How Much Does a Custom Redwood Fence Cost in Los Angeles?
Last updated: April 2026
This is the most common question I get, and most contractors dodge it. I'd rather give you a straight answer so you can decide whether we're in the right ballpark before either of us spends more time.
Here's what custom outdoor carpentry actually costs in the LA area in 2026.
The Short Answer
A standard privacy fence — roughly 60 to 100 linear feet — typically runs between $5,000 and $10,000 for a custom redwood build. That includes design, material sourcing, and on-site construction by me and my apprentice.
Larger projects — a full property fence with multiple gates, a custom deck, or a combination of structures — range from $25,000 to $50,000 depending on scope, terrain, and material grade.
Those are real numbers from my recent projects, not padded estimates designed to anchor you high. Your project may land above or below depending on the factors I'll walk through below.
What Drives the Cost
No two projects are the same, but there are a handful of variables that consistently move the number up or down.
Linear footage and square footage. This is the most obvious driver. More fence, more deck, more material, more labor. A 50-linear-foot fence costs less than a 150-linear-foot fence. A 200-square-foot deck costs less than a 400-square-foot deck. Simple math.
Redwood grade. The grade of redwood you choose has a meaningful impact on material cost. Construction Heart (Con Heart) — my preferred grade for most projects — costs more than Construction Common (Con Common), which is a mix of heartwood and sapwood. Clear Heart, the premium grade with no knots and all heartwood, costs significantly more than either. I walk through the differences on the Why Redwood page, but in rough terms, stepping up from Con Common to Con Heart can add 15-30% to the material cost on a typical fence.
Terrain and site conditions. A flat, accessible lot is straightforward. A sloped property, a hillside, a lot with limited access, rocky soil, or roots from mature trees — these all add time and complexity. In the foothills, I deal with slopes and uneven terrain on the majority of my projects. It's normal, but it takes more design work, more precise post setting, and sometimes more material to accommodate the grade.
Height. A six-foot privacy fence is standard. An eight-foot fence uses more material and requires more structural support to handle wind loads. That adds cost.
Gates. A simple pedestrian gate is a straightforward add-on. A wide driveway gate, a double gate, or a gate with custom hardware is a more involved build — more design, more joinery, more material. Gates tend to cost more per unit than fencing because the construction demands are higher.
Demolition. If there's an existing structure that needs to come down before the new build starts, that's additional labor and disposal cost. I offer demolition as an add-on, or you can handle it separately.
Finishing. My proposals don't include staining or sealing. I recommend hiring a dedicated finishing contractor for this work. If you plan to have the redwood finished, budget separately for that — typically a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars depending on the size of the project and the product used.
Design complexity. A straightforward dog-ear privacy fence is less labor-intensive than a horizontal slat fence with custom spacing, integrated planters, or a lattice top. The more design detail, the more build time.
What's Included in My Price
When I give you a fixed-price proposal, it covers:
Design — site evaluation, measurements, design development, and a detailed scope of work.
Materials — hand-selected redwood, posts, concrete, fasteners, and hardware. I source and deliver everything.
Construction — on-site building by me and my apprentice, from post setting through final installation.
The proposal does not include demolition (unless added), finishing (staining/sealing), or work by other trades (concrete, landscaping, electrical, irrigation). Those are separate and I'm happy to help you plan for them.
How to Think About Budget
If you're in the early stages of planning, here are some rough frames of reference:
A simple gate or short fence run (under 30 linear feet): $2,000–$5,000
A standard privacy fence (60–100 linear feet): $5,000–$10,000
A full property fence with one or more gates: $8,000–$20,000
A custom deck (ground-level or moderately elevated): $10,000–$25,000
A large or complex project (full property fence plus gates, deck with railings, pergola, or multiple structures): $25,000–$50,000+
These ranges assume redwood construction with hand-selected material. If you're comparing bids from contractors using pressure-treated pine or pre-fabricated panels, the numbers will look different — but so will the result.
Comparing Bids
If you're getting multiple bids — which I'd encourage — here's what to look for:
What species and grade of wood is specified? "Redwood" is not enough. Con Common and Con Heart are very different products at very different price points. Pressure-treated pine and redwood are not comparable. A bid that just says "wood fence" without specifying the species and grade is a bid you can't evaluate.
What's included and what isn't? Does the bid include demolition? Post setting? Concrete? Hardware? Design? Haul-away? A lower number that excludes half the scope isn't actually lower.
Is it a fixed price or an estimate? A fixed-price proposal means that's what you'll pay (barring change orders you approve). An estimate means the final number could be higher. Know which one you're looking at.
Who's doing the work? Is it the person who gave you the bid, or a crew you've never met? Will it be the same people every day, or different workers rotating through? This matters for communication, accountability, and consistency.
How long will it take, and will they be there every day? A project that takes five build days should be done in one week if the contractor is there every day. If they're juggling multiple jobs, it could stretch across several weeks.
I'm not the cheapest option in the LA market, and I'm not trying to be. What I offer is a custom redwood structure designed for your specific property, built from hand-selected material, by the same person from start to finish. If that's what you're looking for, we should talk. If you need the lowest price, I can respect that — but I'm probably not the right fit, and I'd rather tell you that honestly than waste your time.
