Fence boards typically cost $2-$12 each, or about $1.25-$6 per linear foot of board, depending on wood species, dimensions, grade, and local lumber prices. A contractor-installed wood privacy fence commonly runs $25-$55 per linear foot, with labor, posts, rails, removal, and site access accounting for much of the difference.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine board | $2 each | $3.50 each | $6 each | Typical 5/8-by-5.5-inch board, 6 feet long |
| Cedar fence board | $3 each | $5 each | $9 each | Price depends on grade, dimensions, and length |
| Redwood fence board | $5 each | $8 each | $12 each | Higher-grade or wider boards may cost more |
| Installed wood privacy fence | $25 per linear ft | $38 per linear ft | $55 per linear ft | Usually includes boards, rails, posts, and installation |
Assumptions: U.S. retail lumber pricing, standard 6-foot fence boards, and a basic residential privacy-fence layout; local quotes vary.
Fence board prices by wood type and size
For boards sold individually, a common 6-foot pressure-treated pine picket costs about $2-$6. A comparable cedar board generally costs $3-$9, while redwood commonly runs $5-$12. These are material-only estimates before tax, delivery, fasteners, stain, or installation. Wider boards, thicker stock, clear grades, and longer lengths raise the unit price.
Board prices can also be compared by coverage. A typical 5.5-inch-wide board covers about 0.46 linear feet of fence face, so roughly 2.2 boards are needed for each linear foot in a tight vertical installation. At $3.50 each, the board material alone is approximately $7.70 per linear foot before gaps, waste, or framing.
For a standard six-foot fence, budget roughly $7-$20 per linear foot for boards alone. The lower end usually means basic treated pine and straightforward board spacing; cedar or redwood, premium grade, and waste can push the total upward. A 10% allowance for cuts and defects is prudent, especially for a fence with corners, gates, or uneven ground.
How boards, rails, labor, and delivery shape the quote
A contractor’s installed price includes more than the visible boards. Posts and rails support the fence, while concrete, fasteners, labor, and hauling can materially change the estimate. Compare bids by asking whether the price covers old-fence removal, disposal, gates, stain, and taxes. Board-only prices from a lumberyard are not directly comparable with a complete installation quote.
| Quote item | Typical range | Unit or scope | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fence boards | $7-$20 | Per linear ft of fence face | Species, board width, grade, waste |
| Posts and rails | $5-$12 | Per linear ft | Post spacing, lumber size, concrete |
| Installation labor | $8-$20 | Per linear ft | Terrain, access, layout, crew rates |
| Old fence removal | $3-$8 | Per linear ft | Fence condition, disposal distance |
| Delivery and fasteners | $75-$300 | Per project | Order size, delivery distance, hardware |
Labor can be estimated as . For instance, a two-person crew working 10-16 hours at a combined crew rate of $100-$160 per hour represents $1,000-$2,560 in labor before overhead or materials. Many fence contractors quote by linear foot instead, but the formula helps explain why difficult access or extra prep adds cost.
Ask for a line-item quote that separates boards from framing and labor. It reveals whether a low bid excludes concrete, disposal, or finishing work, and makes it easier to compare different board materials fairly.
Board length, thickness, and grade can move prices
Six-foot boards are common for residential privacy fences, but 8-foot boards cost more per piece and may require a taller fence design or added support. A 4-foot board may cost less per unit but does not provide the same coverage. Confirm the finished fence height and actual board dimensions; nominal lumber labels do not always match the measured width or thickness.
Width affects the number of boards needed. A 5.5-inch board requires about 2.2 boards per linear foot when installed edge to edge, while a 3.5-inch board requires about 3.4. Narrow boards can be cheaper individually yet increase fastening time and total board count. If gaps are planned, fewer boards may be required, but the fence will offer less privacy.
Grade and treatment also matter. Standard treated pine usually offers the least expensive material, while appearance-grade cedar has fewer prominent knots and may cost 15%-40% more than common cedar. Boards thicker than roughly 3/4 inch can cost 10%-30% more than thin pickets. Wet, bowed, split, or poorly dried boards can create installation waste, so a very low unit price may not produce the lowest finished cost.
Measure coverage and usable grade, not just the price per board. For a 100-foot fence face, 2.2 boards per foot means about 220 boards before waste; a 10% allowance brings the order to approximately 242.
Labor and fence height change installation rates
Installing a basic 6-foot privacy fence often costs $25-$55 per linear foot, including ordinary materials and labor. A 4-foot picket fence may run about $18-$40 per linear foot because it uses less material, although decorative tops or closely spaced pickets can narrow the difference. These ranges assume standard posts, normal soil, and no major demolition.
Labor rates vary by location and crew. Residential fence work commonly prices out around $50-$100 per worker-hour, or approximately $100-$200 per hour for a two-person crew. A 100-foot straightforward installation may take a crew one to three working days, depending on digging conditions, gates, layout, and whether an existing fence must be removed. Contractors may impose a minimum charge for small jobs.
