A paling fence—usually called a board-on-board or close-board wood privacy fence in the U.S.—costs about $95-$215 per metre installed, with a typical average near $150 per metre. The cost of paling fence per metre depends mainly on fence height, lumber species, post and rail design, terrain, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed fence per metre | $95 | $150 | $215 | Equivalent to about $29-$66 per linear foot |
| Installed 100-foot run | $2,900 | $4,500 | $6,600 | About 30.5 metres, straight run, no major gate |
| Materials only per metre | $35 | $60 | $95 | Posts, rails, boards, and ordinary fasteners |
| Typical gate | $250 | $500 | $1,000 | Installed, depending on width and hardware |
What a wood paling fence costs for a typical run
For U.S. budgeting, a paling fence is best compared with a 6-foot-tall board-on-board privacy fence: vertical boards overlap or alternate across the rails to reduce gaps. A basic pressure-treated pine version typically runs $29-$42 per linear foot installed, or about $95-$138 per metre. Midrange cedar or upgraded construction commonly falls around $42-$55 per foot, while premium hardwood, difficult access, or elaborate detailing can reach $66 per foot or more.
A practical starting budget is $45 per linear foot, or roughly $148 per metre, for a standard 6-foot fence. That assumes a straight layout, ordinary soil, pressure-treated or common cedar boards, concrete-set posts, and no unusual demolition. The metre figures convert linear feet at 3.28 feet per metre; many U.S. contractors quote by the foot rather than the metre.
Height changes the amount of lumber and can affect local rules. A 4-foot decorative paling-style fence may cost $22-$38 per foot installed, while a 6-foot privacy fence is usually higher. An 8-foot fence may cost $50-$85 per foot where permitted, especially if stronger posts, deeper footings, or engineered bracing are needed.
Assumptions: U.S. suburban labor rates, standard wood components, normal access, and a new fence without significant grading.
How posts, rails, boards, and labor shape the quote
A contractor’s estimate commonly includes lumber, concrete, fasteners, installation, and job overhead. Confirm whether the price also covers removal of an old fence, delivery, gates, staining, and sales tax. The following ranges are approximate for a standard 6-foot installation; the per-foot components add up to the total only when the contractor has not grouped or discounted line items.
| Quote component | Low per linear foot | Typical per linear foot | High per linear foot | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boards and rails | $10 | $17 | $27 | Pine or cedar boards, rails, and cut waste |
| Posts and concrete | $5 | $9 | $15 | Wood or metal posts, footing mix, and bracing |
| Fasteners and small supplies | $1 | $2 | $4 | Exterior-rated nails or screws and connectors |
| Installation labor | $10 | $17 | $28 | Layout, digging, setting, cutting, and fastening |
| Delivery and disposal | $1 | $3 | $8 | Material delivery or ordinary debris handling |
Labor is often billed as part of a per-foot installed rate, but an hourly estimate may use two or three installers at about $45-$90 per worker-hour, depending on the market and company. For example, a three-person crew working 10 hours at $60 per worker-hour represents $1,800 in labor before materials and overhead.
Check the quote’s inclusions before comparing totals; a low per-foot rate may leave demolition, gates, or finish work outside the price. Ask for the total length, height, board type, post spacing, footing method, and disposal charge in writing.
Fence height, board spacing, and soil change the metre rate
Height is a major price driver because a taller fence uses more boards and can require stronger posts. Moving from 6 feet to 8 feet may raise the installed rate by roughly 20%-40%, not including permits or engineering. Board-on-board construction also uses more lumber than a single-layer privacy fence: expect a material increase of about 15%-30% when overlapping coverage is specified.
Post spacing affects both stability and material use. Posts placed 6-8 feet apart are common, but tighter spacing may be needed for wind exposure, heavy boards, or uneven ground. Changing from 8-foot to 6-foot spacing can add around $3-$8 per linear foot, depending on post material, concrete, and labor. At 100 feet, that difference may add $300-$800.
Ground conditions can create substantial variation. Rocky soil, buried roots, steep slopes, retaining walls, and limited equipment access may add $5-$20 per foot or more. A sloped lot may need stepped panels or boards cut to follow the grade. If a run crosses a drainage swale or requires unusually deep footings, have the contractor explain the added labor and materials.
Lumber grade and species also matter. Pressure-treated pine is usually the lower-cost choice; cedar costs more but is commonly selected for appearance and natural resistance to decay. Durable tropical hardwoods can push material costs above $30 per foot before labor. For a 6-foot fence, an extra $10 per linear foot equals about $33 per metre and $1,000 over a 100-foot run.
Where U.S. labor markets push the installed price
Regional rates differ because of wages, material supply, travel distances, and local demand. As a broad budgeting adjustment, a metro area with high construction wages may run 15%-30% above a national midrange estimate. Lower-cost rural markets may come in 5%-15% below it, although delivery distance or a limited contractor pool can offset those savings.
For a standard 6-foot fence otherwise priced at $45 per foot, a high-cost market could land near $52-$59 per foot, or about $171-$194 per metre. A lower-cost market might fall around $38-$43 per foot, or $125-$141 per metre. These are planning adjustments, not fixed regional price lists; two nearby towns can differ because of access, permitting, and contractor availability.
