Calculate the estimated cost of a wood fence installation — posts, rails, pickets, concrete, and labor — with an itemized breakdown. National average cost: $20–$45 per linear foot. Enter your project size below for an itemized breakdown — adjust any line item to match your local prices and scope.
Fence Length
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Try Suparate FreeSet corner and gate posts first — always
Install all corner and gate posts, let the concrete cure overnight, then string a chalk line between them to align your line posts. Skipping this step leads to wavy fence lines that can't be corrected without resetting posts.
Buy 10% extra pickets for sorting and future repairs
Pull each picket from the bundle before buying and reject any with large knots at the top, severe bow, or splitting ends. Having 10% extra lets you cherry-pick the best boards for visible gate areas and keeps matching material for repairs. Picket batches from different purchases won't match in color or texture.
Seal all cut ends immediately
End cuts expose bare wood grain and are the most vulnerable point for moisture intrusion. Apply end-cut sealer (or exterior wood preservative) to every cut end within 24 hours of cutting, including post tops. This single habit can double the life of individual fence components.
Professional installation of a 6-foot wood privacy fence runs $20–$45 per linear foot installed as of 2024–2025, including materials and labor. A 150-foot fence costs $3,000–$6,750. Cedar and redwood cost 30–50% more than pressure-treated pine but resist rot naturally. The cost per foot drops on longer runs since post and mobilization costs are spread over more footage.
Pressure-treated pine fence lasts 15–20 years with no maintenance or 20–30 years with regular staining every 2–3 years. Cedar and redwood last 20–25 years naturally and 30+ years with maintenance. Posts set in concrete in well-draining soil outlast the fence boards — the boards and pickets are the first components to need replacing. Annual inspection and spot-sealing of end cuts adds years to any fence.
Most jurisdictions require a permit for fences over 4 feet in the front yard or over 6 feet anywhere on the property. Homeowner association rules may impose additional height and material restrictions. Permits exist to ensure setback requirements are met and fence placement doesn't encroach on utility easements or neighboring properties. Call 811 and check with your municipality before breaking ground.
Pressure-treated pine is the most common choice — widely available, affordable ($3–$5 per picket), and chemically treated to resist rot and insects. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, lightweight, and attractive for staining or painting, but costs 30–50% more. Redwood is premium-priced but extremely rot-resistant and beautiful. Avoid untreated pine or SPF — it will rot within 3–5 years in ground contact.
Concrete is standard for privacy and structural fences. Set posts in fast-setting concrete, ensuring a slight crown at the top so water sheds away from the post. Use pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact (UC4B for posts in concrete). Gravel backfill (crushed stone) is used in areas with drainage problems where standing water around posts accelerates rot — it allows water to drain away from the post base.
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