Wood fence cost in Tuscaloosa, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $2,650 – $6,850
- Per linear ft
- $17.50 – $45
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #261
- 1 = most expensive
Tuscaloosa homeowners pay roughly $2,650 to $6,850 to install a wood fence at 150 linear ft, or $17.50 to $45 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Tuscaloosa is 11% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $23.49 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, 19% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Tuscaloosa, AL, standard level
$3,900 to $5,600
About $25.50 to $36.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 38% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,300 | $3,450 |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,000 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $100 |
| Total | $3,900 | $5,600 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,900 | $4,350 | 61% |
| Labor | $1,200 | $1,800 | $2,400 | 38% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $130 | 2% |
| Total | $2,650 | $4,750 | $6,850 | 100% |
What is behind the Tuscaloosa number
Labor is 38% of the midpoint bill here, against 42% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (60%), construction laborers (40%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Tuscaloosa the blended ratio comes out at 0.79.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Tuscaloosa metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $2,900, compared with $3,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.7) and land at $35 to $130.
Optional extras in Tuscaloosa
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Tuscaloosa by the average of the local wage index (0.79) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.88. 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) | $130 – $700 |
Is Tuscaloosa 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 $4,750 to $4,850 across Tuscaloosa and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, ALthis page | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 | |
| Birmingham, AL60 miles | $2,700 – $6,950 | $4,850 | +2% |
| Montgomery, AL95 miles | $2,650 – $6,800 | $4,750 | −1% |
| Decatur, AL105 miles | $2,700 – $6,950 | $4,850 | +1% |
| Huntsville, AL130 miles | $2,700 – $6,900 | $4,800 | +1% |
| Auburn, AL140 miles | $2,650 – $6,800 | $4,750 | −1% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +12% |
Across 300 US metros, Tuscaloosa comes in at #261 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Tuscaloosa is 0% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $2,700 – $6,950 | $4,850 | +2% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $2,700 – $6,900 | $4,800 | +1% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 | level |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $2,650 – $6,800 | $4,750 | −1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 | level |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $2,650 – $6,800 | $4,750 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Tuscaloosa's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Tuscaloosa against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $2,500 – $6,450 | $4,450 | −6% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $3,200 – $8,050 | $5,650 | +18% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | +7% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $3,000 – $7,500 | $5,250 | +10% |
Cost by quality level and size in Tuscaloosa
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Tuscaloosa 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
$2,650 to $4,350
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$3,900 to $5,600
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,200 to $6,850
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,800 – $2,900 | $2,650 – $3,750 | $3,500 – $4,600 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $2,650 – $4,350 | $3,900 – $5,600 | $5,200 – $6,850 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $3,550 – $5,750 | $5,200 – $7,450 | $6,850 – $9,100 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $5,300 – $8,600 | $7,800 – $11,100 | $10,300 – $13,600 |
Why two Tuscaloosa quotes can differ
Height and permits
Fences over about 6 ft often need a permit and a setback check. Permits run $40-$150.
Slope and soil
Hills, rock, and tree roots slow post digging.
Composite
A composite wood-look privacy fence is $55-$85 per linear foot installed (HomeGuide).
When to schedule wood fence in Tuscaloosa
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Northport 2 S (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Tuscaloosa (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Tuscaloosa gets about 57 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are February, March and April (5.6 inches in February). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 89 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 | 56 | 35 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 38 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 5.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 76 | 52 | 5.4 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 68 | 5.3 | Hot |
| Jul | 92 | 71 | 4.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 71 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 65 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 53 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 37 | 5.2 | Workable |
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 Tuscaloosa is 0.79 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $23.49 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.52 and $27.84 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 24.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $17.53 an hour, 23% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.59 and $20.69 an hour. About 1,110 work in the metro. That is 102.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.84 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $200. At the 25th percentile ($20.52) it shrinks by about $140. The total moves by 4.2% or 2.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 108,460 jobs in the Tuscaloosa area. That makes it the 192nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $20.52 | $23.49 | $27.84 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $14.59 | $17.53 | $20.69 | $22.66 | 0.77 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Tuscaloosa?
Because every project leans on different trades, Tuscaloosa's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl fence runs −8% and chain-link fence −15%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,250 – $8,400 | −8% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,350 – $5,200 | −15% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,400 – $10,300 | −10% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,750 – $13,500 | −11% |
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 $3,900 to $5,600 for Tuscaloosa, AL is attached.
Detailed wood fence report for Tuscaloosa, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Tuscaloosa, AL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Wood fence in Tuscaloosa: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Tuscaloosa?
For 150 linear ft, expect $2,650 to $6,850 in the Tuscaloosa area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,900 to $5,600. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Tuscaloosa?
About $17.50 to $45 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Tuscaloosa or Birmingham?
Birmingham is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,850, which is 2% more than Tuscaloosa ($4,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Tuscaloosa?
About 38% at the midpoint, or $1,800 out of $4,750. Materials are 61% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Tuscaloosa?
$3,550 to $9,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Tuscaloosa?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $130 for fees in the Tuscaloosa area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Tuscaloosa expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Alabama?
Tuscaloosa is 0% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($4,750 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Tuscaloosa?
The BLS median is $23.49 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.52 to $27.84.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Tuscaloosa?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $2,650 to $4,350 and premium work $5,200 to $6,850. Basic means: pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft. Premium means: premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence.
+When is the best time to install a wood fence in Tuscaloosa?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September and October 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 Tuscaloosa?
$130 to $700, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Tuscaloosa
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 Wood Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Vinyl Fence Cost? (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