How Much Does a Wood Fence Cost?

A wood fence costs $25 to $50 per linear foot installed on average, with most homeowners spending between $3,000 and $4,800 for a standard six-foot privacy fence. According to Ergeon's analysis of over 32,000 completed wood fence installs in 2026, the median project lands at about $3,313. The final price depends on the type of wood, the fence style, the height, and labor rates in your area.

This guide breaks down wood fence costs by wood type, by style, and by project size. It also covers how wood compares to vinyl and other materials, how long a wood fence lasts, and where your money actually goes when you hire a contractor.

What Is the Average Cost to Build a Wooden Fence?

The average cost to build a wooden fence is $25 to $50 per linear foot installed, according to Fantastic Fence's 2026 pricing data. Most homeowners pay $3,000 to $4,800 total for a standard six-foot wood privacy fence. Smaller picket fences and split-rail fences can come in closer to $2,000, while larger properties or premium woods like redwood can push the total past $7,000.

According to Homewyse, the estimated national average for a wood privacy fence in May 2026 starts at $33 to $53 per linear foot. That range includes both materials and labor. Labor alone typically makes up about 50% of the total cost, according to Angi. So roughly half of your budget goes to the wood and hardware, and the other half goes to the crew that builds it.

Wood Fence Cost by Type of Wood

The type of wood you choose affects both the upfront price and how long the fence lasts. Here is what each common wood species costs in 2026.

Pressure-Treated Pine Fence Cost

Pressure-treated pine is the most affordable wood fence option. According to the Daily Iowan's 2026 pricing guide, pine starts at about $10 to $15 per linear foot for materials. Fully installed, a basic pine privacy fence runs about $20 to $45 per linear foot, according to HomeGuide.

Pine is budget-friendly because it grows fast and is widely available. The pressure treatment process forces preservatives into the wood to protect against rot and insects. The trade-off is that pine needs staining or sealing every one to two years to stay in good shape. Without regular maintenance, an untreated pine fence may only last 5 to 10 years. With proper care, a treated pine fence can last 15 to 20 years.

Cedar Fence Cost

Cedar costs about $15 to $40 per linear foot for materials, according to the Daily Iowan. Fully installed, a cedar privacy fence runs about $27 to $43 per linear foot, according to HomeAdvisor. Cedar is the most popular wood fencing choice because it has a warm, rich color, resists rot and insects naturally without chemical treatment, and holds stain beautifully.

Western red cedar is the top-tier option. It lasts 25 years or more and handles moisture better than any other common fence wood. Eastern white cedar is more affordable and widely available but does not last quite as long. According to HomeGuide, plain white cedar lasts 15 to 20 years, while Western red cedar can push past 25 years.

Redwood Fence Cost

Redwood is the premium choice. According to the Daily Iowan, redwood costs about $40 to $75 per linear foot for materials. Fully installed, a redwood privacy fence runs about $35 to $50 per linear foot for common-grade redwood, according to HomeGuide. Higher grades with more uniform color and fewer knots cost even more.

Redwood is worth the price for homeowners who want the best-looking, longest-lasting wood fence available. It resists rot, insects, and warping naturally. With regular maintenance, a redwood fence can last 25 to 30 years or more. The downside is availability. Redwood is primarily grown in the Pacific Northwest, so it costs more to ship to other parts of the country.

Does the Type of Wood Really Matter for Cost?

Here is something most cost guides get wrong. According to Ergeon's data from over 32,000 real installs, the installed cost per foot is remarkably similar across the three common species: pressure-treated pine runs about $49 per foot, cedar about $52 per foot, and redwood about $54 per foot. That is only a $5 per foot spread.

The reason is that lumber is only about one-third of the total installed cost. Labor, posts, concrete footings, hardware, and project overhead stay roughly the same no matter which wood you pick. So the lumber premium gets diluted by everything else. The style of the fence moves the budget far more than the wood species.

Wood Fence Cost by Style

Fence style has a bigger impact on cost than most homeowners expect. According to Ergeon, here is how common styles compare.

Sources: Ergeon (2026, based on 32,776 installs), Freedom Fence and Home (2026), HomeGuide (2026)

A basic nail-up or dog-ear fence is the most affordable full-height style. Board-on-board costs about 24% more because the overlapping boards use extra material. Picture frame fences, which add a decorative trim border around each panel, run about 43% more. Horizontal slat designs cost the most at roughly 82% above baseline because they need more posts and more precise labor.

