How Much Does a Split Rail Fence Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

A split rail fence installation costs an average of $3,500, with most homeowners spending between $2,250 and $5,500. Your total cost will depend on factors like the fence length, materials, and your property's terrain. Working with a fencing professional ensures expertly constructed results.

Split Rail Fence Cost Factors

Several factors will affect split rail fence installation costs. These include the type of soil and terrain you’re building on, the slope of the area, the desired height of the fence, and the area's accessibility.

Soil and Terrain

If you’re installing your fence on ground that’s difficult to work with, the process will take longer, meaning more labor hours to pay for. These are some types of soil you may encounter on your property:

• Sandy soil: While easier to dig through, sandy soil requires a lot of water to properly pack around fence posts, possibly increasing costs.

• Loamy soil: Loamy, moist soil is very easy to dig and work with, but it can prove unstable, especially in rainy seasons. Your contractor might have to install gravel or concrete around posts to secure them.

• Rocky soil: While very secure for fence posts, rocky soil is tough and time-consuming to dig through, greatly increasing labor costs.

You’ll also pay more to install fencing in areas with existing landscaping that your local fence installation expert will need to work around, or if any trees or stumps are in the way. If your fence is being built on wet, soft ground, you may need to secure wooden posts with concrete to ensure they aren’t dislodged, further increasing the cost of the project. All of these scenarios can greatly increase the costs of installing a split rail fence.

Slope

Although split rail fences are well-suited to hilly areas, some slopes on your property might be too steep for installation. If this is the case, your fence contractor will have to excavate and regrade the land to make the slope more gradual. This can add between $900 and $3,000 to the project cost.

Accessibility

A split rail wood fence costs more to install in difficult-to-access areas. If your fence installers need to work around rocky or steep terrain, accommodate landscaping, or even trudge through wet, swampy soil, they’ll need more time and equipment to get the job done. This can add many more labor hours to the project, increasing the cost.

Fence Height

Another important cost factor is the height of your split rail fence—in other words, how many rails are on the fence.

Most split rail fences are just four feet tall, but some people might opt for a taller one in order to contain livestock or outdoor pets. If you choose to install a 6-foot split rail fence, it will cost about 25% more than a 4-foot fence. This price increase is due to the increased materials and labor hours needed for a higher fence.

Fence Length

The length of your fence significantly impacts the total cost. With split rail fences costing between $15.50 and $39 per linear foot, installing a 300-foot fence could cost over $10,000. Knowing the exact length you need helps you budget accurately for your project.

Labor

Labor costs for installing a split rail fence usually add an extra $4 to $8 per linear foot to your project, accounting for a significant portion of the total expense. The additional effort required may increase labor costs if your property has challenging terrain or steep slopes.

Permits

In many areas, you’ll need to secure a permit to legally build a split rail fence on your property. Usually, a fence contractor will be responsible for obtaining this permit, but you’ll still need to pay for it. Permits cost between $20 and $60 for an average-sized fence.

Surveys

If you’re building your fence along your property line, you may need to pay to get a survey performed. This ensures your fence is on your property, saving you from disputes with neighbors later on. A fence land survey costs between $1,000 and $3,200.

Add-Ons

Depending on your property and your preferred aesthetics for a split rail fence, you might have to pay for additional services, such as:

• Tree and debris removal: If trees, stumps, or other large obstacles are in the way of your fence installation, you might have to pay a separate contractor to remove them. Tree removal costs range between $385 and $1,070 per tree, or approximately $10 to $14 per foot of plant height.

• Painting and staining: If you’re looking to make a split rail fence more aesthetically appealing, you’ll need to pay to have it either stained or painted. Painting or staining a split rail fence costs $500 to $3,000, depending on the size of the fence and the quality of the coating you choose.

• Gates: If you need to install gates along the fence for people or vehicles, they’ll come at an extra cost. Gates cost about $200 each, but this varies depending on the size of the gate you use.

