How Much Does It Cost To Build A Privacy Fence?

Whether you recently installed a new outdoor living area or decided to add a fun pool to your yard, you may wish to better protect the outside portions of your home and add a greater degree of privacy by buying a new fence. Luckily, there are a wide variety of privacy fences available to visually and physically separate your yard from its surrounding environment (per Law Insider).

To install a privacy fence, Lawn Starter estimates that the price should range between $1,788 and $6,961 with an average cost of $4,375. Of course, these figures largely depend on the style and size of the fence you choose. Of the available options, a stockade privacy fence is the most popular. Columbus Fence Pros explains that a stockade privacy fence is made up of boards that are placed side-by-side with no gaps in-between. On average, this type of fence costs between $8 and $15 per linear foot. Your fence can also be personalized with a variety of picket toppers that can provide even more protection for your yard (per Remodeling Expense), but it's important to consider the added expense. If you think adding a privacy fence is a necessary and important thing to add to your garden, join House Digest in breaking down everything it takes to add this structure to your yard.

When it comes to adding a privacy fence to your yard, there are a variety of factors that affect the overall price of installation, including the removal of an old fence, labor, materials, and other add-ons. Let's take a closer look at these below.

Fence removal

If you already have a fence in your yard, it may cost you to remove it before a new privacy fence can be installed. Family Handyman states that although it depends on the type of fence you currently have, it may be possible to remove it on your own. The task becomes difficult, however, when it comes to removing posts from the ground. If you prefer to skip the struggle and hire a professional crew to remove it, Angi states that you can expect to pay between $3 to $5 per linear foot for the removal and disposal of the old fence. Keep in mind, however, that extra labor fees may also be added, depending on the crew you hire.

Labor

Most homeowners pay an average of $35 per hour to have a privacy fence professional installed around their property. This means that the more time it will take to install the fence to your exact liking, the more their services will cost. Angi further explains that most professionals can install an average 150 linear foot fence in about 24 hours of labor time, which is usually spread over several days of work. This means that you can expect to pay an average of $875 for the professional installation of a privacy fence.

Materials

The type of materials your fence is made out of also affects the total cost of your privacy fence. The three most important materials you need for a privacy fence include posts, a concrete base, and a gate that allows you to enter and exit the fenced-in area. Angi states that you can choose from two main materials to act as the posts for your privacy fence: wood or vinyl. Although Bob Vila points out that vinyl is a better outdoor material, you can expect to pay around $90 per post, while a wooden post only costs around $4. A concrete base for a privacy fence, however, usually costs a solid price of $0.30 per pound, and for a gate that manually opens, you can expect to pay $275. You may also need panels, which cost around $270 apiece, post caps which cost around $30 per cap, and top and bottom rails which cost around $80.

Size

The size of your privacy fence also affects the price. The larger the fence, the more materials you will need for the fence and the longer a professional crew will take to install the fence. This includes both the size regarding the length and the height of the fence. The length, obviously, depends on your yard and the amount of space you would like enclosed. The height of your fence, however, is more negotiable.

Angi states that there are two standard heights when it comes to privacy fences: a six-foot fence or an eight-foot fence. Keep in mind, however, that depending on the city you live in, the height of your privacy fence may be limited depending on the rules and regulations outlined for that area. Nevertheless, for an average 150 linear foot fence that is 6 feet tall, you should expect to pay a total price of around $4,700. For the same length fence that is 8 feet tall, the cost will be around $6,300. 

After adding an element of privacy and protection to your yard, you may also start to consider adding other features to your fence or to your yard now that it can be enjoyed in peace. Let's take a look at some suggestions below.

Fence add-ons

In addition to the fence itself, you may want a specific style or extra features such as an automatic gate opener, lighting, or a new paint job. Angi estimates that you should expect to pay roughly $2,000 total for both materials and labor to paint a fence. Electronic upgrades like an automatic gate opener can cost as much as $2,700 for both the item and its installation. Smaller add-ons, like lighting, however, only cost around $80 per light.

Pool

Once you have an element of protection and privacy added to your yard, you can add fun outdoor additions, like a pool, for your fun and enjoyment. Installing an inground pool can be rather expensive, ranging between $28,000 and $55,000, according to Forbes. They go on to say, however, that the average above-ground pool is very convenient and available for a much lower price range between $2,500 and $11,200.

Luxurious yard additions

Other yard additions such as an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, outdoor lighting, or even a hot tub can help create an atmosphere of luxury in your newly-established private outdoor living space. Though the total depends on personal preference and budget, Lawn Starter states that an outdoor kitchen can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $18,000. Hot tubs are similarly expensive, ranging between $10,000 and $12,000. Firepits, on the other hand, are a much less expensive luxury and usually cost between $500 and $3,000, and outdoor lighting systems typically do not cost more than a couple of hundred dollars per square foot, with a variety of cheaper options also available.

