Wood Fence Replacement Cost (2026): Per Foot Prices
Prices are 2026 national installed ranges including removal and disposal. Matching new boards to a weathered fence is rarely possible — plan for a visible difference or replace full sections.
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Removing the old fence yourself saves $3–$7 per linear foot. Permits may apply if height or location changes.
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How much does it cost to replace a wood fence?
Replacing a wood fence costs $23 to $58 per linear foot all in, against $20–$50 for a new fence on clear ground. The difference is demolition: pulling panels, extracting posts, breaking out concrete footings and hauling the debris away, which runs $3–$7 per foot on its own. A standard 150-foot backyard replacement typically lands between $3,450 and $8,700 depending on wood species and height.
| New wood | Per linear foot | 150 ft total | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $21 – $45 | $3,150 – $6,750 | 15–20 yrs |
| Cedar | $28 – $57 | $4,200 – $8,550 | 15–30 yrs |
| Redwood | $43 – $72 | $6,450 – $10,800 | 20–25 yrs |
What does it cost to replace part of a wood fence?
Partial replacement is far cheaper and often the right call when damage is localized. Individual components price out as follows:
| Component | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Single picket or board | $5 – $15 | 10–15 min |
| Panel or section (8 ft) | $100 – $350 | 1–2 hours |
| Post (with new footing) | $150 – $400 | 1.5–3 hours |
| Corner or gate post | Add 20–40% | Deeper footing |
| Walk gate | $150 – $600 | 2–4 hours |
| Per linear foot (sections) | $15 – $25 | Wood only |
New boards will not match your old fence
Weathered cedar silvers to gray over several years; fresh cedar is warm reddish-brown. Replace three panels in the middle of a ten-year-old run and you get three obviously new panels — a mismatch that stays visible for two or three years until the new wood catches up. Two ways around it: replace an entire side or elevation rather than scattered sections, so the difference reads as intentional, or apply a solid stain across the whole fence after the repair to unify the color. Budget for that stain job when you price a partial replacement, because otherwise the fix looks worse than the damage did.
Should I replace or repair my wood fence?
The working threshold is 40 to 50% of replacement value. Past that, you're spending half the cost of a new fence to extend an old one by a few years. The signals that push toward full replacement:
- Multiple posts failing at once — the run was installed together and is rotting together.
- Rot at the soil line on several posts, which is where wood fences almost always fail first.
- Termite or carpenter ant damage across sections rather than in one board.
- The fence is 15+ years old and made of pine, or 25+ and made of cedar.
- You want a different height or style anyway — repairing first means paying for demolition twice.
For itemized repair pricing on individual problems, see our fence repair cost guide.
What does wood fence gate replacement cost?
Replacing a wood fence gate costs $150 to $600 installed for a standard walk gate, and more for double drive gates. Gates fail before the rest of the fence because they're the only moving part: hinges loosen, the frame racks out of square, and the latch stops aligning. If the gate posts themselves have shifted, budget for post replacement too — a new gate hung on a leaning post will sag again within a season.
Can I reuse the existing posts?
Sometimes, and it's worth asking because it changes the price meaningfully. If the posts are sound below grade, set at the spacing your new panels need, and not leaning, a contractor may build on them — which removes the slowest part of demolition and can cut 10 to 15% from the total. Test them yourself first: push firmly at the top of each post, and probe the wood at the soil line with a screwdriver. Any give or soft wood means that post is done regardless of how the rest looks.
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How can I lower a replacement quote?
- Remove the old fence yourself — saves $3–$7 per linear foot and needs no skill, only disposal access.
- Switch to pressure-treated pine from cedar if budget matters more than appearance.
- Keep the same height and line so no permit is triggered.
- Ask about metal posts with wood panels — adds $5–$10 per foot but can double the next fence's life, since posts are what fail.
- Book in fall or winter, when contractor schedules loosen by 5–15%.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should a wood fence last before replacement?
- Fifteen to twenty years for pressure-treated pine and fifteen to thirty for cedar, assuming stain or seal every 2–3 years. Untreated spruce can need replacing in as little as 4–7 years in humid climates.
- What does it cost to replace a wood fence post?
- $150 to $400 per post including excavating the old footing, setting the new post in concrete and reattaching panels. Corner and gate posts run 20–40% higher because they carry more load and need deeper footings.
- Is cedar worth the extra cost on a replacement?
- In humid or termite-prone regions, generally yes — cedar's natural rot and insect resistance buys years over pine for roughly 30% more. In dry climates with diligent sealing, pressure-treated pine closes much of the gap at lower cost.
- Do I need a permit to replace a wood fence?
- A like-for-like replacement at the same height and location often doesn't require one, but changing height, moving the line or switching materials usually does. Fees run $50–$200. HOA rules can be stricter than municipal code, so check both.
- How long does wood fence replacement take?
- Two to five days for a typical residential run, with demolition adding about a day over new installation. Concrete footings need curing time before panels go on, which sets the floor on the schedule.
Related fence cost guides
Reviewed by the Home Fixs editorial team. Published June 12, 2026.
Pricing compiled from 2026 installed-cost data: HomeGuide, Angi, Inch Calculator and fence contractor guides. Figures are national ranges; verify locally.