Fencing in Puget Sound: Costs, Materials and How to Hire
A 6-foot cedar privacy fence in the Seattle area costs $45 to $75 per linear foot installed, a modern horizontal cedar fence $70 to $120, vinyl $50 to $80, aluminum $60 to $110 and chain link $25 to $45. Wood fences here fail from the ground up, so posts and how they are set matter more than the boards.
What fences cost here
| Fence | Installed per linear foot | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link, 4 – 6 ft | $25 – $45 | 20 – 30 years |
| Cedar privacy, 6 ft | $45 – $75 | 15 – 20 years with good posts |
| Cedar horizontal or modern slat, 6 ft | $70 – $120 | 15 – 20 years |
| Vinyl privacy, 6 ft | $50 – $80 | 20 – 30 years |
| Aluminum ornamental, 4 – 5 ft | $60 – $110 | 30+ years |
| Gate, walk | $500 – $1,500 each | Hardware matters most |
| Gate, drive | $2,000 – $6,000 each | Double or sliding |
| Old fence removal | $4 – $10 per linear ft | Concrete footings add |
Fence materials compared
Cedar is the regional default: available, attractive and easy to repair. Boards last well; posts are the weak point.
Horizontal cedar fences with spaced or tight boards suit modern and mid-century houses. They use more lumber and need stiffer posts or steel posts to keep long runs straight.
Vinyl needs no paint or stain and does not rot, but it can look plain on older houses and cracks if hit.
Aluminum and steel fences give security and openness for front yards and pools and outlast wood by decades.
Chain link is the practical choice for dogs, gardens and back lot lines.
Posts in wet soil
Wood posts rot where air, water and soil meet, just at grade. Fences last longer when posts are rated for ground contact, set in concrete that crowns above grade to shed water or on steel post anchors, and kept clear of soil and mulch at the base. Galvanized steel posts with wood facing are a common upgrade on long privacy fences.
Fence height limits and permits
Fences up to 7 feet generally need no building permit under the residential code, but each city's zoning sets maximum heights, commonly about 6 feet along side and rear lines and lower in front yards and near driveways where sight lines matter. Retaining walls under fences, fences on slopes and fences in critical areas or shoreline zones may need review. Check your city with the Permit Checker.
Property lines and neighbors
Build only where you know the line is. A survey costs far less than a dispute. Talk to neighbors before a shared fence goes up: who pays, which side faces whom, and who maintains it. The fences and neighbors guide covers these questions.
How to vet a fence contractor
- Confirm L&I registration, bond and insurance.
- Ask how posts are set: depth, concrete or anchors, post material and spacing.
- Ask whether they call 811 to locate utilities before digging.
- Ask who confirms the property line and what they need from you.
- Ask about gate hardware and how gates are kept from sagging.
- Get the fence drawn on a site plan with height, length and gate locations.
Fence quote red flags
- No mention of post depth or how posts are set.
- A price per foot that excludes gates, removal or hauling.
- An offer to build on "about where the old fence was" without checking the line.
- No utility locate before digging.
Fencing guides by city
Questions about fencing
How long does a fence take to install?
Two to five days for most residential fences.
Should I stain a new cedar fence?
A penetrating stain after the wood dries slows greying and cracking. Unstained cedar is fine structurally but ages faster.
Which side faces the neighbor?
Often the finished side faces outward, but local custom, HOA rules and agreements with neighbors decide.
Can I put a fence on a retaining wall?
Yes, if the wall is designed for the extra load. Fences on walls change the height measurement for zoning in some cities.