Coastal and storm-prone locations may require sturdier posts or closer spacing, adding to the quote even where labor is moderate. In dry regions, contractors may recommend different lumber treatment or coatings. Assumptions: Adjustments apply to a basic installed rate and exclude unusual terrain, gates, and old-fence removal.
Three sample quotes for different fence scopes
These examples show how length, material, and site conditions affect a realistic total. Each assumes a 6-foot fence and includes ordinary installation; local taxes and unusually high permit fees are excluded.
| Scenario | Scope and rate | Estimated total | Price per metre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short pine boundary | 60 feet, pressure-treated boards at $36 per foot | $2,160 | About $118 |
| Typical cedar privacy run | 100 feet, cedar board-on-board at $49 per foot, one basic gate at $450 | $5,350 | About $175, including gate |
| Uneven, premium-material lot | 120 feet, hardwood at $68 per foot, challenging slope and access allowance of $900 | $9,060 | About $247 |
In the cedar example, the fence itself is $4,900 and the gate adds $450. A gate’s cost varies with width, framing, hinges, latch, and whether it needs a double-leaf design. The final example exceeds the basic range because it combines premium boards with difficult installation; it should not be treated as a typical quote.
Compare estimates on the same measured length and specification, not only on the final total. One contractor may include a gate and debris removal while another quotes only the fence line.
When removal, gates, and finishing add extra charges
Removing an existing fence commonly adds $3-$10 per linear foot, with higher charges for concrete-set posts, heavy timber, or difficult hauling. Disposal may be included in that removal figure or listed separately. Ask whether the contractor will remove and haul away all posts, concrete, and boards, or leave debris for the property owner.
Gate pricing depends on construction. A basic 3-4-foot walk gate often adds $250-$600 installed, while a wide double gate or reinforced custom gate can cost $700-$1,500 or more. Latches, self-closing hinges, and lockable hardware can add $40-$250. A gate post may need extra concrete and bracing to resist sagging.
Staining or sealing is often an additional $1-$4 per square foot of fence surface, depending on preparation, product, and access. For a 100-foot, 6-foot fence, treating both sides can mean roughly 1,200 square feet of surface, so the added charge may reach $1,200-$4,800. Confirm whether the estimate measures one face or both faces and whether new lumber must dry before treatment.
How to lower the paling fence bill without weakening it
Keep the layout straightforward where possible. Avoid unnecessary corners, short isolated runs, and extra-wide gates, all of which create more posts, cuts, and hardware per foot. Combining several fence runs into one project can reduce repeat mobilization and delivery charges, particularly when the same crew can complete them at once.
Choose a material based on exposure and maintenance needs rather than appearance alone. Pressure-treated pine usually lowers the initial bill compared with cedar or hardwood. Ask for itemized prices for each option and verify that the lumber is rated for the intended use. A lower grade that twists or splits may increase repair costs, so compare board thickness and warranty terms as well as species.
Prepare the site before installation by clearing movable items and marking sprinklers, irrigation lines, and known utilities. The property owner should not dig until utility lines have been located through the appropriate local service. Confirm property boundaries before work begins; relocating a misplaced fence can cost more than the original layout savings.
Get at least three written bids using the same height, board pattern, post spacing, gate count, and removal scope. Compare both the per-foot rate and the total. A quote that is $5 per foot lower saves $500 on a 100-foot run, but only if it includes equivalent materials, footings, cleanup, and workmanship coverage.
Repair or replace when old boards start failing
Replacing a few damaged boards can be more economical than rebuilding an entire fence. Individual board replacement may cost about $10-$35 per board installed, depending on species, access, and whether matching lumber is available. Replacing a rail or reinforcing a post may cost $75-$250 per repair. If many posts are loose, boards are decayed along the bottom, or the fence leans across long stretches, repair charges can accumulate quickly.
Full replacement is more likely to make financial sense when posts have widespread rot or the structure no longer meets the intended privacy or safety needs. A contractor may charge $3-$10 per foot to remove the old fence, then the new installation rate applies. Compare the combined repair estimate with a replacement quote that clearly separates demolition, new materials, labor, and disposal.
Wood requires periodic inspection and may need cleaning, sealing, or staining depending on climate and product. Maintenance cannot prevent all weathering, but correcting loose boards and keeping soil or vegetation from trapping moisture can reduce avoidable damage. A lower initial price is not automatically the lowest ownership cost if the boards or posts need frequent repairs.
Permits, property lines, and rules that affect the budget
Permit requirements depend on city and county rules, fence height, location, and whether the property is in a historic district or governed by a homeowners association. Permit fees often range from $25-$200, while required drawings or inspections can add cost. Taller fences, retaining-wall conditions, and fences near streets or intersections may trigger additional review.
Before accepting a quote, check local height limits, setback rules, corner-lot visibility requirements, and restrictions on fence placement. A contractor can often identify common requirements but should not be assumed to verify the property boundary or association approval. A survey may cost several hundred dollars or more, depending on the parcel and market.
Confirm the legal fence line and approval requirements before materials are ordered. Changes after installation can mean removal, reconstruction, and new labor charges. Put responsibility for permit applications, inspections, and any permit fees in the written agreement.