Before jumping into your fence installation process or even thinking about add-ons, you'll need to consider the various types and material options available. Depending on your yard, lifestyle, and personal wants and needs, one type of privacy may better suit you compared to the others available.

Stockade Fence

Starting with the most common type of privacy fence, stockade fences are made up of vertical boards placed side-by-side, revealing no gaps in-between, according to Columbus Fence Pros. They can be customized with pointed pickets at the top of the fence, keeping unwanted guests from climbing over.

Shadowbox Fence

Another popular type of privacy fence is the shadow box fence, which has a symmetrical pattern on either side, as boards are placed on alternating sides of central posts. Although there are small gaps in between the fence, it still allows for an ample amount of privacy and will still allow a pleasant breeze to pass through your yard. Columbus Fence Pros emphasizes that this type of privacy fence is great for homes with nearby neighbors because the beautiful, finished product can be enjoyed on from either side.

Board-on-board Fence

When installing a board-on-board privacy fence around your home, you can expect a similar installation to a normal picket fence, though with additional boards overlapping vertically. This style is more expensive, however, because more material is needed to create the overlapping pattern.

Lock board Fence

This type of privacy fence is composed of boards that fit snuggly together into one big panel, creating a continuous, flush wall. Columbus Fence Pros points out that lock board fences are known for being a very strong kind of fence, which blocks airflow. This can be great for protecting your yard from heavy gusts of wind, but on the other hand, it may also prevent nice breezes from blowing through your yard.

Lattice Fence

Columbus Fence Pros explains that a lattice fence does not provide as much privacy as other styles of fence, as the criss-cross pattern leaves gaps that onlookers can see through to some degree. This type of fence is more decorative than private, but it can be further bolstered with trained climbing vines that add some privacy, in the warmer months at least. 

Horizontal Fence

With a style to stockade fences, a horizontal privacy fence is installed with horizontal pickets that completely block your yard from prying eyes. This style is generally preferred by homeowners seeking a more modern or contemporary look that better complements their home. Keep in mind, however, that this type of fence is more expensive than the other types and may not last as long if it is not installed with quality materials. As Columbus Fence Pros warns, the horizontal pickets can quickly start to sag if quality lumber is not used.

Adding a privacy fence to your yard can be a significant investment, and you'll likely want to know how to maintain your fence to keep it looking and functioning beautifully well into the future. Maintenance will largely depend on the material from which your fence is made, but according to Bravo Fence, upkeep is not a particularly difficult task to take on. 

Maintaining wooden fences

Most privacy fences are made out of wood, which also happens to need a fair amount of maintenance in an outdoor setting. If neglected, wooden fences can rot, dry out and warp, or accrue damage from wood-eating insects. To best maintain your wooden fence, Bravo Fence recommends that the wood be sealed at installation, and resealed on a regular basis. You can seal with paint, which will last two to three years, or stain, which should last three to five years. Keeping the wood clean is also an important part of maintaining your fence. This involves clearing away pollen with a little bit of soapy water and removing stains with some heavier cleaners or a power washer. Finally, to always ensure your fence is in good shape, make it a routine to check around your fence every month for damages or anything that may need replacing.

Maintaining vinyl fences

Compared to wooden fences, vinyl fences are considered more low maintenance. Bravo Fence mentions that they are not susceptible to rotting, don't need to be painted or repainted, and are largely ignored by hungry insects. Vinyl fences, however, can still benefit from regular maintenance, which is pretty simple — they usually only need to be sprayed down with a garden hose to stay looking great. For stubborn dirt or stains, you can use soap or other cleaning agents such as vinegar and bleach. This can either be done by hand or with a power washer, depending on the size of your fence.

Privacy fences are packed with a variety of benefits for both you and your family, making it a worthwhile investment for your home, claims Zephyr Thomas. Let's take a look at some of these benefits below.

Provides privacy and boundaries

As the name implies, a privacy fence brings an element of security to your yard. Whether you want to prevent frequent passersby from looking onto your property or keep neighbors from gazing in, a privacy fence is perfect for blocking the view into your yard. Along with providing a visual blockage on your property, a privacy fence also creates a physical boundary. This keeps unwanted objects, people, and animals from entering.

Safety and security

Privacy fences also increase the safety of your yard, especially if you have pets and young children. Pets can run free throughout your yard without you ever needing to fear that they might wander off. Your children will also be able to play safely in your yard without the threat of neighborhood pets or wild animals intruding. If security around your home is also a concern, you can add locks onto the gates of your fence to add another barrier to your home, further warding off unwanted visitors or intruders.

Protection from weather

As mentioned before, depending on the type of privacy fence you decide to install, some forms of weather can also be blocked from your property. For example, heavy winds can be broken by privacy fences, leaving your yard untouched. Zephyr Thomas mentions that it can specifically help shelter potted plants and other forms of landscaping. Depending on the height of the fence, a privacy fence can also create shaded portions over your lawn so even sun-sensitive individuals can enjoy their yard even on hot and sunny days.