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CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Driveways, Pools & Outdoor Living > Wood Fence

Wood Fence Cost


How Much Does a Wood Fence Cost?

 
average costMaterials: $3-$75+ Per Foothigh costWith Professional Installation: $8-$100+ Per Foot
Typical costs:
  • A ranch-style wood fence (also called split rail or post and rail) with two to four rails typically costs $3-$9 a linear foot for just the materials; it can be about $400-$1,200 for 100' of fencing and $2,500-$8,000 to enclose a simple square acre (about 830'), depending on if there's a gate and whether the wood is pine (less expensive but needs to be treated to resist rot and insects) or naturally insect-resistant cedar or redwood. With professional installation a rail fence can cost $8-$25 or more a foot, or $900-$3,000 for 100' and $6,800-$21,000 to enclose a square acre, depending on local rates, the number of rails and the terrain (sloping properties or those with difficult access will cost more).
  • Materials to build 3'-4' tall wooden picket fence can cost $3-$30 or more a linear foot, depending on type of wood, height of the fence and the complexity of the design, and with a gate or other options total costs can be $400-$1,800 for 100' and $1,000-$5,000 for 300' of fencing with do-it-yourself installation. For example, AskTheBuilder.com[1] estimates it costs about $325 for do-it-yourself materials for a 48' fence built from individual wood pickets. With professional installation, a 3'-4' tall wood picket fence can cost $10-$75 a foot, depending on local rates and the style and height of the fence, or $1,000-$8,000 for 100' and $3,000-$24,000 for 300'.
  • Materials for a 4'-6' wood semi-privacy or privacy fence can cost $4-$75 or more a foot, depending on the type of wood, height and complexity; materials for a basic 6' tall solid wood privacy fence of treated pine or cedar and with no fancy patterns or ornamentation typically cost $7-$15 a foot, or $800-$1,800 for 100' and $2,200-$4,800 for 300' of fencing.
  • With professional installation a semi-privacy or privacy wooden fence can be $8-$100 or more a foot; a basic 6' tall wood privacy fence typically costs $10-$30 a foot, for $1,000-$3,500 for 100' and $3,000-$10,000 for 300'. For example, Production Fence Works in Georgia estimates its basic 6' wood privacy fence (with pressure-treated fence posts in concrete) costs $11.30 a foot in treated pine and $14.99 a foot in Western red cedar, while a 6' semi-privacy wood fence with top and bottom rails and vertical pickets spaced 2" apart averages $18.80 a foot in pine and $25.75 a foot in Western red cedar.
Related articles: Fence, Privacy Fence, Picket Fence, Chain-Link Fence, Fence Post, Vinyl Fence

