Chain-link fence cost in Dover, DE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,450 – $5,800
- Per linear ft
- $9.50 – $37.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #173
- 1 = most expensive
A chain-link fence in Dover, DE usually costs $1,450 to $5,800 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $9.50 to $37.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $220 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.02 an hour in the Dover area, 3% below the US median of $22.66.
Estimate your chain-link fence cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Dover, DE, standard level
$2,750 to $4,500
About $18 to $29 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,800 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $2,750 | $4,500 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Dover, DE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,350 | $1,900 | 38% |
| Labor | $560 | $2,150 | $3,750 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 3% |
| Total | $1,450 | $3,600 | $5,800 | 100% |
Where the Dover price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 60%, carpenters at 40%. Weighted together, Dover wages are 0.93 times the national level. Labor makes up about 60% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dover 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 97.5: $40 to $150.
What local crews earn in Dover
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 Dover the blend is 0.93.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $22.02 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.50 and $24.63 an hour. BLS counts 400 of them working in the area, 58.8 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 $25.07 an hour, 14% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.87 and $32.20 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 39.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $160 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $220. That is a swing of roughly 6.0% to 4.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dover has 68,080 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 265th 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% | $18.50 | $22.02 | $24.63 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $22.87 | $25.07 | $32.20 | $29.12 | 0.86 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Dover weather and the chain-link fence calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Dover (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Dover are February through December: 11 of 12. Outside them, January has an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Dover gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 13 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.9 inches in August). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 25 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 | 44 | 28 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 29 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 55 | 35 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 66 | 45 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 54 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 64 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 69 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 67 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 61 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 50 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 39 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 49 | 32 | 4.0 | Workable |
Optional extras in Dover
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.95 for Dover, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.93) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $75 – $950 |
Dover: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dover. 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
$1,450 to $3,200
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,750 to $4,500
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,050 to $5,800
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $990 – $2,150 | $1,850 – $3,050 | $2,750 – $3,900 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,750 – $4,500 | $4,050 – $5,800 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,950 – $4,250 | $3,650 – $5,950 | $5,350 – $7,650 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,900 – $6,300 | $5,450 – $8,850 | $8,000 – $11,400 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Dover bid
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).
Planning more than one job in Dover?
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dover wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−5%) and gravel driveway lowest (−7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,850 – $7,200 | −6% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,700 | −5% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,600 – $10,900 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,500 | −7% |
Is Dover cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Vineland is the priciest of the group at $4,950.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DEthis page | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,600 | |
| Vineland, NJ25 miles | $1,850 – $8,100 | $4,950 | +37% |
| Atlantic City, NJ45 miles | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,100 | +13% |
| Philadelphia, PA55 miles | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +12% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,900 | +7% |
| Lancaster, PA75 miles | $1,550 – $6,100 | $3,800 | +6% |
| Delaware (statewide) | $1,500 – $5,950 | $3,700 | +3% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dover ranks #173 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dover is 3% below the Delaware figure.
Dover is the only Delaware metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dover against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | +4% |
| Burlington, NC | 67,830 jobs | $1,450 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −4% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $1,550 – $6,350 | $3,950 | +9% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −4% |
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 $2,750 to $4,500 for Dover, DE is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Dover, DE 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 Dover: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Dover?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,450 to $5,800 in the Dover area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,750 to $4,500. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Dover?
About $9.50 to $37.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Dover or Vineland?
Vineland is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,950, which is 37% more than Dover ($3,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dover?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $2,150 out of $3,600. Materials are 38% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Dover?
$1,950 to $7,650. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Dover?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $150 for fees in the Dover area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dover expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Delaware?
Dover is 3% below the Delaware statewide estimate ($3,700 at the midpoint).
+What do construction laborers earn in Dover?
The BLS median is $22.02 an hour in the Dover area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.50 to $24.63.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Dover?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $3,200 and premium work $4,050 to $5,800. 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 Dover?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. February and November 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 Dover?
$75 to $950, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Dover
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).