The classic white picket fence remains a favorite for homeowners who want curb appeal and a sense of privacy without blocking the view. Yet “How much will it cost?” is the first question every client asks. At CountBricks, we answer with data-driven accuracy—no guesswork, no outdated price books. This article unpacks today’s picket fence installation cost, shows you the variables that spike or trim the budget, and explains how CountBricks’ AI estimating platform keeps your residential projects profitable.
Homeowners often collect three bids that vary by thousands of dollars. Contractors risk losing the job if they estimate high, or losing money if they bid too low. A tight, transparent number builds trust and protects margins. CountBricks harnesses real-time material feeds and voice-to-estimate technology so your proposal reflects the market this minute—not last quarter.
Nationwide, a 100-linear-foot picket fence typically falls between $2,400 and $4,800, but San Diego coastal neighborhoods and similar high-labor markets can trend 15-20 % higher. CountBricks breaks that figure into three spend categories:
• Materials: $12–$26 per linear foot depending on species or vinyl grade
• Labor: $9–$20 per linear foot influenced by soil, slope, and crew rate
• Soft costs (permits, hauling, markup): 10–18 % of the subtotal
Multiply those ranges by the actual footage and you have a realistic starting point. Our platform auto-adjusts the percentages as conditions change, so you never see static numbers.
The phrase “picket fence” often implies pine, but material upgrades can double the ticket price.
• Pressure-treated pine: Budget-friendly, $12–$16/LF, requires routine sealing
• Cedar: Mid-tier, $17–$24/LF, naturally rot-resistant and aromatic
• Redwood: Premium, $24–$30/LF, rich tone, excellent longevity
• Vinyl: $22–$28/LF, low maintenance, color-fast, higher upfront cost
Pro Tip – CountBricks lets you toggle materials during the on-site voice session. Swap cedar for vinyl and the price sheet refreshes instantly, giving the homeowner a side-by-side comparison without recalculating by hand.
• Linear footage & gate count: More posts, more pickets, more hours
• Terrain: Rocky ground slows auger time, while slopes demand custom racking
• Existing fence removal: Adds demo, haul-off fees, and potential landfill charges
• Utility locates: Dig alerts may stall the start date and add administrative time
CountBricks’ AI collects these details through simple verbal prompts—“78 feet along the west property line, mild slope, one 4-foot gate”—and converts them to precise labor hours aligned with regional wage rates.
1. Open the CountBricks mobile app and start a voice session.
2. Walk the perimeter while describing measurements; our AI transcribes and maps footage in real time.
3. Select material, picket style, and gate options on-screen.
4. CountBricks pulls live lumber or vinyl pricing, nests local labor rates, and applies your markup.
5. A branded, ready-to-send PDF appears in seconds—complete with scope, exclusions, and payment schedule.
Need a formal blueprint takeoff? Upload the plan to CountBricks.com/takeoffs and receive a synced bill of materials that feeds directly into your estimate.
• Batch purchasing: Our material feed flags volume discounts when multiple projects share the same SKU.
• Optimized post spacing: The algorithm suggests maximum spacing within code, trimming lumber waste.
• Off-site pre-assembly: Identify sections suitable for shop assembly to shorten field labor.
• Weather timing: Real-time forecasts in the dashboard help you avoid rain delays that bloat labor hours.
Accurate numbers empower confident decisions—for both contractors and homeowners. Create your free CountBricks account, run a voice estimate, and lock down the exact picket fence installation cost before you unload a single post.
Visit CountBricks.com/services to explore our full residential construction toolkit or check the latest project photos at CountBricks.com/portfolio.
A recent client wanted 92 feet of cedar picket fencing around a 1940s bungalow three blocks from the ocean. Salt air, tight alley access, and strict historical guidelines raised red flags for traditional estimators. Here’s how CountBricks kept the project on track:
• Coastal corrosion potential required stainless fasteners
• Narrow side yard limited posthole equipment
• Historical commission needed a 3-inch picket reveal
1. The estimator spoke each concern into the app; CountBricks auto-added stainless hardware and a hand-digging labor factor, bumping materials by 4 % and labor by 7 % instantly.
2. Blueprint upload pinpointed a gas line 14 inches from the proposed fence. The software inserted utility clearance protocol and a half-day delay contingency.
3. Compliance notes for the historical commission were pulled from our residential template library, saving two hours of paperwork.
The finalized proposal hit $4,165—within 1.2 % of actual spend after completion. The homeowner signed on the spot, impressed by the transparent line items. The contractor, meanwhile, protected a 33 % gross margin, all verified through CountBricks analytics.
• Real-time pricing shields you from volatile lumber markets
• Voice capture slashes office time so you can schedule crews faster
• Automated compliance notes reduce municipal back-and-forth
Whether it’s a coastal remodel or a suburban new build, CountBricks
