Wood fencing is the most installed residential fence type in the United States. It offers the right balance of cost, appearance, and privacy for the majority of suburban yards, and the material is familiar enough that almost every fence contractor in the country quotes it daily. Pricing varies more than most homeowners expect once species, height, style, and site conditions come into the calculation. This guide breaks down what wood fencing actually costs.

How much does a wood fence cost? Installed wood fencing typically runs 18 to 45 dollars per linear foot, with most projects landing between 22 and 35 dollars per linear foot. For a typical 150-foot backyard fence, total project cost lands between 3,300 and 6,800 dollars depending on wood species, height, style, and gate count.

If pricing the project is the first step and figuring out permits, surrounding repair, and gate placement is the second, a pro who handles fence installation and repair can take on the prep and finish work that often falls between a fence crew's main scope.

Understanding Wood Fence Installation Investment Factors

Three factors drive most of the variation in wood fence cost: wood species, fence style, and project conditions. Walking through each helps you understand where your specific quote falls within market ranges.

Wood Species

  • Pressure-treated pine: 18 to 32 dollars per linear foot installed. Most common, most affordable, 15 to 20 year service life with regular staining.
  • Cedar (Western red or white): 25 to 45 dollars per linear foot installed. Naturally rot-resistant, beautiful aging to silver-gray, 20 to 30 year service life.
  • Redwood: 30 to 55 dollars per linear foot installed. Premium West Coast option, similar performance to cedar.
  • Tropical hardwoods (ipe, mahogany): 50 to 85 dollars per linear foot installed. Premium niche option, 30 to 50 year service life.
  • Cypress: 28 to 45 dollars per linear foot installed. Naturally rot and insect resistant, popular in southern regions.

Fence Style and Height

Standard styles in order of approximate cost:

  • Split rail (3 to 4 feet): 12 to 22 dollars per linear foot. Rural decorative fencing, no privacy.
  • Picket (3 to 4 feet): 18 to 32 dollars per linear foot. Traditional front yard fencing.
  • Privacy panel (6 feet): 22 to 38 dollars per linear foot. Most common backyard fence.
  • Shadowbox or board-on-board (6 feet): 28 to 45 dollars per linear foot. Privacy with airflow, both sides finished.
  • Lattice-top privacy (6 to 8 feet): 30 to 50 dollars per linear foot. Decorative top adds height and visual interest.
  • Horizontal modern (6 feet): 35 to 55 dollars per linear foot. Premium contemporary style.

Height adjustments: Dropping from 6 feet to 4 feet saves 20 to 30 percent. Going from 6 to 8 feet adds 25 to 40 percent.

Hardware and Fasteners

Stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized hardware costs more upfront but resists corrosion and bleeding stains down the wood. Standard galvanized fasteners save money but can rust in humid climates. Plan for 1 to 3 dollars per linear foot in difference.

Regulatory Requirements and Permit Planning

Most municipalities require permits for fences over 4 or 6 feet tall (the threshold varies by jurisdiction). Permit fees run 50 to 400 dollars depending on location and project value. Submit drawings, property survey, and proposed materials with the application.

HOA approval, where applicable, runs in parallel to the permit process. Approval can take 2 to 8 weeks and often restricts style, height, color, and material.

Setback requirements vary by jurisdiction. Most cities require fences to sit 6 inches to 2 feet inside the property line, with stricter setbacks near the street or sidewalk.

Buried utility locates are required by law in all 50 states. Call 811 at least 2 to 5 business days before digging. The service is free and prevents serious damage to gas, electric, water, and communication lines.

Cost by Project Length

Per-foot pricing trends slightly lower on longer runs because mobilization is spread across more material. Mid-range cedar privacy fence, 6 feet, standard terrain:

  • 50 linear feet: 1,300 to 2,500 dollars (26 to 50 dollars per foot)
  • 100 linear feet: 2,400 to 4,500 dollars (24 to 45 dollars per foot)
  • 150 linear feet: 3,500 to 6,500 dollars (23 to 43 dollars per foot)
  • 200 linear feet: 4,500 to 8,500 dollars (22 to 42 dollars per foot)
  • 300 linear feet: 6,500 to 12,500 dollars (22 to 42 dollars per foot)

Add 1 to 2 gates and any demo, permit, or staining as separate line items.

