Chain-link fence cost in Durham, NC
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
- $9.55 – $38
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #169
- 1 = most expensive
Durham homeowners pay roughly $1,450 to $5,800 to install a chain-link fence at 150 linear ft, or $9.55 to $38 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Durham is 5% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.38 an hour in the Durham area, 1% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Durham, NC, standard level
$2,750 to $4,500
About $18 to $29.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,800 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $2,750 | $4,500 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Durham, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,400 | $1,900 | 38% |
| Labor | $560 | $2,150 | $3,800 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 3% |
| Total | $1,450 | $3,650 | $5,800 | 100% |
Where the Durham price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 60%, carpenters at 40%. Weighted together, Durham wages are 0.93 times the national level. Labor makes up about 60% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Durham metro is 96.6 (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 (97.6) and land at $40 to $150.
Why two Durham quotes can differ
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.
Survey
A land survey ($300-$900) is worth it before you put a fence near a boundary.
Pick a size, pick a tier: chain-link fence pricing in Durham
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Durham 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
$1,450 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 | $5,400 – $7,700 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,900 – $6,350 | $5,450 – $8,900 | $8,050 – $11,500 |
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 Durham is 0.93 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $22.38 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $25.15 an hour. About 1,120 work in the metro. That is 32.6 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 $24.78 an hour, which is 15% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.40 and $29.03 an hour. BLS counts 520 of them working in the area, 15.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($25.15 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $170. At the 25th percentile ($19.03) it shrinks by about $210. The total moves by 4.7% or 5.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 344,020 jobs in the Durham-Chapel Hill area. That makes it the 74th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.22% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $19.03 | $22.38 | $25.15 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $21.40 | $24.78 | $29.03 | $29.12 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Optional extras in Durham
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Durham by the average of the local wage index (0.93) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.95. 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) | $75 – $950 |
Is Durham cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Durham. Greensboro is the lowest at about $3,400 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 40 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham, NCthis page | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,650 | |
| Burlington, NC15 miles | $1,450 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −5% |
| Greensboro, NC40 miles | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,400 | −6% |
| Raleigh, NC40 miles | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −1% |
| Fayetteville, NC65 miles | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −4% |
| Winston, NC70 miles | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −4% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −3% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Durham comes in at #169 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Durham is 3% above the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −1% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −1% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,400 | −6% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −4% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −1% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Durham's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Durham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $1,650 – $7,150 | $4,400 | +21% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −1% |
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | −10% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $1,300 – $4,950 | $3,150 | −14% |
When to schedule chain-link fence in Durham
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Raleigh Durham Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
August through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Durham (11 of 12 months). July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Durham gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 52 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 | 52 | 32 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 56 | 34 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 69 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 63 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 73 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 34 | 3.4 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Durham
Because every project leans on different trades, Durham's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl fence runs −4% and aluminum fence −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,850 – $7,200 | −6% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,750 | −4% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,550 – $10,700 | −6% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,600 | −6% |
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 Durham, NC is attached.
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Chain-link fence in Durham: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Durham?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,450 to $5,800 in the Durham 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 Durham?
About $9.55 to $38 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 Durham or Burlington?
Burlington is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,450, which is 5% less than Durham ($3,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Durham?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $2,150 out of $3,650. Materials are 38% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Durham?
$1,950 to $7,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Durham?
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 Durham area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Durham expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Durham is 3% above the North Carolina statewide estimate ($3,550 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Durham?
The BLS median is $22.38 an hour in the Durham area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.03 to $25.15.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Durham?
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 Durham?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. 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 Durham?
$75 to $950, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Durham
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).