Wood fence installation costs between $15 and $50 per linear foot in 2026, with most single-family rental properties landing in the $20 to $35 range once you factor in materials, labor, and standard hardware.
A 150-linear-foot privacy fence typically runs $3,000 to $5,250 installed, though pressure-treated pine at the low end and cedar at the high end can shift that number significantly.
This pricing data comes from 100K+ maintenance jobs completed across 12 U.S. markets spanning 7 states. Property managers running portfolios need accurate numbers to budget turns, satisfy HOA requirements, and keep residents happy. The rest of this guide breaks down exactly what drives those costs and how to estimate your next project.
Quick summary
- Budget $20 to $35 per linear foot for a fully installed 6-foot wood privacy fence — cedar, terrain, and gates are the three variables most likely to push your project above that midpoint.
- Labor alone runs 40 to 60% of total cost, and low-ball labor quotes almost always exclude permit pulling, concrete upgrades, or disposal fees that surface later as change orders.
- Get a fixed, all-in quote before approving any fence project — comparing quotes that measure or itemize differently is one of the most common ways property managers overspend on fencing.
Get a market-rate wood fence quote without the guesswork.
Fixed pricing delivered within 48 hours across 12 metro markets.
REQUEST A QUOTEAverage Wood Fence Installation Cost in 2026 #
Fence pricing has climbed steadily since 2023, driven by lumber costs and labor shortages in most metro markets. Understanding the current baseline helps you spot outlier quotes and budget accurately across multiple properties.
National Cost Per Linear Foot #
Based on our completed projects across 7 states, the average sits at $25 per linear foot for a standard 6-foot privacy fence using pressure-treated pine. That number includes materials, labor, and basic hardware like hinges and latches for a single gate.
Here’s how costs break down by project size based on our job data:
| Linear Feet | Low Estimate | Average | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft | $1,500 | $2,500 | $4,000 |
| 150 ft | $2,250 | $3,750 | $6,000 |
| 200 ft | $3,000 | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| 300 ft | $4,500 | $7,500 | $12,000 |
These ranges assume flat terrain, no existing fence removal, and standard soil conditions. Rocky ground, slopes, or utility easements push costs toward the higher end.
What Property Managers Should Expect to Pay #
Portfolio managers typically see better per-foot rates on larger projects or multiple properties scheduled together. We’ve completed fence installations across our Dallas and Phoenix markets, where batching three properties in the same neighborhood dropped the per-foot cost compared to single-property quotes. With a 90% quote approval rate across our platform, property managers consistently find our pricing aligns with budget expectations.
For budgeting purposes, plan on $22 to $30 per linear foot for pressure-treated pine and $28 to $45 per linear foot for cedar. These ranges account for the labor premiums common in competitive rental markets where skilled installers are in high demand.
Most guides suggest getting three quotes. The real issue is that comparing quotes means nothing if each one measures differently or excludes line items the others include. A $2,800 quote that excludes post concrete and gate hardware isn’t cheaper than a $3,400 quote that includes everything.
Wood Fence Cost by Material Type #
Material selection affects both upfront cost and long-term maintenance burden. The cheapest option rarely saves money over a 10-year hold when you factor in repairs, staining, and early replacement.
Pressure-Treated Pine Fence Cost #
Pressure-treated pine remains the most common choice for rental properties, running $12 to $22 per linear foot for materials alone. The chemical treatment prevents rot and insect damage, giving you a 15 to 20-year lifespan with minimal maintenance.
The tradeoff is appearance. Pine warps and grays faster than premium woods, which matters for curb appeal in higher-rent neighborhoods. For Class B and C rentals where function matters more than aesthetics, pressure-treated pine makes financial sense.
Cedar Wood Fence Cost #
Cedar costs $18 to $35 per linear foot for materials, with the premium justified by natural rot resistance and better aging. Cedar fences develop a silver-gray patina over time rather than looking neglected, and the wood contains natural oils that deter insects without chemical treatment.
Across properties we service regularly, cedar installations tend to generate fewer maintenance calls over time compared to pine. Cedar makes sense for properties where you’re competing on curb appeal or where HOA covenants require natural wood appearance. The 25 to 30-year lifespan offsets the higher upfront cost if you’re holding the property long-term.
Redwood Fence Cost #
Redwood sits at the premium end, running $25 to $50 per linear foot for materials. The rich color, exceptional durability, and 30+ year lifespan make it popular in high-end markets, but availability limits options in many regions.
