Picket fences feel approachable. Straight lines, repeated components, and a familiar design give the impression that they’re one of the simpler home improvement projects to plan.
Yet picket fence projects are also among the most common to exceed their original budget. The reasons aren’t dramatic mistakes or premium materials — they’re small planning oversights that quietly compound as the project moves forward.
Most budget blowouts don’t happen during installation. They happen before a single post goes into the ground.