Site Conditions That Affect Cost

  • Terrain slope: Stepped or raked panels add 10 to 20 percent in labor
  • Rocky soil: Hand digging or rock breakers add 25 to 50 percent in labor
  • Frost line depth: Cold climates require deeper footings (36 to 48 inches), adding material and labor
  • Site access: Tight lots requiring material carry-in add 15 to 25 percent
  • Tree clearing: 200 to 1,500 dollars depending on density
  • Old fence demo: 3 to 8 dollars per linear foot

Gate Considerations

Each gate adds 200 to 1,500 dollars depending on style and width:

  • Single walk gate (3 to 4 ft wide): 200 to 600 dollars
  • Double drive gate (8 to 12 ft wide): 800 to 2,500 dollars
  • Custom decorative gate: 600 to 2,500 dollars
  • Automated gate (motor and electronics): Additional 2,500 to 8,000 dollars

Plan gate placement against traffic patterns. Where do trash cans go? Where does the lawn equipment need to enter?

Staining, Sealing, and Maintenance

Pressure-treated wood needs staining or sealing 6 to 12 months after installation to allow initial moisture to release. Cedar and redwood can be left untreated to weather gray or stained to maintain color.

Ongoing maintenance costs:

  • Staining (DIY): 0.50 to 1.50 dollars per linear foot in materials
  • Professional staining: 1 to 4 dollars per linear foot
  • Reapplication every 3 to 5 years for pressure-treated wood
  • Reapplication every 5 to 7 years for cedar or redwood

Wood Fence Performance by Climate Region

The same wood fence performs very differently in different climates. Choosing material and treatment to match your region extends service life and reduces maintenance.

  • Humid Southeast (FL, GA, SC, NC, AL, MS, LA): Fast wood decay from moisture and insects. Pressure-treated pine performs adequately with regular staining every 3 to 4 years. Cypress is the regional favorite due to natural rot and insect resistance. Avoid untreated wood entirely.
  • Hot dry Southwest (AZ, NV, NM, southern CA, TX): UV damage and shrinkage are the primary failure modes. Cedar holds up well due to natural oils. Stains with UV inhibitors required every 4 to 6 years. Pressure-treated pine cracks and splits under intense sun.
  • Temperate Midwest (IL, IN, OH, MI, MO, WI): Freeze-thaw cycles stress fasteners and footings. Standard pressure-treated pine performs well with staining every 3 to 5 years. Frost line concerns require deeper footings.
  • Cold North (MN, ND, ME, NH, VT, upper NY): Deep frost line drives up footing cost. Standard cedar or pressure-treated pine work well. Plan for snow load against fence sections.
  • Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, northern CA): Constant moisture demands rot-resistant species. Cedar and redwood are regional favorites. Stains and sealers need annual touch-up due to mold and mildew.
  • Coastal (any region within 5 miles of saltwater): Salt accelerates fastener corrosion. Use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized hardware exclusively. Standard galvanized fasteners fail within 3 to 5 years.

Fence Styles in More Detail

The standard styles each have specific use cases worth understanding before committing.

Privacy Panel (Standard 6 Foot)

Tongue-and-groove or dog-ear pickets installed vertically across horizontal rails. Provides full visual screening. The most common backyard fence. Picket width varies (4 inches to 8 inches) but the 5-1/2 inch standard predominates. Total visual impact is one solid wall of wood. Pickets typically face the neighbor's side, with rails and posts on the homeowner's side.

Shadowbox or Board-on-Board

Pickets installed on alternating sides of the horizontal rails, with each picket overlapping the next by 1 to 2 inches. Provides privacy when viewed straight-on but allows airflow and looks identical from both sides. Often the right choice for HOAs that require "good neighbor" fences with both sides finished. Costs 20 to 35 percent more than standard privacy due to additional material.

Stockade

Vertical pickets attached edge-to-edge with no gap. Maximum privacy and security but the most material-intensive. Less common in modern installs because shadowbox and standard privacy designs cost less for similar appearance.

Lattice-Top Privacy

Standard 6-foot privacy panel with 1 to 2 feet of decorative lattice on top. Total height 7 to 8 feet. Adds visual interest and screening height without making the fence feel like a wall. Common upgrade in HOAs that allow taller fencing.

Horizontal Modern

Pickets installed horizontally rather than vertically, often in 1-inch by 4-inch or 1-inch by 6-inch dimensions. Contemporary aesthetic. Spacing between boards varies from tight (full privacy) to wide (semi-private with airflow). Premium material costs reflect the trend.

Picket Fence (Traditional 3 to 4 Foot)

Decorative pointed or rounded pickets attached to horizontal rails. Front yard or boundary fence rather than privacy fence. Lower cost than 6-foot privacy and primarily aesthetic rather than functional for screening.

