Chain-link fence cost in Denver, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,600 – $6,400
- Per linear ft
- $10.50 – $41.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #86
- 1 = most expensive
Denver homeowners pay roughly $1,600 to $6,400 to install a chain-link fence at 150 linear ft, or $10.50 to $41.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Denver is 3% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.44 an hour in the Denver area, 3% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Denver, CO, standard level
$3,000 to $4,950
About $19.50 to $32 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,250 | $1,650 |
| Labor | $1,700 | $3,150 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $3,000 | $4,950 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Denver, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $910 | $1,450 | $1,950 | 36% |
| Labor | $630 | $2,450 | $4,250 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $100 | $160 | 3% |
| Total | $1,600 | $4,000 | $6,400 | 100% |
Where the Denver price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 60%, carpenters at 40%. Weighted together, Denver wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 61% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Denver metro is 101.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,450, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (105.8) and land at $40 to $160.
Chain-link fence: what moves the price in Denver
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.
Gates
Gates are $80-$1,000+ before installation. Rolling or slide gates are the expensive end.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Denver is 1.05 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $23.44 an hour, 3% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.48 and $27.44 an hour. About 9,650 work in the metro. That is 60.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $31.21 an hour, which is 7% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.70 and $36.14 an hour. BLS counts 7,250 of them working in the area, 45.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.44 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $250. At the 25th percentile ($21.48) it shrinks by about $120. The total moves by 6.2% or 3.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,609,350 jobs in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial area. That makes it the 17th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.03% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $21.48 | $23.44 | $27.44 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $27.70 | $31.21 | $36.14 | $29.12 | 1.07 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Is Denver cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 150 linear ft range from $3,650 to $4,000 across Denver and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, COthis page | $1,600 – $6,400 | $4,000 | |
| Colorado Springs, CO45 miles | $1,500 – $5,950 | $3,700 | −7% |
| Boulder, CO55 miles | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −4% |
| Greeley, CO80 miles | $1,500 – $5,950 | $3,700 | −7% |
| Fort Collins, CO90 miles | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | −5% |
| Pueblo, CO90 miles | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | −8% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $1,550 – $6,250 | $3,900 | −2% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Denver comes in at #86 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Denver is 2% above the Colorado figure.
Other Colorado metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $1,500 – $5,950 | $3,700 | −7% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −4% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | −5% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $1,500 – $5,950 | $3,700 | −7% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $1,500 – $5,950 | $3,700 | −7% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like Denver's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Denver against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $1,700 – $7,100 | $4,400 | +10% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $1,750 – $7,200 | $4,450 | +12% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $1,650 – $6,800 | $4,200 | +6% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −11% |
Denver: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Denver wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$1,600 to $3,500
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,000 to $4,950
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,450 to $6,400
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,350 | $2,050 – $3,350 | $3,000 – $4,300 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,600 – $3,500 | $3,000 – $4,950 | $4,450 – $6,400 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,100 – $4,650 | $4,000 – $6,550 | $5,900 – $8,450 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,100 – $6,900 | $5,950 – $9,750 | $8,800 – $12,600 |
What nearby projects cost in Denver
Because every project leans on different trades, Denver's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +3% and vinyl fence +2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,150 – $7,850 | +3% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,600 – $9,350 | +2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,900 – $11,600 | +2% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,500 | +3% |
Add-ons priced for Denver
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Denver by the average of the local wage index (1.05) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 1.03. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $80 – $1,050 |
When to schedule chain-link fence in Denver
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Denver-Stapleton (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
August through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Denver (11 of 12 months). July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Denver gets about 15 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, July and August (2.3 inches in May). Inside the workable window, January and December are the driest, at 0.5 and 0.5 inches. The station averages about 42 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47 | 18 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Feb | 48 | 19 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 56 | 27 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 34 | 1.7 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 43 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 53 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 59 | 2.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 57 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 48 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 36 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 26 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 46 | 18 | 0.5 | Workable |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed chain-link fence report for Denver, CO, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Denver, CO line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Chain-link fence in Denver: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Denver?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,600 to $6,400 in the Denver area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,000 to $4,950. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Denver?
About $10.50 to $41.50 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 Denver or Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,700, which is 7% less than Denver ($4,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Denver?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $2,450 out of $4,000. Materials are 36% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Denver?
$2,100 to $8,450. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Denver?
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 Denver area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Denver expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Colorado?
Denver is 2% above the Colorado statewide estimate ($3,900 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Denver?
The BLS median is $23.44 an hour in the Denver area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.48 to $27.44.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Denver?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,600 to $3,500 and premium work $4,450 to $6,400. 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 Denver?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. January and December 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 Denver?
$80 to $1,050, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Denver
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).