How Much Does Wood Fence Installation Cost? [2025 Data]
The average U.S. homeowner spends about $3,224 to install a wood fence. However, costs can range from $1,920 to $4,825 on average, depending on the material, size, style, and other factors.
The length of fence and the type of wood you choose are the largest cost factors.
Gates cost twice as much as the equivalent length of fencing, so plan your access points carefully.
Your costs could increase significantly if you need to grade land or remove trees to make room for your fencing.
You’ll need a permit to erect a fence, so be sure to factor in permit costs, which vary by location.
On average, installing a wood fence costs homeowners about $3,224, or between $1,920 and $4,825. However, the job could cost as little as $800 or as much as $7,859 or more. The type of wood you choose for your fence is the most significant factor in the cost, but the length and height also play a pivotal role.
Wood Fence Installation Cost per Linear Foot
The average cost per linear foot for a wood fence is between $10 and $30. However, depending on which fence contractor you hire, they may not charge by linear foot. Some fence contractors charge by the hour—the average rate hovers around $50 per hour, which generally works out to the same cost.
The total price per foot can vary depending on job specifics, such as the terrain and existing conditions. Additionally, fences with shorter lengths can cost more per linear foot than longer fences due to the need for similar prep work, regardless of length.
Wood Fence Installation Cost per Acre
The cost to repair or replace a fence by acre depends on the number of acres the fence surrounds. Hiring a fence contractor to install a wood fencer around a single acre costs between $8,350 and $25,050. However, the per-acre cost decreases when installing a fence around multiple acres.
| Number of Adjacent Acres | Total Cost | Cost Per Acre |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8,350–$25,050 | $8,350–$25,050 |
| 2 | $11,800–$35,400 | $5,900–$17,700 |
| 4 | $16,670–$50,100 | $4,170–$12,520 |
| 8 | $23,600–$70,840 | $2,950–$8,855 |
Wood Fence Installation Cost by Type of Wood
Regardless of the type of wood fence you're installing, the wood variety comprising the fence can greatly affect its overall cost. Pine, cedar, cypress, spruce, composites, and tropical varieties are all available and vary in price. Expect to pay between $2 and $8 per linear foot of fencing for pine, redwood, cypress, spruce, and other common wood types. Composite lumber and tropical woods cost between $8 and $15 per linear foot of fence.
| Material | Cost Per Foot |
|---|---|
| Cedar | $2–$3 |
| Western red cedar | $6–$8 |
| Cypress | $2 |
| Pine | $1–$5 |
| Spruce | $5 |
| Black locust | $5–$10 |
| White oak | $5–$10 |
| Redwood | $8 |
| Tropical varieties | $8–$15 |
| Composite wood | $6–$10 |
Wood Fence Installation Cost by Style
Fence styles range from $10 per linear foot for a simple ranch-style fence to $75 per linear foot for custom picket fencing. Whether you’re dreaming of a white picket fence around the front yard, a privacy fence to create a secluded feel in the backyard, or some combination of different options, the style of fencing you choose can vary in cost.
Picket
If you want to add some charm to your yard, you can install a wood picket fence for $10 to $75 per linear foot. This fence costs more if you want a custom design, gates, or a fresh coat of paint for that idyllic white picket fence look.
Privacy
Privacy fences cost $27 to $60 per linear foot, including materials and labor. A privacy fence can block visual and physical access to your yard because the wood planks are generally closer together. Privacy fences are often more expensive than other fence types because they’re taller and require more wood planks.
Split-Rail
Split-rail fences, also known as ranch-style, cost $10 to $30 per linear foot for materials and installation. The number of rails may increase the cost, as will the lumber and any pest-resistant treatments.
Cost to Hire a Wood Fence Contractor
Hiring a local wood fence installer costs $10 to $30 per linear foot. Companies may also charge by the hour, at a rate of $25 to $60 per hour, depending on your region and the complexity of the job. Adding 100 to 200 feet of fence usually takes a team of professionals about one to three days to complete.
Some of the tasks that pros will complete to install your fence are:
Measuring and marking the fence line.
Digging holes for the posts and setting them in concrete.
Assembling the horizontal rails and vertical fence boards or pickets.
Adding trimming, gates, and any other finishing touches.
Wood Fence Cost by Location
The cost to install a wooden fence can vary greatly depending on your location. Factors such as labor rates, material availability, regional demand, and cost of living all influence the final price. High-cost-of-living (HCOL) areas generally have higher installation costs due to elevated labor expenses and material prices. To give you a better idea, the table below highlights the average costs of building a wooden fence in the ten states where this project is most common.
| State | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| California | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Texas | $2,000–$6,500 |
| Florida | $1,800–$6,000 |
| New York | $3,000–$9,000 |
| Illinois | $2,200–$7,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,100–$6,800 |
| Georgia | $1,900–$6,300 |
| North Carolina | $1,800–$6,200 |
| Ohio | $2,000–$6,700 |
| Washington | $2,500–$7,500 |
Remember that these ranges are averages, and the final costs will vary based on factors like property size, fence type, and which contractor you hire.
Additional Wood Fence Installation Cost Factors
You’ll want to consider the fence’s height, materials, and more when budgeting for a wood fence.