For most rental portfolios, redwood is overkill. You’re paying a premium that doesn’t translate to proportionally higher rents. Based on the cost data above, cedar offers most of the same durability benefits at a lower price point, making it the stronger choice for property managers balancing longevity with budget constraints.
How Much Does a 6-Foot Privacy Fence Cost Per Foot #
Beyond material choice, fence height is the next major cost variable. Privacy fencing dominates single-family rentals because residents expect it and HOAs often require it. Height directly impacts both material costs and installation complexity.
4-Foot vs 6-Foot vs 8-Foot Fence Pricing #
| Fence Height | Cost Per Linear Foot | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 4-foot | $12 – $25 | Front yards, decorative boundaries |
| 6-foot | $18 – $38 | Standard privacy, most HOA-compliant |
| 8-foot | $28 – $50 | High-traffic areas, noise reduction |
The jump from 6-foot to 8-foot isn’t just about materials. Taller fences require deeper post holes (typically 3 feet versus 2 feet), more concrete per post, and municipalities require permits for 8-foot fences but not for 6-foot installations.
Before specifying 8-foot fencing, check local ordinances. Many municipalities cap residential fence height at 6 feet for side and rear yards, with 4-foot limits for front yards.
Note: These estimates apply to single-family properties in our 12 metro service areas, including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Orlando, and Seattle.
Privacy Fence Cost for Rental Properties #
A standard backyard privacy fence for a single-family rental runs $2,500 to $6,000 depending on lot size and material choice. Corner lots with more street frontage cost more than interior lots with shared fence lines.
If the adjacent property owner agrees to split costs on a shared fence line, you can cut 30 to 40% off the total project cost. This cuts costs most reliably in established neighborhoods where the existing fence runs a shared property line and benefits both parties.
For properties facing HOA violations from damaged or missing fencing, we resolve HOA fence violations with photo documentation in under 48 hours. This prevents escalating fines and keeps properties in compliance without lengthy back-and-forth with association management.
Wood Fence Labor Cost Per Foot #
Labor typically accounts for 40 to 60% of total fence installation cost, making it the biggest variable in your final invoice.
What Installation Labor Includes #
Standard labor pricing covers layout and measurement, post hole digging, concrete setting, rail and picket installation, gate hanging, and basic cleanup. Most quotes assume power auger access and normal soil conditions.
Labor rates vary significantly by market. Phoenix and Dallas installers typically charge $8 to $15 per linear foot for labor, while Seattle runs $12 to $20 per linear foot because of higher prevailing wages and more challenging soil conditions.
What labor quotes exclude matters just as much. Watch for line items billed separately like permit pulling, underground utility marking, concrete upgrades, and disposal fees. A $10 per foot labor quote can become $16 per foot once add-ons appear.
Factors That Affect Your Total Fence Cost #
Beyond material and labor, several site-specific factors can push your project 20 to 40% above baseline estimates.
Fence Length and Property Layout #
Total linear footage is the primary cost driver, but layout complexity adds measurable labor time. A simple rectangular backyard with straight runs costs less per foot than an L-shaped lot with multiple corners. Each corner requires additional posts and angled cuts that add labor time.
For accurate estimates, measure the actual fence line rather than relying on lot dimensions from property records. Survey maps show property boundaries, not where fences typically sit. Most fences are installed 6 to 12 inches inside property lines to avoid encroachment disputes.
Terrain and Soil Conditions #
Flat lots with loamy soil are the baseline. Slopes, rocky ground, and high water tables all increase costs.
Sloped terrain requires either stepped or racked fence panels. Stepped fencing creates a stair-step pattern that’s easier to install but leaves gaps at the bottom. Racked fencing follows the slope continuously but costs more in labor.
Rocky soil in markets like Phoenix and Denver often requires upgraded equipment or even pneumatic drilling, adding $3 to $8 per linear foot. We’ve seen projects in the Phoenix foothills where rock removal alone added $5 to $8 per linear foot on top of baseline labor, which is why our quotes account for soil conditions upfront rather than surprising you with change orders.
Gate Installation and Hardware #
Basic single gates run $150 to $400 installed, while double gates for vehicle access cost $300 to $800. Hardware upgrades like self-closing hinges, magnetic latches, and keyed locks add $50 to $200 per gate.
For rental properties, specify self-closing hinges and magnetic latches as standard. They add minimal cost upfront and prevent the endless maintenance calls about gates that won’t stay closed.
