Horizontal wood fence cost typically runs $30-$60 per linear foot installed, or about $3,000-$6,000 for 100 feet with standard materials and straightforward access. Board choice, fence height, post spacing, terrain, removal, and local labor rates can push the quote higher or lower.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed fence per linear foot | $30 | $45 | $75 | Higher end includes premium wood or complex installation |
| 100 linear feet installed | $3,000 | $4,500 | $7,500 | Assumes a typical 6-foot fence |
| Materials per linear foot | $12 | $22 | $38 | Boards, posts, rails, and basic hardware |
| Removal of old fence | $3 | $7 | $15 | Per linear foot, excluding unusual disposal |
Assumptions: U.S. dollars, a 6-foot residential fence, standard wood grades, and normal site access. Local quotes vary by region and project scope.
Horizontal wood fence prices by length and height
For a typical 6-foot horizontal fence, homeowners commonly pay $30-$60 per linear foot installed. A basic pine or pressure-treated design with standard spacing is often near the lower end; cedar, tighter board spacing, decorative details, or difficult ground conditions can move the price toward $75 per linear foot or more.
For a 100-foot run, a practical starting budget is about $4,500 before unusual site work. A 50-foot run may cost $1,500-$3,750, while 200 feet may total $6,000-$15,000. Longer projects can reduce the per-foot rate because mobilization and layout costs are spread over more footage, but that is not guaranteed.
Height changes the quantity of lumber and can affect post size and structural requirements. A 4-foot fence may cost roughly $24-$48 per linear foot installed, while a 6-foot design often falls in the $30-$60 range. An 8-foot fence may reach $45-$85 per linear foot, depending on code, bracing, wind exposure, and wood selection.
Pricing assumes a straight run on reasonably level ground, typical residential posts, and no gate or old-fence removal. Gates and corners are usually quoted separately.
How boards, posts, and labor shape the quote
Horizontal fences use more layout attention than many basic vertical-panel installations. Installers must keep long boards level, manage consistent gaps, and account for board ends and post locations. The table shows common quote components for a standard 100-foot, 6-foot fence.
| Quote component | Typical rate | 100-foot example | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boards and rails | $8-$24 per linear foot | $800-$2,400 | Wood species, grade, board thickness, and spacing |
| Posts and concrete | $3-$8 per linear foot | $300-$800 | Post size, spacing, soil, and wind load |
| Labor | $12-$30 per linear foot | $1,200-$3,000 | Layout, digging, cutting, leveling, and crew rate |
| Hardware and finish | $2-$7 per linear foot | $200-$700 | Fasteners, stain, caps, and trim |
| Delivery and disposal | $100-$1,000 per project | $100-$1,000 | Material distance and old-fence volume |
These ranges are budgeting categories rather than a promise that every quote will itemize each charge. Some contractors combine materials, labor, and overhead into a single installed rate. Others charge separately for hauling, staining, gate hardware, or permit-related work.
Labor and lumber usually make up most of the installed price. A useful labor estimate is 10-20 crew hours for a straightforward 100-foot run, though slope, obstacles, gates, and tear-out can add time. At $60-$100 per crew hour, 10-20 hours represents $600-$2,000 in direct labor before overhead and other costs.
What board spacing, height, and slope change
Board spacing is a major material driver. A fence with 1/2-inch gaps uses more boards than one with 1 1/2-inch gaps; close spacing may add 10%-25% to board quantities depending on board width and layout. No-gap privacy construction uses more lumber and can increase wind pressure, so the post and rail design may need to be stronger.
Height creates a clear threshold in both material use and stability. Moving from 6 feet to 8 feet can add roughly 20%-40% to the installed cost, especially where larger posts, deeper footings, or extra rails are needed. Local rules may limit fence height or require special approval, so the extra height is not always permitted.
Terrain and soil can also change the estimate. A modest slope may be handled by stepping the boards or following the grade, but steep sections often require extra cuts and layout time. Rocky soil can slow digging; wet or loose soil may call for deeper footings or different concrete work. A run with repeated elevation changes may add $5-$15 per linear foot.
Ask the contractor to state board spacing, finished height, post dimensions, and footing depth in writing. Those specifications make two bids easier to compare and help prevent a low quote from relying on thinner boards or lighter framing than expected.
How installation hours and crew size affect labor
A professional crew of two or three may complete a simple 100-foot installation in one to three working days, excluding delays for concrete curing, staining, or complicated demolition. A small 50-foot section can still require a minimum charge for travel, setup, and equipment, so its per-foot price may exceed that of a longer run.
Typical fence labor rates vary by market and business model. A contractor may quote $60-$100 per crew hour, while individual labor rates can be around $35-$75 per worker hour. Hourly pricing is less common for a complete fence because the final cost depends on materials and scope, but it can apply to repairs or extra work discovered after digging begins.
Scheduling and site access matter. Narrow side yards, limited material staging, utility lines, roots, and hand-digging requirements can add several hours. If machinery can reach the post line and materials can be placed nearby, installation is usually faster. Before work starts, homeowners should confirm who locates buried utilities and whether the quote includes protection for landscaping.
Compare labor scope, not just the hourly rate. One bid may include layout, concrete, cleanup, and haul-away; another may exclude some of those tasks. A written description of crew size, expected duration, and cleanup responsibilities can clarify why totals differ.
Cedar and pressure-treated pine price differences
Pressure-treated pine is commonly the lower-cost option. Installed horizontal pine fencing often lands around $30-$50 per linear foot for a standard 6-foot design. Cedar may run about $38-$70 per linear foot because of higher material prices and its appearance and natural resistance to decay. Regional supply can narrow or widen the difference.
