Wood fence cost in California
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (150 linear ft)
- $3,550 – $8,750
- Per linear ft
- $23 – $57
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $5,350
- Metros covered
- 23
Across California, a wood fence costs about $3,550 to $8,750 for 150 linear ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 15% above the US figure of $5,350. Carpenters earn a median $36.50 an hour in California (US: $29.12).
Inside California, the metros we cover range from $5,600 (Visalia) to $6,750 (San Francisco) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your wood fence cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in California (statewide), standard level
$5,100 to $7,150
About $33.50 to $47 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,550 | $3,800 |
| Labor | $2,450 | $3,200 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $130 |
| Total | $5,100 | $7,150 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in California
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $3,200 | $4,750 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $3,550 | $6,150 | $8,750 | 100% |
Wood fence: what moves the price in California
Wood species
A 6-ft privacy fence is $25-$50 per linear foot installed; an 8-ft one goes up to $75. Tropical hardwood privacy fences run $35-$55 (HomeGuide).
Style
Split-rail and picket styles are cheaper to build than privacy fence, which uses more boards and takes more labor.
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).
California versus the states around it
California ranks 2 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for wood fence, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $6,800 and the cheapest Arkansas at $4,650, both for 150 linear ft at the midpoint. California sits at $6,150. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 210 miles away | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,300 | −13% |
| Arizona | 430 miles away | $2,950 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −16% |
| Utah | 490 miles away | $2,850 – $7,250 | $5,050 | −18% |
| Idaho | 600 miles away | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,050 | −18% |
| Oregon | 690 miles away | $3,200 – $8,050 | $5,650 | −8% |
When California weather lets you install
Season matters for wood fence. For each California metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for exterior installation.
Los Angeles has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in California at 12 months; El Centro has the shortest at 6 (November through April). Rainfall runs from 3 inches a year in El Centro to 34 inches in Redding.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 48 | 78 | 14 | 12: all year |
| San Francisco | 47 | 66 | 23 | 12: all year |
| Riverside | 43 | 95 | 10 | 9: October through June |
| San Diego | 46 | 80 | 11 | 12: all year |
| San Jose | 42 | 81 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Sacramento | 41 | 94 | 19 | 10: September through June |
| Fresno | 41 | 98 | 11 | 8: October through May |
| Bakersfield | 41 | 98 | 6 | 8: October through May |
| Oxnard | 46 | 73 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Stockton | 39 | 95 | 17 | 8: October through May |
| Santa Rosa | 38 | 82 | 32 | 12: all year |
| Santa Maria | 41 | 73 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Modesto | 39 | 95 | 12 | 9: September through May |
| Salinas | 42 | 71 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Visalia | 38 | 94 | 10 | 10: September through June |
| Vallejo | 38 | 79 | 20 | 12: all year |
| San Luis Obispo | 41 | 78 | 18 | 12: all year |
| Santa Cruz | 41 | 74 | 31 | 12: all year |
| Merced | 37 | 96 | 12 | 8: October through May |
| Chico | 36 | 95 | 27 | 9: October through June |
| Napa | 40 | 83 | 27 | 12: all year |
| Redding | 38 | 100 | 34 | 8: October through May |
| El Centro | 43 | 107 | 3 | 6: November through April |
Add-ons priced for California
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to California by the average of the local wage index (1.26) and goods index (1.06), a factor of 1.16. 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) | $170 – $930 |
California labor market for wood fence
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 2 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.26 for California.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $36.50 an hour, which is 25% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.72 and $46.07 an hour. BLS counts 100,750 of them working in the state, 55.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $28.98 an hour, 28% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.15 and $37.75 an hour. About 88,240 work in the state. That is 48.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($46.07 an hour) would add about $440 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($28.72) would take off about $360. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 18,213,700 jobs across California (May 2025), which is 11.7% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $28.72 | $36.50 | $46.07 | $29.12 | 1.25 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $23.15 | $28.98 | $37.75 | $22.66 | 1.28 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.26 | |||||
Other California jobs that often go with wood fence
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide California wages and prices. Against national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+19%) and vinyl fence lowest (+11%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,950 – $10,200 | +11% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,750 – $7,350 | +19% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $12,900 | +13% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,650 – $17,400 | +15% |
Which California city is cheapest for wood fence?
