Wood fence cost in Fresno, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,250 – $8,200
- Per linear ft
- $21.50 – $53.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #45
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a wood fence in Fresno, plan on $3,250 to $8,200 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $21.50 to $53.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $30.52 an hour in the Fresno area, 5% above the US median of $29.12.
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 Fresno, CA, standard level
$4,750 to $6,700
About $31 to $44 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,800 |
| Labor | $2,150 | $2,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $4,750 | $6,700 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Fresno, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $3,150 | $4,750 | 55% |
| Labor | $1,650 | $2,450 | $3,300 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,250 | $5,700 | $8,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Fresno number
Labor is 43% 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 Fresno the blended ratio comes out at 1.10.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fresno metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $3,150, compared with $3,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (102.2) and land at $40 to $150.
What nearby projects cost in Fresno
Because every project leans on different trades, Fresno's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, chain-link fence runs +9% and wood deck +6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,800 – $9,750 | +6% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,650 – $6,750 | +9% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,100 – $12,300 | +8% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,000 – $16,100 | +6% |
Fresno labor market for wood 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 Fresno is 1.10 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $30.52 an hour, which is 5% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.62 and $39.23 an hour. BLS counts 1,790 of them working in the area, 37.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $26.50 an hour, 17% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.16 and $36.70 an hour. About 2,660 work in the metro. That is 55.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($39.23 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $400. At the 25th percentile ($23.62) it shrinks by about $320. The total moves by 7.1% or 5.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 476,890 jobs in the Fresno area. That makes it the 53rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.31% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $23.62 | $30.52 | $39.23 | $29.12 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.16 | $26.50 | $36.70 | $22.66 | 1.17 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
Climate in Fresno: timing your wood fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Fresno Yosemite Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Fresno (8 of 12 months). June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Fresno gets about 11 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and March (2.2 inches in January). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 0.4 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 113 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 | 55 | 41 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 43 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 47 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 51 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 58 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 64 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Jul | 98 | 69 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 97 | 68 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 63 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Oct | 79 | 55 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 45 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 40 | 1.8 | Workable |
Is Fresno cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Fresno. Visalia is the lowest at about $5,600 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CAthis page | $3,250 – $8,200 | $5,700 | |
| Merced, CA60 miles | $3,400 – $8,500 | $5,950 | +4% |
| Visalia, CA65 miles | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −2% |
| Modesto, CA85 miles | $3,500 – $8,600 | $6,050 | +6% |
| San Jose, CA95 miles | $3,700 – $9,000 | $6,350 | +11% |
| Salinas, CA100 miles | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,950 | +4% |
| California (statewide) | $3,550 – $8,750 | $6,150 | +7% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −7% |
Across 300 US metros, Fresno comes in at #45 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Fresno is 7% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $3,500 – $8,700 | $6,100 | +7% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,900 – $9,550 | $6,750 | +18% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +2% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | +6% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,700 – $9,000 | $6,350 | +11% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | +6% |
Cities with a workforce like Fresno's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fresno against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 494,280 jobs | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −6% |
| Tulsa, OK | 458,730 jobs | $2,700 – $6,850 | $4,750 | −17% |
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $2,850 – $7,150 | $5,000 | −12% |
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $3,100 – $7,800 | $5,450 | −5% |
Why two Fresno quotes can differ
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood fence pricing in Fresno
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fresno 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
$3,250 to $5,250
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,750 to $6,700
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$6,200 to $8,200
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,200 – $3,500 | $3,200 – $4,500 | $4,200 – $5,500 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,250 – $5,250 | $4,750 – $6,700 | $6,200 – $8,200 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,350 – $6,950 | $6,300 – $8,900 | $8,250 – $10,800 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,500 – $10,400 | $9,400 – $13,300 | $12,300 – $16,200 |
Add-ons priced for Fresno
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Fresno by the average of the local wage index (1.10) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.07. 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) | $160 – $860 |
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 $4,750 to $6,700 for Fresno, CA is attached.
Detailed wood fence report for Fresno, CA, $9
Multi-page report for Fresno, 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 Fresno: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Fresno?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,250 to $8,200 in the Fresno area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,750 to $6,700. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Fresno?
About $21.50 to $53.50 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 Fresno or Merced?
Merced is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,950, which is 4% more than Fresno ($5,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fresno?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $2,450 out of $5,700. Materials are 55% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Fresno?
$4,350 to $10,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Fresno?
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 Fresno area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fresno expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of California?
Fresno is 7% 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 Fresno?
The BLS median is $30.52 an hour in the Fresno area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.62 to $39.23.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Fresno?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,250 to $5,250 and premium work $6,200 to $8,200. 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 Fresno?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. May 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 Fresno?
$160 to $860, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Fresno
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