How Much Does a Split Rail Fence Cost in 2024?

Average Split Rail Fence Cost

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. Even moderately difficult soil can add at least $100 to the cost, while exceptionally challenging soil can add upwards of $1,000 to your project.

• 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 rainier 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.

Additional Split Rail Fence Costs

Beyond the state of the terrain and the height of your fence, you’ll need to consider a few other cost factors when budgeting for a split rail fence.

Labor

Labor for a split fence installation usually costs between $3 and $8 per linear foot. This means you would pay around $500 to $1,200 in labor costs alone for a 150-foot-long split rail fence. Labor is a significant part of the costs of installing a new fence. And if you’re installing on difficult terrain or steep slopes, you can expect to pay even more in labor costs.

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 typically cost between $125 to $250.

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 survey usually costs between $250 and $1,000, but it can vary depending on the size of your property. You may also have to pay your utility company to visit the property and mark the locations of buried utility lines, which usually costs between $75 and $100.

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 there are trees, stumps, or other large obstacles in the way of your fence installation, you might have to pay a separate contractor to remove them. Tree removal costs an average of $200 to $2,000 per tree.

• 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. Fence painting costs range between $750 and $4,250, depending on the length and height of your fence.

• 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 per Linear Foot

As with most projects, a longer fence will cost more money. With the average split rail fence costing $15 to $35 per linear foot, a 300-foot fence can cost more than $10,000.

Split Rail Fence Cost by Material

While most wooden split rail fences cost between $15 and $35 per linear foot, certain types of wood (and other types of materials) can increase this cost to $45 or more per linear foot.

Cedar

Cedar is a common material choice for split rail fences. Although it’s classified as a softwood, it offers good durability compared to the price, at about $25 to $35 per linear foot, including installation. Cedar offers some natural resistance to rot and insect damage and can last for 20 to 25 years with some maintenance.

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 $15 to $25 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 $15 to $30 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 $20 to $35 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 $20 to $40 per linear foot when installed. Some people only use aluminum for reinforcement posts on a wood or vinyl split rail fence. These aluminum posts cost $50 to $90 each.

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 $25 to $45 per linear foot.

Split Rail Fence Replacement vs. Repair

Deciding whether to repair or replace a split rail fence mainly depends on the extent of the damage. Generally, it’s easy to repair just the damaged section, leaving the rest of the fence intact. Fence repair generally costs between $100 and $750—far less than the thousands of dollars it costs to build an all-new fence.

If your fence is beginning to grow mildew, you can simply have it pressure-washed and restrained. If a section is sagging, it can be removed and replaced. If larger portions have collapsed, however, fence repair costs might increase. If your fence is reaching the end of its lifespan and is consistently failing at multiple points, it’s probably time to get some quotes for a new one.

Budgeting for a Split Rail Fence

Split rail fences are absolutely essential for many rural properties, particularly if you have outdoor pets or livestock to contain and protect. Here are a few ways to reduce the costs of this important project:

• Look into purchasing your fence materials yourself rather than relying on your contractor. If you’re flexible on what type of fence you want (e.g., cedar or pine), you may be able to get a better deal.

• Limit fence height if possible. A shorter fence with fewer rails will always cost more than a taller one. Consider your needs, and opt for the shortest fence that will meet them.

• Balance the durability of more expensive materials (e.g., composite, black lotus) with the cost of more affordable options (e.g., cedar, pine) to find the right material for your needs and budget.

• Build your fence in the less busy winter seasons for a lower labor rate than the busier spring and summer months.

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.