Welcome to the definitive Wood Fence Cost Calculator. Estimate the total material and labor expenses for your new fence project quickly and accurately, whether you’re working with a contractor or planning a DIY build.
Cost to Build Wood Fence Calculator
Estimated Total Cost:
$0.00Wood Fence Cost Calculator Formula
The calculation uses a simple, comprehensive model that aggregates per-foot costs for materials, labor, and a contractor’s standard overhead and profit margin.
Where: Total Cost = $C_{T}$, Length = $L$, Material Cost = $C_{M}$, Labor Cost = $C_{L}$, Overhead Rate = $R_{O}$
$$ C_T = L \times (C_M + C_L) \times (1 + R_O) $$
Formula Source: HomeAdvisor, Fixr
Variables Explained
- Fence Length (Linear Feet): The total distance of the fence line. This is the primary driver of cost.
- Material Cost per Linear Foot ($): The blended average cost of lumber, posts, concrete, fasteners, and hardware required per foot of fence.
- Labor Cost per Linear Foot ($): The contractor’s charge for digging, setting posts, and assembly, standardized per foot.
- Contractor Overhead/Margin (%): A percentage added by the professional installer to cover business overhead, profit, and incidentals.
Related Calculators
- Deck Building Cost Estimator
- Concrete Slab Cost Calculator
- Roofing Material Cost Analyzer
- Retaining Wall Material Calculator
What is the Wood Fence Cost Calculator?
The Wood Fence Cost Calculator is an essential tool for homeowners and builders to quickly budget for fence installation projects. It moves beyond simple material costs by integrating all three key financial components: raw materials, skilled labor, and necessary contractor overhead/profit.
Understanding the total cost per linear foot—which combines both material and labor costs—is crucial for making informed decisions. Our calculator allows you to input custom rates from local suppliers and contractors, providing a highly personalized and realistic budget estimate that accounts for regional cost variations and fence style complexity (e.g., privacy vs. picket).
How to Calculate Wood Fence Cost (Example)
Follow these steps to estimate a 200-foot pressure-treated pine fence with a 15% contractor margin:
- Determine Length and Per-Foot Costs: Assume the fence length is 200 linear feet, material cost is $15/ft, and labor cost is $10/ft.
- Calculate Total Cost Per Foot: Add the material and labor costs: $15 + $10 = $25.
- Calculate the Subtotal Cost: Multiply the total cost per foot by the length: $25 × 200 = $5,000.
- Apply Overhead/Margin: Convert the 15% margin to a factor (1 + 0.15 = 1.15).
- Find the Final Total Cost: Multiply the subtotal by the factor: $5,000 × 1.15 = $5,750.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
While this calculator uses cost per linear foot for simplicity, a taller fence (e.g., 8 feet vs. 6 feet) requires significantly more material (boards and longer posts), which increases the material cost per linear foot. Always adjust the material cost input to reflect the height.
A contractor’s overhead (covering insurance, tools, and business operations) is fixed, but their profit margin might be slightly negotiable, especially for larger projects or during the off-season. Be realistic—a fair margin ensures quality work.
Linear feet measure the distance of the fence line (e.g., 100 feet long). Square feet measure the total area of the boards (e.g., 100 feet long by 6 feet high = 600 sq ft). Fence quotes are typically given in linear feet.
Common types include pressure-treated pine (most affordable), cedar (mid-range, naturally resistant to rot), and redwood (premium, highly durable). Cost per linear foot can range from $10 for pine to over $35 for custom redwood.