Cedar fence pickets typically cost $2-$8 each, or about $6-$18 per linear foot for materials, depending on board size, grade, and local supply. A contractor-installed cedar privacy fence commonly runs $25-$50 per linear foot; fence height, tear-out, terrain, and labor can move a quote substantially.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual cedar picket | $2 | $4.50 | $8 | Common 5/8- to 3/4-inch-thick boards, usually 6 feet long |
| Materials per linear foot | $6 | $11 | $18 | Pickets, rails, posts, and basic fasteners |
| Installed fence per linear foot | $25 | $36 | $50 | Standard 6-foot privacy fence, ordinary access |
| Installed 100 linear feet | $2,500 | $3,600 | $5,000 | Before unusual removal, gate, or site charges |
What Cedar Pickets Cost for a Six-Foot Fence
For a standard 6-foot privacy fence, cedar pickets alone typically cost about $6-$12 per linear foot when boards are installed tightly with little or no gap. A full materials package with posts, rails, fasteners, and concrete usually totals $10-$18 per linear foot. Installed pricing commonly reaches $25-$50 per linear foot, with an average near $36.
At those rates, 100 linear feet of new fence may cost $1,000-$1,800 for materials or $2,500-$5,000 with installation. A straightforward midrange project is about $3,600. Estimates assume standard cedar boards, a 6-foot fence, typical soil, no old fence removal, and a typical U.S. labor market; steep yards and high-cost metro areas can exceed the range.
Budget by linear foot for the complete fence, not only by the price of one picket. Picket spacing, board width, and waste affect how many boards a run needs. A 5.5-inch-wide picket installed with a small gap often uses about 2.1 boards per linear foot; overlapping boards or wider spacing changes the count and appearance.
Assumptions: standard 6-foot-high fence, common cedar grades, normal access, and no demolition or major gate work.
How Pickets, Posts, Rails, and Labor Shape the Quote
Fence quotes combine boards with structural materials and site work. Posts, rails, fasteners, and concrete may represent a sizeable share of a materials-only budget, while labor often becomes the largest portion of an installed project. The table gives typical planning ranges; local lumber prices and contractor methods vary.
| Quote item | Typical price | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar pickets | $2-$8 each | $6-$18 per linear foot | Board width, thickness, grade, and length |
| Posts and concrete | $12-$35 per post position | $2-$6 per linear foot | Post material, spacing, hole depth, and soil |
| Rails and fasteners | $5-$15 per section | $2-$5 per linear foot | Rail count, lumber size, and corrosion-resistant hardware |
| Installation labor | $40-$75 per worker-hour | $10-$25 per linear foot | Crew size, access, layout, and terrain |
| Delivery and disposal | $50-$300 per job | $0.50-$3 per linear foot | Distance, order size, and old fence volume |
Some contractors quote a single installed rate rather than itemizing every input. Ask whether the price includes setting posts in concrete, hauling away scraps, fastening pickets, and cleanup. A quote that excludes posts or disposal may look lower but leave significant costs outside the headline total.
For labor comparisons, check the crew-hours and hourly rate behind the installed price. A two-person crew working 12-20 hours at a combined billing rate of $80-$150 per crew-hour implies roughly $960-$3,000 in labor before materials, equipment, overhead, and profit.
Board Width, Grade, and Height Change Picket Spending
Board dimensions determine both the price per picket and the number required. A common 6-foot board around 5.5 inches wide may cost $2-$6 in a basic grade, while a thicker, clearer, or premium board can cost $5-$8 or more. Eight-foot pickets generally cost more per board and also require a taller, stronger fence design with additional post and rail considerations.
Thickness matters for stiffness and appearance. Boards around 5/8 inch thick tend to sit near the lower end of store pricing; 3/4-inch boards often cost more but may feel sturdier. Knotty cedar generally costs less than clear or select grades. Knots and color variation are usually cosmetic, but buyers should inspect boards for excessive warping, splits, and missing corners.
Fence height is another multiplier. A 4-foot fence requires less board area than a 6-foot privacy fence, while an 8-foot design may need taller posts, deeper setting, and approval under local rules. Moving from 6 feet to 8 feet can add roughly 25%-45% to the total, depending on the design and structural requirements.
Spacing also affects the picket count. A 1/8-inch gap across a run uses fewer boards than a tight or overlapping layout; decorative spacing can reduce material use, but it also reduces privacy. For a 100-foot run, a small difference of 0.25 board per linear foot changes the order by about 25 pickets, or roughly $50-$200 at common per-board prices.
Compare bids using the same board length, width, thickness, grade, and spacing. A low per-picket quote may refer to shorter or thinner boards, while a higher figure may include a better grade or a full 8-foot board.
Regional Cedar Fence Prices Vary With Supply and Labor
Local labor and lumber availability produce meaningful regional differences. As a planning estimate, installed cedar fencing in lower-cost rural and Southern markets may run 5%-15% below the national midrange. Large West Coast and Northeast metro areas often run 10%-25% above it because of wages, delivery, permitting, and limited contractor availability.
These are broad comparisons, not fixed regional tariffs. Cedar supply varies by distributor and season, and even neighboring cities may have different labor rates or disposal charges. A local lumberyard may quote boards differently from a home-improvement store, especially for large orders or nonstandard dimensions.
Delivery distance can make a small picket order unexpectedly expensive. A supplier may charge $50-$150 for local delivery, with longer trips or difficult unloading reaching $200-$300. Ask whether lumber is delivered to the driveway, backyard, or only the curb; moving boards through a narrow side yard may add labor.
