A professionally installed cedar fence typically costs $25-$55 per linear foot, while redwood often runs $30-$65 per linear foot. For a 150-foot, 6-foot privacy fence, that means roughly $3,750-$8,250 for cedar or $4,500-$9,750 for redwood, with wood grade, labor, height, and site conditions driving the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar installed | $25/linear ft | $40/linear ft | $55/linear ft | Standard 6-foot privacy fence |
| Redwood installed | $30/linear ft | $47/linear ft | $65/linear ft | Grade and local supply affect price |
| 150-foot cedar project | $3,750 | $6,000 | $8,250 | Before unusual site work |
| 150-foot redwood project | $4,500 | $7,050 | $9,750 | Before unusual site work |
Assumptions: 6-foot fence, standard layout, normal access, and typical U.S. contractor pricing; gates and tear-out may cost extra.
Cedar vs. Redwood Fence Prices Per Linear Foot
For a typical 6-foot fence, cedar materials alone commonly cost about $8-$18 per linear foot, compared with $12-$25 for redwood. Installed prices include posts, rails, pickets, fasteners, and labor. Lower quotes generally use basic grades and straightforward layouts; clear, higher-grade boards and custom designs can push either wood toward the top of its range.
Redwood usually carries a material premium, but the gap depends on grade and local availability. Western red cedar and redwood heartwood are often chosen for their appearance and natural resistance to decay, but neither is maintenance-free. Ask whether the quote specifies the wood species, grade, board dimensions, and finish rather than simply saying “cedar” or “redwood.”
What Posts, Boards, and Labor Add to the Quote
A fence estimate can group costs differently, so checking included work matters as much as comparing the total. The ranges below are typical components for a standard wood privacy fence and are not all additive in every contractor’s estimate.
| Work item | Materials | Labor | Equipment | Delivery/Disposal | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar fence | $8-$18/linear ft | $12-$28/linear ft | $1-$4/linear ft | $0-$5/linear ft | $0-$300 |
| Redwood fence | $12-$25/linear ft | $12-$28/linear ft | $1-$4/linear ft | $0-$5/linear ft | $0-$300 |
| Gate, standard size | $150-$500 each | $100-$350 each | $0-$75 each | $0-$50 each | Usually included or $0-$100 |
| Old fence removal | $0-$2/linear ft | $3-$10/linear ft | $0-$3/linear ft | $2-$8/linear ft | Usually $0 |
Confirm whether removal, haul-away, gate hardware, and permit fees are included before comparing bids. Some contractors include delivery and equipment in overhead; others list them separately. The permit range varies by city and project, and some jurisdictions require approval based on fence height or location.
How Height, Grade, and Site Access Shift Pricing
Height changes both material use and labor. A 4-foot picket fence can cost less than a 6-foot privacy fence, while an 8-foot fence may require more lumber, stronger posts, and additional approvals. A change from 6 to 8 feet can raise installed pricing by roughly 15%-35%, depending on design and local rules.
Wood grade also matters. Basic boards with visible knots cost less than clearer, more uniform stock; moving to a premium grade may add $5-$15 per linear foot in material cost. Sloped ground, rocky soil, roots, and tight access can add about $3-$15 per linear foot for extra labor or equipment. Measure the run and note grade changes before requesting comparable estimates.
How U.S. Labor Rates Change the Installed Price
Labor and supply conditions vary by market. In high-cost coastal metros, installed quotes may run 15%-30% above typical national ranges; rural markets with accessible materials may come in 10%-20% lower. Redwood is commonly easier to source in parts of the West, while cedar availability varies by species and region. Freight can reduce or erase a material-price advantage when lumber is shipped long distances.
For a rough labor check, a small two-person crew might install 80-150 linear feet in a day under favorable conditions, but demolition, concrete, corners, and gates can slow the work. Labor estimate: 16-32 crew-hours at roughly $50-$100 per worker-hour, depending on market and contractor.
Compare local installed rates rather than assuming one wood is cheaper everywhere. Request the same fence height, board spacing, post size, and gate count in each quote.
What Three 150-Foot Fence Quotes Can Look Like
These examples show how material grade and job scope affect a similar project. They assume a 6-foot fence and ordinary access; local labor and permit charges can change the totals.
- Basic cedar: 150 linear feet at $32 per foot equals $4,800, plus a $350 gate and $600 removal, for about $5,750.
- Mid-grade cedar: 150 linear feet at $42 per foot equals $6,300, plus a $500 gate and $300 disposal, for about $7,100.
- Redwood heartwood: 150 linear feet at $52 per foot equals $7,800, plus a $600 gate and $500 removal, for about $8,900.
These are planning examples, not fixed market prices. A quote should identify whether the per-foot rate covers posts, concrete, rails, finish, cleanup, and taxes.
When Sealing or Repair Costs Favor One Wood
Both materials weather outdoors, and sun, moisture, sprinklers, and soil contact affect how quickly they fade or deteriorate. A stain or water-repellent finish commonly costs about $1-$3 per square foot when professionally applied, with prep or repairs billed separately. For a 150-foot, 6-foot fence, the finishable face area can make the first application a substantial expense.
Small repairs such as replacing a few pickets may cost $150-$500, while resetting a leaning post can run $200-$600 per post. Redwood’s higher initial price does not guarantee a longer life in every yard; construction quality, drainage, and maintenance matter. Compare the expected upkeep and repair scope, not just the lumber price.
How to Lower a Cedar or Redwood Fence Quote
Keeping the layout simple is one of the clearest ways to control installation cost. Straight runs need fewer posts and cuts than multiple corners, stepped sections, or custom curves. Confirm the property line and mark utilities before work begins to reduce the risk of delays or relocation charges.
Choose a practical grade, compare cedar and redwood by the same dimensions, and avoid paying for a premium finish if it is not needed. If an existing fence has sound posts and rails, ask whether replacing damaged boards is feasible before authorizing full removal. Get at least three itemized bids with matching specifications and separate prices for gates, finish, and disposal.