
| 500 ft | $10,000 | $25,000 | Large property |
| 750 ft | $15,000 | $37,500 | Half-acre partial perimeter |
| 1,000 ft | $20,000 | $50,000 | Full half-acre perimeter |
Runs under 50 ft rarely get a clean price-per-foot quote. Most contractors carry a $500-$1,500 minimum, so short decorative sections often make more sense as DIY.
For most wood fence quotes, materials and labor each account for roughly half of the installed total. Labor swings more than material in real contractor bids.
| Material Component | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fence boards / pickets | $4-$15/ft | Largest single material cost |
| Fence posts (4x4 PT) | $2-$5/ft | About 1 post per 8 ft of run |
| Rails (2x4 or 2x3) | $1.50-$4/ft | 2-3 rails per section |
| Post caps | $0.25-$1/ft | Decorative; extends post life |
| Concrete (80 lb bags) | $0.50-$1.50/ft | About 1.5 bags per post |
| Gate hardware | Amortized | Hinges, latches, post hardware |
| Fasteners (screws/nails) | $0.25-$0.75/ft | Stainless or galvanized |
| Labor Task | % of Labor Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Post hole digging | 30-40% | Biggest labor variable |
| Post setting and concrete | 15-20% | Plumb and cure time |
| Rail installation | 10-15% | Level and spacing |
| Board / picket installation | 25-35% | Most time-consuming |
| Gate installation | 10-15% | Hinge alignment is critical |
| Cleanup and haul-away | 5-10% | Often included in quote |
Two contractors can quote the same cedar fence at $28/ft and $42/ft using nearly identical materials. Crew productivity, wage rate, and how they treat post work drive the gap.
DIY wood fence material cost usually lands around $10-$30 per linear foot. The main saving is the $5-$20 per foot labor component.
| Scenario | 150 ft Cost | Savings vs. Pro | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full DIY | $1,500-$4,500 | $1,500-$3,000 | Intermediate |
| DIY + rented auger | $1,700-$4,800 | $1,200-$2,700 | Intermediate |
| Partial DIY (you dig, pro installs) | $2,500-$6,000 | $500-$1,500 | Beginner |
| Professional install | $3,000-$7,500 | Baseline | N/A |
| Task | Tool | Rental Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Post hole digging | Gas-powered auger | $80-$120/day |
| Post setting | Post level, tamping rod | Own or $15/day |
| Board cutting | Circular saw or miter saw | Own or $30-$50/day |
| Board fastening | Framing nailer or drill | Own or $25-$40/day |
| Gate hanging | Level, drill, helper | Own |
The hardest DIY problem is not cutting boards. It is setting posts perfectly plumb and keeping their finished height consistent before the concrete locks everything in place.
Taller fences cost more because they use longer boards, longer posts, more concrete, and more labor for handling and alignment.
| Height | Style | Installed Cost/ft | Post Length Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ft | Picket | $15-$28 | 5 ft | Decorative; front yard |
| 4 ft | Picket / privacy | $18-$35 | 6 ft | Standard picket height |
| 5 ft | Privacy | $22-$42 | 7-8 ft | Semi-privacy |
| 6 ft | Privacy | $25-$50 | 8 ft | Most common backyard |
| 7 ft | Privacy | $35-$60 | 9-10 ft | Permit required most cities |
| 8 ft | Privacy | $50-$75 | 10-11 ft | Permit required; max residential |
Most municipalities require a building permit for fences over 6 ft in the rear yard or over 4 ft in the front yard. Budget another $50-$500 before you order materials.
Wood stays competitive because it is repairable, DIY-friendly, and visually flexible. It loses ground when low maintenance or extreme service life matters more than first cost.
| Material | Installed Cost/ft | 20-yr Maintenance | Lifespan | DIY Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (cedar) | $25-$45 | High | 15-30 yr | Yes |
| Wood (pine PT) | $20-$35 | Very High | 15-20 yr | Yes |
| Vinyl | $30-$60 | Very Low | 20-30 yr | Yes |
| Chain link | $9-$40 | Very Low | 20-30 yr | Yes |
| Aluminum | $25-$75 | Low | 30-50 yr | Yes |
| Composite | $30-$60 | Very Low | 25-40 yr | Yes |
| Wrought iron | $25-$55 | Medium | 50+ yr | Pro only |
Use this page for wood-specific budgeting, then compare it against the broader fence cost guide if you need cross-material context before calling contractors.
The best quote conversations start with a defined scope. Measure first, decide on style and height, and use a calculator before the first contractor call.
If the numbers come in higher than expected, compare against:
vinyl fence cost per foot chain link fence cost per foot aluminum fence cost per foot backyard fence calculator
$20-$50 per linear foot installed is the national average. Privacy fence often lands at $25-$50/ft, picket at $20-$40/ft, split rail at $15-$35/ft, and 8 ft privacy at $50-$75/ft.
$25-$50 per linear foot installed for a standard 6 ft privacy fence. Cedar often runs $28-$45/ft, pressure-treated pine $25-$38/ft, and redwood $35-$55/ft.
Cedar is usually the better value because it resists rot naturally and needs less frequent staining. Pine is cheaper upfront, but it usually needs more maintenance over time.
$2,000-$5,000 installed for a standard 100 ft wood fence. Split rail runs lower, while premium privacy layouts and redwood run higher.
$3,000-$7,500 installed is the common budget range for a 150 ft wood fence. That is the most typical residential project size.
About $25-$60 per post installed when you combine the post itself, concrete, hole digging, and setting labor. Gate and corner posts usually run higher.
Spruce can last 8-15 years, pressure-treated pine 15-20 years, cedar 15-30 years, and redwood 20-35 years when maintained with proper drainage and periodic sealing.
DIY staining usually costs $0.50-$1.50 per foot. Professional staining often runs $1.50-$4 per foot. Over 20 years, that maintenance line adds up.
Yes. Wood is the most DIY-friendly fence material. A two-person crew can often handle a 150 ft project in 2-4 days if post layout, digging, and gates are planned well.
Usually yes. Privacy, curb appeal, and pet containment all support resale value. Many agents estimate 50-75% cost recovery depending on the market and fence quality.
