Wood fence cost in Chico, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,400 – $8,450
- Per linear ft
- $22.50 – $55
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #30
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood fence in the Chico area: $3,400 to $8,450 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 runs 11% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $34.75 an hour in the Chico area, 19% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Chico, CA, standard level
$4,900 to $6,900
About $32 to $45.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,800 |
| Labor | $2,300 | $3,000 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $4,900 | $6,900 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Chico, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $3,150 | $4,750 | 53% |
| Labor | $1,750 | $2,650 | $3,550 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,400 | $5,900 | $8,450 | 100% |
Where the Chico price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $34.75 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Chico is 1.18 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 45% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Chico is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,000 nationally becomes $3,150 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.2: $40 to $150.
How Chico compares
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Chico. Redding comes closest at about $5,900.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CAthis page | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,900 | |
| Sacramento, CA70 miles | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | +3% |
| Redding, CA80 miles | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,900 | level |
| Napa, CA90 miles | $3,600 – $8,800 | $6,200 | +5% |
| Vallejo, CA100 miles | $3,550 – $8,750 | $6,150 | +4% |
| Santa Rosa, CA105 miles | $3,600 – $8,800 | $6,200 | +5% |
| California (statewide) | $3,550 – $8,750 | $6,150 | +4% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Chico ranks #30 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Chico is 4% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $3,500 – $8,700 | $6,100 | +4% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,900 – $9,550 | $6,750 | +14% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | −1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | +3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,700 – $9,000 | $6,350 | +8% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chico against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | 79,510 jobs | $3,400 – $8,500 | $5,950 | +1% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $3,600 – $8,800 | $6,200 | +5% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | −12% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −10% |
The best months for wood fence in Chico
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Chico Univ Farm (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 Chico are October through June: 9 of 12. Outside them, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Chico gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (5.1 inches in February). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 1.4 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 99 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 | 56 | 36 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 38 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 45 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 52 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 57 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 55 | 0.3 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 47 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 40 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
Who does the work: Chico 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 Chico the blend is 1.18.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $34.75 an hour, 19% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.79 and $38.46 an hour. About 390 work in the metro. That is 49.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $26.31 an hour, which is 16% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.60 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 61.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $170 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $460. That is a swing of roughly 7.8% to 2.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Chico has 78,220 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 241st by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $24.79 | $34.75 | $38.46 | $29.12 | 1.19 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.14 | $26.31 | $34.60 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.18 | |||||
Wood fence: what moves the price in Chico
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).
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood fence pricing in Chico
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Chico. 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
$3,400 to $5,400
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,900 to $6,900
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$6,400 to $8,450
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,250 – $3,650 | $3,300 – $4,650 | $4,300 – $5,650 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,400 – $5,400 | $4,900 – $6,900 | $6,400 – $8,450 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,500 – $7,200 | $6,500 – $9,200 | $8,500 – $11,200 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,750 – $10,700 | $9,750 – $13,700 | $12,700 – $16,700 |
Related projects, priced for Chico
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Chico wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+12%) and vinyl fence lowest (+8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,850 – $9,900 | +8% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,700 – $6,950 | +12% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,200 – $12,500 | +10% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,400 – $16,800 | +11% |
Optional extras in Chico
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.12 for Chico, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.18) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $170 – $890 |
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 $4,900 to $6,900 for Chico, CA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Chico, CA: 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 Chico: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Chico?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,400 to $8,450 in the Chico area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,900 to $6,900. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Chico?
About $22.50 to $55 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Chico or Sacramento?
Sacramento is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $6,050, which is 3% more than Chico ($5,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chico?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $2,650 out of $5,900. Materials are 53% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Chico?
$4,500 to $11,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Chico?
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 Chico area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chico expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of California?
Chico is 4% below the California statewide estimate ($6,150 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chico?
The BLS median is $34.75 an hour in the Chico area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.79 to $38.46.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Chico?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,400 to $5,400 and premium work $6,400 to $8,450. 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 Chico?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through June. May and June 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 Chico?
$170 to $890, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Chico
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