Fence Costs Calculator

Enter your fence length, post spacing, and board style. Then enter a price per linear foot in the optional cost field at the bottom. If you have a contractor quote per linear foot, enter it there to see a total project estimate. The calculator also shows a rough DIY material cost reference below the result based on typical lumber yard prices.

For a more accurate DIY estimate, use the material counts (posts, pickets, rails, concrete bags) and multiply each by your local prices. Lumber prices vary by region and change frequently, so always check current prices at your local yard before finalizing a budget.

Total fence cost breaks down into five line items. You can price each individually for an accurate budget.

• Posts: Post Count x Price per Post. A 100-foot fence at 8-foot spacing needs 14 posts.
• Concrete: Post Count x 2 bags x Price per bag. 14 posts = 28 bags.
• Rails: Fence Length x Number of Rails x Price per Linear Foot of 2x4. 100 ft x 3 rails = 300 LF.
• Pickets/Boards: Picket Count x Price per Board. A solid 6-ft fence uses 343 boards per 100 LF.
• Hardware and waste: Add 10 to 15 percent to the total.

Example: 100-foot cedar privacy fence. Posts: 14 x $18 = $252. Concrete: 28 x $9 = $252. Rails: 300 LF x $0.90 = $270. Pickets: 343 x $2.80 = $960. Hardware/waste: +$170. Total materials: about $1,904.

Get lumber prices before finalizing your budget. Lumber prices shift with the market. Call your local lumber yard the week you plan to buy. Online prices are often outdated and regional prices can vary by 30 to 50 percent from national averages. Ask about bundle discounts for full packages of 50 or 100 pickets.

Buy extra concrete from the start. Concrete is cheap and running out mid-project wastes time. Buy 3 to 4 extra bags beyond your calculated count. Leftover concrete bags store indefinitely in a dry location.

Rent tools rather than buy for a one-time project. A gas auger rents for $100 to $150 per day at most tool rental shops. Buying one costs $600 to $1,200. For a single fence project, renting saves money. A level post-setting guide is worth renting too if you are setting more than 15 posts.

Shop multiple sources for posts. Big-box stores are convenient but lumber yards often have better prices on quantity orders and better-quality straight posts. Pull posts from the bundle yourself and reject any with severe bow or twist.

Posts: 4x4 UC4B ground-contact pressure-treated posts. Get 9-foot or 10-foot lengths for a 6-foot fence. Reject posts with large knots near the base or significant bow.

Boards: Cedar 1x6 dog-ear fence boards in 6-foot lengths for a privacy fence. Look for smooth, knot-free faces on the show side. Some brands sell pre-primed boards that take paint immediately.

Rails: 2x4x8 pressure-treated boards. For 8-foot post spacing, 8-foot boards cut to exact length are efficient with no waste. Buy treated not untreated even for above-ground rails: below-grade splashback rots untreated wood within a few seasons.

Concrete: Quikrete Fast-Setting 60-lb bags. The fast-set formula is ideal for fence posts because it allows you to set multiple posts in one day without waiting for standard concrete to cure between posts.