What Is the Average Cost of a 6 Foot Wood Fence?

The average cost of a 6 foot wood fence is $25 to $45 per linear foot installed, according to Freedom Fence and Home. The average lands around $25 per linear foot for a basic style. For a standard 150-foot backyard run, that comes out to about $3,750 to $6,750 total.

Six feet is the standard height for backyard privacy fences because it blocks the view from a standing position and meets most local building codes without a special permit. According to the Bhumi Calculator, a 6-foot fence costs about 30% more than a 4-foot fence of the same material because of the extra lumber, deeper post holes, and added wind resistance the taller panels need to handle.

How Much Does a 100 Foot Wood Fence Cost?

A 100 foot wood fence costs about $2,500 to $5,000 installed for a standard six-foot privacy style in pine or cedar. According to the Daily Iowan, a 100-foot pine fence runs about $1,500 to $2,500 for basic materials and labor. Cedar for the same length runs $2,700 to $4,300, based on HomeAdvisor's per-foot averages.

A hundred feet is a common length for one side of a residential property line. The total depends on how many corners and gates you need. Corner posts and gate hardware add to the bill. Straight runs without obstacles always come in at the lower end of the range.

How Much Does It Cost for 200 Feet of Wood Fencing?

Two hundred feet of wood fencing costs about $5,000 to $10,000 installed in pine or cedar for a six-foot privacy fence. Redwood for the same length could exceed $12,000, according to the Daily Iowan. Two hundred feet typically covers three sides of a standard suburban backyard.

Longer runs sometimes bring the per-foot cost down slightly because the crew can work more efficiently in straight stretches. However, if the yard has slopes, tight corners, or obstacles like trees, the savings disappear and the price may actually go up. According to the Bhumi Calculator, sloped yards increase labor costs by 20% to 40%.

What Are the Different Types of Wood Fences?

The different types of wood fences include privacy fences, picket fences, board-on-board fences, horizontal slat fences, shadowbox fences, lattice-top fences, and split-rail fences. Each one serves a different purpose and works with different property styles.

Privacy fences are the most popular type. They use solid panels at six feet tall to block the view completely. Picket fences are shorter, usually three to four feet, and leave gaps between the boards. They are mostly decorative and work best in front yards. Board-on-board fences overlap boards on alternating sides of the rail for a finished look from both sides. Horizontal slat fences run the boards side to side for a modern, contemporary appearance. Shadowbox fences alternate boards with small gaps to allow airflow while still providing good privacy. Lattice-top fences add a decorative crisscross panel above a solid lower section. Split-rail fences use rough-cut horizontal rails without pickets and work best on rural or large properties.

Is Wood the Cheapest Fence?

No, wood is not the cheapest fence. Chain link is the cheapest fence material at about $5 to $15 per linear foot installed, according to Scheiderer Fence. Chain link costs a fraction of what wood costs per foot.

However, wood is the cheapest option for a solid-panel privacy fence. If you need a fence that completely blocks the view, a basic pressure-treated pine fence starting at about $20 to $25 per linear foot is the most affordable way to get there. Vinyl privacy fences start higher at about $30 to $60 per linear foot, and aluminum privacy panels run $90 or more per foot, according to HomeGuide.

Is It Cheaper to Do a Vinyl Fence or a Wood Fence?

It is cheaper to do a wood fence upfront. A wood privacy fence costs $25 to $50 per linear foot installed, while a vinyl fence costs $30 to $60 per linear foot, according to Scheiderer Fence's 2026 guide. For a 150-foot backyard, that difference adds up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Over the long run, the comparison gets closer. Wood needs staining every two to three years, which costs $1.30 to $2.70 per square foot each time, according to HomeGnome. It also needs occasional board replacements. Vinyl needs almost no maintenance. According to NMI Fence, vinyl lasts 25 to 35 years, while wood lasts 15 to 20 years. If you factor in staining costs, repair costs, and the earlier replacement date, vinyl can actually cost less over a 30-year span. Wood wins on upfront price. Vinyl wins on lifetime cost.

Is It Cheaper to Build a Fence or Buy One?

It is cheaper to buy pre-built fence panels than to build a fence board by board. Pre-built panels install faster because each section goes up as a single unit. According to Angi, a professional crew can finish a standard residential fence in 20 to 30 hours using panels. A custom board-by-board build takes 40 hours or more.

