Chain-link fence cost in Washington, DC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,600 – $6,300
- Per linear ft
- $10.50 – $41
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #100
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a chain-link fence in the Washington area: $1,600 to $6,300 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 lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 104.8).
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 Washington, DC, standard level
$3,000 to $4,850
About $19.50 to $31.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,250 | $1,700 |
| Labor | $1,650 | $3,050 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $130 |
| Total | $3,000 | $4,850 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Washington, DC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,500 | $2,050 | 38% |
| Labor | $600 | $2,350 | $4,050 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $100 | $160 | 3% |
| Total | $1,600 | $3,950 | $6,300 | 100% |
Why Washington 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 $22.80 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Washington is 1.01 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 59% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Washington is at 104.8 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 108.9: $45 to $160.
Cost by quality level and size in Washington
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Washington. 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
$1,600 to $3,450
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,000 to $4,850
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,400 to $6,300
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,350 | $2,000 – $3,300 | $2,950 – $4,250 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,600 – $3,450 | $3,000 – $4,850 | $4,400 – $6,300 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,100 – $4,600 | $3,950 – $6,450 | $5,850 – $8,300 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,150 – $6,850 | $5,900 – $9,600 | $8,700 – $12,400 |
Why two Washington 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).
Related projects, priced for Washington
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Washington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (+4%) and wood fence lowest (+3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,100 – $7,900 | +3% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,750 – $9,500 | +4% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,900 – $11,800 | +3% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,600 | +3% |
The best months for chain-link fence in Washington
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Washington Reagan 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 Washington are August through June: 11 of 12. Outside them, July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Washington gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 14 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.6 inches. The station averages about 40 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 | 45 | 30 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 48 | 32 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 57 | 39 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 68 | 48 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 58 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 68 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 72 | 4.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 71 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 64 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 52 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 42 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 49 | 35 | 3.4 | Workable |
Extras that change the Washington total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.03 for Washington, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.01) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $80 – $1,050 |
Who does the work: Washington 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 Washington the blend is 1.01.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $22.80 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.07 and $27.05 an hour. BLS counts 17,710 of them working in the area, 56.5 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 $29.23 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.62 and $35.56 an hour. About 13,280 work in the metro. That is 42.3 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 $260 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $170. That is a swing of roughly 4.3% to 6.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has 3,136,190 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 6th 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% | $20.07 | $22.80 | $27.05 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $26.62 | $29.23 | $35.56 | $29.12 | 1.00 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
Is Washington cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Washington is the priciest of the group. Winchester is the cheapest at $3,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DCthis page | $1,600 – $6,300 | $3,950 | |
| Hagerstown, MD55 miles | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −9% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,900 | −1% |
| Winchester, VA60 miles | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −11% |
| Lexington Park, MD65 miles | $1,550 – $6,100 | $3,850 | −3% |
| Chambersburg, PA75 miles | $1,500 – $5,800 | $3,650 | −7% |
| District of Columbia (statewide) | $1,650 – $6,450 | $4,050 | +3% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Washington ranks #100 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Washington is 3% below the District of Columbia figure.
Washington is the only District of Columbia 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 Washington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −11% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +3% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $1,500 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −8% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −10% |
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 $3,000 to $4,850 for Washington, DC is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Washington, DC 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 Washington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Washington?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,600 to $6,300 in the Washington area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,000 to $4,850. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Washington?
About $10.50 to $41 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Washington or Hagerstown?
Hagerstown is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,600, which is 9% less than Washington ($3,950). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Washington?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $2,350 out of $3,950. Materials are 38% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Washington?
$2,100 to $8,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Washington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $160 for fees in the Washington area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Washington expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of District of Columbia?
Washington is 3% below the District of Columbia statewide estimate ($4,050 at the midpoint).
+What do construction laborers earn in Washington?
The BLS median is $22.80 an hour in the Washington area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.07 to $27.05.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Washington?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,600 to $3,450 and premium work $4,400 to $6,300. 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 Washington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. January and February 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 Washington?
$80 to $1,050, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Washington
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).