Chain-link fence cost in Portland, ME
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,550 – $6,250
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $41
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #105
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a chain-link fence in Portland, plan on $1,550 to $6,250 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $10 to $41 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.31 an hour in the Portland area, 3% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Portland, ME, standard level
$2,950 to $4,850
About $19 to $31.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,700 | $3,150 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $2,950 | $4,850 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Portland, ME
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,400 | $1,900 | 35% |
| Labor | $630 | $2,400 | $4,200 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $1,550 | $3,900 | $6,250 | 100% |
Why Portland 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, Portland wages are 1.04 times the national level. Labor makes up about 62% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Portland metro is 97.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,400, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.9) and land at $40 to $150.
Optional extras in Portland
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Portland by the average of the local wage index (1.04) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 1.01. 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 – $1,000 |
How Portland compares
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Boston is the priciest of the group at $4,550. Manchester is the cheapest at $3,850.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, MEthis page | $1,550 – $6,250 | $3,900 | |
| Manchester, NH85 miles | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −2% |
| Boston, MA85 miles | $1,700 – $7,400 | $4,550 | +17% |
| Worcester, MA120 miles | $1,650 – $7,150 | $4,400 | +13% |
| Barnstable, MA135 miles | $1,650 – $7,000 | $4,350 | +11% |
| Providence, RI140 miles | $1,600 – $6,750 | $4,200 | +7% |
| Maine (statewide) | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −3% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −2% |
Across 300 US metros, Portland comes in at #105 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Portland is 3% above the Maine figure.
Other Maine metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $1,500 – $5,850 | $3,650 | −6% |
Cities with a workforce like Portland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $1,700 – $7,000 | $4,350 | +12% |
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,650 | −7% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $1,500 – $6,200 | $3,850 | −1% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $1,650 – $6,950 | $4,300 | +10% |
Cost by quality level and size in Portland
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Portland 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
$1,550 to $3,450
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,950 to $4,850
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,400 to $6,250
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,300 | $2,000 – $3,250 | $2,950 – $4,250 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,950 – $4,850 | $4,400 – $6,250 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,050 – $4,550 | $3,900 – $6,450 | $5,800 – $8,300 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,050 – $6,800 | $5,850 – $9,600 | $8,650 – $12,400 |
Portland labor market for chain-link fence
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 Portland is 1.04 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $23.31 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.50 and $27.46 an hour. About 1,470 work in the metro. That is 51.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $30.91 an hour, which is 6% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.45 and $35.95 an hour. BLS counts 2,230 of them working in the area, 77.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.46 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($21.50) it shrinks by about $110. The total moves by 6.5% or 2.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 288,480 jobs in the Portland-South Portland area. That makes it the 89th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.19% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $21.50 | $23.31 | $27.46 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $28.45 | $30.91 | $35.95 | $29.12 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Portland 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 Portland?
Because every project leans on different trades, Portland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, wood fence runs level and vinyl fence −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,050 – $7,650 | level |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,450 – $9,050 | −1% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,400 | level |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
Climate in Portland: timing your chain-link fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Portland Intl Jetport (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Portland (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March and December 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.
Portland gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 69 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, October and December (5.3 inches in October). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 32 | 16 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 42 | 26 | 4.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 35 | 4.4 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 55 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 32 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 22 | 4.5 | Cold |
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Chain-link fence in Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Portland?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,550 to $6,250 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,950 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 Portland?
About $10 to $41 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 Portland or Manchester?
Manchester is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,850, which is 2% less than Portland ($3,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $2,400 out of $3,900. Materials are 35% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Portland?
$2,050 to $8,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Portland?
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 Portland area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Maine?
Portland is 3% above the Maine statewide estimate ($3,800 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Maine; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $23.31 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.50 to $27.46.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Portland?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,550 to $3,450 and premium work $4,400 to $6,250. 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 Portland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. July and August 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 Portland?
$80 to $1,000, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Portland
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).