Fence installation cost: wood privacy fence per foot, by yard size and by state
A typical backyard, 150 ft of fence: about $4,850 to $6,700, typically $5,400. That's a new 5 to 6 foot treated wood privacy fence, priced by the foot, plus the contractor's overhead, profit and sales tax. Everything in, it runs $32.50 to $44.50 a linear ft.
Anthony Hicks30+ years in construction. Updated November 5, 2026.
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What it costs
| Job | Cost |
|---|---|
| A small yard, 100 ft of fence | $3,250 to $4,450 |
| A typical backyard, 150 ft of fence | $4,850 to $6,700 |
| A large yard, 250 ft of fence | $8,100 to $11,200 |
About $32.50 to $44.50 a linear ft, everything in.
Totals include the contractor's overhead and profit (20%) and the state's average sales tax. Prices as of November 2026.
What’s in these numbers
Each total is a typical job, priced the way a contractor’s estimate is priced:
- A new wood privacy fence, 5 to 6 feet high, in treated lumber, by the linear foot.
- Overhead and profit: 20%, the standard markup on a contractor’s estimate.
- Sales tax on the materials, at the state’s average rate.
The sizes are feet of fence: a backyard 50 feet wide and 50 feet deep, fenced on three sides from the house, takes about 150 feet.
Not in them: gates, tearing out an old fence, clearing brush, digging through rock or roots, a survey of the property line, permits, and stain or sealer.
Wood, cedar or chain link
On the same yards, priced the same way:
| Yard | Treated wood, 5 to 6 ft | Cedar, 5 to 6 ft | Chain link, 4 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft | $3,250 to $4,450 | $4,650 to $6,100 | $2,250 to $2,950 |
| 150 ft | $4,850 to $6,700 | $6,900 to $9,100 | $3,400 to $4,400 |
| 250 ft | $8,100 to $11,200 | $11,600 to $15,100 | $5,600 to $7,300 |
Totals include the contractor’s overhead and profit (20%) and the state’s average sales tax. The vinyl fence cost guide prices vinyl privacy fence, and the chain link fence cost guide has chain link by state.
What moves the price
- Height and style. Taller fences and board-on-board styles take more lumber than a 4 foot or single-side fence.
- The wood. Cedar costs more than treated pine, as the table shows.
- Gates. Each walk or drive gate is priced on its own, with its hardware.
- The ground. Slopes, rock, roots and tight access slow the post holes.
- The old fence. Tearing out and hauling away an old fence adds to the job.
- Where you live. Pick your state in the box above.
Measuring for a fence
- Walk the line where the fence goes and measure each straight run.
- Add the runs up for the total length, leaving the house wall out where the fence meets it.
- Note the gates and their widths, and the corners and ends, which take heavier posts.
- Type the total in the box above for the range at that length.
Common questions
How much does a fence cost per foot?
$32.50 to $44.50 a linear ft for a treated wood privacy fence 5 to 6 feet high, with overhead, profit and sales tax included.
How much does it cost to fence a backyard?
A typical backyard with about 150 feet of fence comes to about $4,850 to $6,700 in treated wood, typically $5,400.
How much is 100 feet of privacy fence?
About $3,250 to $4,450 in treated wood, or $4,650 to $6,100 in cedar.
Does homeowners insurance cover a fence?
When a covered event such as a fallen tree or wind damages it, a homeowner’s policy usually covers the fence under other structures, subject to the deductible and the policy’s terms.