Wooden Fence Price Calculator
A new wooden fence costs anywhere from $15 to $90 per linear foot installed depending on wood type, style, and region. This wooden fence price calculator handles pressure-treated pine, standard cedar, premium redwood, shadowbox, and board-on-board styles. Enter your fence length, height, and whether you're going DIY or hiring a pro, and you get a full cost breakdown.
Wooden Fence Cost Calculator by Wood Type
Material price per linear foot at 6 ft height (2025 averages):
| Wood Type | Material Only | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $15-22 | $33-45 |
| Cedar (standard panel) | $22-35 | $40-60 |
| Redwood | $35-60 | $55-90 |
| Shadowbox cedar | $28-40 | $50-70 |
| Board-on-board cedar | $30-45 | $55-75 |
A 150 linear foot cedar privacy fence at 6 ft tall with one walk gate, professionally installed at the national average runs:
- Material: 146 ft x $27 = $3,942
- Labor: 146 ft x $22 = $3,212
- 1 gate installed: $275
- Total: $7,429 ($49.53 per linear foot)
DIY materials only drops this to about $4,200 total, saving roughly $3,200 but requiring 25-40 hours of work.
Why Wooden Fence Prices Vary So Much
Three factors drive wooden fence price:
- Wood species: pressure-treated pine costs 30-40 percent less than cedar up front but needs painting or staining immediately and lasts 10-15 years. Cedar lasts 15-25 years unstained.
- Style: stick-built board-on-board takes 2x the lumber of a standard dog-ear panel fence.
- Labor market: rural Midwest / South labor runs $15-18/linear foot; urban Northeast or California runs $25-35/linear foot for the same fence.
Shadowbox vs Board-on-Board vs Standard Privacy
- Standard dog-ear privacy: single layer of pickets. Pretty side faces the neighbor; post side faces you unless you spec otherwise.
- Shadowbox: alternating pickets on each side of the rails. Looks identical both sides. 10-20 percent more than standard.
- Board-on-board: overlapping pickets on both sides. Maximum privacy, most expensive, most wind-resistant. 15-30 percent more than standard.
What to Look for in a Wooden Fence Cost Calculator Quote
When comparing a wooden fence cost calculator output to actual contractor bids, check that all items are included:
- Posts set in concrete (minimum 1 bag per post)
- All hardware galvanized or stainless (not plain steel)
- Gates include hinges, latch, and handle hardware
- Terrain adjustment for slopes or tree roots
- Old fence removal if applicable ($3-8/lin ft)
- Permit fees ($25-300 depending on jurisdiction)
If a bid is 25+ percent below a wooden fence cost calculator output at the same quality tier, one of those line items is usually missing.
Redwood vs Cedar
Redwood outlasts cedar by 30-50 percent and is naturally more rot and insect resistant. It is also 50-100 percent more expensive and only widely available on the West Coast. For East Coast and Midwest homeowners, cedar is almost always the right balance of longevity and price.
DIY Wooden Fence
A DIY 150 ft cedar privacy fence requires:
- 19 pre-built panels at $85 = $1,615
- 20 posts at $16 = $320
- 20 bags fast-set concrete at $5 = $100
- 1 walk gate kit at $95 = $95
- Hardware and fasteners: $80
- Tool rental (post hole auger): $65/day
- Total: ~$2,275 materials plus 30-40 hours labor
Plan 2-3 weekends with 1-2 helpers. Order about 10 percent extra for waste and breakage.
Stain and Seal
Stain and seal is typically NOT included in a contractor's fence install quote. Adding stain or seal adds $3-6 per linear foot or $450-900 for a 150 ft fence. DIY staining runs $1.50-3 per linear foot in materials. Most installers recommend waiting 2-4 weeks after install before staining so the wood can dry from the mill.