Split Rail Fence Cost by Material

While most wooden split rail fences cost between $15.50 and $39 per linear foot, certain types of wood (and other types of materials) can increase this cost to $45 or more per linear foot. Here are some common fence materials and their average costs, including installation.

Cedar

Cedar is a popular choice for split rail fences due to its balance of affordability and durability. At $11.50 to $18 per linear foot installed, cedar naturally resists rot and insect damage. With proper maintenance, your cedar split rail fence can last 20 to 25 years, making it a smart investment.

Pine

Pine is the most widely available wood and the least expensive choice for building a fence. However, it has less durability than other materials, lasting just 10 to 15 years. Also, it must be stained or otherwise sealed to protect it from rot. Pine split rail fences cost $11.50 to $18.50 per linear foot, including installation.

Black Locust

Black locust is a type of premium hardwood with better durability than pine and cedar. It’s well-suited to areas with frequent, harsh weather, and is naturally resistant to rot. Black locust split rail fences can last 20 to 30 years, and they cost about $20 to $40 per linear foot.

Vinyl

Vinyl split rail fences are an inexpensive, long-lasting, and virtually zero-maintenance option for a split rail fence. They also come in several colors, making them a good option when aesthetics and affordability are important. They’re also great in humid areas since they won’t warp like wood fences. However, they can become brittle in cold weather. Vinyl fences cost $18.50 to $25 per linear foot.

Composite

Composite is a material made of both wood and plastic fibers. It has the appearance of a wooden fence but offers better durability than wood and vinyl fencing. Like vinyl, a composite fence is resistant to humidity, rot, and pest infestations, but it can become brittle and damaged in cold weather. Composite split rail fences cost $12 to $25 per linear foot.

Aluminum

It’s uncommon to see an entire split rail fence made of aluminum, but it is an option. Some people opt for aluminum fences because of their lightweight yet durable properties, as well as for their rust resistance. They also come in a variety of styles and colors. However, aluminum is very expensive compared to other options, at $25 to $30 per linear foot when installed. Some people only use aluminum for reinforcement posts on a wood or vinyl split rail fence. 

Steel

Steel split rail fences are by far the most durable, but also the most expensive. They’re extremely strong, durable, and won’t be easily knocked down by large animals like cows or horses. However, steel is an expensive option, especially because every post must be installed in a concrete-filled hole, further increasing the cost. Steel split rail fences cost $20 to $25 per linear foot.

Split Rail Fence: Replace vs. Repair

When deciding whether to repair or replace your split rail fence, consider the extent of the damage. If only a few sections are affected, repairing those areas is often cost-effective. For instance, mildew can be addressed with pressure washing and restaining, and sagging sections can be replaced.

However, if large portions have collapsed or your fence is deteriorating in multiple places, it might be nearing the end of its lifespan. In that case, investing in a new fence may be more economical in the long run.

Budgeting for a Split Rail Fence

Split rail fences are essential for many rural properties, especially if you have outdoor pets or livestock to contain and protect. Here are some tips to help you save on your split rail fence project:

• Purchase materials yourself: If you're flexible on the type of wood (like cedar or pine), buying materials yourself may help you find a better deal.

• Opt for a shorter fence: A shorter fence with fewer rails will cost less than a taller one. Choose the minimum height that meets your needs.

• Choose affordable materials: Consider using more affordable options like cedar or pine instead of pricier materials like composite or black locust.

• Schedule wisely: Plan your fence installation during the less busy winter months to potentially secure lower labor rates.

DIY vs. Hiring a Fence Installation Pro

Even for a handy homeowner, building a split rail fence is a significant undertaking, and DIY can come with a high cost for materials. Hiring a fence installation professional to build your split rail fence ensures it will be built to high-quality standards and have long-lasting results. Working with a fencing pro allows you to create a project plan and budget that works best for your property’s specifications and your needs. 

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.