Redwood and other premium woods can reach $50-$85 per linear foot installed, especially with clear-grade boards, custom detailing, or matching caps. The species name alone does not describe quality: knot count, board thickness, moisture, and grade all affect both appearance and lifespan. A quote should identify the specific lumber grade rather than simply saying “cedar.”
Staining is usually an additional charge, often $2-$5 per square foot of fence surface, depending on preparation and product. For a 100-foot, 6-foot fence, both sides can amount to about 1,200 square feet before openings and details, making a full two-sided finish a meaningful budget item. Some owners stain only the visible side, though appearance and protection may differ.
Choose wood based on installed cost and upkeep, not purchase price alone. Lower-cost pine can need regular sealing and closer inspection, while cedar may cost more initially. Local climate, ground contact, drainage, and maintenance schedule affect how long either material performs well.
When regional labor and delivery shift fence pricing
Installed prices in high-cost coastal cities and dense metro areas can be 15%-35% above a national mid-range estimate because of higher wages, operating expenses, and limited access. Smaller cities and rural markets may come in 10%-20% below it when labor and delivery are less expensive. These are broad comparisons, not fixed regional rates.
Material availability can reverse the usual pattern. A wood species that is locally stocked may be cheaper in one region, while a remote project may incur a substantial delivery fee. Urban jobs can face parking, narrow access, and disposal charges; rural sites may require longer travel or equipment transport. Ask whether delivery is included or shown as a separate line.
Local frost depth, wind exposure, and soil conditions can influence post size and footing depth. A fence in a windy area may need closer post spacing or stronger framing than the same design in a sheltered yard. Local building and zoning rules may also affect maximum height, setbacks, and gate placement.
Use local bids for a meaningful comparison. A national per-foot range is useful for planning, but at least three quotes from contractors serving the same area provide a better check on local labor, lumber supply, and disposal charges.
Can removal, gates, and finishing add to the total?
Removing an existing fence often costs $3-$15 per linear foot, depending on whether the old posts must be dug out, concrete footings broken up, and debris hauled away. A 100-foot tear-out can therefore add $300-$1,500. Leaving sound posts in place is not always compatible with the new layout or post spacing, so the contractor should explain whether reuse is structurally and visually appropriate.
A basic walk gate commonly adds $250-$700 installed; a wider double gate may cost $500-$1,500 or more. Heavy framing, decorative hardware, self-closing hinges, or a custom opening raise the price. Each gate should be listed by width, frame construction, latch type, and hardware so bids cover equivalent work.
Staining and sealing, decorative post caps, lattice, trim, and upgraded fasteners may add $200-$1,500 or more to a typical project. Permit fees, if required, can range from about $50-$300, while survey work or boundary corrections are separate expenses. Permit requirements and fees vary by municipality, and a permit does not replace checking property lines.
Confirm exclusions before signing. Disposal, staining, permits, landscaping repair, and utility marking may be outside a base installation quote. A lower headline price can become expensive if several necessary tasks are omitted.
Three horizontal fence quotes for common yard sizes
These examples illustrate how specifications affect totals. They assume ordinary residential access and mid-range U.S. labor costs; actual local quotes can differ. Fence length refers to the installed run, and gate or removal charges are included only where stated.
| Project example | Specifications | Estimated total | Approximate rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact side yard | 50 linear feet, 6-foot treated pine, 1 gate, no removal | $2,000-$3,400 | $40-$68 per linear foot including gate |
| Standard backyard | 100 linear feet, 6-foot cedar, moderate board spacing, basic cleanup | $4,200-$6,800 | $42-$68 per linear foot |
| Large sloped boundary | 150 linear feet, 6-foot cedar, slope adjustments, old fence removal | $8,000-$13,000 | $53-$87 per linear foot |
For the 50-foot example, installation may take about 8-14 crew hours; the 100-foot cedar run may require 16-28 hours. The sloped 150-foot project could take 30-50 hours including removal and extra layout. These are planning ranges, not guaranteed schedules, and weather or inspection timing can extend the calendar duration.
Use the example closest to the actual site, then adjust for gates, slope, and wood grade. A contractor should measure the property rather than estimating solely from a homeowner’s rough footage. Corners, returns, and changes in grade can affect lumber quantities and labor even when total length stays the same.
Can scope choices lower a horizontal fence bill?
Keeping the fence at 6 feet instead of increasing it to 8 feet is often one of the largest controllable savings. A wider board gap, standard board width, and simple flat-top layout can also reduce lumber and cutting time. Ask the installer to price two spacing options with the same wood grade and post specifications to see the actual difference.
Compare three or more written bids using identical length, height, board spacing, species, post size, and gate details. Confirm whether prices include tax, delivery, demolition, disposal, concrete, staining, and cleanup. A bid that leaves out those items should not be compared directly with a complete installed quote.
Homeowners may reduce charges by clearing vegetation and moving outdoor items before the crew arrives, if the contractor approves. Avoid doing utility-sensitive digging or removing posts without confirming the plan. Scheduling during a contractor’s less-busy period may help in some markets, but weather, material lead times, and local demand determine whether a discount is available.
DIY installation can reduce paid labor but still requires lumber delivery, post-hole digging, concrete, tools, and careful leveling. A basic materials-only budget may be $12-$30 per linear foot, before tool rental, waste, and finishing. Repairing a few loose boards or replacing a damaged post may cost less than rebuilding an entire run if the remaining framing is sound.
Save on optional design details before cutting structural specifications. Keeping adequate post depth, suitable framing, and consistent fasteners helps avoid premature leaning or board failure that could make a low initial price more expensive over time.