# Wooden Fence Price Calculator

Wooden fence price calculator and wooden fence cost calculator. Get installed price per linear foot for pressure-treated pine, cedar, redwood, shadowbox, and board-on-board wood fences.

## What this calculates

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.

## Inputs

- **Fence Length** (lin ft) — min 0
- **Wood Type / Style** — options: Pressure-treated pine (stick built), Cedar (standard pre-built panel), Redwood (premium West Coast), Shadowbox cedar (pretty both sides), Board-on-board cedar (maximum privacy)
- **Fence Height** — options: 4 ft (front yard / decorative), 6 ft (standard privacy), 8 ft (tall privacy)
- **Number of Walk Gates** — min 0, max 10
- **Regional Cost Level** — options: Low (rural, South, Midwest), Average (most suburban), High (urban Northeast, California)
- **Labor** — options: DIY (materials only), Professionally installed
- **Include Stain / Seal** — Adds $4/linear foot for stain + application

## Outputs

- **Material Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Labor Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Gates Cost** — formatted as currency — Pre-built or stick-built walk gates
- **Stain / Seal Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Total Wooden Fence Price** — formatted as currency
- **Cost Per Linear Foot** — formatted as currency

## Details

## 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:

1. **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.
2. **Style:** stick-built board-on-board takes 2x the lumber of a standard dog-ear panel fence.
3. **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.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How much does a wooden fence cost per linear foot?**

A: Wooden fence cost ranges from $33 per linear foot installed (pressure-treated pine) to $90 per linear foot (premium redwood). Standard cedar is $40-60 per linear foot installed in 2025. DIY material only cuts those numbers by 40-50 percent.

**Q: How accurate is a wooden fence cost calculator?**

A: A wooden fence cost calculator using current material and labor rates is typically within 10-15 percent of actual contractor bids. Variance comes from site conditions (slope, rocky soil, tree roots), gate complexity, and any old-fence removal. Always get 2-3 local bids to validate.

**Q: What is the cheapest wooden fence to install?**

A: Pressure-treated pine pickets with pressure-treated 4x4 posts, 6 ft tall, stick-built (not panel) runs about $15-22 per linear foot in materials. Installed it is $33-45 per linear foot. DIY stick-built cuts another 30-40 percent off.

**Q: Is cedar worth the extra cost over pressure-treated pine?**

A: For most homeowners, yes. Cedar costs 30-50 percent more up front but lasts 15-25 years vs 10-15 for pressure-treated, and requires less maintenance. Over a 20-year horizon, cedar costs less per year of service life. Cedar also weathers to a uniform silvery gray without staining.

**Q: How long does a wooden fence last?**

A: Pressure-treated pine: 10-15 years. Standard cedar: 15-25 years. Premium cedar / redwood: 25-40 years. Lifespan depends heavily on soil drainage around posts, climate, and whether you stain or seal every 3-5 years. Ground-contact lumber and proper post depth extend life significantly.

**Q: Can I install a wooden fence myself?**

A: Yes, with basic carpentry skills, a post hole digger, level, and string line. DIY cuts cost by 40-55 percent on a typical 150 ft cedar fence ($2,300 DIY vs $7,400 installed). Plan 25-40 hours of work. Rent a two-person auger ($60-90/day) to cut post-digging time in half if soil is hard.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/wooden-fence-price
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08