Cost to Build a Wood Privacy Fence
A wood privacy fence adds privacy or replaces a worn or damaged fence. Building one involves laying out the fence line, setting posts in concrete, and attaching rails and pickets before sealing or staining the wood. The work is straightforward but physical; keeping posts plumb and evenly spaced is the part that demands care.
Common reasons homeowners do this job
- Wanting more privacy outdoors
- Replacing a worn wood fence
- Replacing damaged fencing
- Upgrading an existing fence to a wood privacy fence
DIY or call a pro?
Consider hiring a professional if the physical digging and post-setting work is beyond what you can comfortably manage, or if you are unsure about the layout or keeping posts plumb. Call 811 to have buried utilities located before digging. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling pressure-treated lumber and concrete, which can be hard on skin.
Frequently asked questions
- Is building a wood privacy fence a reasonable DIY project?
- Yes, it is a moderate DIY project if you can handle physical work and careful layout. Plan on using a post hole digger or auger, level, string line, circular saw, drill/driver, wheelbarrow, and tamping bar. If setting straight, evenly spaced posts feels beyond your skills, hire a professional rather than treating the picket installation as the main challenge.
- What makes a wood privacy fence installation more expensive?
- The price scales with the length of the fence, the labor involved, and the materials selected. Posts, rails, pickets, concrete, exterior fasteners, and stain or sealer all contribute to the material scope. Removing and hauling away an old fence can also raise the total when replacement is part of the job.
- What should I check before laying out the fence posts?
- Confirm your property line and check local fence height rules before settling the layout. Check with your local building department whether this work needs a permit. Have buried utilities marked through 811 before digging, and plan post spacing, typically 6–8 feet on center, with stakes and string.
- Can I attach the rails as soon as the posts are set?
- Wait for the concrete to cure. Setting a post in concrete is only the first step before the rails and pickets can be carried. Let the concrete cure before hanging anything on the posts, even when using fast-setting concrete. Keep the post-setting stage separate from attaching the rest of the fence.
Have a different situation?
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