Wood Fence Cost Per Foot (2026): Cedar, Pine & Picket Prices
Prices are 2026 national installed ranges (materials + labor). Real quotes shift with wood species, grade, height, slope and local labor. Confirm with 2–3 installers before budgeting.
Wood fence cost estimator
Estimates use 2026 installed pricing. Permits ($50–$200), old-fence removal ($3–$7/ft) and staining are extra.
Get 3 free wood fence quotes →
How much does a wood fence cost per linear foot in 2026?
A wood fence costs $20 to $50 per linear foot installed in 2026, and the national benchmark for a professionally built 6-foot privacy fence sits around $33–$53 per foot. Species is the first lever: pressure-treated pine anchors the low end, cedar occupies the popular middle, and redwood sits at the premium end. Style is the second lever — an open picket or split rail uses far less material per foot than a solid privacy panel, and that difference lands directly in your quote.
| Wood species | Per linear foot | 150 ft total | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spruce (budget) | $15 – $28 | $2,250 – $4,200 | 4–7 yrs (humid) |
| Pressure-treated pine | $18 – $38 | $2,700 – $5,700 | 15–20 yrs (sealed) |
| Cypress | $22 – $40 | $3,300 – $6,000 | 15–20 yrs |
| Cedar (most popular) | $30 – $45 | $4,500 – $6,750 | 15–25 yrs |
| Western red cedar (premium) | $45 – $90 | $6,750 – $13,500 | 25+ yrs |
| Redwood | $40 – $65 | $6,000 – $9,750 | 20–25 yrs |
How much does a cedar fence cost?
A cedar privacy fence costs $30 to $45 per linear foot installed, or roughly $3,700–$9,300 for a standard 200-foot project. Cedar is the most widely installed residential fencing wood in the U.S. because it balances price, rot resistance and availability. The grade matters more than most homeowners realize: lower-quality Western red cedar pickets can cost about the same as Eastern white cedar, while clear knot-free Western red cedar climbs to $45–$90 per foot and lasts 25 years or more.
The detail that decides your fence's lifespan
Wood posts set in concrete are the single most common point of failure — the post rots at the soil line while the panels are still fine. Asking for metal posts with wood panels adds roughly $5–$10 per foot upfront but can double the fence's service life. It's the upgrade that pays back most reliably, and the one contractors rarely volunteer unless you ask.
How much does it cost to build a wood fence for a 150-foot yard?
Fencing a 150-foot yard in wood costs roughly $3,000 to $6,750 installed in 2026, depending on species and style. A pressure-treated pine privacy fence typically lands near $2,700–$5,700; the same run in cedar climbs to $4,500–$6,750. Add one gate ($200–$600) and old-fence removal ($3–$7 per foot) if you're replacing an existing fence. Most homeowners with a standard suburban lot end up between $3,000 and $4,800 for a 6-foot privacy build.
Does fence height change the price much?
Yes — and not proportionally. Moving from a 4-foot picket to a 6-foot privacy fence adds a mandatory third horizontal rail plus about 50% more picket material for every foot of perimeter, so the jump is steeper than the extra two feet suggests. Going from 6 to 8 feet adds another 30–40% in material and triggers permit requirements in most U.S. counties. If your budget is tight, dropping from 8 to 6 feet usually saves more than switching to a cheaper wood species.
| Configuration | Per linear foot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft picket | $18 – $32 | Least material per foot |
| 6 ft privacy (standard) | $30 – $45 | Most common residential build |
| 6 ft board on board | $35 – $55 | Overlapping boards, more lumber |
| 6 ft horizontal | $36 – $56 | Adds 15–25% labor premium |
| 8 ft privacy | $45 – $60 | Permit usually required |
| Split rail | $15 – $35 | No privacy; livestock only |
What is the cheapest wood for a fence?
Spruce is the cheapest fencing wood on paper, starting around $15 per linear foot installed, but it carries the shortest lifespan of any common option. In humid climates untreated spruce can begin deteriorating in as little as 4 to 7 years, which means you may pay twice within a decade. Pressure-treated pine is the smarter budget choice in most regions: it costs a little more upfront and lasts 15–20 years when sealed within the first year. In dry Western states, spruce becomes more defensible since moisture is less of a factor.
What ongoing costs does a wood fence have?
Wood is the least expensive fence to install and the most expensive to maintain, which is where budgets get caught out. Plan for these recurring line items:
- Staining or sealing every 2–3 years — the main reason a wood fence outlasts its warranty or dies early.
- Pine resealing every 1–2 years, more frequent than cedar or redwood.
- Board replacement as individual pickets warp, split or rot.
- Post repair, the costliest fix, usually at the soil line after 10–15 years.
Over 20 years, maintenance can add $500–$1,500 to a wood fence — worth weighing against vinyl's higher upfront price and near-zero upkeep.
Compare local wood fence installers — free →
Do I need a permit for a wood fence?
Most municipalities require a permit for wood fences 6 feet or taller, and the requirement is near-universal once you reach 8 feet. Fees typically run $50–$200, though some 2026 jurisdictions add impact fees of $100–$500. Front-yard fences often face separate height limits regardless of material, so check your local zoning office before ordering lumber.
Frequently asked questions
- Is cedar or pine better for a fence?
- Cedar resists rot and insects naturally and lasts 15–25 years, while pressure-treated pine costs less and lasts 15–20 years if sealed. Cedar is the better long-term value in humid climates; pine wins on upfront budget. A common middle ground is pressure-treated posts with cedar pickets.
- How much does a picket fence cost?
- A picket fence costs roughly $18–$32 per linear foot installed for a standard 4-foot build. Open picket spacing uses less material than a solid privacy panel, which is why it's usually the cheapest wood style after split rail.
- How much cheaper is a DIY wood fence?
- Materials alone run about $15–$45 per linear foot versus $20–$50 installed, so DIY mainly saves the labor half. The trade-offs are post depth, correct concrete footings and panel alignment on slopes — the parts that determine whether the fence lasts 5 years or 20.
- How long does a wood fence last?
- A well-maintained wood fence lasts 15 to 25 years. Cedar and redwood sit at the top of that range, pressure-treated pine in the middle, and untreated spruce at the bottom with as little as 4–7 years in damp climates. Staining every 2–3 years is the single biggest factor.
- Does a horizontal wood fence cost more?
- Yes. Horizontal designs carry a labor premium of roughly 15–25% over standard vertical builds because boards need careful leveling and often heavier framing to prevent sagging across spans.
Related fence cost guides
Reviewed by the Home Fixs editorial team. Published June 12, 2026.
Pricing compiled from 2026 installed-cost data: HomeGuide, Angi, Ergeon installation datasets, and regional contractor cost guides. Figures are national ranges; verify locally.