Since labor makes up about 50% of the total cost, faster installation means real savings. The trade-off is that panels come in fixed sizes, so they may not work perfectly on uneven terrain. On flat, straightforward lots, panels are almost always the more affordable choice.

How Much Do Fencers Charge Per Hour?

Fencers charge about $30 to $80 per hour, according to Angi. The rate depends on the region, the complexity of the project, and the type of fence being installed. According to the Bhumi Calculator's 2026 data, rates vary by region: the South averages $30 to $55 per hour, the Midwest $35 to $60, the Northeast $45 to $75, and the West Coast $50 to $85.

Most wood fence projects are quoted per linear foot rather than per hour. Per-foot pricing gives you a clearer picture of the total cost because it includes both labor and materials in one number. If a contractor quotes you by the hour instead of by the foot, ask for a total project estimate so you can compare it against other bids.

What Is the Lifespan of a Wood Fence?

The lifespan of a wood fence depends on the species and how well it is maintained. According to HomeGuide, a basic untreated pine fence lasts 5 to 10 years. Pressure-treated pine lasts 15 to 20 years with regular sealing. Plain white cedar lasts 15 to 20 years. Western red cedar can last 25 years or more. Redwood can last 25 to 30 years with proper care.

The biggest threat to any wood fence is moisture. Posts sitting in wet soil rot from the inside out. Boards that never get stained absorb water, swell, and warp over time. Regular staining, prompt repairs, and proper drainage around the post bases are the three things that add the most years to a wood fence. According to Ergeon, skipping stain cycles typically shortens fence life compared to keeping up the schedule.

We work with homeowners across Akron, Ohio to pick the right wood and the right finish for local weather conditions, which makes a real difference in how long the fence lasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is a 20 Foot Wood Fence?

A 20 foot wood fence costs about $500 to $1,000 installed for a six-foot privacy style in pine or cedar. That estimate is based on the $25 to $50 per linear foot averages reported by Fantastic Fence in 2026. Twenty feet is a common length for a single panel run alongside a driveway or patio.

What Is the Cheapest Fence to Install?

The cheapest fence to install is chain link at $5 to $15 per linear foot, according to Scheiderer Fence. For a solid-panel option, pressure-treated pine is the most affordable at about $20 to $25 per linear foot installed. Split-rail fencing is also budget-friendly at $15 to $35 per linear foot for rural properties.

Is It Cheaper to Build a Wall or Put Up a Fence?

It is significantly cheaper to put up a fence. A wood privacy fence costs $25 to $50 per linear foot installed. A masonry or concrete block wall costs $15 to $45 per square foot, and because walls are measured by area rather than just length, a six-foot-tall, 150-foot wall can easily cost $15,000 to $40,000 or more. A wood fence for the same length costs $3,750 to $7,500.

Is an Aluminum Fence Cheaper Than Wood?

No, an aluminum fence is not cheaper than wood in most cases. A standard aluminum fence costs $20 to $55 per linear foot installed, according to Freedom Fence and Home. A basic wood fence starts at about $20 to $25 per linear foot. Aluminum costs more upfront, but it lasts 30 to 50 years and needs almost no maintenance, so it can cost less over its full lifespan.

Does a Wood Fence Increase Home Value?

Yes, a wood fence can increase home value. According to FastExpert, homeowners see an average return on investment of 50% to 70% on fence installation when they sell. A well-maintained wood fence adds privacy, security, and curb appeal, all features that buyers look for. According to industry sources, a fence can boost overall property value by as much as 10% in some markets.

How Often Should You Stain a Wood Fence?

You should stain a wood fence every two to three years for most wood types. Cedar can go three to five years between stain applications if it is in a dry climate. Pine needs staining every one to two years because it absorbs moisture faster. According to HomeGnome, fence staining costs $1.30 to $2.70 per square foot. Regular staining protects the wood from UV damage, moisture, and insects, and it can add years to the fence's lifespan.

The Takeaway

A wood fence is one of the most popular home improvements in the country for a reason. It looks great, it adds real privacy, and it fits almost any budget. Pine gets the job done affordably. Cedar gives you the best balance of beauty and durability. Redwood is the premium choice for homeowners who want the best of the best.

The style you choose matters more than the wood species for total cost. A basic dog-ear fence in cedar costs far less than a horizontal slat fence in the same wood. Pick the design that matches your home and your budget, and invest in proper staining to keep it looking good for decades.

Stand Strong Fencing is here to help you find the right wood, the right style, and the right price for your property.

Call us at (330) 899-3278 to schedule your free estimate.