Chain-link fence cost in Modesto, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,750 – $7,300
- Per linear ft
- $11.50 – $47.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +18%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #19
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a chain-link fence in the Modesto area: $1,750 to $7,300 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 18% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $29.15 an hour in the Modesto area, 29% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Modesto, CA, standard level
$3,400 to $5,650
About $22 to $37 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 65% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,300 | $1,700 |
| Labor | $2,050 | $3,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $3,400 | $5,650 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Modesto, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $950 | $1,500 | $2,050 | 33% |
| Labor | $760 | $2,950 | $5,100 | 65% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $100 | $160 | 2% |
| Total | $1,750 | $4,500 | $7,300 | 100% |
Why Modesto prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 60%, carpenters at 40%. Weighted together, Modesto wages are 1.26 times the national level. Labor makes up about 65% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Modesto is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,450 nationally becomes $1,500 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 104.1: $40 to $160.
How Modesto compares
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Jose is the priciest of the group at $4,850. Merced is the cheapest at $4,350.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | $1,750 – $7,300 | $4,500 | |
| Stockton, CA30 miles | $1,700 – $7,000 | $4,350 | −4% |
| Merced, CA30 miles | $1,700 – $7,000 | $4,350 | −4% |
| San Jose, CA50 miles | $1,850 – $7,900 | $4,850 | +7% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $1,750 – $7,300 | $4,550 | level |
| Vallejo, CA70 miles | $1,750 – $7,450 | $4,600 | +2% |
| California (statewide) | $1,750 – $7,350 | $4,550 | +1% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −15% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Modesto ranks #19 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Modesto is 1% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $1,750 – $7,300 | $4,550 | level |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $1,950 – $8,400 | $5,150 | +14% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $1,700 – $7,100 | $4,400 | −3% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $1,750 – $7,200 | $4,450 | −1% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $1,850 – $7,900 | $4,850 | +7% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $1,750 – $7,300 | $4,550 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Modesto against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | −28% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $1,400 – $5,400 | $3,400 | −25% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −15% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −16% |
Who does the work: Modesto 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 Modesto the blend is 1.26.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $29.15 an hour, which is 29% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $38.02 an hour. BLS counts 1,070 of them working in the area, 54.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $35.45 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.52 and $40.15 an hour. About 1,430 work in the metro. That is 73.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $550 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $390. That is a swing of roughly 8.5% to 12.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Modesto has 195,230 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 117th 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% | $22.89 | $29.15 | $38.02 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $28.52 | $35.45 | $40.15 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.26 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Modesto
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Modesto wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+22%) and vinyl fence lowest (+10%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +13% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,900 – $10,100 | +10% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,250 – $12,700 | +11% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,100 – $12,500 | +22% |
Optional extras in Modesto
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.16 for Modesto, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.26) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $90 – $1,150 |
The best months for chain-link fence in Modesto
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Modesto City Co 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 Modesto are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Modesto gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.6 inches in January). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 0.1 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 90 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 | 56 | 39 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 54 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 63 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 59 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 43 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 39 | 2.2 | Workable |
Chain-link fence: what moves the price in Modesto
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).
Coating
Black or green vinyl-coated mesh costs more than galvanized.
Pick a size, pick a tier: chain-link fence pricing in Modesto
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Modesto. 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
$1,750 to $3,950
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,400 to $5,650
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$5,100 to $7,300
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,200 – $2,650 | $2,300 – $3,800 | $3,400 – $4,900 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,750 – $3,950 | $3,400 – $5,650 | $5,100 – $7,300 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,300 – $5,250 | $4,500 – $7,450 | $6,750 – $9,700 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,450 – $7,850 | $6,750 – $11,200 | $10,100 – $14,500 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $3,400 to $5,650 for Modesto, CA is attached.
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Chain-link fence in Modesto: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Modesto?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,750 to $7,300 in the Modesto area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,400 to $5,650. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Modesto?
About $11.50 to $47.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Modesto or Stockton?
Stockton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,350, which is 4% less than Modesto ($4,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Modesto?
About 65% at the midpoint, or $2,950 out of $4,500. Materials are 33% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Modesto?
$2,300 to $9,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Modesto?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $160 for fees in the Modesto area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Modesto expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of California?
Modesto is 1% below the California statewide estimate ($4,550 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Modesto?
The BLS median is $29.15 an hour in the Modesto area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.89 to $38.02.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Modesto?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,750 to $3,950 and premium work $5,100 to $7,300. 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 Modesto?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September 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 Modesto?
$90 to $1,150, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Modesto
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).