How much does Wooden fence services cost?

Wood fencing has a classic, natural look that few other materials can match. And installing a new fence, made of redwood, cedar, or another popular species, is a great way to give your home more curb appeal, privacy, security, and a sense of enclosure. 

Wood fencing is a readily available material that lends itself to tooling by contractors and fence builders. For that reason, wood fences can be built in practically any fence style, shape, or size—as privacy fences, picket fences, or simple barriers like split-rail fences (horizontal beams supported by heavy posts).

Privacy fences—typically 6 feet tall—usually consist of vertical or horizontal boards or slats nailed to horizontal rails that connect one fence post to another. The fence panels or boards can be butted together for complete privacy, or spaced out for a more interesting look. Classic picket fences, with evenly spaced, pointed narrow slats, or “pickets,” provide a stylish landscape barrier (often in the front yard).

Compared to other fence materials, such as vinyl or metal, wood fencing requires a certain amount of maintenance that adds to installation costs. Wood needs painting, staining, or application of a sealant to protect it from mold, mildew, rot, sun damage, warping, and wood-dwelling insects. Average lifespan of wood fences is generally 15–20 years. 

For most homeowners, fence installation is not a DIY home-improvement job. Professional wood fence installers have the knowledge and equipment needed to ensure a sturdy, long-lasting result. (Make sure the one you hire is licensed, bonded, and insured.) Some local building codes may require a building permit to install a fence, which your pro can handle.

This cost guide will look at the price of professional installation or repair of a wooden fence.

Wood fence contractors will provide a free quote based on length and height of the fence, the exact style and product you choose, and the difficulty of installing a fence on your yard’s terrain and soil. The price will include fencing, installation hardware, and labor.

The two most popular types of wood fencing are 6-foot wood privacy fences and 3- to 4-foot picket fences. Here are the typical costs for each:

Privacy fence cost. The national average cost for a typical 6-foot-tall, 100-foot-long wood privacy fence is $1,700–4,500, or $17–45 per linear foot. If you want something taller than a 6-foot privacy fence along your property lines, the total cost will be 15–30% more. High-end “shadowbox” privacy fences, with alternating boards on each side of the rail, cost an additional 10–20%, because they require more materials and time to install. 

Picket fence cost. The average cost estimate for a 3- or 4-foot wooden picket fence that’s 100 feet long is $1,400–2,200, or $14–22 per linear foot. 

For either style, the addition of a swing gate typically adds $180–600 to the total fence price, depending on size, type of wood, and specific hardware. 

Labor costs make up 20–30% of wooden fence installation prices; fence materials account for 70–80%. The following elements can affect how much you’ll pay: 

Here are the best ways to reduce your fence installation expenses:

Fence repair costs depend on the type of fence you have and extent of the damage. Average cost of wooden fence repair by a professional fence company is $100–700. 

When damage is minor and limited to a couple vertical slats, a bottom rail, or a crossbar, the cost to repair or replace these elements is $75–200 for picket fences and $80–350 for privacy fences. A handyperson may be more cost effective for minor fixes, at an average rate of $40–80 per hour, plus materials costs.

If a post needs replacement due to damage or rot, this costs around $75–140 for picket fences and $100–300 for privacy fences. 

If a wooden fence is older, falling over, or has other significant damage, ask the professional if some or all of it should be replaced.

What is the average cost to install a wood fence?

The average price range for a 6-foot-tall, 100-foot-long wood privacy fence is $1,700–4,500 or $17–45 per linear foot, installed. Increasing fence height to 8 feet—for example, with lattice on the top 2 feet—will add an additional 15–30% to the project cost. 

How much is a wooden fence per foot?

A 6-foot-high wooden privacy fence will cost $17–45 per linear foot, installed. For a 3- to 4-foot white picket fence, the national average cost is $14–22 per linear foot. 

Is wood fencing expensive?

A wood fence costs less than a vinyl (PVC) fence of similar size and style. But they may not last as long, and require more maintenance over time. 

Find a wooden fence professional in your area.

Need other fence services? These guides can help you make the right purchasing decisions:

Can’t decide? Read How to choose a home fence.