Backyard wood fence cost usually runs $20-$50 per linear foot installed, with a common 150-foot project totaling about $3,000-$7,500. Fence height, wood species, site access, old-fence removal, and local labor rates make the largest differences in a quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed wood fence | $20 per linear ft | $30 per linear ft | $50 per linear ft | Typical 6-foot privacy fence |
| 150-linear-foot project | $3,000 | $4,500 | $7,500 | Standard access and basic gates |
| Wood materials only | $8 per linear ft | $15 per linear ft | $28 per linear ft | Species and board style affect price |
| Old-fence removal | $3 per linear ft | $6 per linear ft | $12 per linear ft | Higher for concrete-set posts or difficult disposal |
What does a 150-foot backyard wood fence cost?
A contractor-installed 150-foot fence typically costs $3,000-$7,500 before unusual grading, extensive demolition, or premium gates. A straightforward pressure-treated pine privacy fence often lands near $4,000-$5,500; cedar or decorative designs can exceed that range. For initial budgeting, $30 per linear foot is a reasonable midpoint for a standard 6-foot fence.
That estimate assumes a conventional backyard layout, standard post spacing, ordinary soil, and one basic gate. Short jobs may have a minimum charge, while a larger project can lower the per-foot rate. Assumptions: typical U.S. suburban labor, pressure-treated or standard cedar boards, normal access, and no major grade correction.
How lumber, labor, and removal shape the installed quote
Quotes usually combine materials, installation labor, and any tear-out or site work. Ask whether the price includes posts, concrete, fasteners, gate hardware, haul-away, and taxes; the same per-foot figure can cover different scopes.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | Typical basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumber, posts, and concrete | $8 per linear ft | $15 per linear ft | $28 per linear ft | Wood grade and layout |
| Installation labor | $8 per linear ft | $14 per linear ft | $25 per linear ft | Post setting, rails, and boards |
| Old fence removal | $3 per linear ft | $6 per linear ft | $12 per linear ft | Demolition and disposal |
| Gate and hardware | $150 each | $350 each | $800 each | One walk gate; wider or custom gates cost more |
| Stain or sealant | $1 per sq ft | $2 per sq ft | $4 per sq ft | Applied after installation |
Labor may be priced by the foot or calculated from crew hours and rates. A two-person crew can charge roughly $50-$100 per combined crew hour, depending on market and included equipment.
Which fence height and wood species change the price?
Height directly affects lumber quantity and sometimes local rules. A 4-foot picket fence may cost $15-$30 per linear foot installed, while a 6-foot privacy fence commonly runs $20-$50. An 8-foot fence can reach $35-$70 per foot where permitted because it uses more material and may require stronger posts or added labor.
Pressure-treated pine is usually the lower-cost choice, around $20-$35 per installed foot for a basic 6-foot design. Cedar often falls around $30-$55, while redwood or premium-grade boards can reach $40-$70. Moving from a 4-foot fence to 6 feet or choosing premium boards can change the total by thousands on a long boundary.
Layout and ground conditions also matter. A straight run needs less cutting than a design with many corners, steps, or changes in grade. Rocky soil, tree roots, narrow access, or slopes above roughly 10%-15% may add $5-$20 per linear foot when crews need extra digging, custom panels, or retaining work.
How long does a backyard fence installation take?
A typical 150-foot installation takes about 2-4 working days for a small crew when access and soil are straightforward. Removal of an existing fence may add half a day to two days; steep ground, masonry obstacles, or multiple gates can extend the schedule. Contractors may charge for equipment or mobilization on small jobs, commonly $100-$500.
Confirm that the estimate includes setting posts in concrete and allowing adequate curing time before heavy gate use. Installation time affects labor cost most when the site requires hand digging, repeated grade adjustments, or extensive old-post removal. Ask whether the quote includes cleanup and whether a separate return visit is billed.
When do regional labor rates push fence prices higher?
Prices in high-cost metro areas and coastal markets can be 15%-30% above a national midpoint, while some rural markets may come in 5%-15% below it. These differences reflect wages, travel, disposal fees, and local lumber availability rather than a guaranteed regional price. Urban access restrictions or parking permits can add charges even when the fence design is basic.
Request quotes from contractors who regularly work in the same area, and compare identical footage, height, species, gate count, and removal scope. A local quote is most useful when it separates per-foot installation from allowances for disposal, grading, and hardware.
What three backyard fence quotes look like
These examples illustrate how scope changes the total; local estimates can differ. They assume standard access and no permit or major terrain work.
- Basic pine: 100 feet of 6-foot pressure-treated privacy fence, no removal, one walk gate. At about $24 per foot plus a $250 gate, the estimate is roughly $2,650.
- Typical cedar: 150 feet of 6-foot cedar fence, one gate, and removal of an old fence. At $38 per foot plus $700 removal and a $350 gate, the total is about $6,750.
- Premium sloped yard: 200 feet of 6-foot upgraded cedar, two gates, and stepped sections. At $52 per foot plus $1,000 for gates and about $1,500 for added slope work, the total is roughly $12,900.
Compare the included work as carefully as the total: a low bid may omit removal, staining, or gate hardware.
How can homeowners lower a wood fence estimate?
Keep the design to a consistent height and straight runs where possible, limit decorative caps and custom gates, and choose pressure-treated pine if appearance and maintenance requirements allow. If the existing fence is sound, replacing only failed sections or posts may cost less than rebuilding the full perimeter; localized repairs often run $150-$600 per section, depending on length and damage.
Homeowners can reduce billable prep by clearing brush and movable obstacles, but should not dig near underground utilities before they are marked. Get at least three written quotes based on the same measured footage and material specification. Compare the complete installed price, including demolition, disposal, gates, and finishing, rather than selecting by the lowest per-foot rate alone.
Ask whether staining is included or optional. Professional staining may add $1-$4 per square foot of fence surface, and a homeowner may save labor by applying it later if the product and installation instructions permit. Do not pay for premium lumber grades or upgrades unless the quote explains their practical benefit for the site.