What to Know When Buying a Fence

Purchasing a new fence wooden fence is a significant decision that involves various factors to ensure you get the best value and durability. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide to buying a new fence:

• Labor prices are the primary cost driver of wood fence installation, followed by material selection. 
• High-quality woods like cedar and redwood cost more upfront, but offer key longevity benefits and require less repair and upkeep over time.
• Galvanized steel posts are objectively better than wooden posts. Their combination of strength and corrosion resistance is worth spending more upfront.
• Quality wood fences last 15-20 years with proper maintenance and care. Ask your installer for any warranty options, especially on workmanship. Don’t expect a manufacturer’s warranty.

Why Wooden Fences Cost What They Do — Primary Cost Driver

The primary cost driver for wooden fences is labor, followed by the type of wood, and finally how complex the fencing is.

High-quality woods like cedar and redwood are more expensive due to their natural resistance to decay and insects, offering better longevity. For a budget-friendly option, choose pressure-treated pine, but be aware: it will require more maintenance.

There are several fence material and design decisions you’ll make that directly impact the overall cost of your new wooden fence project. These decisions include:

• Posts: Galvanized steel and wooden posts are the most popular options
• Picket-Style: Do you prefer side-by-side, board-on-board, or shadowbox?
• Decorations: Choose between top caps, columns, lattice, and other decorative fence features.

Fence Post Options: Galvanized Steel vs. Wooden Posts

Galvanized posts are an objectively better choice for posts - both in long-term costs, and ongoing maintenance they’ll save you time and money. The other advantage is if you install a new fence you can reuse the old fence posts. If you can afford them, (and your local municipality or HOA allows them) The catch? They are more than twice as expensive as wooden posts.

• Galvanized Steel Posts: These posts are strong and resist rust and corrosion. While galvanized steel posts cost more upfront, ranging from $25 to $35 per post, they offer exceptional longevity and minimal maintenance. 
• Wooden Posts: Standard wooden posts are generally more affordable, costing between $5 to $15 per post, depending on the wood type. These posts can last longer if they’re set in concrete or foam (a newer option)

Choosing between galvanized steel and wooden posts will depend on your budget, desired longevity, and maintenance tolerance. 

Fence Style: Side-by-side, board-on-board, shadowbox 

If you know these 3 styles of fence you’ll know more than 90% of other homeowners when talking to a fence contractor

• Side-by-side: The most common fence type and uses the least material. This fence does have small gaps between the slats which allows your backyard to be observed.
• Board-on-board: Sometimes called a privacy fence, this style overlaps the boards to create a gapless fence. This fence uses about 30% more material than a side-by-side fence.
• Shadowbox: The least common in residential fence installation because it allows a lot of the area behind the fence to be seen. These fences are great for promoting airflow.

Fence Style Options: Top Caps, Columns, and Lattice

There are a variety of fence types and style options to customize the look to match your home's design: 

• Top Caps: Adding top caps can increase the overall cost of your fence by approximately $2 to $5 per linear foot, depending on the material and design. Common materials for top caps include cedar, redwood, and vinyl, each offering different looks and durability levels.
• Columns: Columns are decorative and usually spaced every 8-10 feet (or every fence panel on some fences) they usually add a cost of $10-15 per panel ($1 - $1.50 per linear foot)
• Lattice: Decorative lattice work is a feature added on fences with wood fence posts, it typically adds a cost of $5 - $10 per linear foot)

Abbreviated Materials Cost Guide

The following table reflects materials costs for a 6 ft. board-on-board wooden fence with galvanized steel posts. These costs were averaged across the 3 major US home retailers

A redwood, or cedar fence both have similar picket costs, but redwood runners are harder to find, and more expensive in most parts of the United States. 

Pressure-treated pine is widely available and inexpensive, but typically won’t last as long as cedar.

For a deeper dive - look at our comparison of wood fence materials.

Construction Questions You Should Ask Your Fence Installer

The first question: fence height. How tall will your fence be?  followed by how many runners it will have. Runners, or horizontal rails, are crucial for the fence's stability and durability. The height of your fence will determine the optimal number of runners needed:

• 6-foot fences: Typically, a 6-foot fence requires at least two runners —one near the top and one near the bottom. However, adding a third runner in the middle can provide extra support and prevent sagging over time, enhancing the fence's overall stability and longevity.
• 8-foot fences: Three runners are needed to support the additional height. If you’ve got extra budget and your installer has the experience try a four-runner install for even more strength and longevity.

Small changes in construction can significantly improve the quality of your fence in the long run. 

How Long Does a Quality Wooden Fence Last?

A well-constructed wooden fence can last between 15 to 20 years if it is regularly stained. Factors like the quality of the wood, local climate, and how well the fence is maintained play a significant role in its longevity. Regular sealing and staining can help extend the life of your fence by protecting it from moisture and UV damage.

Warranties for Wooden Fences

Outside of some metal fences, and specialty products like Trex (yes, we’ve seen Trex fences, and yes, they’re ugly) don’t expect significant warranties when it comes to residential fences. 

Installer Warranties

Installer warranties are the only warranty most homeowners should be worried about. Some fence companies will offer a short workmanship warranty, and this is a good thing. It’s much less common for fences to have long warranties because they’re often not structural and are much more likely to get damaged by weather.

Manufacturers Warranties

Manufacturers' warranties cover specialty products like Trex. Don’t expect a manufacturer's warranty on most fence products.

How to prepare for Install Day

Legal Stuff: Know your Property Line - pull a permit

Ask your fence company about property lines and permit pulling to make sure your fence is built on the property line. It's also wise to chat with your neighbor before you start working on your fence. Follow any local regulations from your city or HOA. These can impact things like stain choices, and fence height. 

Preparation - Marking Irrigation and Utilities

Before installation begins, mark any irrigation systems and underground utilities to prevent damage. A good fence company will handle this process, but it's good to confirm and discuss the layout of your yard and sprinkler system.

If necessary, purchase a set of yard flags and mark off sprinkler heads, and any utility lines in your yard. 

Project Duration

The duration of the installation process depends on the size of your fence and site conditions. Typically, a wooden fence installation can take anywhere from one to three days. Factors like weather, yard accessibility, and complexity of the design can influence the timeline.

If your fence isn’t pre-stained, most fence companies will schedule staining for several weeks after the installation. This gives the wood time to dry out and acclimate letting the stain better penetrate the wood

Wrap-up

Once the installation is complete, the fence company should walk you through the finished project, ensuring all gates and latches work correctly and that the fence meets your expectations. They should also clean up any debris and leave your yard in good condition.

Conclusion

Buying your first wooden fence is a significant investment that requires careful consideration of the wood type, construction methods, costs, and warranties.

• Expect labor costs to drive your overall fence price. Material selection and decorative features — top caps, lattice, etc. — comprise your other cost drivers.
• Properly maintained wood fences last 15-20 years, on average. Be sure to stain, seal and paint your fence regularly to avoid weather damage, infestation, rot and mildew.

 By understanding these factors and preparing adequately for installation day, you can ensure a smooth process and a durable, beautiful fence that enhances your home's value and aesthetics.