There’s not a more traditional type of fence than wooden pickets, because it has long been the way to enclose property and add the eye-catching appeal of charm and warmth. Today’s variety of pickets range from those typically sold with pointed tips and others with wide straight-cut tops or scalloped top pickets. The more contemporary pickets are narrow and spaced close together, while classic pickets are wider and broadly spaced. You’ll find a variety of styles in sections measuring 3 to 4 feet high and in 48- or 96-inch lengths at home improvement and garden centers.
The first step of building any fence is to contact your local building department and ask if there are building code requirements and permits needed to build a fence—there usually are. Those requirements include the depth for post holes, because it depends on the frost line (how deep the ground freezes) in your area. Ask about other restrictions like the height of the fence or how close it can be to your neighbor’s property. And it’s very important to review a copy of your property survey to make sure you know exactly where your property begins and ends to avoid building a fence that infringes on your neighbor’s property.
A fence contractor will charge $1,291, which includes labor and material, to build a 50-foot-long, 36-inch high, pressure-treated wooden picket fence with posts and rails and one gate. If you have carpentry experience and tools, you can buy the fence material and components for $475 and build it yourself, saving 63 percent. Add to that the additional cost of cement and stain or paint to finish the fencing. You'll also need a post hole digger, shovel, a 4-foot carpenter’s level, and string and stakes to make sure that it’s straight.
Building any fence can be a real workout that’s time consuming and dependent on the weather. If you’re waffling and deciding between doing it yourself versus hiring a fence contractor, get some estimates and take the time to consider the time, tools and skill-level required. This is strenuous work, not for an unseasoned weekend warrior.
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Pro Cost—DIY Cost—Pro time—DIY Time—DIY Savings—Percent Saved
$1,291—$475—9.9—17.5—$816—63 percent
