Clear Construction Estimates

Cost of a New Wooden Fence

Cost of a New Wooden Fence

What’s the Cost of a New Wood Fence?

The cost of a new wood fence can vary from $28/LF to $45/LF. The price largely depends on where you are located and how you want it to look or be built. In this post, we will breakdown how to estimate the cost of a new wooden privacy fence.

Overview

Fencing is one of many visible structures from your street, and can really make or break your curb appeal.  Consequentially, many homeowners wonder the price of a new wooden privacy fence. Furthermore, Everfence estimates a privacy fence will cost anywhere from $7-$45 per linear foot (LF). While parts of this may be correct, in this blog, I’ll breakdown what goes into the cost, and why you’ll never get a fence for $7/LF.

In my previous post, Construction Estimating Basics: A How To Guide I dive into how to divide your estimate into 4 main categories:
  • Materials
  • Labor
  • Equipment
  • Consumables
Similarly, we’ll take this same approach together, as we break down how to estimate the price of a new wood fence.

Disclaimer: We’re based in Texas, and pricing will reflect the current market as of the published date.

Main assumption for this post: 100 LF of fencing, excludes gates.

Demolition

To begin, if there is an existing fence, the first cost will be the removals and demolition is largely time based. However, the cost of a dumpster can increase the cost of removals. Therefore, an important factor when receiving a bid is to verify if the contractor plans to haul off the existing fence or not. Nevertheless, demolition is labor heavy. Often, two laborers can remove roughly 20 LF to 50 LF per hour. This would include approximately 3-8 posts, hauling to the dumpster or tailer on site. Importantly, where it needs to be disposed of does impact time and cost. For the purposes of this blog, we will be excluding demolition.

Materials

In order to begin, we must first make a few clarifications. First, we will assume the estimate is based on a fence similar to the one pictured above, a 6′ wooden privacy fence with a kickboard, bottom rail, mid rail, top rail, pickets on one side, and spaced at at 8′ on center (OC). Additionally, we will need gravel and concrete. In fact, Quikcrete recommends we drive posts 1/3-1/2 the post height below ground. For example, we would need to drive a 6′ high fence 2′-3′ below grade. This helps us determine what size posts and quantities of concrete and gravel required.

Materials Required

  • 4″x4″x8′ – Posts
  • 2″x4″x8′ – Bottom-rail, Mid-rail, Top Rail,
  • 1″x 4″ x 8′ – Pressure Treated Kickboard
  • 0-5/8″x3-1/2″x6′ – Pickets
  • Nails (Or Screws)
  • Concrete  – 50 Lb bags / 0.35 CF
  • Gravel – 50 lb bag / 0.5 CF
  • Water for Concrete – Excluded from cost, assumes water provided from nearby hose bib at the cost of the owner.

Calculating Quantities

As mentioned previously, we are assuming spacing of 8′ OC, and we have 100 LF of fencing. Importantly, a post will be required at the beginning and end, this will effect our calculation. We will need bottom, middle, and top rails to support each panel. These rails will be hidden by pickets on one side and include a kickboard, or rot board, one one side as well. Furthermore, we will assume 3 EA nails at each connection points for the structure and 2 EA for the pickets. As noted above, each post will be 2′ deep and will require a hole 3x the width of the post.

