WOOD PICKET FENCING
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Front-Yard Classic
Wood Picket Fence Installation in Metro Detroit
Hand-built cedar and pine picket fences for front yards, gardens and walkways. We lay out the run so pickets, posts and rails line up from the street, set every post 42″ deep in concrete and leave the wood ready to paint or stain.
Cedar or Paint-Grade Pine
3ft to 4ft Front Yards
Even Picket Spacing
Permits Filed by Us
DIRECT DISPATCH PHONE
Get Your Free Estimate
Quick response guaranteed within 24 hours
Online Booking Open
🔒 Your contact info is strictly confidential. We never sell your data or spam you.
WHAT MAKES IT LOOK RIGHT
A Picket Fence Shows Every Shortcut From the Sidewalk
Privacy fences hide a lot. A 4-foot picket fence in front of your house does not. Here is what we get right.
Laid Out by String and Laser
Post tops, rail lines and picket points stay in one plane, so the fence reads straight from the curb, not wavy.
Straight from the street
Spacing Planned Per Section
We calculate spacing for each bay so you never end a run with a sliver gap or a cut picket against a post.
Even gaps post to post
Posts That Do Not Heave
A short fence still needs deep posts. Frost lifts shallow posts unevenly, which shows fast on a low fence. Ours go 42″ deep.
Frost-line concrete
Ready for Finish
Galvanized fasteners and paint-grade boards where you plan to paint, cedar where you want stain or natural weathering.
No rust bleed-through
PAINT OR STAIN
Picking Wood, Height and Spacing for a Front-Yard Picket Fence
Decide on finish first. For a crisp white painted fence, smooth paint-grade pine or fir takes primer and paint well. For a natural or stained look, Western Red Cedar is the better choice since it resists rot without paint and weathers evenly. Painted wood needs touch-ups every few years; stained cedar needs a fresh coat every 3 to 5. If repainting is a deal breaker, our vinyl picket fencing gives the same look with no paint.
Most Metro Detroit cities limit front-yard fences to about 3 to 4 feet and often require them to be partly open, which a picket fence naturally is. Corner lots may have tighter limits near driveways and intersections. We confirm your lot's rules before quoting. Typical spacing is 2.5 to 3.5 inches between pickets for a classic look, tighter for small dogs. A matching arbor or walk gate from our custom wood gates finishes the entry, and every wood style is on the wood fencing hub.
PICKET FENCE OPTIONS
Painted Pine
Cedar
Best Finish
How it looks best
Solid white paint
Stain or natural
Common Height
Front yards
3ft to 4ft
3ft to 4ft
Upkeep
Typical cycle
Touch-up paint
Stain every 3–5 yrs
Typical Life
With maintenance
15–20 years
20–25 years
Installed Range
Per linear foot
$22–$34
$28–$42
HOW WE INSTALL IT
From Sidewalk Line to Finished Picket Fence
Most front-yard picket fences are built in one to two days after the permit is issued.
01
Step 1
Measure & Setback Check
We measure the run, locate the sidewalk and setback line, check driveway and corner sightlines and leave an itemized written quote.
Setback line confirmed
Picket style chosen
Spacing calculated per bay
PAPERWORK MANAGED
02
Step 2
Permit & Miss Dig
Front-yard fences almost always need a permit. We file it with a plot plan, handle HOA approval if you have one, and call Miss Dig 811 before digging.
Front-yard permit filed
HOA style approval
Utilities marked first
03
Step 3
Build & Walkthrough
Posts set 42″ deep in concrete, rails leveled or racked to grade, pickets spaced evenly, caps installed and the gate hung and latched.
Racked on gentle slopes
Post caps installed
Yard cleaned up
Want It Painted When We Leave?
Ask about priming and painting or staining at the estimate. New treated pine should dry before finishing, so we schedule the timing with you.
PICKET STYLES
Picket Profiles and Details
Small changes in the picket top and spacing change the whole character of the fence.
Pointed Picket
The classic cottage profile. Pairs well with bungalows, Tudors and colonials in older Metro Detroit neighborhoods.
Dog-Ear Picket
Clipped corners and nothing sharp at child height. Clean and friendly for family front yards.
French Gothic
Spear-shaped tops for a more formal, traditional look along a brick walk.
Scalloped Run
Picket heights dip between posts in a curve. Best on level ground where the arc reads cleanly.
Flat-Top Modern
Square-cut pickets with a cap rail for a cleaner, current look on newer homes.
Arbor Entry
A wood arbor over the front-walk gate frames the entry and gives climbing roses or clematis a place to grow.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Wood Picket Fence Questions
Height, spacing, cost and finish answers.
How tall should a front-yard picket fence be?
Three to four feet is typical, and most Metro Detroit cities cap front-yard fences around that height. We check your city and HOA rules before quoting.
How much does a wood picket fence cost?
Most 3 to 4 foot wood picket fences land between $22 and $42 per linear foot installed, depending on wood species, picket style, gates and slope. You get an exact written price after the free measure.
What is the best wood for a white picket fence?
Smooth paint-grade pine or fir takes primer and paint best. For stained or natural wood, Western Red Cedar is the better pick because it resists rot without a paint film.
How far apart should pickets be?
Two and a half to three and a half inches is the classic look. Go tighter, around two inches, if you need to keep a small dog in. Some HOAs set a maximum gap, which we check.
Do I need a permit for a picket fence?
In most Metro Detroit cities, yes, especially in a front yard. We file it as part of the job and pass the city fee through at cost.
How long does a wood picket fence last?
Cedar with regular stain commonly lasts 20 to 25 years. Painted pine lasts 15 to 20 when the paint is kept up. Deep posts keep it straight that whole time.
FREE PICKET FENCE QUOTE
Request Your Free Wood Picket Fence Estimate
Tell us about your front yard and the look you want. We will check setbacks, measure and leave a written price.
PREFER TO CALL DIRECTLY?
Speak directly with our estimating desk for quick questions or emergency repairs.
Front-yard height and setback rules checked
Permit filed and Miss Dig called by us
Workmanship warranty and final walkthrough
Get Your Free Estimate
Quick response guaranteed within 24 hours
Online Booking Open
🔒 Your contact info is strictly confidential. We never sell your data or spam you.