Vinyl fence cost in Madison, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $4,400 – $9,000
- Per linear ft
- $29 – $59
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $6,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #105
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a vinyl fence in the Madison area: $4,400 to $9,000 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 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.8).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Madison, WI, standard level
$5,800 to $7,650
About $38 to $50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 25% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,350 | $5,500 |
| Labor | $1,350 | $2,050 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $5,800 | $7,650 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Madison, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,500 | $4,900 | $6,350 | 73% |
| Labor | $850 | $1,700 | $2,550 | 25% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $4,400 | $6,700 | $9,000 | 100% |
Why Madison prices look the way they do
Labor is 25% of the midpoint bill here, against 22% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (50%), construction laborers (50%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Madison the blended ratio comes out at 1.13.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Madison is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,250 nationally becomes $4,900 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 97.3: $40 to $150.
Who does the work: Madison 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 Madison the blend is 1.13.
Carpenters (47-2031), 50% of the weighting: a median of $30.52 an hour, 5% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.71 and $39.68 an hour. About 2,320 work in the metro. That is 56.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $27.40 an hour, which is 21% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.70 and $31.94 an hour. BLS counts 2,370 of them working in the area, 58.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $240 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $120. That is a swing of roughly 1.8% to 3.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Madison has 408,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 61st by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $25.71 | $30.52 | $39.68 | $29.12 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $22.70 | $27.40 | $31.94 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.13 | |||||
Extras that change the Madison total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.03 for Madison, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.13) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $150 – $810 |
| Remove old fence | $1,550 – $3,100 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: vinyl fence pricing in Madison
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Madison. 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
$4,400 to $6,250
4-ft picket or ranch rail
Standard
$5,800 to $7,650
6-ft privacy fence, standard white
Premium
$7,150 to $9,000
Tall or colored privacy, many corners and gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,950 – $4,200 | $3,900 – $5,150 | $4,800 – $6,050 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $4,400 – $6,250 | $5,800 – $7,650 | $7,150 – $9,000 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $5,850 – $8,300 | $7,700 – $10,100 | $9,550 – $12,000 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $8,750 – $12,400 | $11,500 – $15,100 | $14,200 – $17,900 |
What nearby projects cost in Madison
Jobs that often go together with vinyl fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Madison wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+6%) and aluminum fence lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,100 – $7,700 | +1% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,600 | +6% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,400 | +4% |
Why two Madison quotes can differ
Permit
Fence permits run $40-$150 depending on location.
Type and height
A vinyl picket fence is $30-$45 per linear foot; a 6-ft privacy fence $40-$60, and 8-ft goes to $85 (HomeGuide).
Gates
A vinyl gate costs $150-$780 installed, more for large or complex ones.
Madison against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Madison. Dubuque is the lowest at about $6,500 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 80 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | $4,400 – $9,000 | $6,700 | |
| Janesville, WI40 miles | $4,450 – $9,200 | $6,850 | +2% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $4,450 – $9,200 | $6,850 | +2% |
| Dubuque, IA80 miles | $4,300 – $8,750 | $6,500 | −3% |
| Oshkosh, WI85 miles | $4,500 – $9,250 | $6,850 | +2% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $4,400 – $8,950 | $6,700 | level |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $4,400 – $9,000 | $6,700 | level |
| United States | $4,550 – $9,150 | $6,850 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Madison ranks #105 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Madison is 0% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $4,400 – $9,050 | $6,700 | level |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $4,350 – $8,900 | $6,650 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $4,400 – $9,050 | $6,750 | level |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $4,500 – $9,250 | $6,850 | +2% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $4,400 – $8,950 | $6,650 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $4,400 – $8,950 | $6,700 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Madison against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $4,200 – $8,400 | $6,300 | −6% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $4,350 – $8,700 | $6,550 | −3% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $4,350 – $8,650 | $6,500 | −3% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $4,550 – $9,300 | $6,950 | +3% |
The best months for vinyl fence in Madison
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Madison Dane Rgnl 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 Madison are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Madison gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 27 | 12 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 25 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 51 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 29 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed vinyl fence report for Madison, WI, $9
The report lays out the vinyl fence numbers for Madison, WI 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.
Vinyl fence in Madison: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a vinyl fence in Madison?
For 150 linear ft, expect $4,400 to $9,000 in the Madison area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,800 to $7,650. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for vinyl fence in Madison?
About $29 to $59 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $30 to $60.
+Is vinyl fence cheaper in Madison or Janesville?
Janesville is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $6,850, which is 2% more than Madison ($6,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Madison?
About 25% at the midpoint, or $1,700 out of $6,700. Materials are 73% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 22%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Madison?
$5,850 to $12,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does vinyl fence need a permit in Madison?
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 Madison area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Madison expensive for vinyl fence compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Madison is 0% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($6,700 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Madison?
The BLS median is $30.52 an hour in the Madison area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.71 to $39.68.
+What do basic and premium vinyl fence work cost in Madison?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $4,400 to $6,250 and premium work $7,150 to $9,000. Basic means: 4-ft picket or ranch rail. Premium means: tall or colored privacy, many corners and gates.
+When is the best time to install a vinyl fence in Madison?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October 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 Madison?
$150 to $810, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Vinyl fence near Madison
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 Vinyl Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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 are as cited ($25-$45/ft). HomeGuide reports basic labor at $5-$15/ft, so materials are most of the installed price.