How much does it cost to install a 6-foot cedar privacy fence around a typical Burnaby backyard?

A 6-foot Western Red Cedar privacy fence around a typical Burnaby backyard costs between $6,000 and $16,000 installed, depending on the total linear footage, style, terrain, and number of gates. Most Burnaby residential lots have 150 to 250 linear feet of fenceable perimeter (rear and two sides), and cedar privacy fencing runs $40 to $80 per linear foot fully installed in the Metro Vancouver market as of 2025-2026.

The biggest variable is the style of cedar fence you choose. A standard flat-board cedar privacy fence with 4x4 posts set in concrete sits at the lower end — around $40 to $55 per linear foot installed. A board-on-board (shadowbox) design, which looks identical from both sides and allows some wind to pass through, runs $55 to $70 per linear foot. Modern horizontal cedar slat fences with steel or heavy timber posts are the most expensive, typically $60 to $80+ per linear foot due to the precision cutting and closer post spacing they require.

For a concrete example, a typical Burnaby lot with 200 linear feet of fencing and one pedestrian gate would break down roughly as follows. Standard cedar privacy: 200 ft × $45-$55 = $9,000-$11,000 plus $300-$500 for a gate, totalling $9,300-$11,500. Board-on-board cedar: 200 ft × $55-$70 = $11,000-$14,000 plus $400-$600 for a matching gate, totalling $11,400-$14,600. These figures include all materials (posts, rails, boards, concrete, fasteners), labour, and basic site cleanup.

Several factors can push costs higher in Burnaby specifically. Many Burnaby properties sit on sloped terrain, particularly in the Burnaby Mountain, Capitol Hill, and Deer Lake areas. Stepped or racked panels on slopes add 15 to 25 percent to the installation cost because each section requires custom measurement and cutting. If your yard has rocky soil — common in elevated parts of Burnaby — post hole digging may require a jackhammer or rock drill, adding $20 to $50 per post hole beyond the standard rate. Old fence removal adds another $3 to $8 per linear foot, and extracting concrete footings from a previous fence is the most labour-intensive part of that process.

Western Red Cedar is the premium fencing wood in British Columbia for good reason. It is harvested locally in BC, making it readily available and reasonably priced compared to other regions of Canada. More importantly, cedar contains natural oils and tannins that resist rot, decay, and insect damage — critical qualities in Metro Vancouver's marine climate, which delivers over 1,200mm of annual rainfall. A well-built cedar fence that is stained or sealed every two to three years can last 20 to 25 years in Burnaby's climate. Without regular sealing, even cedar will begin showing grey weathering and surface checking within three to four years, though the structural integrity holds up far longer than untreated alternatives.

To protect your investment, budget an additional $2 to $5 per linear foot every two to three years for professional staining or sealing. You can do this yourself with a pump sprayer or brush during a dry stretch between May and September. Use a penetrating semi-transparent stain rather than a film-forming product — penetrating stains soak into the wood grain and will not peel or blister in Vancouver's wet winters.

Before starting your project, check with the City of Burnaby's building department. Burnaby allows fences up to 1.83 metres (6 feet) in rear and side yards without a permit. Front yard fences are limited to 1.22 metres (4 feet). If your property backs onto a lane or is a corner lot, there may be additional sight-line restrictions. Always call BC One Call (1-800-474-6886) for a free utility locate before any post holes are dug — this is legally required in BC and protects you from hitting buried gas, electrical, or water lines.

Need help finding a cedar fence contractor in Burnaby? Vancouver Fence Builders can match you with experienced local professionals for a free estimate through the Vancouver Construction Network.

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