How Much Does It Cost to Install a Picket Fence? [2025 Data]

Picket Fence Material

The type of material you choose impacts how much you spend on your picket fence, with metal fences generally costing the most and wood and vinyl fences costing the least.

Bamboo

Bamboo picket fences cost between $9.50 and $17 per linear foot on average. Most bamboo picket fences range from three to four feet tall, with four-foot fences falling toward the higher end of the price tag and three-foot fences falling toward the lower end. Building a bamboo fence offers a relaxing, tropical aesthetic to yards, which can amplify the atmosphere if you use water elements and plants to your advantage.  

Metal

Metal picket fences cost between $12 and $50 per linear foot, putting them at the top of the price range. Despite their higher price tag, metal picket fences are the most durable option and can turn any yard into a regal estate. You can find metal picket fences that go up to eight feet tall, making them perfect for keeping wild animals out and beloved pets in your yard.

Vinyl 

The cost of a vinyl picket fence ranges from $6.25 to $17 per linear foot. Vinyl fencing is easily customizable and cheaper than most other types of fencing upfront. Some homeowners choose vinyl fencing vs. wood fencing because of its low maintenance, but keep in mind that vinyl is susceptible to UV damage, making it less suitable for sunny, hot climates.

Vinyl shadowbox picket fences are an alternative to traditional picket fences that offer privacy while still possessing the charm of conventional picket fences. For this style, you’ll end up spending somewhere between $30 and $45 per linear foot. 

Wood

Wood fences cost between $6 and $18 per linear foot. There are many types of wood fences, so choosing the best wood for fences can help with managing costs. Cedar and pine fences are two popular choices. Red cedar wood costs the most, while pine picket fences cost the least. Though red cedar has a higher price tag, it is more durable and resistant to rot and pests, making cedar fence ideas appealing to many yards.

Remember, wood has a lower upfront cost than many other picket fence materials, but it’s a high-maintenance material that requires routine staining or painting. To put that into perspective, staining cedar costs an additional $2 to $4 per square foot.

Size of Picket Fence

The average cost of a picket fence is between $6 and $50 per linear foot in materials and another $10 to $30 per linear foot in labor. Combined, you’ll spend between $16 and $80 per linear foot to have the perfect fence for your yard. Since the average residential backyard needs 200 linear feet of fencing materials, most fences cost between $3,200 and $16,000.

Fences range from 100 to 600 linear feet, but every property is different, making it important to correctly measure your yard and plan accordingly. Here’s a breakdown of picket fence costs by linear foot.

Picket Fence Contractor Costs

Labor for installing a picket fence can range anywhere from $10 to $30 per linear foot on average depending on where you live, the project scope, and the type of materials. Projects that require digging into dense, rocky soil may cost more than no-dig fences or digging into loam. 

If a fencing pro near you charges by the hour, expect to pay somewhere in the $25 to $80 per hour price range, with the more difficult terrains costing the most and the most level, easy soil costing the least.

In addition to installing your picket fence, your pro may also offer the following services:

• Fence painting: $750 to $4,250

• Pressure washing: $100 to $350

• Gate installation: $900 to $3,800

General Contractor Costs

A general contractor typically charges around 10% to 20% of the cost of the project, but some charge daily rates of $300 to $500, plus $40 to $50 per hour for every subcontractor they hire. If you need land-clearing services, then it might be a good idea to also work with a general contractor to hire reputable contractors in your area to handle tree removal, tree trimming, boulder removal, land grading, and more before you work with a fence company. 

Additional Cost Factors

You may face other cost factors that could influence your total budget, including preparation work, demolition of old fencing materials, and permits. Here’s what you need to know about how much these add-ons could cost.

Prep

Prep work is a major component of undeveloped land. If you plan on fencing in undeveloped land, you could spend between $3,300 and $12,700 just to have your property ready to go. Land preparation work could mean any of the following projects:

• Boulder removal: $650 to $1,200

• Land clearing: $1,400 to $6,200

• Tree removal: $200 to $2,000

• Yard leveling: $1,000 to $3,300

Demolition

Your existing fence must come down if you plan on replacing an old fence. This additional step will cost around $3 to $7 per linear foot, or between $600 and $1,400 for a typical fence that measures 200 linear feet. Some pros may bundle services together to offer you a deal, so check with your fence installer to see if they can remove the old fence for you.

Permits 

The average cost of a permit for building a fence is between $100 and $500. How much you’ll pay for a permit depends largely on where you live and local regulations. For instance, most municipalities don’t require permits for fences under six feet tall, but you’ll need to contact your building department or ask a pro if you need a permit for your picket fence. 

DIY Installing a Picket Fence vs. Hiring a Pro

If you know how to build a picket fence, you can save between $10 and $30 per linear foot on your fence—or $2,000 to $6,000 for a 200-linear-foot fence. These major savings can be very tempting, but installing a fence is an intermediate-level project that requires a lot of supplies, physical labor, and accuracy to ensure that the fence is long-lasting.

We recommend working with a local fencing company to handle the job. A pro can help prepare your property for a strong fence installation, handle any necessary permits, and resolve any unexpected issues that arise.

Picket Fence Replacement vs. Repair

Fence repair costs range between $300 and $950 on average. The best way to tell if you should repair or replace your picket fence is to calculate whether or not the repair costs exceed 50% of replacing it. For example, if your 200-linear-foot fence is in poor condition and would cost $4,800 to fix, investing in a new fence makes more sense.

How You Can Save Money While Installing a Picket Fence

Picket fences come with a high price tag—especially if you opt for high-end materials. Fortunately, there are ways you can cut costs and still have that picket fence you’ve always wanted. Follow these tips to get started:

• Choose vinyl or wood fencing over metal or bamboo.

• Decrease the total linear feet of space you want to enclose.

• Demolish your old fence yourself.

• If you have the skills, DIY the installation.

• Opt for a shorter fence of three or four feet over a six-foot fence.

• Learn how to paint wood paneling to avoid labor costs.

Does Installing a Picket Fence Increase Home Value?

Installing a picket fence can add much-needed curb appeal to a home, enhance security, and appeal to buyers looking for a home with a white picket fence. At the same time, a picket fence alone doesn’t necessarily mean your home’s value will increase. It’s important to work with a local real estate agent to see which investments best benefit your home based on your location, demand, and a project’s overall ROI.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.