Wood Fence Cost Calculator

What affects the price of a wood fence

A wood privacy fence is a labor-heavy install, and the price per linear foot moves on five levers.

Height. Fence pricing scales roughly with picket length. A 6-foot privacy fence costs 40% to 60% more per foot than a 4-foot picket fence in the same wood, because there is more material and taller posts need more concrete.

Wood species. Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest and most common. Cedar costs 20% to 40% more but weathers better and needs no chemical treatment. Higher-end options like redwood or thermally modified wood run 50% to 100% above pressure-treated.

Terrain. Flat ground is the cheapest. Sloped yards require either "stepped" panels or "racked" panels, both of which add labor. Rocky soil that fights the post-hole digger can double the excavation time per hole.

Gates. Each walk gate adds $150 to $450. Each drive gate adds $400 to $1,200 because of the heavier hinges, wider frame and drop rod. The calculator lets you add both.

Region. Labor is 30% to 50% of the total and swings 30% between the highest and lowest cost states.

Wood fence installed price by height

Installed cost per linear foot for a wood fence. Includes material, labor and posts on standard 8-foot spacing. Gates are extra.

Cost by common fence length

Total installed cost for a 6-foot wood privacy fence with one walk gate. The calculator adjusts for height, material and additional gates.

What is included in these estimates

The base ranges cover a professional install on flat, accessible ground. Included:

• Pressure-treated or cedar pickets, rails and posts.
• Post-hole digging and concrete footings below frost line.
• Standard 8-foot post spacing.
• Labor for layout, cutting, assembly and cleanup.
• One walk gate with basic latch and hinges.
• A 10% waste factor on materials.

Not included, add through the calculator's add-ons:

• Tear-out and disposal of an existing fence. Add $3 to $8 per linear foot.
• Sloped or uneven ground requiring stepped or racked panels. Add $2 to $6 per linear foot.
• Additional walk or drive gates. Set the quantities in the calculator.
• Staining or sealing the fence. Optional at $2 to $4 per linear foot every 2 to 3 years.
• Removing rocks, tree roots or hitting utility lines.
• Permit fees over the base allowance.

Sealing, staining and long-term maintenance

A wood fence is the only major residential fence type that carries a real ongoing cost. Left untreated, cedar weathers to a silver-gray patina in 6 to 18 months and pressure-treated pine turns a splotchy green-gray. Both stay structurally sound for a decade or more without treatment, but the color is on you.

Basic clear or semi-transparent sealer. $200 to $600 for a 150- foot fence in materials, applied every 2 to 3 years. DIY takes a weekend with a pump sprayer and a brush for touch-up on knots and end grain. A pro will charge $2 to $4 per linear foot for the same work.

Solid stain or paint. Longer-lasting (4 to 6 years between coats) but harder to reverse. Once painted, a fence cannot easily go back to natural. Materials for a 150-foot fence run $400 to $900. Pro application $3 to $6 per linear foot.

Timing matters. Apply after 30 days of dry weather so the wood is below 15% moisture content. Spring and early fall are the sweet spots in most of the country. Skip painting in humid conditions or when rain is forecast within 24 hours — the finish will not adhere.

Rot at the post base. Even treated posts eventually fail at the soil line. Watch for wobble at 15 years, replacement of individual posts at 18 to 20 years. Setting new posts in fresh concrete is a one-day job per post for a pro at $150 to $300 each, cheaper as a batch.

When it makes sense to DIY

A wood fence is one of the more DIY-friendly outdoor projects because the tools are affordable and mistakes can usually be fixed in place. Rules of thumb:

• Under 100 linear feet, flat ground, 6-foot pressure-treated: worth trying with one helper and two full weekends.
• 100 to 200 feet, mostly flat: borderline. Rent a two-person power auger. Plan three weekends.
• Anything over 200 feet, sloped, or with gates on both ends: hire a pro or split the job.
• Corner and end posts on a property line dispute: hire a pro and confirm the line with a survey first.

Materials for a DIY 100-foot pressure-treated privacy fence run about $1,200 to $2,000, plus $150 to $250 in tool rentals. That is roughly 50% to 60% of what a contractor would charge — the biggest DIY savings of any outdoor project. Call 811 before you dig.

Frequently asked questions