Rocky soil, roots, slopes, and narrow access can add $5-$15 or more per linear foot when they slow digging or require stepped panels. A gate commonly adds $150-$600 depending on width, hardware, and framing. A fence taller than 6 feet may require larger posts, more concrete, and local approval, so a simple per-foot rate may no longer apply.
For a useful estimate, specify fence height, gate count, terrain, and removal needs. A quote based only on total length leaves important labor and material assumptions unclear.
Regional lumber prices shift fence-board budgets
Retail lumber pricing and installation rates differ across the country. In lower-cost rural markets, a standard wood fence may be 10%-20% below a large metropolitan quote, particularly where crews travel short distances and competition is strong. Major coastal cities can run 15%-30% above national midrange estimates due to higher labor, delivery, permitting, or disposal charges.
Regional supply affects species availability as well. Cedar can be relatively competitive near western supply and distribution networks, while treated pine is often readily available across the South and Southeast. In regions where a preferred species is scarce, freight and limited stock can add 10%-25% to the material bill. Local seasonal demand may also affect contractor schedules and quoted rates.
These percentages are broad planning adjustments, not a promise of local pricing. A useful comparison is to get two or three quotes for the same height, board type, post spacing, and scope. Retail board prices can be checked separately at nearby lumberyards, but include delivery and sales tax when comparing them with a contractor’s materials allowance.
Use regional adjustments as a starting point, then verify with local material and labor quotes. Urban access restrictions, long rural travel distances, or local disposal fees can outweigh a general regional average.
Three fence-board estimates for common yard projects
These examples illustrate how board count and job scope affect a quote. They assume a 6-foot privacy fence, standard treated pine or midgrade cedar, level ground, and no unusual permit or utility work. The totals are planning ranges rather than fixed market prices.
| Project | Board estimate | Labor and framing | Expected total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 linear ft, treated pine | About 121 boards at $2-$6 each, including 10% waste: $242-$726 | $900-$1,600 | $1,500-$3,200 |
| 100 linear ft, cedar | About 242 boards at $3-$9 each: $726-$2,178 | $2,000-$3,800 | $3,000-$6,500 |
| 150 linear ft, treated pine with one gate | About 363 boards at $2-$6 each: $726-$2,178 | $3,200-$5,500, including basic gate | $4,800-$9,000 |
Totals can include posts, rails, ordinary fasteners, and installation, but may exclude removal, staining, taxes, and difficult excavation. Board counts use about 2.2 boards per linear foot plus 10% waste. A board-on-board design, wider boards, or deliberate gaps changes the count and coverage calculation.
Verify the board count and what the project total includes before approving a bid. In the 100-foot cedar example, the board allowance alone varies by more than $1,400 across the stated unit-price range.
Repairs and alternative materials can beat full replacement
Replacing a few damaged boards usually costs less than rebuilding an entire fence. Individual treated pickets may cost $2-$6, with a handyman or fence repair service commonly charging $100-$300 for a small visit and basic replacements. Larger repairs involving several posts, rails, or concrete footings can reach $500-$1,500, depending on access and repair quantity.
When many boards are warped or rotting, compare repair costs with full replacement. If posts and rails remain sound, replacing boards alone may cost roughly $7-$20 per linear foot for materials, plus labor. A complete replacement adds framing and demolition, but can be more economical when structural parts are failing throughout the run.
Vinyl privacy fencing often costs about $30-$60 per linear foot installed, while basic chain-link commonly runs $15-$35. These alternatives have different appearance and privacy characteristics, so they are not direct substitutes in every yard. Vinyl usually costs more upfront than basic pine boards but needs no periodic staining; chain-link is less private unless screening is added.
Check the condition of posts and rails before deciding that every board needs replacement. Repairing sound framing can avoid a major material expense, while patching a fence with widespread structural damage may only defer the larger bill.
Lower the fence-board bill through controlled choices
Choosing standard treated pine instead of cedar or redwood can reduce board-material spending by several dollars per board. Keep the design to a standard height and avoid decorative caps, lattice, custom spacing, and oversized gates unless those features are important. Confirm that the selected board width provides the desired privacy without unnecessarily increasing the board count.
Prepare the site by clearing brush and movable obstacles, marking the fence line, and confirming property boundaries before the crew arrives. Do not dig until underground utilities have been located through the appropriate local service. Clear access can reduce crew time, but homeowners should leave post excavation and structural installation to qualified workers when soil, utilities, or safety conditions make the work risky.
Compare at least three written bids using identical specifications: linear footage, height, species, grade, board spacing, post size, gate hardware, removal, stain, and warranty. Ask whether the lumber quote includes delivery and whether material prices are locked for the project. Scheduling outside peak local demand may improve availability, though weather and contractor calendars determine whether timing affects the final rate.
Buying boards independently can save money when a retailer offers a strong price, but confirm dimensions, grade, delivery access, and return terms first. Contractors may receive trade pricing or have established suppliers, and short or damaged orders can erase a retail discount. For staining, ask whether unfinished boards are included and compare the separate labor and material charge before adding the work.
The most reliable savings come from a clear scope, standard dimensions, and comparable bids. Cutting the board budget without checking grade or coverage can lead to more waste, repairs, or replacement sooner than expected.