Wood Fence Cost: $10-$35 per Linear Foot ($3,065-$4,500 Average) in 2026

Why does a wood fence cost so much?

A wood fence typically runs $10 to $35 per linear foot installed, combining materials and labor (Fixr, HomeAdvisor). For a full backyard project, that adds up to a whole-project total of roughly $1,763 to $6,500, with reported national averages landing anywhere from $3,065 to $4,500 depending on the source (Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor, Fixr). The spread between sources comes down to assumptions about fence length, wood grade, and region – there’s no single “correct” average because a 100-foot pine picket fence and a 300-foot cedar privacy fence are very different jobs. Labor is a real driver of the price, not just an afterthought: installers typically charge $17 to $45 per linear foot for labor alone (Bob Vila), or $25 to $60 per hour (Fixr). Add in wood cost, which swings from $10 per foot for commodity pine to well over $100 per foot for premium redwood, and it’s easy to see why two “wood fence” quotes can look nothing alike.

What affects the cost?

• Wood species. Commodity pine and spruce run about $10 to $25 per linear foot installed. Cedar moves up to $15-$40, pressure-treated pine ranges $17-$90, and premium species like redwood ($25-$120) or black locust ($30-$80) sit at the top of the market (Fixr, Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor).
• Fence height and style. A solid, 6-foot privacy fence uses far more lumber per linear foot than an open split-rail or picket design. Fixr puts privacy fencing at $17-$37 per foot versus $8-$16 for split rail; Bob Vila’s numbers show an even wider gap, $27-$60 for privacy versus $12-$30 for split rail.
• Total fence length. Per-foot pricing tends to improve on longer runs, but the whole-project total still scales directly with how many linear feet you’re enclosing (Fixr).
• Site prep and land survey. A sloped or obstructed yard may need regrading, which HomeAdvisor prices at $400 to $6,000 or more, and a land survey to confirm property lines runs $200-$1,200 (HomeAdvisor) or $375-$750 (Bob Vila).
• Permits. Most municipalities require a fence permit before installation, typically $70 to $600 depending on the jurisdiction (Fixr, Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor).
• Gates and finishing touches. A gate adds $150-$600, decorative post caps run $5-$150 each, and staining or painting adds $1-$14 per linear ft or sq ft, depending on the source (Fixr, Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor).

How to lower your wood fence cost

• Pick pine or spruce over premium species where looks allow. At $10-$25 per linear foot installed, commodity softwoods cost a fraction of redwood or black locust while still holding up well when properly treated or stained (Fixr, Bob Vila).
• Choose an open style over solid privacy panels. Split-rail and picket fences use less lumber and run as low as $8-$18 per linear foot, versus $17-$60 for a solid privacy fence (Fixr, Bob Vila).
• Bundle the land survey with other site work, or confirm you don’t need one. Surveys run $200-$1,200 (HomeAdvisor) and $375-$750 (Bob Vila) – skip this cost if your property lines are already documented and undisputed.
• Get the permit yourself instead of paying a contractor markup. Permits run $70-$600 depending on location; handling the paperwork directly can avoid a contractor’s administrative fee (Fixr, HomeAdvisor).
• Stain or paint yourself. At $1-$14 per linear ft or sq ft for professional staining and painting (figures mix per-linear-foot and per-square-foot pricing across sources), doing this step yourself after installation can meaningfully cut the finishing cost (Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor).
• Get multiple quotes and compare what’s included. Labor alone ranges $5-$45 per linear foot across sources, so ask each contractor whether post-hole digging, haul-away of old fencing, and cleanup are part of the quoted price before comparing bids.