Fence installation, Greater Seattle Area
Choosing the Right Fence: Types, Costs and Longevity
A new cedar fence in the Seattle area costs $8,000+ for a side yard fence and gate, $15,000+ for a backyard privacy fence and $25,000+ for a full perimeter at Volcano Builders' Basic tier. How long it lasts depends on the material: InterNACHI (read October 2026) puts wood fencing at 20 years and polyvinyl fencing at 100+.
This guide compares cedar, pressure treated wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain link and composite by price and lifespan, then covers Seattle's height and permit rules. To have your fence line measured and priced, Book a Consultation.
Which fence type lasts longest, and what does each one cost?
Vinyl has the longest lifespan in InterNACHI's chart.InterNACHI's Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes (read October 2026) lists polyvinyl fencing at 100+ years and wood fencing at 20. It has no line for aluminum, chain link or composite fences. The chart calls its figures a general guideline, not a guarantee, and says life expectancy varies with usage, weather, installation, maintenance and quality of materials.
For wood, the species matters. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook, Chapter 14 (2021) rates western redcedar heartwood as resistant to decay and most pines as slightly or nonresistant. Prices in the table are ours. We publish starting prices for cedar fences only. Every fence in our portfolio is wood.
| Material | Lifespan or decay rating (source) | Privacy | Our starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar | Wood fencing 20 years (InterNACHI); western redcedar heartwood rated resistant (USDA) | Solid boards, full privacy | $8,000+ side yard and gate |
| Pressure treated wood | Wood fencing 20 years (InterNACHI); species rated slightly or nonresistant need preservative treatment (USDA) | Rails behind the boards | Included in the cedar fence price |
| Vinyl | Polyvinyl fencing 100+ years (InterNACHI) | Solid privacy panels | Priced at the site visit |
| Aluminum | No figure in the InterNACHI chart | Open picket, yard stays in view | Priced at the site visit |
| Chain link | No figure in the InterNACHI chart | Open, yard stays in view | Priced at the site visit |
| Composite | 25-year Residential Limited Warranty on Trex fencing (maker) | Solid privacy panels | Priced at the site visit |
Sources: InterNACHI life expectancy chart, read October 2026; USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 14, Table 14-1, 2021; Trex Composite Fencing, read October 2026; our fence pricing section, read October 2026. Not a quote.
How much does a cedar privacy fence cost in the Greater Seattle area?
Our cedar fences start at $8,000+ for a side yard fence and gate, $15,000+ for a backyard privacy fence and $25,000+ for a full perimeter or sloped lot. Price depends on three things: the length of the fence, the slope and ground, and the style and material. Basic is 6 foot cedar privacy boards on pressure treated rails, with posts set in concrete and one walk gate. Mid-Range adds a cap and trim, a better cedar grade and a clear sealer. Luxury moves to horizontal modern boards, steel posts or post caps, custom gates and stain. Scope and exclusions for each tier are on Fence Installation Across the Greater Seattle Area.
Real jobs show the range. A side yard wood fence and gate we completed in 2021 cost about $5,000. A wood privacy fence around a backyard cost about $15,000. Material and labor costs have risen since. Our 2021 Seattle backyard remodel replaced the fences on the back and both sides as part of a yard with a slab patio and turf, for about $35,000 in all.
| Fence | Typical length | Basic | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side yard and gate | Up to 50 ft | $8,000+ | $12,000+ | $20,000+ |
| Backyard privacy fence | 50 to 150 ft | $15,000+ | $22,000+ | $35,000+ |
| Full perimeter or sloped lot | 150+ ft | $25,000+ | $38,000+ | $60,000+ |
Starting prices from our fence pricing section, read October 2026. Not included: a property line survey, a permit for a fence over 8 feet or with masonry or concrete over 6 feet, removing roots, rock or old footings, a retaining wall under the fence and driveway gates with openers. Every job is priced in writing after a site visit.
Why is cedar the usual wood for Seattle area fences?