Calculation

  1. Posts: 100 LF / 8′ OC = 12.5 posts (round up) = 13 posts + 1 (required at starting point) = 14 EA posts
  2. Bottom-rail: 100 LF / 8′ (purchased lumber length) = 12.5 boards (round up) = 13 EA bottom rails
  3. Mid-rail: 100 LF / 8′ (purchased lumber length) = 12.5 boards (round up) = 13 EA mid-rails
  4. Top-rail: 100 LF / 8′ (purchased lumber length) = 12.5 boards (round up) = 13 EA top-rails
  5. Kick Board: 100 LF / 8′ (purchased lumber length) = 12.5 boards (round up) = 13 EA kick boards
  6. Pickets: 100 LF x 12 (Inches) / 3.5″ (Picket Width) = 342.86 boards (round up) = 343 EA pickets
  7. Bottom Rail to Post Nails: 13 EA (Ref. Calc 2 above) x 6 EA (3 EA at starting point and 3 EA at ending point = 78 EA Nails
  8. Mid Rail to Post Nails: 13 EA (Ref. Calc 3 above) x 6 EA (3 EA at starting point and 3 EA at ending point) = 78 EA Nails
  9. Top Rail to Post Nails: 13 EA (Ref. Calc 4 above) x 6 EA (3 EA at starting point and 3 EA at ending point = 78 EA Nails
  10. Kick Board Post Nails: 13 EA (Ref. Calc 5 above) x 4 EA (2 EA at starting point, and 2 EA at ending point = 52 EA Nails
  11. Pickets to Rails: 343 EA (Ref Calc 6 above) x 6 EA (2 EA at bottom, mid, and top rails) = 2058 EA Nails
  12. Area of Post: Formula for Area of a Circle (A=πr2) A = π(3.14) x 0.5 (6″ for Radius of hole) = 0.79 (area)
  13. Gravel: Volume = A x Depth = 0.79 (area) x 0.5 (depth) = 0.9 CF/Post x 14 Posts = 12.6 CF (Round Up) = 13 CF. Bags are sold by the pound, and a 50 lb bag of gravel is roughly 0.5 CF. Therefore we will need 13 CF / 0.5 = 26 EA Bags
  14. Concrete: 24″ (Depth) – 6″ (gravel depth = 18″ Depth / 12″ (Convert to feet) = 1.5′ x Area 0.79 (Reference Calc 12) = 1.19 CF/Post x 14 Posts = 16.66 CF. Bags are sold by the pound, and a 50 lb bag of concrete is roughly 0.35 CF. Therefore, we will need 16.66/0.35 = 47.6 bags (Round Up) = 48 Bags

Summary of Quantities (Including contingency)

Now that we have figured out quantities, we will summarize and account for waste. In order to do this, I like to first calculate waste. This is figured for boards that may be warped, broken in transit, incorrectly cut, or any other number of reasons. For this project we will figure 10% waste on everything. Please note everything may not require 10%, but for simplicity sake, this is what we will use. Note for builders and fencing contractors: We will not qualify our assumptions for waste as we are expected to be the professionals and the uncertainty/risk will fall on us.

Calculate Summary of Quantities

  1. 4x4x8′ – Posts = 14 (ref. calc. 1) x 1.1 = 15.4 EA (round up) = 16 EA
  2. 2x4x8 – Bottom, Mid, and top rails = 13+13+13 (ref calcs. 2, 3, and 4) = 39 x 1.1 = 42.9 (Round up) = 43 EA
  3. 1x4x8 – Kickboard = 13 (ref calc. 5) x 1.1 = 14.3 (round up) = 15 EA
  4. 5/8″x3-1/2″ pickets = 343 (ref. calc 6) x 1.1 = 377.3 (round up) = 378 EA
  5. Nails = 78 +78+ 78 +52 + 2058 (ref. calc 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) = 1788 x 1.1 = 2578.4 (Hardware stores sell boxes in different quantities. For this project, I’m assuming the use of a pneumatic nail gun instead of screws. In our case, I am quoting a box that includes 3,000. We we round our quantity up, we have 1 Box.
  6. Gravel = 26 (ref calc 13) x 1.1 = 28.6 (round up) = 29 EA
  7. Concrete = 48 (ref calc 14) x 1.1 = 52.8 (round up) = 53 bags

Material Pricing

We will first calculate the raw material cost, without taxes, and add the taxes separately.
  1. Posts – 16 EA (ref. quantity calc 1). Pricing 4″x4″x8′ #2 Ground Contact Pressure Treated SYP at 10.18/EA = 16 x $10.18 = $162.88
  2. Rails – 43 EA (ref. quantity calc 2). Pricing 2″x4″x8′ #2 Ground Contact Pressure Treated SYP at $3.98/EA = 43 x $3.98 = $171.14
  3. Kickboard – 15 EA (ref quantity calc 3). Pricing 2″x4″x8′ Ground Contact Pressure Treated SYP at 5.28 = 15 x 5.28 = $79.2
  4. Pickets – 378 EA (ref. quantity calc 4). Pricing 5/8″x3-1/2″x6′ Kiln Dried Cedar at 2.37/EA = 755 x 2.37 = $895.86
  5. Nails – 1 Box (ref. quantity calc 5). Pricing Grip-Rite 2″ Fencing Nails at 89.98/box = 1 x 89.89 = $89.89
  6. Gravel bags 29 EA (ref. quantity calc 6). Pricing Vigoro 0.5 CF Bagged All-Purpose Rock at $5.97/bag = 29 x 5.97 = $173.13
  7. Concrete bags 53 EA (ref. quantity calc 7). Pricing Quickcrete 50 Lb fast setting concrete mix at 6.91/bag = 53 x 6.91 = $366.23

Summary = Total Material Cost = $1,938.33 or $19.38/LF

Disclaimer: Many contractors will have deals with local suppliers or receive “wholesale pricing”. In turn, they can often purchase materials for less expensive than an everyday consumer. As a result, their material costs will usually be lower than what I am showing above.

