Wood costs less up front, $20 to $50 per foot installed compared with $30 to $60 for vinyl in the national figures. Vinyl needs almost no upkeep. Wood in this climate needs sealing every few years, so the gap in total cost narrows the longer you own the fence.
Price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026, not our own quotes. Kern County labor, material prices and the conditions on your property move the real number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
| Wood | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per foot | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 |
| Upkeep | Seal or stain every few years | Wash off dust |
| Weak point | Sun dries and warps boards; sprinklers rot posts | Years of UV chalk the surface; a hard hit can crack it |
| Repairs | One board at a time | Usually the whole panel |
| Look | Natural, any stain color | Uniform, light colors hold up best |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Cedar for the boards if you can, treated wood or steel for the posts. Cedar and redwood shrink and twist less than pine as they dry, and drying is what a Bakersfield summer does to a fence. Pressure-treated pine costs less and resists rot in the ground, but pine boards are more likely to cup and split in the heat. Cedar boards on treated or galvanized steel posts is a combination that works well here.
Which fence lasts longest in extreme heat and sun?
Metal, then vinyl. Aluminum, steel and chain link do not dry out, and block walls are common here for the same reason. Vinyl does not rot, but strong UV slowly chalks the surface, and dark colors take in more heat than white or tan. If you ask which wood fence lasts longest, it is the one with sealed cedar or redwood boards and posts that stay dry at the base. On the valley floor there is no hard freeze to plan for. In Tehachapi there is, and posts go deeper.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl, or an existing block wall | A solid fence takes the full force of the wind |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood, vinyl or chain link | Close the gap at the bottom |
| Small children | Any solid fence with a self-latching gate | Mount the latch out of reach |
| A pool | Aluminum built to the state pool rules | 60-inch height and gate hardware are inspected |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Slats add privacy and wind load |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl, aluminum or chain link | Higher cost at the start |
| Acreage, horses or farm ground | Pipe, rail or wire fence | Gates sized for trailers and equipment |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
For most dogs, yes. What matters more is height and the space between pickets. A dog that jumps needs a taller fence, and a small dog needs tighter spacing near the ground. Aluminum will not stop a dog from seeing out, which is a problem for some barkers.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
A simple 6-foot board fence in pressure-treated wood. It is the least expensive solid fence and tall enough for most big dogs. To cut the cost further, use the solid fence only on the sides where privacy matters and chain link on the rest. If one side is already a block wall, you only need to fence what is left.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
A shared run can only be one material, so the two of you have to agree on that stretch and put the cost split in writing. You can still use vinyl on the sides that are yours alone. If you cannot agree, you may build your own fence just inside your line at your own cost.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
That depends on the style. Vinyl privacy panels, board-on-board and shadowbox fences look finished on both faces. A standard board fence has a smooth side and a side that shows the rails and posts. Settle which way it faces with your neighbor before the build, and check whether your HOA has a rule.
The only way to get a real number for your property is a site visit. The estimate is free. Call (661) 475-8961 or text us a photo of the fence line.