Cedar fence panels typically cost $90-$300 each before installation, with a common 6-by-8-foot panel averaging about $170. A complete professionally installed cedar fence often runs $25-$50 per linear foot; panel size, cedar grade, labor, terrain, and old-fence removal drive the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-by-8-foot cedar panel | $90 | $170 | $300 | Panel only; style and grade affect price |
| Installed cedar fence | $25 per linear ft | $36 per linear ft | $50 per linear ft | Standard residential installation |
| 100-linear-foot project | $2,500 | $3,600 | $5,000 | Basic fence, ordinary access |
| Gate | $150 | $350 | $700 | One typical walk gate; installed price varies |
What cedar fence panels cost for a typical yard
For a standard 6-foot-high privacy fence, homeowners commonly spend $25-$50 per linear foot for materials and installation. A straightforward 100-foot run therefore lands around $2,500-$5,000, with roughly $3,600 a practical planning average. That estimate assumes standard cedar panels, posts, basic hardware, and normal access, but excludes extensive demolition, major grading, and premium gates.
Panel-only pricing is useful when comparing retail listings, but it does not include posts, concrete, fasteners, delivery, or labor. A 6-by-8-foot panel covers 8 linear feet, so a 100-foot straight run needs about 13 panels, plus posts and any extra sections needed for the layout. Corner posts, gates, and cuts can change the quantity.
Budget around $170 per standard panel or $36 per installed linear foot for a middle-of-the-road project. Assumptions: 6-foot fence height, standard-grade cedar, average U.S. labor rates, and a mostly level yard.
How panels, posts, labor, and hardware shape the quote
A contractor’s estimate may combine several tasks into one installed rate. Asking for a material and labor breakdown helps identify whether an unusually high quote reflects cedar quality, difficult digging, disposal, or extra finish work. The following ranges are typical planning figures, not fixed national prices.
| Quote item | Typical price | Pricing basis | What changes it | Usually included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar panels | $90-$300 | Per 6-by-8-foot panel | Grade, style, thickness | Yes, in panel material quote |
| Posts and concrete | $25-$65 | Per post position | Post size, soil, embedment | Often in installed price |
| Labor | $8-$20 | Per linear foot | Access, layout, digging | Yes, for installation quotes |
| Fasteners and brackets | $2-$6 | Per linear foot | Corrosion-resistant hardware | Usually included |
| Delivery and disposal | $100-$600 | Per project | Distance and old fence volume | Not always included |
Retail panels may be a lower-cost option for a simple run, while custom-built sections typically require more carpentry time and can exceed the high end. Some installers price labor and materials together; others charge separately for posts, gates, demolition, and haul-away. The quote should state whether sales tax, delivery, and cleanup are included.
Posts and labor can add as much as $10-$25 per linear foot beyond the panel-only cost.
Panel height, cedar grade, and board spacing change the price
Height is a major cost driver. A 4-foot cedar panel may cost $70-$190, while a 6-foot panel commonly costs $90-$300. Eight-foot-tall sections, where locally allowed and structurally practical, may cost $160-$450 each because they use more lumber and may require stronger posts. These are panel prices, not full installed prices.
Cedar grade and construction also matter. Clearer, more uniform boards usually cost more than knotty or standard-grade lumber. A basic dog-ear privacy panel may sit near the lower end; decorative top rails, lattice, shadowbox construction, and thicker framing can add $30-$150 or more per panel. Panel descriptions should specify dimensions, board thickness, frame size, and whether both sides have a finished appearance.
Spacing affects both material quantity and privacy. A tight privacy panel uses more boards than a spaced design, while a board-on-board layout overlaps boards and may add roughly 15%-30% to material use. The cost difference can be significant over long runs, especially when premium cedar is selected.
Confirm the panel’s actual dimensions and cedar grade rather than comparing prices by the word “cedar” alone. A 6-by-8-foot panel priced at $140 is not directly comparable to a thicker, clear-grade panel at $260.
How far do cedar fence prices vary by region?
Local labor and lumber availability can move a quote substantially. In lower-cost rural markets, a basic installed cedar fence may start around $22-$35 per linear foot. In many suburban areas, $30-$45 is more common, while dense metro markets or regions with high contractor rates can reach $40-$60 per linear foot for similar scope. These ranges assume standard residential installation, not premium custom work.
Compared with a typical national middle range, some high-cost coastal metros may price 15%-30% higher, while less expensive inland markets may be 10%-20% lower. These are broad comparisons; a nearby lumberyard’s cedar supply and local crew availability can matter more than the state average. Delivery distance can also reduce the apparent savings from buying panels in a distant lower-price market.
Climate and local building practices affect material choices. Wet or coastal environments may prompt buyers to specify corrosion-resistant fasteners and better post protection. Those upgrades often add $1-$4 per linear foot, but may avoid premature hardware failure. Local rules can also restrict fence height or placement, particularly near corners and sidewalks.