Labor

Quantifying Labor

In order to calculate labor, we must discover three things:
  1. Number of workers
  2. Time Required
  3. Task type
I find it most helpful to break into task so I can truly understand the work required instead of a guess. This practice often helps me reduce mistakes in my material, equipment and consumable calculations as well.

Helpful hint: I like to say to myself “it will take     (number or workers)   workers about    (time)    minutes/hour/hours in order to        (task)      .

First, you must determine how many workers the job requires, in this case we’ll say two.
  1. Dig Holes – 2 workers 15 minutes in order to dig 1 hole.
  2. Lay base, concrete, set Post – 2 workers 30 minutes in order to lay base, pour concrete, and set 1 post.
  3. Connect rails – 2 workers 15 minutes in order to attached 8 LF of bottom, mid, and top rails.
  4. Connect pickets and kickboards – 2 workers 15 minutes to attach 8 LF of pickets and kickboards.

Pricing Labor

Labor pricing depends heavily on your trade, location, market, task, etc. For example, a fencing contractor would pay their employees less than a plumbing contractor would pay a plumber. Additionally, more experienced workers will receive higher pay. On a project like this we would likely have one experienced worker and one less experienced. Furthermore, in Austin right now, a contractor would likely pay their lower level fencing contractor around $20/HR, while they’ll pay a more experienced guy about $24/HR.

Labor Pricing

  1. Prep/Dig Holes: 2 (workers) x 0.25 (15 minutes) x 14 (posts) = 7 manhours x 22/HR (blended rate for both workers) = $154
  2. Pour/Set Posts: 2 (workers) x 0.5 (30 minutes) x 14 (posts) = 14 manhours x 22/HR = $308
  3. Connect Rails – 2 x 0.25 x round up [100 LF (total length) / 8 LF (sections)] =  6.5 manhours x 22/HR = $154
  4. Connect pickets and kickboards – 2 x 0.25 x round up [100 LF (total length) / 8 LF (sections)] =  6.5 manhours x 22/HR = $154

In summary, we will have a total of 34 manhours at a blended rate of $22/HR gives us a labor cost of $748. While this would essentially take two days of work (34 hours /2 (workers) /8 (hours per day), we would likely want some additional time for lunches, breaks, something going wrong. As a result, we will add half a day. Therefore, this additional would be 2 workers for 4 hours, or 8 manhours, at a blended rate of $22/HR gives us $176. In total, labor will cost about $924 in total.

Labor = 42 manhours = $924 or $9.24/LF

PS: As referenced in this first paragraph, almost impossible to get a new fence for $7/LF because the labor along would take that, at least on this type of fence.

Equipment

As mentioned in my previous post, Construction Estimating Basics: A How To Guide, I consider equipment as anything we may be renting in order to complete the work. It is unlikely a fencing contractor would need to rent the tools required to perform this work. However, if you’re a DIYer and do not already own the equipment, you may want to rent/purchase an auger drill for digging the posts and pneumatic nail gun for quicker connections. We can find both a pneumatic nail gun and and auger drill at a local equipment rental store or building supply store. To sum up, we will not be factoring equipment pricing into our calculations.

Consumables

Likewise, I like to consider consumables any items we use to complete the work, but do not rent as equipment. Examples of this may include a wheel barrel to transport all the bags of gravel/concrete, water hoses/extensions for concrete, gas for trips to hardware store, gas/oil for the auger, and more. For this project, we will include money for the gas and oil for the auger. Furthermore, right now gas prices are 3.73/Gal at my local gas station and a quart of oil is roughly $10. We will assume 5 gallons of gas, and Two quarts of oil.
  1. 5 GAL x $3.73 = $18.65
  2. 2 Quarts x $10 = $20

Total Consumables = 18.65 + 20 = $38.65

Taxes

Will will account for taxes on everything, however, our labor rates should be the “burdened rates” inclusive of taxes, benefits, etc. Many contractors pay their employees cash, “under the table”, and the taxes are unlawfully avoided. One reason why more established, bigger companies may have increased prices is they provide their workers with benefits and pay taxes. For this reason, we are assuming our labor rates include taxes. Therefore we need taxes on $$1,938.33 (materials) and $38.65 (consumables). The current rate in Texas is 8.25% or 0.0825.
  1. Materials = $1938.33 x 0.0825 = $159.91
  2. Consumables = $38.65 x 0.0825 = $3.18

Total Taxes = $163.10

Fees

If you are not a DIYer and hiring someone else do this work, the fee they charge will be dependent upon many factors, including, but not limited to the following:
  1. Knowledge of other contractors bidding the job
  2. Market Volatility
  3. Backlog of work
  4. Desire to work with a specific general contractor
For example, some people recommend if the contractor does not have many projects planned, they charge a 20% fee. Alternatively, if the contractor is booked 2-3 months out, they charge up to 50% fee. Additionally, if you have a general contractor, they will typically charge you to manage another subcontractor. Nevertheless, let’s dive into how these costs may add up.

