How Much Does It Cost To Install A Wood Fence?

The cost to install a wood fence in a typical yard is $3,300, but prices typically fall anywhere between $2,000 and $4,600 for most projects. In some cases, you might pay as little as $700 or upwards of $10,000 to complete a project.

Your total cost will vary based on the type of wood and the size of your yard. Smaller yards that use a common and economical wood fencing material typically fall toward the lower end of the price range, while larger yards that use a more exotic wood fall toward the higher end.

The average cost to install a wood fence is between $6 and $13 per linear foot for the materials alone and $14 to $35 with labor, though some high-end wood and styles may cost upwards of $18 per linear foot.

Lumber prices per linear foot may vary depending on your location, local labor prices and the type of wood you choose. Most backyards fall somewhere between 150 and 210 linear feet, but larger yards will cost significantly more.

Below is a breakdown of how much wood costs for different linear feet.

The average lawn size in the U.S. is around a quarter of an acre or 420 linear feet, which puts your fence cost somewhere between $6,300 to $14,700 including the installation. You’ll need a little over 104 linear feet of fencing material to enclose each side of your property.

Different wood fence materials cost anywhere from $5 to $35 for the materials alone or $10 to $60 installed. The most cost-friendly materials for wood fences are cedar, composite and pine, while oak, redwood and tropical hardwood varieties will cost more.

Labor costs for installing a wood fence range from $8 to $23 per linear foot of material. Hiring a fencing contractor accounts for over 50% of the total cost to install a wood fence.

Several key factors can affect the cost of your wood fence project, including size, height, style and more. Here’s what you need to know to budget for your new wood fence.

Size

Again, the size of your wood fence can mean the difference between paying $14 and $35 per linear foot in materials and labor. Larger properties cost much more for a wood fence installation than smaller properties.

Height

A standard fence height is 6 feet, but for heights that are lower or higher, you might find yourself with a different material price. If you’re hoping to save on the cost of your fencing, you could opt for a shorter height. 3-foot fences may cost as little as $6. However, if you want a taller wall, an 8-foot fence may come with a higher starting price.

Style

The style of your fence can affect costs from $6 to $18 per linear foot at the widest possible price range. A lattice-top fence panel falls at the high end of the price range, while a small picket fence falls at the lowest price.

Labor

Labor makes up over 50% of your fence installation’s cost and depends on the size of your fencing per linear foot or the time it takes your fence installers to install it. Anticipate spending $30 to $80 per hour for labor.

Permits

If you’re installing a fence that’s over 6 feet tall, you may need to spend an additional $80 to $500 to obtain one from your local municipality. Check with your city to see if you need a building permit before you begin your installation.

Tree, Shrub and Boulder Removal

Removing large obstacles from your yard can range vastly in price, so here is a breakdown of some of the most common removal costs you might encounter:

• Tree removal cost: $250 to $2,000 per tree
• Shrub removal cost: $350 to $1,000 total
• Boulder removal cost: $30 to $120 per cubic yard

Land Leveling and Grading

Removing trees, bushes or boulders from your yard to install a fence can add anywhere from $1,000 to $4,400 to your project’s cost on average, depending on the amount of work required to level your yard. If your yard needs excavating, you’ll pay closer to the high end, whereas minor land leveling will fall toward the low end.

Old Fence Removal

Removing an old fence costs around $450 to $800, depending on the size of the old fence and whether you decide to haul away the old material on your own or hire a professional hauling service to help you.

If you decide to build a wood fence on your own, you could save over 50% on the cost of your project. DIYing your wood fence installation could be a huge money-saver—if you know what you’re doing.

However, if you’ve never built a fence before, trying to DIY it could turn into a money pit or reduce the lifespan of your fence considerably. Not to mention, it’s a time-consuming job that requires a great deal of manual labor.

For these reasons, it’s a good idea to hire a professional fence installer to do the job. Hiring a pro will cost anywhere from $1,200 to $4,800 for a typical yard ranging from 150 to 210 linear feet. An installer has the experience to build a strong fence and a team to get the job done smoothly so that you have a fence you can enjoy for years down the road.

Installing a wood fence can be a hefty sum of money. Fortunately, there are several ways you can save on your installation cost. Here are four tips for saving money on a wood fence:

Choose the Right Material

An economical wood like cedar or pressure-treated pine will last longer than some of the higher-end materials without the higher price tag.

Choose a Standard Size

Avoid a custom design or fencing that exceeds 6 feet in height and instead choose a readily available size like 6 feet or 3 feet to keep costs at bay.

Decrease the Size

While some homeowners may want to install a fence around their entire property, others may choose to do a smaller section of their backyard. Decreasing the total linear feet of your project can
help save on costs.

DIY It

If you have experience installing fences, or you have a friend who does, DIYing the installation may be a good way to save on over half the cost of a typical professionally-installed project.

To arrive at the average costs in this article, editorial team members surveyed a range of 16 providers on national and local levels, including five retailer websites and 11 other surveyed cost databases. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.