Use two or three local quotes rather than applying a national average directly. Compare identical fence length, height, picket specification, post spacing, and removal scope. When bids differ by more than 15%-20%, ask what material or work item explains the gap.
Three Cedar Picket Quotes for Common Fence Jobs
Realistic examples show how the same per-picket price can lead to different total budgets once posts, gates, access, and labor are included. These figures are illustrative U.S. estimates, not guaranteed contractor bids.
| Project | Materials and unit rate | Labor and scope | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60-foot, 4-foot fence | About 130 pickets at $2-$4 each; materials $600-$1,000 | Two workers, 8-12 hours; easy access | $1,400-$2,400 |
| 100-foot, 6-foot privacy fence | About 210 pickets at $3-$6 each; materials $1,000-$1,800 | Two or three workers, 12-20 hours; no removal | $2,800-$4,500 |
| 150-foot, 6-foot fence with old fence removal | About 315 pickets at $4-$7 each; materials $1,700-$2,800 | Three workers, 24-36 hours; removal and haul-away | $5,200-$8,500 |
The picket quantities assume roughly 2.1 boards per linear foot for a common 5.5-inch board with modest spacing. Gate openings, corners, and cuts may increase waste. Labor-hour estimates describe crew time and can vary with post-hole conditions, slope, and the installer’s equipment.
Keep the specifications consistent when judging totals. In the 150-foot example, removal can add $3-$8 per linear foot depending on fence condition, access, and disposal fees, so comparing it with a new-install-only quote would be misleading.
Removal, Gates, and Difficult Ground Add Separate Charges
Old fence removal commonly costs $3-$8 per linear foot, including labor and disposal for accessible wood fencing. Heavy posts set in concrete, buried debris, or limited equipment access can raise the charge. Some contractors price removal by the hour or by dumpster load; ask whether disposal fees and tipping charges are included.
A basic walk gate may add $150-$500, depending on width, hinges, latch, framing, and whether it is included in the linear-foot quote. A double-drive gate can add $500-$1,500 or more. Gates need stronger posts and accurate alignment, so a material-only gate price does not represent the full installed expense.
Rocky soil, tree roots, retaining walls, and steep slopes can add $5-$20 per linear foot or more when they require hand digging, extra concrete, stepped sections, or custom layouts. Utility locating is normally a safety and planning step; private underground lines may require a separate locating service.
Permits are local. When required, a residential fence permit may cost about $25-$250, with additional inspection or plan fees in some jurisdictions. Height, corner visibility, pool barriers, and property-line rules can affect design and approval. Verify requirements before buying materials because a code-driven change can force rework.
Ask contractors to list removal, gates, difficult digging, delivery, and permits as separate quote lines. Separating these items makes it easier to identify whether a higher bid reflects genuine site work or different assumptions.
When Cedar Pickets Beat Pine or Composite Boards
Pressure-treated pine pickets often cost about $1-$4 each, compared with roughly $2-$8 for cedar. Pine can lower the initial material bill, but its appearance, drying behavior, and maintenance needs differ. Cedar is naturally resistant to decay and insects, though it is not maintenance-free and can weather or discolor without a protective finish.
Composite fence boards commonly cost $8-$20 or more per board, often several times the price of basic cedar pickets. Composite systems may have lower routine staining needs, but they can require matched posts, rails, and proprietary hardware. Comparing only board prices can miss the added system cost.
For a 100-foot, 6-foot privacy fence, a cedar materials package may run $1,000-$1,800, while a basic pine package may be $700-$1,400. A composite installation can reach $5,000-$12,000 or more, depending on the product and framing. These ranges vary widely by brand, board dimensions, and labor.
Repair can be cheaper than full replacement when only a few boards are cracked or missing. Replacement pickets may cost $2-$8 each, plus $75-$150 per hour for a small repair visit, with minimum charges often $100-$300. If posts lean or rails have failed across a long run, replacing isolated boards may only postpone a larger repair.
Choose based on full installed price and expected upkeep, not the lowest board price alone. For a short-lived budget solution, pine may be economical; for a natural wood appearance and moderate initial cost, cedar often sits between pine and composite.
Lower Cedar Fence Costs by Controlling the Board Order
Set the layout before requesting prices. Confirm total linear footage, fence height, gate locations, corner count, and picket spacing. An accurate takeoff prevents overordering and reduces change orders. Allow a modest waste reserve, often 5%-10%, rather than ordering a large surplus that may never be used.
Choose a practical cedar grade and inspect the delivered boards. Knotty grades typically cost less than clear cedar while still serving many privacy fence applications. Standard lengths and widths are usually easier to source than custom dimensions. Avoid paying a premium for appearance grades if knots and color variation are acceptable.
Compare at least three written quotes with the same specifications. Request separate prices for materials, installation, demolition, gates, delivery, taxes, and permit handling. Check whether the pickets are specified as rough or surfaced, the post spacing, fastener type, and whether staining or sealing is included.
Scheduling outside peak contractor periods may improve availability, though weather and regional demand influence the opportunity. Ordering all materials at once can reduce repeated delivery charges, but only after measurements and property boundaries are confirmed. Do not use an unverified fence line to avoid a small survey cost that could lead to a costly dispute.
The most reliable savings come from limiting unnecessary scope and comparing equivalent bids. Keep the height and layout within local rules, avoid upgrades that do not improve the intended use, and repair sound posts or rails when a full replacement is not structurally necessary.