Chain-link fence cost in Charlottesville, VA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,500 – $5,850
- Per linear ft
- $9.60 – $38
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #157
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a chain-link fence in Charlottesville, plan on $1,500 to $5,850 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $9.60 to $38 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $21.67 an hour in the Charlottesville area, 4% 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 Charlottesville, VA, standard level
$2,800 to $4,550
About $18 to $29.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,850 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $120 |
| Total | $2,800 | $4,550 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Charlottesville, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,400 | $1,900 | 38% |
| Labor | $570 | $2,200 | $3,800 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 3% |
| Total | $1,500 | $3,650 | $5,850 | 100% |
What is behind the Charlottesville number
Labor is 60% 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 Charlottesville the blended ratio comes out at 0.94.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Charlottesville metro is 96.8 (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 (99.1) and land at $40 to $150.
Specs and site conditions that change a Charlottesville bid
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.
Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville is 0.94 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $21.67 an hour, 4% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.49 and $22.62 an hour. About 570 work in the metro. That is 49.7 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 $26.97 an hour, which is 7% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.28 and $29.53 an hour. BLS counts 630 of them working in the area, 54.9 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 ($22.62 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $60. At the 25th percentile ($18.49) it shrinks by about $200. The total moves by 1.6% or 5.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 114,780 jobs in the Charlottesville area. That makes it the 190th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $18.49 | $21.67 | $22.62 | $22.66 | 0.96 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $22.28 | $26.97 | $29.53 | $29.12 | 0.93 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
Charlottesville against nearby metros and the rest of Virginia
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Washington is the priciest of the group at $3,950. Roanoke is the cheapest at $3,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VAthis page | $1,500 – $5,850 | $3,650 | |
| Harrisonburg, VA40 miles | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −4% |
| Lynchburg, VA55 miles | $1,400 – $5,300 | $3,350 | −9% |
| Richmond, VA75 miles | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −4% |
| Washington, DC85 miles | $1,600 – $6,300 | $3,950 | +7% |
| Roanoke, VA85 miles | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,300 | −10% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $1,500 – $5,850 | $3,650 | level |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +5% |
Across 300 US metros, Charlottesville comes in at #157 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Charlottesville is 0% below the Virginia figure.
Other Virginia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $1,400 – $5,400 | $3,400 | −7% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −4% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,300 | −10% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $1,400 – $5,300 | $3,350 | −9% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,450 | −6% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −5% |
Cities with a workforce like Charlottesville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charlottesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $1,350 – $5,100 | $3,200 | −12% |
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $1,300 – $4,800 | $3,050 | −17% |
| Topeka, KS | 115,750 jobs | $1,450 – $5,700 | $3,550 | −3% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $1,350 – $5,200 | $3,300 | −10% |
Related projects, priced for Charlottesville
Because every project leans on different trades, Charlottesville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs −3% and aluminum fence −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,900 – $7,300 | −4% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,800 | −4% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,550 – $10,800 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $9,950 | −3% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: chain-link fence pricing in Charlottesville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Charlottesville 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
$1,500 to $3,250
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,800 to $4,550
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,100 to $5,850
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,000 – $2,200 | $1,900 – $3,050 | $2,750 – $3,950 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,800 – $4,550 | $4,100 – $5,850 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,950 – $4,300 | $3,700 – $6,000 | $5,450 – $7,750 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,900 – $6,400 | $5,500 – $8,950 | $8,100 – $11,600 |
Climate in Charlottesville: timing your chain-link fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Charlottesville 2 Sse (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through December is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Charlottesville (11 of 12 months). 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.
Charlottesville gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, July and September (4.9 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 3.0 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 10 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 | 44 | 28 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 31 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 55 | 37 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 66 | 47 | 4.2 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 55 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 64 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 68 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 66 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 61 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 50 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 40 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 32 | 3.8 | Workable |
Extras that change the Charlottesville total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Charlottesville by the average of the local wage index (0.94) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.96. 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 – $960 |
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 $2,800 to $4,550 for Charlottesville, VA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Charlottesville, VA 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 Charlottesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Charlottesville?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,500 to $5,850 in the Charlottesville area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,800 to $4,550. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Charlottesville?
About $9.60 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 Charlottesville or Harrisonburg?
Harrisonburg is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,500, which is 4% less than Charlottesville ($3,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charlottesville?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $2,200 out of $3,650. Materials are 38% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Charlottesville?
$1,950 to $7,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charlottesville expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Virginia?
Charlottesville is 0% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($3,650 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Charlottesville?
The BLS median is $21.67 an hour in the Charlottesville area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.49 to $22.62.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Charlottesville?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,500 to $3,250 and premium work $4,100 to $5,850. 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 Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville?
$75 to $960, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Charlottesville
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).