Wood Fence Installation Cost in 2026
If you’re pricing wood fence installation cost in 2026, expect $10–$30 per linear foot installed for a standard wood privacy fence, with most homeowners paying $2,500–$4,500 for a typical 150-foot yard. The national average project lands around $3,200. Pressure-treated pine is the budget pick at $13–$25 per foot; cedar runs $25–$45; redwood reaches $35–$55. Wood type is the single biggest cost lever — bigger than height, terrain, or gates.
Quick-answer table (typical 2026 wood fence installation cost):
| Project size | Pine (installed) | Cedar (installed) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 linear feet | $1,300–$2,500 | $2,500–$4,500 |
| 150 linear feet (typical yard) | $2,000–$3,750 | $3,750–$6,750 |
| 200 linear feet | $2,600–$5,000 | $5,000–$9,000 |
| Per linear foot | $13–$25 | $25–$45 |
Wood remains the most popular fence material in the US — private, repairable, and roughly half the installed cost of vinyl. The tradeoff is maintenance: a wood fence needs staining or sealing every 2–3 years, and that lifetime maintenance is the real cost story. This guide covers per-foot pricing by wood type, what drives quotes up or down, and when DIY actually pays.
Wood Fence Installation Cost Per Linear Foot
Per-foot pricing bundles materials and labor. Here’s how the installed rate breaks down:
| Cost component | Per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Materials (posts, pickets, rails, concrete, hardware) | $5–$15 depending on wood type |
| Labor (digging, setting, building) | $5–$15 depending on terrain and market |
| Total installed | $10–$30 |
Some contractors quote by the hour instead — typically $25–$60 per hour per worker — which works out to roughly the same total on standard jobs. Short runs cost more per foot than long runs because mobilization, permits, and setup are fixed costs spread over fewer feet: a 50-foot fence can run $20–$35 per foot while a 200-foot run of the same fence drops to $13–$25.
For comparison with other materials at common project sizes, see our guides to 200 feet of fencing and 100 feet of fence installed.
Wood Fence Cost by Wood Type
| Wood type | Installed per linear ft | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $13–$25 | 15–20 years | Stain/seal every 2–3 years |
| Cedar (western red) | $25–$45 | 20–25 years | Stain/seal every 2–4 years |
| Redwood | $35–$55 | 20–30 years | Stain/seal every 2–4 years |
| Premium hardwoods (ipe, etc.) | $45–$75 | 30–50 years | Oil annually for color; optional for structure |
Pressure-treated pine is the value leader — affordable, widely available, and accepts stain well, but it’s the most maintenance-hungry and most prone to warping and checking. Cedar is the sweet spot for most homeowners: naturally rot- and insect-resistant, holds stain beautifully, and lasts 5+ years longer than pine. Redwood is the premium domestic option with rich color, but limited supply outside the West keeps prices high. The Real Cedar council publishes grading and finishing guidance if you’re comparing cedar grades.
Board style matters too: board-on-board (overlapping for full privacy) uses 15–20% more lumber than standard side-by-side pickets and costs proportionally more. Shadowbox (alternating boards) uses similar material to board-on-board but looks finished from both sides — worth it on shared boundaries.
Fence Height, Gates, and Extras
| Extra | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Upgrade 4-ft picket → 6-ft privacy | +25–35% on the project |
| Walk gate (4 ft, installed) | $200–$500 |
| Double drive gate (10–12 ft, installed) | $500–$1,200 |
| Old fence removal and disposal | $3–$8 per linear foot |
| Fence permit | $50–$450 |
| Property survey (if boundaries unclear) | $300–$700 |
| Staining/sealing new wood fence | $1.50–$3 per linear foot |
| Decorative post caps (per post) | $5–$25 |
Two cost traps: old fence removal (a 150-foot tear-out runs $450–$1,200 and is often quoted separately) and gates (a wide drive gate with steel frame can cost as much as 30 feet of fence). Always ask whether the quote includes removal, gates, and permit fees — “fence installation” quotes that exclude them aren’t comparable to all-in bids.
Call 811 before anyone digs. The national Call Before You Dig service marks underground utilities for free — it’s required by law in most states, and hitting a line with an auger turns a fence project into a five-figure disaster.
The Real Cost: Wood Fence Maintenance
Installation is only half the lifetime cost. A wood fence needs regular care or it becomes a replacement project:
| Maintenance task | Frequency | Cost per cycle (150 ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Clean and inspect | Annually | $0 DIY / $150–$300 pro |
| Stain or seal | Every 2–3 years | $500–$1,500 pro / $150–$300 DIY |
| Board and picket replacement | As needed | $5–$15 per board + labor |
| Post replacement (rotted) | As needed | $150–$300 per post installed |
Over 25 years, a pressure-treated pine fence can cost $13,000+ all-in (installation + staining cycles + one replacement), while cedar often totals $9,000–$11,000 with fewer replacements. Skipping stain cycles is the classic false economy — unsealed wood in wet climates can fail in under 10 years, doubling the lifetime cost versus a maintained fence.