Subcontractor Fees

Subcontractors will look at fees in 1 of 2 ways. First, percentage on total cost. This often fluctuates between 15-40%. Secondly, percentage on labor. The reason being, they want to ensure they are getting the best value for the time they are putting in. Generally, I like to use 20%. I do this for one main reason, wholesale pricing. As mentioned above, subcontractors can often get wholesale pricing, this is not being accounted for in the costs we have created. Therefore, if a contractor is adding 20-40% fee and receiving a minimum of 20% wholesale discount, we have effectively absorbed the cost of the fee by not pricing wholesale. If they are not receiving wholesale pricing, and adding 40% fee, they likely will not be winning any work. In another case, if they are receiving a 40% discount and adding 20% fee, their pricing would likely be closer to our exact cost.

Subcontractor Fee Calculation

Materials + Labor + Consumables + Tax = Subtotal x 1.2 = Total Subcontractor Cost In the case where they are receiving a 20% wholesale discount and adding 20% fee the cost would be as follows:
  •  1938.33 + 924+ 38.65 + 163.10 = $3,064.08 or $30.64/LF
In the case where they are receiving a 20% discount and adding 40% fee, the cost would be as follows:
  • 1938.33 + 924+ 38.65 + 163.10 = $3,064.08 x 1.2 = $3,676.90 or $36.76/LF

General Contracting Fees

If you’re working on a new build or larger construction project requiring a general contractor, they contract you have with them can really make a big difference in the pricing of scope added to the project. For example, if a contractor provides a contract stating they receive 20% of total cost, then the owner will pay an additional 20% on top of the fencing contractor. If the contractor operates on a fixed fee contract, then they would not upcharge. Keep in mind however, an additional subcontractor to manage does cost time to the general contractor, so they may reach out for some additional money. For this example we will use 20% for the general contractor/builder.

General Contractor Fee Calculation

Total subcontractor cost x 1.2 = General Contractor Cost Cost to Owner
  • $3,676.90 x 1.2 = $4,412.28 or 44/LF

Qualifications

As mentioned in my post on How to Win More Jobs and Increase Profits, qualifications are one of the most crucial elements of creating an estimate. Therefore, I include qualifications below describing the estimate we created above.
    • Includes cedar pickets on one side. Excludes pickets on both sides.
    • Includes top, mid, and bottom rail.
    • Includes a kickboard/rot board on one side.
    • Includes nail gun connections, excludes screws.
    • Excludes headers trim and post caps.
    • Excludes motorized gates.
    • Excludes permits.
    • Excludes coring through existing concrete.
    • Excludes costs for electricity for tools and water for concrete. Assumes cost provided by owner.
    • Excludes removal and haul off of existing fencing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re a DIYer, have the necessary tools, and are in the Austin, TX area at the time of my posting, your cost would be roughly my material cost plus the applicable taxes for a total of $2,140.08. or $21.40/LF. Alternatively, fencing contractors in my area would likely be charging around $30/LF to $38/LF. Lastly, if your constructing a new home, or have hired at general contractor who is pricing based on a percentage of the overall project cost, in lieu of a fixed fee for the project, they would likely be charging $40/LF to $45/LF. Keep in mind, fencing contractors are professionals and are in the business of making money, not doing free work. Furthermore, you will pay more, but you’re likely to have a better finished product, warranty, and save yourself time, headache, and effort by using their services. Alternatively, when you hire a general contractor, you’re also paying for a contracting professional who brings fencing contractors they’ve worked with and trust to the table. Will ensure a high quality product as their name is on the line. They also will coordinate the fencing with other trades such as landscaping, irrigation, drainage, etc. and will handle any permitting. Each decision comes with it’s own pro’s and cons.

Disclaimer

Clear Construction estimates does not take responsibility for pricing calculated in this post being representative of your local market. You should do your owner research for your area. We have written this to provide a general understanding of how to estimate and prices shown above are not guaranteed. We have no sponsors or affiliation with the links provided.

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