Wood Fence Cost

$15 to $40/lf

The most common residential fence style. Vertical boards are butted tightly edge-to-edge and nailed to horizontal rails running between posts. Dog-ear refers to the diagonal cuts on the top two corners of each board, giving the fence a classic residential look. This style is the fastest to install and the most affordable per linear foot. It provides complete visual privacy from a direct angle. All boards face outward on one side, meaning the rail side faces inward toward the owner's yard. Common in 6-foot height for rear yard privacy.

$28 to $55/lf

Alternating vertical boards are attached on opposite sides of the horizontal rails so each board overlaps the previous by 1 to 2 inches. The result is a fence that looks identical from both sides and provides complete privacy from a direct angle while allowing airflow through the gaps at an angle. Board-on-board uses 20 to 25 percent more lumber than a standard privacy fence but is only marginally slower to install. It is the preferred style for shared property line installations where both neighbors see the same face. Also called a shadow-board or board-and-board fence.

$38 to $95/lf

Boards run horizontally between posts rather than vertically. The contemporary look is the primary draw: horizontal lines visually widen the yard and suit modern and mid-century architectural styles. Each board must be individually leveled during installation, adding 30 to 50 percent more labor per linear foot compared to a standard vertical privacy fence. Horizontal fences require more structurally robust posts (6x6 recommended) because the boards act as horizontal load distributors rather than self-supporting vertical members. Cedar and white oak are the most common species for this style.

$18 to $55/lf

A shadow box fence alternates boards on opposite sides of the rail with 1 to 2 inch gaps, creating a semi-private screen that allows wind and light through while blocking direct views. It looks the same from both sides and suits front yards where full privacy is not needed. A picket fence uses shorter, spaced vertical boards (typically 4 feet tall) in either a flat-top or pointed-top profile. Picket fences are primarily decorative, used to define property lines, protect gardens, or add curb appeal. Both styles work well in cedar and paint-grade pine.

Every additional foot of fence height adds one more row of boards, one more rail, and increases the required post depth and diameter. A 6-foot fence uses 50 percent more lumber than a 4-foot fence of the same length and adds 20 to 30 percent more labor per linear foot. An 8-foot fence requires 6x6 posts in many jurisdictions (rather than 4x4) for structural stability, adding material cost and requiring deeper, wider footings. Fence height is often constrained by local codes: front yard fences are commonly limited to 4 feet, while side and rear yard fences can typically reach 6 feet without a variance.

Switching from pressure-treated pine to cedar for a 100 lf privacy fence adds $300 to $700 in material cost but extends the expected fence life and eliminates the need for chemical treatment in food-garden adjacent areas. Upgrading from cedar to white oak for a horizontal fence adds $1,500 to $3,000 in material cost for 100 lf, driven by white oak's higher board-foot price of $7 to $12 versus cedar's $3.50 to $6.50. Ipe adds $3,000 to $6,000 over cedar for the same run and also increases labor by 25 to 35 percent because of its extreme density and the need to pre-drill every fastener. See the{' '}hardwood lumber prices guide for current species pricing.

Style affects both material quantity and labor time significantly. A horizontal fence requires every board to be individually leveled as it is installed, adding 30 to 50 percent more labor per linear foot compared to a standard vertical privacy fence where boards are simply butted edge-to-edge and nailed to the rails. A board-on-board fence uses 20 to 25 percent more lumber than a flush privacy fence because of board overlap, but adds minimal labor. A shadow box fence uses slightly more lumber than a standard privacy fence and adds 15 to 20 percent more installation time because boards are alternated on opposite sides of the rail. Decorative elements like chamfered post tops, lattice cap sections, and carved post finials can each add 30 to 90 minutes per post.

Labor efficiency improves on longer fence runs because setup time, post layout, and material staging are spread across more boards. A 200-lf run is rarely twice the labor of a 100-lf run: it is closer to 1.6 to 1.8 times as much, depending on the number of corners and slope changes. Conversely, short fence runs (under 50 lf) often carry a higher per-foot rate because the fixed costs of layout, concrete, and equipment use cannot be amortized over many boards. When pricing a fence with multiple short sections on different sides of a property, treat each section as a separate cost center for labor efficiency.

A simple flat cedar gate (matching the fence style, 3 to 4 feet wide) adds $500 to $900 to the project total, including gate framing lumber, hinges, latch hardware, and 5 to 7 hours of labor. A double-drive gate (two panels that swing inward for vehicle access) adds $1,200 to $2,500, including a drop rod for the inactive panel, heavy-duty galvanized hinges rated for the gate weight, and a gate post sized for the load (often 6x6 rather than 4x4). An arched gate with a decorative curved top rail requires a jig or bending template and adds 2 to 3 hours over a flat-top gate. Gates are typically the highest per-unit cost item on a fence quote and should always be listed as a separate line item.

Cedar and redwood can be left unfinished in many climates, weathering naturally to a consistent silver-grey. Most clients prefer a penetrating exterior oil or semi-transparent stain to maintain the wood color and provide UV protection. A penetrating exterior oil for a 100-lf fence costs $80 to $150 in materials and adds 4 to 6 hours of labor for two coats with a roller. Painted fences (primarily for pressure-treated pine) require primer, two topcoats, and sanding between coats, adding 8 to 14 hours and $100 to $200 in materials for 100 lf. Horizontal fences with tight board spacing can be difficult to spray and may require brush-and-roll application, which significantly slows the finish process. Ipe and black locust can be left unfinished and allowed to silver naturally.