Fence Building Cost for Carpenters: Pricing Guide
Wood fence installation costs $18-$40 per linear foot for a 6-foot privacy fence, $12-$25 per linear foot for a 4-foot picket fence, and $25-$50 per linear foot for board-on-board or shadowbox designs. A typical 150 linear foot privacy fence runs $2,700-$6,000 installed. Gates add $200-$600 each depending on width and style.
Fence building is a consistent, high-volume service for carpenters. Nearly every homeowner with a yard needs a fence eventually, and wood fences remain the most popular choice for their aesthetics and customization potential. This work is repetitive enough to be efficient but varied enough to stay interesting — and margins are solid when you price correctly. This guide covers every cost component of wood fence construction.
Privacy Fence Pricing (6-Foot)
A standard 6-foot wood privacy fence is the most common request. Material costs per linear foot: 4x4 posts at 8-foot intervals ($8-$15 each), 2x4 rails (three per section) at $4-$7 per 8-foot board, and 6-foot pickets (dog-ear or flat-top) at $2.50-$5.00 each. You need approximately 16 pickets per 8-foot section. Total material cost runs $8-$18 per linear foot depending on wood species. Pressure-treated pine is cheapest at $8-$12/lnft, cedar costs $12-$18/lnft, and redwood runs $16-$25/lnft. Add concrete for post setting at $5-$8 per post (one 50-lb bag per post minimum, two for corner and gate posts). Hardware (nails, screws, post caps) adds $1-$2 per linear foot. Labor runs $8-$18 per linear foot for a two-person crew — experienced teams install 40-60 linear feet per day including post setting. All-in pricing: $18-$40 per linear foot. A typical 150 lnft job runs $2,700-$6,000.
Picket Fence Pricing (3-4 Foot)
Picket fences are simpler and cheaper than privacy fences but offer less material efficiency due to spacing. Material costs: 4x4 posts at 6-8 foot intervals ($6-$12 each), 2x4 rails (two per section) at $3-$6 per board, and pickets (pointed, dog-ear, or shaped top) at $1.50-$4.00 each. Picket spacing of 2-3 inches means 10-12 pickets per 8-foot section. Total material cost: $6-$14 per linear foot. Decorative picket tops (French gothic, pointed, scalloped) add $0.50-$2.00 per picket over standard dog-ear. Labor runs $6-$14 per linear foot — picket fences install faster because they are shorter and lighter, but the spacing layout requires more attention. A two-person crew can install 50-80 linear feet per day. All-in pricing: $12-$25 per linear foot. Picket fences are popular for front yards and often subject to HOA requirements on style, height, and color — verify these during your site visit.
Board-on-Board and Specialty Fence Styles
Board-on-board (shadowbox) fencing alternates pickets on opposite sides of the rails, creating a fence that looks finished from both sides. This uses 30-40% more pickets than a standard privacy fence, increasing material cost by $3-$6 per linear foot. All-in pricing: $25-$50 per linear foot. Horizontal board fencing is a modern design using 1x6 or 1x8 boards running horizontally between posts. Material costs are similar to vertical privacy fencing, but labor is 15-20% higher due to leveling each board and the need for tighter post spacing (6 feet instead of 8). Price at $25-$45 per linear foot. Estate-style fencing (post-and-rail with wire or mesh) costs $10-$20 per linear foot. Lattice-top privacy fencing adds a 12-18 inch lattice section above a solid panel, costing $4-$8 per linear foot more than standard privacy fencing. Custom designs with arched tops, decorative post caps, or mixed material (wood and metal) command $35-$60 per linear foot.
Gate Construction and Pricing
Gates are a critical fence component and a common source of callbacks if built poorly. A standard 3-foot walk gate costs $200-$400 installed, including the gate frame, pickets, hinges, latch, and gate posts (which should be 4x6 or 6x6, larger than line posts, set in extra concrete). A double gate for vehicle access (8-12 feet wide) costs $500-$1,200 installed. The key to a lasting gate is a solid frame: use 2x4 construction with a cross brace running from the bottom hinge side to the top latch side. A steel anti-sag gate kit ($15-$30) prevents sagging over time. Heavy-duty strap hinges ($15-$40 per pair) outlast standard T-hinges. Self-closing hinges add $25-$50 per gate. Gate hardware (latch, handle, drop rod for double gates) costs $20-$80 per gate. Always include gate pricing as a separate line item in your proposal. Many homeowners underestimate gate costs and experience sticker shock if gates are buried in the per-foot price.
Post Setting Methods and Costs
Post setting is the foundation of every fence, and shortcuts here guarantee callbacks. The standard method is setting posts in concrete: dig a hole 1/3 the length of the post (24 inches for a 6-foot fence with an 8-foot post), set the post plumb, and fill with concrete mix. This costs $8-$15 per post in materials and 15-30 minutes of labor per post. Post-setting foam (expanding polyurethane like Sika PostFix) is a faster alternative at $8-$12 per post — it sets in minutes versus 24 hours for concrete. However, it provides less mass and can be dislodged in loose soils. Gravel-only setting (compacted pea gravel without concrete) is the cheapest option at $3-$5 per post but offers the least stability and is not recommended for privacy fences that catch wind load. For fences in areas with high water tables, use posts with metal post bases set in concrete above grade to prevent rot at the ground line. Always set corner posts, end posts, and gate posts deeper with more concrete than line posts — these take the most stress.
How to Bid Fence Projects Profitably
Fence projects should be measured and bid per linear foot with gates priced separately. During the site visit, walk the entire fence line with a measuring wheel. Note: property line locations (verify with the homeowner — property disputes over fence placement are common), grade changes and slopes (stepped fencing on slopes adds 15-25% to labor), existing fences to be removed ($3-$6 per linear foot for removal and disposal), tree roots, rocks, and underground utilities that affect post hole digging, and HOA or municipal setback requirements. Present your proposal with a per-foot rate, total linear footage, gate quantities, and removal costs as separate line items. Include a clause for unforeseen obstacles: "Post hole obstructions (large rocks, buried concrete, root systems) requiring additional labor will be billed at $X per hour." For large fence jobs (200+ lnft), negotiate volume pricing with your lumber supplier — a 10-15% discount on materials improves your margin or lets you offer a competitive price.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 6-foot wood privacy fence costs $18-$40 per linear foot installed. Pressure-treated pine is cheapest at $18-$28/lnft, cedar runs $25-$35/lnft, and redwood costs $30-$40/lnft. A typical 150 linear foot project costs $2,700-$6,000 total. Gates add $200-$600 each. These prices include posts, rails, pickets, concrete, hardware, and labor.
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