Wood fence cost per foot, pine against cedar
Wood is the least expensive way to six feet of privacy. The style and the wood you choose change the number more than people expect.
Pressure-treated southern yellow pine is the baseline: widely available, treated for ground contact, and the lowest cost per foot for a privacy fence. Western red cedar costs more because the lumber does, and it is lighter, straighter and naturally decay-resistant. Style changes the board count: a dog-ear fence uses one layer of pickets, shadow box uses roughly half again as many, and a cap rail adds trim and labor.
Lumber prices move with the market, so wood estimates are usually good for a set number of days. Beyond material, the biggest variables are height, post spacing on exposed lots, and gates.
Wood fence ranges
| Option | Installed, 2026 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pine dog-ear privacy, 6 ft | $28 – $40 / ft | Three rails |
| Pine flat-top with cap, 6 ft | $34 – $48 / ft | Trim adds labor |
| Pine shadow box, 6 ft | $34 – $50 / ft | More boards |
| Cedar privacy, 6 ft | $40 – $60 / ft | Premium wood |
| Pine picket, 4 ft | $22 – $34 / ft | Front yards |
| Board or split rail | $16 – $30 / ft | Acreage |
| Wood walk gate | $350 – $750 | Steel frame extra |
| Stain, one face | $1.00 – $1.90 / sq ft | After the wood dries |
A worked example: 150 feet of cedar versus pine
For a 150-foot run of six-foot privacy with one walk gate:
- Pine dog-ear: 150 ft at $28 to $40 plus one gate: about $4,550 to $6,750
- Cedar privacy: 150 ft at $40 to $60 plus one gate: about $6,350 to $9,750
Add roughly $900 to $1,700 if you want the pine stained on one face once it has dried.
Price questions
How long does a pine fence last here?
With good posts in concrete, a kickboard and an occasional sealer, many pine fences last fifteen years or more. Neglected fences go grey and loose much sooner.
Is cedar worth it?
If you value looks and less warping, yes. If the fence is mostly hidden, pine with a sealer is the value choice.
Why are wood quotes only good for a short time?
Lumber prices change. A short validity window protects both sides.
Does staining come with the install?
Not usually; new treated pine has to dry first. We can schedule it later.
What about termites?
Treated posts and keeping soil and mulch off the boards are the main defenses.
Keep reading
Get a written price for your yard
Tell us where the fence goes and what you have in mind. An estimator comes out, measures the line and leaves a written price, free of charge.
- Measured on site, not guessed from a photo
- Material, height and gates priced line by line
- Or call (910) 807-8208. Calls answered 24 hours, 7 days.