4 of the 23 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $6,150, and the top-to-bottom gap is 20%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (150 linear ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $3,900 – $9,550 | $6,750 | +10% |
| San Jose, CA | $3,700 – $9,000 | $6,350 | +4% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $3,600 – $8,800 | $6,200 | +1% |
| Napa, CA | $3,600 – $8,800 | $6,200 | +1% |
| Vallejo, CA | $3,550 – $8,750 | $6,150 | level |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $3,550 – $8,700 | $6,150 | level |
| Los Angeles, CA | $3,500 – $8,700 | $6,100 | level |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $3,500 – $8,700 | $6,100 | level |
| Sacramento, CA | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | −1% |
| San Diego, CA | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | −1% |
| Modesto, CA | $3,500 – $8,600 | $6,050 | −1% |
| Oxnard, CA | $3,450 – $8,600 | $6,050 | −2% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −2% |
| Merced, CA | $3,400 – $8,500 | $5,950 | −3% |
| Salinas, CA | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,950 | −3% |
| El Centro, CA | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,950 | −3% |
| Redding, CA | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,900 | −4% |
| Chico, CA | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,900 | −4% |
| Stockton, CA | $3,400 – $8,400 | $5,900 | −4% |
| Riverside, CA | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | −4% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $3,300 – $8,300 | $5,800 | −5% |
| Fresno, CA | $3,250 – $8,200 | $5,700 | −7% |
| Visalia, CA | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −9% |
Quality levels and sizes in California
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide California wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$3,550 to $5,600
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$5,100 to $7,150
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$6,650 to $8,750
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,350 – $3,750 | $3,400 – $4,800 | $4,450 – $5,900 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,550 – $5,600 | $5,100 – $7,150 | $6,650 – $8,750 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,700 – $7,450 | $6,750 – $9,500 | $8,850 – $11,600 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $7,000 – $11,100 | $10,100 – $14,200 | $13,200 – $17,300 |
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 $5,100 to $7,150 for California is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the wood fence numbers for California 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.
Wood fence in California: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in California?
$3,550 to $8,750 for 150 linear ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside California can sit above or below that.
+Which city in California is cheapest for wood fence?
Visalia at about $5,600 (midpoint, 150 linear ft). The priciest is San Francisco at $6,750.
+Is wood fence cheaper in California than the US average?
It is 15% more expensive: $6,150 against $5,350 for 150 linear ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in California?
About 46% ($2,850). Materials are 52%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.26x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in California?
The BLS statewide median is $36.50 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.72 to $46.07.
+Where does California rank for wood fence costs?
2nd most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $6,150 for 150 linear ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in California?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,550 to $5,600 and premium work $6,650 to $8,750. Basic means: pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft. Premium means: premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence.
+Does the season matter for wood fence in California?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the California metros we cover, Los Angeles has the most comfortable months (12 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add one gate" add in California?
$170 to $930, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence by city in California
- San Francisco, CA$6,750 midpoint
- San Jose, CA$6,350 midpoint
- Santa Rosa, CA$6,200 midpoint
- Napa, CA$6,200 midpoint
- Vallejo, CA$6,150 midpoint
- San Luis Obispo, CA$6,150 midpoint
- Los Angeles, CA$6,100 midpoint
- Santa Cruz, CA$6,100 midpoint
- Sacramento, CA$6,050 midpoint
- San Diego, CA$6,050 midpoint
- Modesto, CA$6,050 midpoint
- Oxnard, CA$6,050 midpoint
- Santa Maria, CA$6,000 midpoint
- Merced, CA$5,950 midpoint
- Salinas, CA$5,950 midpoint
- El Centro, CA$5,950 midpoint
- Redding, CA$5,900 midpoint
- Chico, CA$5,900 midpoint
- Stockton, CA$5,900 midpoint
- Riverside, CA$5,850 midpoint
- Bakersfield, CA$5,800 midpoint
- Fresno, CA$5,700 midpoint
- Visalia, CA$5,600 midpoint
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