Old Fence Removal Costs #
Contractors charge $3 to $5 per linear foot to remove old fencing, covering teardown, post pulling, and disposal.
Some contractors offer credit for salvageable materials, particularly cedar posts in good condition. Ask about this during the quote process. Even small credits add up across a portfolio.
Key takeaway
Site conditions like rock, slope, and soil type are the most frequent source of change orders on fence projects, yet they are almost never reflected in an initial quote unless you push the contractor to assess them in person before pricing the job.
Wood Fence vs Other Fencing Materials #
Wood isn’t always the right choice. Understanding alternatives helps you match material to property type and hold period.
Wood vs Vinyl Fencing Cost #
Vinyl fencing costs $20 to $40 per linear foot installed, overlapping significantly with wood pricing. The difference shows up in maintenance and longevity.
Vinyl requires almost zero maintenance over a 25 to 30-year lifespan. No staining, no painting, no board replacement. But contractors cannot repair vinyl easily — a damaged section often requires full panel replacement, and color matching older vinyl is nearly impossible.
For rental properties with 10+ year hold periods, vinyl often makes financial sense despite higher upfront costs. For properties you might sell within 5 years, wood’s lower initial cost wins.
Wood vs Chain Link Fence Cost #
Chain link remains the cheapest fencing option at $10 to $20 per linear foot installed. It’s durable, low-maintenance, and provides clear boundaries without blocking sightlines.
The obvious downside is aesthetics. Chain link signals “rental property” in ways that affect both resident quality and rent potential. Most HOAs prohibit it entirely, and even where allowed, it limits your tenant pool.
Chain link works for side yards and utility areas where visibility matters more than appearance. For front and backyard perimeters, wood or vinyl justify the premium.
How Breasy Handles Wood Fence Installation #
Once you’ve chosen a material, execution is where most fence projects stall. Managing fence projects through traditional contractors means juggling quotes, chasing timelines, and hoping the work matches the price. Breasy handles the entire process from quote through completion as a managed maintenance operation, not a marketplace or directory.
48-Hour Quotes and 5-Day Completion #
Once you submit a fence installation request through AppFolio, Buildium, or email, you receive a market-rate quote within 48 hours based on actual material costs and labor rates in your specific market.
Once you approve the quote, our logistics system routes the job to make sure materials arrive on schedule and the installation is completed within 5 business days—without the delays that plague traditional contractor relationships.
That timeline matters most during tenant turns. A fence that takes 3 weeks to complete costs you a full month’s rent on a vacant unit. A fence completed in 5 days keeps your turn schedule intact.
Same-Day Completion Photos #
Every fence installation includes same-day completion photos before any invoice hits your inbox. You see exactly what was installed, document the condition for your records, and have proof of completion for HOA compliance.
Instead of driving to properties to verify work or disputing what was promised versus delivered, same-day photos close every job with documented proof.
Ready to stop budgeting and start building? Submit your work order today.
We serve 12 metro markets with a 90% quote approval rate.
SUBMIT A WORK ORDERWood Fence Installation Cost FAQ #
How much does wood fence installation cost? #
Wood fence installation costs $15 to $50 per linear foot in 2026, with most projects falling in the $20 to $35 range. Material choice is the primary driver: pressure-treated pine lands at the low end, while cedar and redwood push toward the top. Gate count and terrain conditions are the most common reasons a project exceeds the initial estimate.
How much per foot should installation of wood fence cost? #
Expect to pay $8 to $15 per linear foot for labor alone in most markets, with Seattle running toward the high end and Phoenix and Dallas toward the low end. If your quote comes in significantly below $8 per foot for labor, verify what’s excluded — permit pulling, utility marking, and concrete upgrades are frequently billed as add-ons.
What is the average cost of a wood fence with installation? #
The average is $25 per linear foot fully installed for a 6-foot pressure-treated pine privacy fence, based on completed projects across 7 states. Cedar raises that baseline by $5 to $15 per foot depending on market. For longer runs or batched properties in the same neighborhood, per-foot costs trend toward the lower end of the range.
How to estimate installation cost of wood fence? #
Measure your fence line in linear feet, then multiply by $20 to $35 depending on material choice. Add $200 to $400 per gate and $3 to $5 per foot for old fence removal if needed. For a 200-foot corner-lot fence with two gates and an existing structure to remove, budget $5,400 to $8,000 before terrain adjustments — corner lots add linear footage and post complexity that straight runs don’t.
