Chain-link fence cost in Dothan, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,300 – $4,800
- Per linear ft
- $8.55 – $31
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −20%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #298
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a chain-link fence in the Dothan area: $1,300 to $4,800 for 150 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 20% lower than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $15.39 an hour in the Dothan area, 32% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Dothan, AL, standard level
$2,350 to $3,750
About $15.50 to $24.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,150 | $2,100 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $100 |
| Total | $2,350 | $3,750 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Dothan, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,350 | $1,900 | 45% |
| Labor | $410 | $1,600 | $2,800 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $80 | $130 | 3% |
| Total | $1,300 | $3,050 | $4,800 | 100% |
Why Dothan prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $15.39 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Dothan is 0.69 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 52% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dothan is at 96.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,450 nationally becomes $1,350 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 83.8: $35 to $130.
The best months for chain-link fence in Dothan
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Dothan Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Dothan are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Dothan gets about 54 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (6.2 inches in August). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 89 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62 | 40 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 66 | 43 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 49 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 55 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 87 | 64 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 71 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 73 | 6.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 72 | 6.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 67 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 81 | 57 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 71 | 47 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
Who does the work: Dothan trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Dothan the blend is 0.69.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $15.39 an hour, which is 32% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $12.40 and $18.76 an hour. BLS counts 600 of them working in the area, 98.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $20.58 an hour, 29% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.19 and $23.52 an hour. About 130 work in the metro. That is 21.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $210 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 6.0% to 6.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dothan has 60,720 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 284th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $12.40 | $15.39 | $18.76 | $22.66 | 0.68 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $17.19 | $20.58 | $23.52 | $29.12 | 0.71 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.69 | |||||
Why two Dothan quotes can differ
Gates
Gates are $80-$1,000+ before installation. Rolling or slide gates are the expensive end.
Survey
A land survey ($300-$900) is worth it before you put a fence near a boundary.
Height
A 4-ft fence runs $10-$20 per linear foot; 6- to 8-ft backyard fences run $15-$40+ (HomeGuide).
Dothan: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dothan. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from backyard (100 linear ft) to full lot (300 linear ft).
Basic
$1,300 to $2,700
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,350 to $3,750
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$3,400 to $4,800
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $890 – $1,850 | $1,600 – $2,550 | $2,300 – $3,250 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,300 – $2,700 | $2,350 – $3,750 | $3,400 – $4,800 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,750 – $3,600 | $3,150 – $4,950 | $4,500 – $6,350 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,600 – $5,350 | $4,650 – $7,400 | $6,700 – $9,500 |
What nearby projects cost in Dothan
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dothan wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−10%) and gravel driveway lowest (−15%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,500 – $6,550 | −15% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,150 – $8,200 | −10% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,250 – $10,000 | −13% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,100 – $8,650 | −15% |
Optional extras in Dothan
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.83 for Dothan, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.69) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $65 – $830 |
Is Dothan cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Dothan. Albany comes closest at about $3,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan, ALthis page | $1,300 – $4,800 | $3,050 | |
| Panama City, FL70 miles | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | +15% |
| Crestview, FL70 miles | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | +16% |
| Albany, GA85 miles | $1,350 – $4,900 | $3,100 | +2% |
| Auburn, AL85 miles | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | +7% |
| Columbus, GA90 miles | $1,350 – $5,050 | $3,200 | +5% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $1,400 – $5,200 | $3,300 | +8% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +26% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dothan ranks #298 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dothan is 7% below the Alabama figure.
Elsewhere in Alabama
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $1,400 – $5,350 | $3,350 | +10% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,300 | +9% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $1,400 – $5,200 | $3,300 | +8% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | +7% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $1,350 – $5,200 | $3,300 | +7% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,300 | +9% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dothan against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | 61,240 jobs | $1,400 – $5,300 | $3,350 | +10% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60,630 jobs | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +33% |
| Santa Fe, NM | 61,770 jobs | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,600 | +18% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $1,350 – $5,100 | $3,200 | +5% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Chain-link fence in Dothan: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Dothan?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,300 to $4,800 in the Dothan area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,350 to $3,750. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Dothan?
About $8.55 to $31 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Dothan or Panama City?
Panama City is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,500, which is 15% more than Dothan ($3,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dothan?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $1,600 out of $3,050. Materials are 45% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Dothan?
$1,750 to $6,350. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Dothan?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $130 for fees in the Dothan area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dothan expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Alabama?
Dothan is 7% below the Alabama statewide estimate ($3,300 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Dothan?
The BLS median is $15.39 an hour in the Dothan area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $12.40 to $18.76.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Dothan?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,300 to $2,700 and premium work $3,400 to $4,800. Basic means: 4-ft galvanized, front yard. Premium means: vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates.
+When is the best time to install a chain-link fence in Dothan?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. May and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add one gate" add in Dothan?
$65 to $830, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Dothan
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Chain-Link Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Visual Fence Pro: Chain Link Fence Cost & Pricing Guide for Contractors (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = Visual Fence Pro's $6-$13 per foot for residential galvanized 4-6 ft fence (taller or vinyl-coated fence costs more).