How to Estimate for Fence Boards

Wooden privacy fence

A wooden fence adds privacy and value to your home and gives you many styles to choose from. Once you decide on the style, estimate how many fence boards you will need to complete the project. This process is much easier if you lay out the actual footprint of the fence.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Wooden stakes
• Hammer
• Calculator

Instructions

Fences Built with Individual Boards

1. 

   A hammer will help you get stakes into hard ground.

   Place wooden stakes around the area you want to fence. Put a stake at each corner or turning point in the fence. Also mark where gates will be.

2. 

   A long tape measure is helpful when the distance between stakes is long.

   Measure the distance between each stake. Add the distances to find out the total length of fencing you will need.

3. 

   Double-check your calculations before you buy.

   Divide the total length by the width of an individual fence board. This will be the number of boards you need to complete the fence. If you want your fence to have spaces between the boards, divide the overall length by the board width plus the width of the space. This will give you enough boards for the fence and the gates.

Fences Built With Prefabricated Sections

1. Follow Steps 1 and 2 as before.

2. Divide the total length of fencing needed by eight, because most prefabricated fence sections are 8 feet long. This will be the number of fence sections that you need.

3. Plan for an even number of gates if possible. Most prefabricated gates are 42 inches wide. When you install a gate with a 3-inch clearance on each side, it will take up half of an 8-foot fence section. Therefore, if you use an even number of gates, you can eliminate one fence section for every two gates and you will not have to cut a fence section to install a gate.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase 10 percent extra to allow for warped boards and cutting mistakes.

References

• Taylor Rental: Installing a Wood Fence
• Ace Hardware: Building Wood Fences
• Fence.name: Estimate Fence Costs