Most homeowners pay $1,900–$5,000 for a new wood fence, with an average near $3,300. Installed prices usually run $15–$35 per linear foot for pine or cedar, and up to $40–$60 for tall privacy styles or redwood (Angi, Fixr and HomeGuide data, as of October 2026).
Updated October 8, 2026. Source: Angi + 4 more. National US estimates.
Wood is the most common choice for backyard privacy fences because it is affordable, easy to repair and looks natural. The price swings with the species (pine, cedar, cypress or redwood), the style and height you pick, how many feet you need and whether you stain or seal it.
Below are installed prices per linear foot and per project, a breakdown for a typical backyard, and how wood compares with chain link. For vinyl, aluminum and other materials, see the full fence installation cost guide.
Average cost
Installed wood fence costs (labor and materials), national averages as of October 2026:
| Scenario | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Short run: 50 linear feet of pine picket | $750–$1,750 | Front yard or garden; about $10–$18 per linear foot |
| Typical backyard: 100–200 linear feet of pine or cedar | $1,900–$5,000 | Most homeowners pay around $3,300 |
| Full privacy: 200 linear feet of 6-ft cedar privacy with gates | $3,500–$7,500 | Privacy styles run $17–$37 per foot installed |
| Premium: redwood, hardwood or 8-ft privacy | $7,000–$10,000+ | Redwood runs $25–$40 per foot; 8-ft fences cost 20%–30% more |
Wood fence cost by wood type
| Wood type | Materials per linear foot | Installed per linear foot |
|---|---|---|
| Pine (often pressure-treated) | $3–$10 | $10–$25 |
| Spruce | $3–$10 | $10–$25 |
| Cedar / Western red cedar | $5–$15 | $15–$30 |
| Cypress | $10–$15 | $20–$30 |
| Redwood | $15–$30 | $25–$40 |
Wood fence cost by style
| Style | Installed per linear foot | Typical height |
|---|---|---|
| Split rail | $8–$16 | 2.5–3 ft |
| Picket | $10–$18 | 3–4 ft |
| Stockade | $15–$20 | 6 ft |
| Horizontal | $15–$22 | 4–6 ft |
| Shadowbox | $17–$35 | 6 ft |
| Privacy (solid board) | $17–$37 | 6 ft |
Cost breakdown: materials, labor, permits and extras
Line-item estimate for about 150 linear feet of 6-ft pine or cedar privacy fence with one walk-through gate on fairly level ground. Ranges are national, as of October 8, 2026.
| Cost item | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Materials (posts, rails, boards, concrete, hardware) | $750–$2,250 | Wood fence materials run about $5–$15 per linear foot |
| Labor | $1,500–$3,000 | About $10–$20 per linear foot; roughly half the project |
| Gate (one walk gate, installed) | $100–$600 | A standard 4-ft gate costs about $52–$600 depending on build |
| Permits | $20–$200 | Required in many towns, especially for 6-ft privacy fences |
| Contingency (about 10%) | $250–$500 | Rocky soil, roots, extra posts on slopes |
| Estimated total | $2,600–$6,600 | Before any discounts or rebates |
Staining and old-fence removal are extra: budget about $2–$5 per linear foot to remove an old fence and $750 or more to stain a new one.
What affects the price
- Wood type. Pine and spruce are the cheapest at about $10–$25 per linear foot installed; cedar runs $15–$30, cypress $20–$30 and redwood $25–$40. Pressure-treated lumber costs about $2–$10 more per foot than untreated but resists rot and insects.
- Height. Most wood fences are 4–6 ft tall. Going above 6 ft adds roughly 20%–30%, and an 8-ft privacy fence can run $50–$85 per linear foot. Fences over 6 ft often need a permit or variance.
- Style. Open styles such as split rail ($8–$16 per foot) and picket ($10–$18) use far less lumber than solid privacy fencing ($17–$37) or shadowbox ($17–$35). Lattice toppers add about $2–$12 per foot.
- Linear feet. Total cost scales with length: about $1,500–$3,500 for 100 feet and $3,000–$7,000 for 200 feet. Labor makes up roughly half of the bill, so longer runs can earn a slightly lower price per foot.
- Gates. A standard 4-ft walk gate runs about $200–$600 installed in Angi's data, though simple gates can cost less; wider double gates for trailers or mowers cost more and need heavier posts and hardware.
- Staining or sealing. Professional staining or painting of a fence costs about $750–$4,250, or $2–$14 per linear foot, and most wood fences need restaining every few years to stay protected.
Ways to save
- Choose pressure-treated pine instead of cedar or redwood for posts and rails; it is the lowest-cost lumber and rated for ground contact.
- Pick a picket, split-rail or stockade style where full privacy isn't needed; they cost noticeably less per foot than board-on-board or shadowbox designs.
- Stain the fence yourself after the wood has dried out, which saves the $750 or more a pro would charge.
- If your old posts are solid, ask about replacing only the boards and rails; Fixr reports replacement with posts left in place costs about $3,000–$7,000 for a 209-ft fence versus up to $8,000 with full removal.
- Get at least three quotes priced per linear foot and confirm that gates, concrete, hauling and permits are included.
Related questions people ask
How much does chain link fence installation cost?
Chain link fence installation costs about $2,450–$4,000 for a typical 200-ft, 4-ft galvanized fence with a gate, or roughly $10–$40 per linear foot installed. Black vinyl-coated chain link runs about $19–$33 per foot, and a swing gate adds $90–$250. Chain link is cheaper than wood but offers no privacy unless you add slats.
How to get an accurate quote
Request at least three written quotes from licensed, insured fence contractors, and give each the same information:
- Total linear footage, height and style, and the wood species you want for posts, rails and boards.
- The number and width of gates, plus any slopes, rocky soil, trees or an old fence that must come out.
- Whether you want the fence stained or sealed, and when (many installers recommend waiting for new wood to dry).
- Ask who handles the permit and 811 utility marking, whether posts are set in concrete, and what the warranty covers.
FAQ
Should I pay extra for pressure-treated wood?
Usually yes for posts and anything touching the ground. Fixr reports treated wood adds about $2–$10 per linear foot, bringing installed prices to roughly $17–$45 per foot versus $15–$35 for untreated, in exchange for better resistance to rot and insects.
Is cedar worth the extra cost over pine?
Cedar costs about $5 more per linear foot installed than pine, but it resists rot and insects naturally, warps less and looks better as it weathers. Many homeowners use pressure-treated pine posts with cedar boards to balance cost and appearance.
How long does it take to install a wood fence?
Most crews install 100–200 linear feet in 1–3 days. Permits, utility marking and material orders can add one to several weeks before work starts.
For the big picture, start with our complete fence installation cost guide.
Related cost guides
Sources
- Angi — How Much Does Wood Fence Installation Cost? [2026 Data] (updated Aug 3, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- Fixr — Wood Fence Installation Cost (updated Jan 31, 2025). Checked October 8, 2026.
- Fixr — Cost to Install a Chain Link Fence (updated Jan 31, 2025). Checked October 8, 2026.
- HomeGuide — How Much Does Fence Installation Cost? (2026) (Feb 3, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- HomeGuide — How Much Does a Chain-Link Fence Cost? (2026) (Aug 4, 2025). Checked October 8, 2026.
Prices are estimates and vary by location and provider. See our methodology and editorial policy. Browse all yard & pests cost guides.