Compare at least three local quotes using the same height, panel style, cedar grade, and removal scope. This controls for regional labor differences and makes price gaps easier to explain.
How long cedar fence installation takes and what labor includes
A two- or three-person crew commonly installs about 80-150 linear feet of straightforward panel fencing in one to two working days. A 100-foot project on level ground may require roughly 12-24 crew-hours, depending on post spacing, soil, gates, and cutting. Contractors may quote a per-foot rate rather than an hourly charge, but hourly labor in many markets runs about $50-$100 per worker.
Post holes are often the slowest part. Rocky ground, buried roots, steep slopes, or limited access can add 4-12 labor hours to a modest project. A crew may charge $75-$150 per hour for specialized equipment or difficult digging, or include the added time in a higher per-foot installation price. Ask whether equipment rental and hand-digging surcharges are separate.
Installation generally includes layout, setting posts, attaching panels, and basic cleanup. It may not include property-line surveying, utility marking, moving landscaping, or staining. If an estimate specifies “installation only,” confirm what materials are supplied and who handles disposal of packaging or the old fence.
Clear access and confirmed property lines help prevent billed delays and costly changes after work begins.
Three cedar fence quotes for different yard sizes
These examples show how panel count and job conditions affect totals. Prices assume ordinary U.S. labor rates and standard 6-foot privacy panels; actual local quotes can differ. The per-foot figures include typical materials and installation, but not taxes or unusual permitting costs.
| Project | Specification | Labor estimate | Estimated total | Approx. installed rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small side yard | 48 ft, 6 panels, one basic gate | 8-14 crew-hours | $1,500-$2,700 | $31-$56 per linear ft |
| Typical backyard | 100 ft, 13 panels, one gate | 12-24 crew-hours | $3,000-$5,200 | $30-$52 per linear ft |
| Large property run | 200 ft, 25 panels, two gates | 24-40 crew-hours | $5,800-$10,000 | $29-$50 per linear ft |
The small project has a higher per-foot potential because minimum crew charges, delivery, and a gate are spread across fewer feet. The large project may achieve a lower rate per foot when the layout is simple and access is good. A custom gate or extensive corner work can reverse that advantage.
Compare the total and per-foot rate together, especially when a project includes gates or a short fence run. A low per-foot figure can omit charges that appear separately in the final invoice.
Removal, gates, and finishing add-ons to price separately
Removing an existing fence generally adds $3-$8 per linear foot for a typical wood fence, with haul-away often bringing the combined charge to $5-$12 per foot. Concrete-set posts, heavy panels, and restricted access can increase removal costs. A contractor may instead charge a project minimum of $250-$600 for a small demolition job.
A simple walk gate often costs $150-$350 installed, while a wider or decorative cedar gate may run $350-$700. Hardware, extra framing, and a double gate can push the total higher. Ask whether the gate price includes posts, hinges, latch, and adjustment after installation.
Staining or sealing is another possible expense, commonly $1.50-$4 per square foot of fence surface, depending on preparation and product. Some cedar is installed unfinished and allowed to weather naturally; finishing is optional, but it changes appearance and maintenance needs. Ask whether the quoted surface area counts one side or both.
Request separate line items for demolition, haul-away, gates, and finishing so optional work does not obscure the base fence price.
Where to save on cedar panels without sacrificing the build
Keep the layout simple where possible. Straight runs use standard panels efficiently, while frequent corners, abrupt grade changes, and custom widths create cuts and extra labor. Confirm the required fence height and property line before ordering; a mistaken measurement can leave unusable panels or require additional delivery.
Compare standard-grade cedar with premium clear boards by looking at dimensions and construction, not just appearance. Knotty cedar can reduce panel cost while still providing a solid privacy barrier. A 4-foot fence may suit a boundary that does not need full screening, potentially saving 15%-35% compared with a 6-foot version, subject to local rules and intended use.
Prepare the work area by clearing movable objects and trimming vegetation, but leave utility locating and post-hole work to the contractor. Bundle nearby fence work or gates into one mobilization when practical, since a separate return trip may add $100-$300. Avoid paying for staining or decorative details that are not needed for the intended appearance.
Get written bids with identical panel dimensions, grade, post spacing, hardware, and cleanup terms. Verify whether the contractor includes tax, delivery, concrete, and warranty coverage. A quote that is $500 lower may not be cheaper if it excludes removal, uses thinner panels, or charges separately for posts.
The most dependable savings usually come from simplifying the layout and comparing equivalent specifications, not choosing the thinnest panel available. For a 100-foot fence, reducing avoidable extras by $3-$6 per linear foot can save $300-$600 without changing the basic cedar material.