When to Repair Versus Replace a Wood Fence

Most wood fences hit a decision point at 12 to 20 years. Repair is the right call when:

  • Fewer than 25 percent of posts are leaning, rotted, or pulling out of concrete
  • The structural integrity is intact across most of the fence run
  • Pickets are mostly sound with only a handful needing replacement
  • Rails are not sagging or rotted at the post connections
  • The fence is under 15 years old and partial maintenance extends life

Replacement makes more sense when:

  • 30 percent or more of posts are leaning or rotted at the ground line
  • Pickets show widespread warping, splitting, or pulling fasteners
  • The fence is at the end of its service life (15+ years for pressure-treated; 25+ for cedar)
  • The original install was unpermitted and will not pass current code
  • You want a different style, height, or material
  • Cumulative repair quotes exceed 50 percent of new fence cost

Partial replacement (rebuilding a specific run while keeping the rest) is a common middle path when one section has failed worse than others. New sections will not exactly match the weathered sections, but they will blend within 1 to 2 years.

How Much Should I Budget for a New Fence

For a typical 150-foot backyard fence in mid-range cedar at 6 feet:

  • Fence: 3,500 to 6,500 dollars
  • One gate: 300 to 800 dollars
  • Permit and HOA fees: 100 to 600 dollars
  • Old fence demo: 500 to 1,200 dollars
  • Initial stain or sealer (if applicable): 200 to 600 dollars
  • Contingency (10 to 15 percent): 400 to 1,000 dollars
  • Total realistic budget: 5,000 to 10,500 dollars

DIY vs Professional Installation

Wood fencing is one of the more accessible DIY projects, and DIY savings on labor typically run 40 to 60 percent of professional pricing. The trade-off is time (two to four weekends per 100 linear feet) and the risk of post setting errors that cause leaning sections within a year.

Many homeowners contract out post setting and tackle the rails and pickets themselves. The hybrid approach captures most savings while protecting the structural foundation. A craftsman who provides fence sealing and painting works in this hybrid model.

Why Homeowners Bring in Ace Handyman Services

Fence contractors focus on running the fence. The work around a fence project often falls between scopes, and that is where Ace Handyman Services fits in.

  • Peace of mind. Pre-install brush clearing, gate hardware planning, and landscape protection are easy to overlook.
  • One-year labor warranty. Every project we complete is backed by our one-year labor guarantee.
  • Prep and finish work handled. Old fence demo, post hole prep, post replacement on partial repairs, gate hanging and tuning, staining and sealing.
  • Background-checked, multi-skilled craftsmen. Our team is W-2 employed, background-checked, insured, and trained across exterior carpentry, small concrete work, and finish trades.
  • Predictable weekday timeline. We coordinate around fence contractor schedules.
  • Right-sized scope. Section repair or partial replace? We will tell you when a full new fence is not warranted.
  • Cleanup included. Demo debris, packaging, fasteners, and any wood waste leaves with us.

Whether you are planning a new wood fence or want a section repair on an existing one, reach out to your local Ace Handyman Services office to walk the property line.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 100 ft wood fence cost?

A 100-foot wood fence typically costs 1,800 to 4,500 dollars installed. Pressure-treated pine at 6 feet sits at 1,800 to 3,200 dollars. Cedar at 6 feet runs 2,500 to 4,500 dollars. Premium hardwood or specialty styles push the price higher. Add a single walk gate for 200 to 600 dollars.

How much does it cost for 200 feet of wood fencing?

200 linear feet of wood fence typically runs 3,600 to 9,000 dollars installed. Pressure-treated pine at 6 feet lands at 3,600 to 6,400 dollars. Cedar runs 5,000 to 9,000 dollars. Add 200 to 1,500 dollars for gates and 500 to 1,500 dollars for old fence demo if applicable.

How much is 300 feet of wood fencing?

A 300-foot wood fence typically runs 5,400 to 13,500 dollars installed. Pressure-treated pine sits at 5,400 to 9,600 dollars. Cedar lands at 7,500 to 13,500 dollars. Per-foot pricing drops slightly as project length increases because mobilization is spread across more material.

How much should I budget for a new fence?

For a typical 150-foot backyard wood fence at 6 feet, plan a realistic all-in budget of 5,000 to 10,500 dollars. This covers material, labor, one gate, permits, demo of existing fence, initial staining if applicable, and a 10 to 15 percent contingency for surprises.

What is the cheapest wood fence to install?

Pressure-treated pine privacy fence at 6 feet is the lowest-cost wood option, typically running 18 to 32 dollars per linear foot installed. Service life is 15 to 20 years with regular staining. Cedar costs more upfront but lasts longer and weathers naturally without staining for those who prefer the silver-gray look.

How long does a wood fence last?

Pressure-treated pine fences last 15 to 20 years with regular staining. Cedar lasts 20 to 30 years. Redwood and cypress fall in the 20 to 30 year range. Tropical hardwoods like ipe last 30 to 50 years. Service life depends heavily on climate, ground contact at posts, and maintenance discipline.