Wood fence installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What wood fence installation is

Wood fence installation sets treated posts, attaches rails and boards in a privacy, picket or ranch style, adds gates and finishes the wood with stain or sealer for weather protection. Wood is the most common fence material on residential lots, and it lasts when the posts are set properly and the finish is kept up.

Signs you need it

  • You want privacy from a street, a neighbor or a driveway, and a solid wood fence would block the view
  • A yard needs a classic picket fence for the look of the house, or a low ranch rail for an open feel
  • The old fence has rotted at the posts, and a new wood fence would replace the whole run
  • Pets or children need a fence that keeps them in, and a solid wood fence would do that
  • You want a natural look that suits a garden, a wooded lot or a rustic house
  • A wood fence is needed to match an existing wood deck, gate or shed on the property

What the pro does

  • Confirm the property line and mark the fence line, the post locations and the gate openings
  • Check for buried utilities, sprinkler lines and drains along the route before digging
  • Dig the post holes to the depth the fence height and soil call for, and set treated posts plumb in concrete or fill
  • Attach the rails to the posts with galvanized or stainless fasteners, keeping the rails level along the line
  • Hang the pickets, boards or privacy panels with the spacing the style requires, and trim the top to a clean line
  • Hang the gates, add the caps and trim, then stain or seal the fence on the finish schedule the wood needs

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total length, height and style, such as a six-foot privacy board or a three-foot picket
  • Wood species and treatment grade, such as pressure-treated pine, cedar or redwood, each with different longevity and cost
  • Post setting method, whether concrete, compacted fill or a post base, which depends on soil and wind
  • Number of gates and their size, especially wide drive gates that need heavier framing
  • Slope and changes in grade, which need stepped or racked panels and more labor
  • Removal of an old fence and the disposal of the old materials

What a written quote should spell out

  • Fence length, height and style, with the board width and spacing named
  • Post species, treatment and size, and the depth and method for setting them
  • Rail count and the fastener type used, such as galvanized or stainless
  • Gate sizes, hardware and the latch type
  • Stain or sealer product, the number of coats and the schedule for reapplying
  • Warranty on the posts and boards, and what it excludes, such as natural checking and weathering

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How deep are the posts, and how are they set in concrete or fill?
  • What wood species and treatment are you using, and does it carry a warranty?
  • What fasteners do you use, and will they resist rust over time?
  • How will the boards be spaced to allow for wood movement in the weather?
  • Will you stain or seal the fence, and how often will it need redoing?
  • How will the gates be hung so they stay square and latch securely?

Red flags

  • Uses untreated lumber or wood not rated for ground contact in the posts
  • Sets posts shallow or without a base, which will lean and rot at the ground line
  • Uses cheap nails or fasteners that rust and stain the boards
  • Installs the boards tight to the ground, which traps water and speeds up rot
  • Says the wood needs no finish or no reseal schedule

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can build a short wood fence with pre-built panels on a level line, if the posts are set deep enough and the line is confirmed. Call a pro for tall privacy fences, sloped runs, long fences and wide gates, since those depend on post depth and bracing to stay upright in wind. Treated lumber dust and stain products can irritate skin and lungs, so wear a dust mask, gloves and eye protection when cutting and finishing.

Licenses and permits

Whether wood fence work needs a contractor license varies by place and by job size, and tall fences, pool barriers and fences near a public way often need a permit in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, and confirm the property line rules that apply to your lot.

Wood fence installation questions

How long does a wood fence last?

The life of a wood fence depends on the species, the treatment, the post setting and how often the finish is kept up. Ask the pro what wood they are using and what the warranty covers, since the posts usually decide the life of the fence.

Should I stain or leave the wood natural?

A stain or sealer protects the wood from sun and water, and it needs to be reapplied on a schedule. A natural finish grays over time, which some owners like, but it still needs care to keep the wood from drying and checking.

Why are there gaps between the boards?

Gaps are built in on purpose, so the boards can move as they dry and get wet without buckling. Ask the pro what spacing they use for your style and wood.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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