Cost Drivers for Wood Fence Installation
| Driver | Effect on cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood type | ±$3,000+ on 150 ft | Pine vs. cedar is the biggest lever |
| Fence height | +25–35% | 6-ft privacy vs. 4-ft picket |
| Terrain and slope | +20–50% on labor | Rock, roots, and slopes slow every post hole |
| Linear footage | Lower $/ft on long runs | Fixed costs spread thinner |
| Gates | +$200–$1,200 each | Drive gates cost far more than walk gates |
| Old fence removal | +$450–$1,200 | Often quoted separately — ask |
| Regional labor rates | ±25% | Metro and coastal markets higher |
DIY vs Hiring a Pro for a Wood Fence
| Factor | DIY | Professional installer |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (150 ft, pine privacy) | $750–$2,250 materials | $2,000–$3,750 installed |
| Cost (150 ft, cedar privacy) | $1,500–$3,500 materials | $3,750–$6,750 installed |
| Skill required | Moderate — digging, leveling, basic carpentry | Their daily work |
| Time (150 ft) | 3–5 weekends | 2–4 days for a crew |
| Equipment | Auger rental $50–$150/day, plus saws and levels | Owns it |
| Risk | Leaning posts, wavy lines, frost heave | Licensed, insured, warrantied |
| Best for | Flat ground, straight runs, pine | Slopes, rock, cedar/redwood, gates |
Fence DIY saves roughly 50% — the most DIY-friendly outdoor project there is. But post depth is where DIY fences fail: posts must go below the frost line (typically 30–36 inches in cold climates) in proper concrete footings, or frost heave pushes them up within a couple of winters. If your ground is rocky or sloped, consider hiring out just the posts and hanging the pickets yourself.
Money-Saving Tips
- Get 3–4 written quotes. The same 150-foot cedar privacy fence can come in at $3,800 from one contractor and $6,500 from another.
- Split with neighbors. Shared boundary fences are commonly split 50/50 — on a 150-foot cedar job that saves $1,900–$3,400. Get it in writing first.
- Choose pine, stain it well. A well-maintained pine fence at $13–$25/ft outlasts a neglected cedar fence at $25–$45/ft — maintenance beats material.
- Keep runs straight. Every corner, jog, and gate adds labor; straight 8-foot sections are the cheapest fence there is.
- Do the demo yourself. Tearing out an old fence saves $450–$1,200 — unskilled weekend work.
- Book in the off-season. Late fall and winter quotes run 10–15% lower than spring in most climates.
- Stain it yourself. Pro staining costs $500–$1,500 per cycle; a DIY weekend with a sprayer costs $150–$300 in stain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does wood fence installation cost per foot in 2026?
Typically $10–$30 per linear foot installed: pressure-treated pine $13–$25, cedar $25–$45, redwood $35–$55. A typical 150-foot yard runs $2,000–$3,750 in pine or $3,750–$6,750 in cedar, including materials and labor.
How much does it cost to install a 150-foot wood fence?
A 150-foot pressure-treated pine privacy fence typically costs $2,000–$3,750 installed; the same fence in cedar runs $3,750–$6,750. Add $200–$500 per walk gate, $450–$1,200 for old fence removal, and $50–$450 for permits if applicable.
How long does a wood fence last?
Pressure-treated pine lasts 15–20 years with regular staining; cedar lasts 20–25 years; redwood 20–30 years. Unmaintained wood in wet climates can fail in under 10 years. Staining or sealing every 2–3 years is the difference between a fence that ages gracefully and one that rots.
Is it cheaper to build a wood fence yourself?
Yes — DIY saves roughly 50%. A 150-foot pine privacy fence costs $750–$2,250 in materials DIY versus $2,000–$3,750 professionally installed. The catch is post depth and alignment: posts must go below the frost line in concrete, or frost heave ruins the fence within a few winters.
What is the cheapest wood for a fence?
Pressure-treated pine at $13–$25 per linear foot installed is the cheapest wood fence option. For privacy on the absolute lowest budget, consider that a DIY pine fence can come in under $10 per foot in materials — but budget for staining every 2–3 years to protect the investment.
The Bottom Line
Wood fence installation costs $10–$30 per linear foot in 2026 — roughly $2,000–$3,750 for a typical 150-foot pine privacy fence or $3,750–$6,750 in cedar. Wood type moves the quote more than anything else, terrain and gates move it second, and the maintenance you do (or skip) decides the true lifetime cost. Call 811 before digging, confirm the quote includes removal and gates, and get three written bids — fence pricing varies more between contractors than almost any other home project.
Prices are typical 2026 US ranges gathered from contractor pricing data and industry sources; your actual cost depends on wood type, fence height, linear footage, terrain, gates, old-fence removal, regional labor rates, permits, and the contractor’s pricing. Always get at least three written, itemized quotes from licensed, insured contractors.
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