Chain-link fence cost in Wilmington, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,450 – $5,750
- Per linear ft
- $9.50 – $37.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #177
- 1 = most expensive
A chain-link fence in Wilmington, NC usually costs $1,450 to $5,750 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 $230 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.16 an hour in the Wilmington area, 2% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Wilmington, NC, standard level
$2,750 to $4,450
About $18 to $29 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,800 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $2,750 | $4,450 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Wilmington, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,400 | $1,900 | 38% |
| Labor | $550 | $2,150 | $3,750 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $140 | 3% |
| Total | $1,450 | $3,600 | $5,750 | 100% |
Why Wilmington prices look the way they do
Labor is 59% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (60%), carpenters (40%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Wilmington the blended ratio comes out at 0.92.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Wilmington is at 96.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,450 nationally becomes $1,400 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.4: $40 to $140.
Planning more than one job in Wilmington?
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Wilmington 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 | $3,550 – $10,700 | −6% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,450 | −7% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Wilmington 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).
What local crews earn in Wilmington
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 Wilmington the blend is 0.92.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $22.16 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.02 and $26.94 an hour. BLS counts 1,870 of them working in the area, 97.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $24.44 an hour, 16% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.06 and $28.70 an hour. About 640 work in the metro. That is 33.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $290 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $250. That is a swing of roughly 7.1% to 8.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Wilmington has 191,280 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 120th 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% | $18.02 | $22.16 | $26.94 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $22.06 | $24.44 | $28.70 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.92 | |||||
Is Wilmington 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 $3,350 to $3,600 across Wilmington and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NCthis page | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | |
| Myrtle Beach, SC60 miles | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,350 | −8% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −4% |
| Greenville, NC100 miles | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,450 | −5% |
| Florence, SC100 miles | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −2% |
| Raleigh, NC105 miles | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | level |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −2% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Wilmington ranks #177 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Wilmington is 2% above the North Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | level |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,400 | −5% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,650 | +1% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −4% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wilmington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | +5% |
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $1,400 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −4% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $1,400 – $5,400 | $3,400 | −6% |
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $1,650 – $6,600 | $4,150 | +14% |
Wilmington 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, Wilmington Intl 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 Wilmington are August through June: 11 of 12. Outside them, July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Wilmington gets about 60 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (8.7 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and April are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 45 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 | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 38 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 44 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 53 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 61 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 69 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 73 | 6.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 72 | 8.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 84 | 67 | 8.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 56 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 45 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 60 | 39 | 3.7 | Workable |
Extras that change the Wilmington total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.94 for Wilmington, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.92) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $75 – $940 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: chain-link fence pricing in Wilmington
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Wilmington. 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 $4,450
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,050 to $5,750
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $990 – $2,150 | $1,850 – $3,000 | $2,750 – $3,900 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,750 – $4,450 | $4,050 – $5,750 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,950 – $4,200 | $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 |
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 $4,450 for Wilmington, NC is attached.
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The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Wilmington, NC 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 Wilmington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Wilmington?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,450 to $5,750 in the Wilmington area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,750 to $4,450. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Wilmington?
About $9.50 to $37.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Wilmington or Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,350, which is 8% less than Wilmington ($3,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wilmington?
About 59% 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 Wilmington?
$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 Wilmington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $140 for fees in the Wilmington area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wilmington expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Wilmington is 2% 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 Wilmington?
The BLS median is $22.16 an hour in the Wilmington area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.02 to $26.94.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Wilmington?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $3,200 and premium work $4,050 to $5,750. 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 Wilmington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. February and April 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 Wilmington?
$75 to $940, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Wilmington
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).