Introduction
“What does a wood fence cost per foot?” is the first question almost everyone asks — and the honest answer is a range, because species, height, style, and labour market move the number more than the materials themselves. The usable planning figures for the US market: $15–$45 per linear foot installed, or $8–$20 per foot for DIY materials, with regional variation of 20–30% around those bands.
The Wood Fence Calculator builds the material list behind those numbers — pickets, posts, rails, concrete, and fasteners. This guide translates that list into dollars (with metric equivalents throughout): per-foot breakdowns by style and species, a full worked budget for a typical 150-ft job, and the hidden costs that ambush first-time fence builders.
Per-Foot Cost Ranges by Style
Installed price (materials + labour) for typical US residential work, per linear foot:
| Fence style | Installed ($/ft) | Installed ($/m) | DIY materials ($/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3–4 ft spaced picket (pine) | $15–$25 | $49–$82 | $8–$12 |
| 6 ft privacy, pressure-treated pine | $20–$30 | $66–$98 | $10–$15 |
| 6 ft privacy, cedar | $28–$40 | $92–$131 | $14–$20 |
| 6 ft board-on-board, cedar | $32–$45 | $105–$148 | $16–$22 |
| 6 ft shadowbox, cedar | $30–$42 | $98–$138 | $15–$20 |
| 6 ft privacy, redwood | $35–$50 | $115–$164 | $18–$25 |
These are planning ranges, not quotes — lumber prices swing with commodity markets, and labour rates in high-cost metros can sit 30–40% above these bands while rural markets run 10–20% below. Cedar vs pressure-treated pine is the single biggest material lever; the material guide compares species on lifespan and maintenance so you can weigh upfront cost against replacement cost.
Where the Money Goes: A Material Breakdown
For a DIY build, the fence-line cost per foot breaks down roughly like this (cedar privacy, 6 ft / 1.83 m tall, 2026 US pricing as a planning baseline):
| Component | Per linear foot | Share of materials |
|---|---|---|
| Pickets (~2.2 boards/ft incl. waste) | $5.50–$8.00 | ~45% |
| Posts + concrete (~1 post per 6 ft) | $2.50–$4.00 | ~25% |
| Rails (3 per section) | $1.50–$2.50 | ~15% |
| Fasteners (exterior screws) | $0.50–$1.00 | ~5% |
| Stain/sealer (amortized) | $0.75–$1.50 | ~10% |
Pickets are nearly half the material budget, which is why the boards-per-foot assumption matters so much to the final number — a miscount of 0.2 boards/ft on a 150-ft fence is 30 pickets and roughly $150–$240. The formula guide shows exactly where that figure comes from.
Worked Budget: 150 ft Cedar Privacy Fence
A 150 ft (45.72 m) run, 6 ft (1.83 m) tall cedar privacy — the same example used across these guides. From the complete guide: 330 pickets, 26 posts, 78 rails, 52 bags of concrete, 8 gallons of stain.
DIY materials budget
- Pickets: 330 × ~$3.50 = $1,155
- Posts (4×4×9): 26 × ~$18 = $468
- Rails (2×4×6): 78 × ~$5 = $390
- Concrete: 52 × ~$6 = $312
- Exterior screws: $60
- Stain (8 gal): 8 × ~$45 = $360
DIY total: ≈ $2,745 — about $18.30/ft ($60/m). Metric check: 45.72 m × $60/m = $2,743, consistent.
Installed budget
Contractor quotes for the same job typically land at $4,200–$6,000 ($28–$40/ft) — labour roughly equals or slightly exceeds materials on a straightforward job. Get at least three bids; bids 25% below the cluster usually mean thinner materials or rushed post-setting, the two failure modes described in the common mistakes guide.
Hidden Costs First-Time Builders Miss
- Old fence removal and disposal: $3–$8/ft ($10–$26/m) if a contractor hauls it; dump fees and a truck rental if you DIY.
- Permits: typically $50–$200, and skipping one can cost a rebuild. See the code compliance guide.
- Survey: $300–$600 if the property line is uncertain — cheaper than moving a fence onto a neighbour’s land.
- Grading and clearing: roots, rocks, and slopes slow digging; rocky soil can double post-hole labour.
- Gates: $200–$500 each in materials plus hardware — budget separately, not as “extra pickets.”
- Stain, repeated: every 2–4 years at $300–$400 per application for this job. Over a 15-year cedar life that’s $1,200–$2,000 — the lifecycle argument for cedar vs cheaper pine is real.
Cost-Saving Levers (Without Cheapening the Fence)
- DIY the tear-down, hire the build: removal is unskilled labour; installation is skilled. Splitting them saves 10–15%.
- Pressure-treated pine with stain instead of cedar: cuts materials ~30%, at the cost of a 2–3 year staining schedule.
- 8-ft post spacing where the style allows: saves ~25% on posts and concrete — but keep 6 ft on tall privacy fences.
- Buy in bulk from a lumberyard, not big-box singles: unit pricing on 300+ pickets is typically 10–20% better.
- One coat of stain now vs two later: staining before installation covers edges and doubles coverage efficiency.
Related Guides
- Wood Fence Complete Guide — the full estimating walkthrough behind these numbers.
- DIY vs Pro — when the savings justify the weekends.
- Wood Fence Material Guide — species lifespan vs upfront cost.
- Estimating Guide — the measurement walkthrough that feeds the budget.
- Pre-Install Fence Checklist — catch the hidden costs before they catch you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a wood fence?
For a typical 150-ft residential privacy fence, expect $2,500–$3,000 in DIY materials or $4,200–$6,000 installed for cedar. National per-foot planning ranges: $15–$45 installed, $8–$20 DIY, with regional variation.
Is it cheaper to build a fence yourself?
Yes — labour is roughly half the installed price, so DIY saves 40–50% on materials-equivalent jobs. But factor in tool costs, disposal, and your time; the DIY vs pro guide works the full comparison.
Why do fence quotes vary so much?
Three things: lumber species and grade, post-setting method (concrete vs tamped soil), and whether the bid includes removal, permits, gates, and stain. A low bid that skips concrete in the post holes is not the same fence as a higher bid that includes it.
Does a wood fence add home value?
A well-built fence generally helps curb appeal and can support resale in family-oriented markets, but it rarely returns its full cost. Build it for use and privacy; treat any value bump as a bonus.
How much does staining add to the cost?
Roughly $0.75–$1.50 per foot per application (both sides), every 2–4 years. For a 150-ft fence that’s $300–$400 per round — budget it as maintenance, not a one-time cost.
Get Your Number
Start with the material list, multiply by local lumber prices, then add labour or your own time — that’s the fence budget. The Wood Fence Calculator gives you the quantities; your local yard gives you the unit prices. Build the list first, price it second, and you’ll spot inflated bids and missing line items instantly.
Disclaimer: Cost figures are typical US planning estimates and vary with region, lumber markets, and site conditions. Verify unit prices locally before budgeting. Calculator results are planning estimates; consult a licensed professional or your local building authority for structural or code-related decisions.