Cedar heartwood resists decay above the ground, which is where fence boards sit. The USDA Wood Handbook (2021, page 14-6) says: "Where decay hazard exists, heartwood of a species in the resistant category generally gives satisfactory service for wood used aboveground, whereas those in the very resistant category generally give satisfactory performance in contact with the ground." Western redcedar is in the resistant group.
Posts sit in the ground, and the handbook names only the very resistant category for satisfactory performance in contact with the ground. So posts and boards are chosen separately: our Basic and Mid-Range fences set posts in concrete, and the Luxury tier offers steel posts. On our Seattle fence remodel in October 2021, unstained cedar boards with a top cap and a lower rail step up along stone retaining walls, so the side yard is screened on both sides.
Is pressure treated wood a good choice for a fence?
Yes, for the parts that need it. Most pines are rated slightly or nonresistant to decay in Table 14-1 of the USDA Wood Handbook (2021), and the handbook says species in those groups "will usually require some form of preservative treatment." Pressure treating is one form of that treatment.
Our Basic tier uses pressure treated rails behind cedar boards, so the visible face is cedar. The InterNACHI life expectancy chart (read October 2026) gives one figure for all wood fencing, 20 years. It does not split that figure by species or treatment.
How long do vinyl, aluminum, chain link and composite fences last?
Vinyl has a published figure. The InterNACHI life expectancy chart (read October 2026) lists polyvinyl fencing at 100+ years. Composite has a maker's warranty. The Trex Composite Fencing page (read October 2026) says the fence "is backed by its 25-year Residential Limited Warranty." A warranty is the maker's promise. It does not measure how long the fence lasts.
Aluminum and chain link have no line in the InterNACHI chart. For those, ask the supplier for the written warranty on the posts, the panels or fabric and the coating. Also weigh privacy. Vinyl and composite privacy panels are solid like a board fence. Chain link and open picket aluminum leave the yard in view.
What does Seattle code say about fence height and permits, word for word?
Six feet in most required setbacks, and 4 feet along the front. Seattle Municipal Code 23.44.090.H.4.a (Ordinance 127376, 2025) reads: "Fences no greater than 6 feet in height are allowed in any required setback, except that fences in the required front setback extended to side lot lines or in street side setbacks extended to the front and rear lot lines may not exceed 4 feet in height."
Most fences need no building permit. Section R105.2 of the 2021 Seattle Residential Code (PDF page 7) exempts item 4: "Fences not over 8 feet high that do not have masonry or concrete elements above 6 feet." The same section says an exemption "does not authorize any work to be done in any manner in violation of this code or any other laws or ordinances of the City."
Bellevue and the other Eastside cities have their own fence rules, and in Bellevue fence questions go to Development Services. We check the rules for your address before we draw the fence. See Home Remodeling Contractors in Seattle, WA and Home Remodeling Contractors in Bellevue, WA. Gates, the property line and the 811 call are covered in How to Choose a Fence Contractor and Plan Your Fence: 5 Tips.
How do you choose the right fence type for your yard?
Start with what the fence has to do. For privacy, pick a solid fence: cedar boards, vinyl panels or composite. For a wood fence with a published price, cedar boards on pressure treated rails is the fence our pricing covers. For the longest published lifespan, vinyl leads the InterNACHI chart. If you want an open fence, compare aluminum and chain link on their written warranties.
Then plan the fence with the rest of the yard. A fence that wraps a patio or an outdoor kitchen should be set out with it, so gates, paths and screening line up; see Outdoor Kitchen Designs for Ideas and Inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a new cedar fence be sealed or stained?
It can be left natural, sealed or stained. Our Basic tier leaves the cedar natural. Mid-Range adds a clear sealer, and Luxury adds a stain. We set the finish with you at the visit.
How long does it take to install a fence?
On site, our fences take 2 to 4 days for a side yard fence and gate up to 50 feet, 1 to 2 weeks for a backyard fence of 50 to 150 feet and 2 to 3 weeks for a full perimeter, after any permit. Your written estimate comes with a schedule.
Do different rules apply near a wetland or steep slope?
Yes. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections Fences page (read October 2026) says a fence near an environmentally critical area, such as a wetland or steep slope, follows different restrictions. We check the rules for your address before we draw the fence.