What should be included:
  • If the fence posts are set in concrete, installation is typically done in two stages. After the fence path is cleared, post holes are dug and the posts anchored with concrete (or gravel, in some cases). A day or two later, after the concrete has hardened, the fencing is attached to the posts and any gates are installed. Lowe's provides do-it-yourself instructions for building a post rail fence[2] or a wood panel fence[3] using preassembled panels in a picket, semi-privacy or privacy style.
  • Before installing a fence, call 811[4] to have utility companies mark any underground utility lines; or contact local utility companies directly. Also check local zoning, building and neighborhood codes. A building permit might be required.
  • A wooden fence requires regular maintenance, such as staining or painting. DoItYourself.com lists the pros and cons[5] of wood and vinyl fencing.
Additional costs:
  • Factors that influence the total cost include steep slopes, unusual obstructions or difficult access, decorative ornamentation or additional gates.
  • For do-it-yourselfers digging fence post holes, a manual post hole digger or auger typically costs $15-$110; buying a small power auger can cost $60-$600 or more depending on size and materials; and a one-day rental of a powered post hole auger can cost $50-$95.
Shopping for a wood fence:
  • ThisOldHouse.com describes different types of wooden fences[6] . Many wood fences styles are sold in preassembled panels that are easy to install, but the lumber in panels might be of lower quality than a fence built board by board.
  • Determine the length of fence needed and look for examples of the style desired. An American Fence Association photo gallery[7] displays different types of fences. ThisOldHouse.com describes the different types of wood[8] typically used for fencing.
  • Wood fencing materials are available from most home improvement centers like Home Depot[9] or Lowe's[10] , or hardware stores like Ace Hardware[11] .
  • Find local contractors through the American Fence Association[12] . Get several estimates; verify that the company is properly bonded and insured;and ask for and check references.
post Post   Comments (6)  
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
6’ cedar wood privacy fence
Amount: $3,151.00
Posted by: Kathleen Sullivan in San Antonio, TX.Posted: January 30th, 2020 07:01PM
Number of Feet: 175Installer: Independent contractor
Found guy on Facebook Marketplace. Very thorough. Will follow up. Installation is in the morning.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
lowes fence estimate for 7 foot redwood/ 25 linear ft
Amount: $1,195.00
Posted by: grrrtouy in Fresno, CA.Posted: September 8th, 2017 12:09AM
Number of Feet: 25Installer: Lowes
I did not accept offer. All Lowes in Fresno Ca. For a 25 foot wide, 7 foot high redwood fence with gate, they charge you labor for either 80 or 100 linear feet minimum. I asked, "so I'm paying the labor only, as if I had a (80 or 100?) foot fence? He tried to not answer, but after I said you already told me this over the phone, he said correct. Then he said your only paying for the materials for a 25 ft. fence. The estimate did not reflect labor or material cost, just a total cost of $1,195. I called another Lowes to verify, and yes, they charge a minimum labor fee as if you had either a 80 or 100 foot fence.(cant remember which one) They hide that fact on estimate. Make sure your estimate reflects labor and materials separately. I would never have known had he not told me over the phone earlier. I cancelled online hours prior, but he still showed up. Obviously I declined.
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Picket Fence 4 ft
Amount: $1,300.00
Posted by: Goldman in Dawsonville, GA.Posted: February 15th, 2017 03:02PM
Number of Feet: 115Installer: Precision Fence
All posts were set in concrete and price included two gates. They did a great job!
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Fencing
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Bill, (Olympic Construction) in Portland, OR.Posted: December 22nd, 2015 08:12PM
Number of Feet: 100Installer: Self
Looking at Dron inPortland OR, a cost of $2466.00 is not unreasonable. Will build for that price.
If he is interested I can be contacted at [email protected].
Ground should be reasonable level and little rock
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Fence
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Dron in Portland, OR.Posted: April 17th, 2015 01:04AM
Number of Feet: 100Installer: stilllooking
I am still looking a good price to install a fence on the back yard of 100 feet.In my opinion the options $3000.00 I got is overpriced for simple cedar wood.
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Home Depot did a good job
Amount: $2,800.00
Posted by: OCMike in Orange County, CA.Posted: January 12th, 2015 10:01AM
Number of Feet: 100Installer: Home Depot
I had gotten a couple of quotes from an individual contractor and a major retail chain that came in significantly higher than Home Depot. I was hesitant to go with them after looking up reviews about Home Depot's contractor services but I am happy to say that I was extremely satisfied with the work they did. It came out to $28 a linear foot (including being on a hill which does add to cost) which was in line with the estimate on this cost helper.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.askthebuilder.com/wood-picket-fence-materials-and-cost-sheet/
  2.  www.lowes.com/cd_Install+a+Post+and+Rail+Fence_247446523_
  3.  www.lowes.com/cd_Install+a+Wood+Panel+span+classsearchtermFencespan_337564931_
  4.  www.call811.com/state-specific.aspx
  5.  www.doityourself.com/stry/wood-vs-vinyl-fence-pros-and-cons
  6.  www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20392149,00.html
  7.  www.americanfenceassociation.com/Consumers/InspirationGallery/tabid/65/Default.aspx
  8.  www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20392149_20795614,00.html
  9.  www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=wood+fence&langId=-1&st...
  10.  www.lowes.com/pl_Wood+Fencing_4294817809_4294937087_?UserSearch=wood+fence&langId=...
  11.  www.acehardware.com/info/index.jsp?categoryId=1283951
  12.  www.americanfenceassociation.com/Consumers/GatesAccessControl/tabid/124/~/Consumer...
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