Height
Similar to the size, the higher your fence, the more you'll pay to install it. Most standard fences are 4, 5, or 6 feet tall. If you need a fence taller than 6 feet, it will likely cost 20% to 30% more than standard sizes.
Materials
Lumber alone for a wood fence costs about $1 to $15 per linear foot, depending on the wood species. You’ll also need to consider the cost of concrete, tools, and equipment.
| Material | Purpose | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | For the fence pickets or beams | $1–$15 per linear foot |
| Concrete | Helps secure fence | $6–$10 per 80-pound bag |
| Posts | Create fence support system | $10–$50 per post |
| Tools | Includes screws, drill, air compressor, and finish nailer to install fence | $400–$900 |
| Auger | Drill for making holes in the ground for posts | $15–$110 for manual, $60–$600 for power auger |
Gates
Adding a gate costs between $200 and $600 for a standard, 4-foot-wide gate. Gates make it easier to access the area, and they come in many different styles that can add practical charm to your outdoor aesthetic.
Land Grading
Land grading involves leveling the surface of your property, which helps stabilize and align your fence. If you have a large slope or a deep dip in your yard, consider investing in land grading costs, which range from $1,000 to $3,225. But smaller areas can cost $400, while large areas can cost $6,000 or more to level.
Old Fence Removal
Removing an existing fence for replacement will increase the cost of a fence installation project. For most fence types, expect to pay between $300 and $750 or $3 to $7 per linear foot. The total cost will depend on several factors, including the disposal or recycling method, the existing fence condition, and the type of existing material.
Tree or Bush Removal
You may need to remove any trees or shrubs blocking your fence line. Tree removal costs between $200 and $2,000 per tree, with an average of $750. If you need to remove smaller vegetation, like shrubs and bushes, you'll likely pay between $110 and $245 per hour to clear the land. Large land-clearing projects cost between $500 and $5,600 per acre, depending on the density of the vegetation.
Painting and Staining
Painting or staining your fence can boost its aesthetic appeal, enhancing the entire appearance of your yard or customizing the fence to match your home. The typical cost to paint or stain a fence ranges from $750 to $4,250, depending on the prep and amount of paint you need.
Permits
You may need a permit to install a new fence, which varies by local laws. For example, California requires permits for new fences taller than 7 feet, yet Los Angeles requires permits for fences over 6 feet. Check with your municipality for permit requirements. Permits can range anywhere from $100 to $500.
Installing a Wood Fence Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
The cost to install a wood fence yourself ranges anywhere from $850 to $2,200, but most homeowners pay around $1,525. DIYing the project will save you 50% on the cost of your wood fence, or around $10 to $50 per linear foot.
For reference, the average yard requires around 150 linear feet of fencing. Depending on your setup, you’ll need a post for every six to eight feet of fencing, meaning you’ll need between 20 to 25 posts.
While installing a fence is a DIY-friendly project, make sure you feel confident in taking on this work. Tackling the installation on your own is time-consuming and physically demanding—expect to spend at least 30 to 50 hours putting up a new fence.
This project also involves renting specialized equipment, including a post-hole digger or hole auger. Not to mention, if the posts are installed incorrectly, you could later spend $100 to $500 to repair a leaning, sagging, or fallen fence. If you don’t have experience installing fences, you might want to consider hiring a fence installer near you to do the job.
How to Save on Wood Fence Installation Costs
A new wood fence can have a major impact on your wallet, but it doesn’t have to! With a little budgeting and a few of the following tips, you can save on the total cost of your wood fence project.
Choose a standard fence height of four, five, or six feet.
Skip any add-ons you don’t need, like post caps, lattice tops, and gates.
If you have experience installing fences, DIY it. You can DIY a horizontal fence for a unique look.
Choose an untreated wood material (or treat it yourself).
Pick cedar, which is less expensive than redwood and also resistant to pests and rot.
Select a round fence post to save $5 to $10 per post.
Opt for a ranch style, wooden picket, or stockade fence style.
Rent some tools, like an auger, rather than buying them.
Does a Wood Fence Increase Home Value?
Adding a wood fence adds value to your home, thanks to the privacy, security, and aesthetic appeal it provides. Most homeowners will recoup a little more than half of the cost of their fence. For instance, if a fence costs $10,000 to build, the value of your home will increase by about $6,000. Factors like the quality of the materials, the fence's condition, and its suitability for the neighborhood play a role in determining the added value. A well-maintained fence that enhances privacy and complements the home’s aesthetic appeal often attracts potential buyers, making it a worthwhile investment.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you decide to add a fence that will border your neighbor’s property, you should let them know in advance—but you can’t make your neighbor pay for the fence. In some locations, like California, you both might be responsible for fence repair costs or maintenance unless other documented agreements are made.
Fencing contractors typically take one to three days to install a wood fence, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Knowing the timeline is important because the process can be noisy, with digging and tools in use. For families with kids or pets, it's crucial to limit access to the area to ensure safety. Understanding the timeframe also helps homeowners plan around any temporary disruptions to their property.
If you maintain your wood fence, it should last for at least 15 years, but some wood fences can last 20 years or longer. The style and material you choose impact the lifespan of your fence, with high-end wood, metal posts, and privacy fences lasting longer than low-quality wood and posts.
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