Wood fence cost in Modesto, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,500 – $8,600
- Per linear ft
- $23 – $56.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +13%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #17
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a wood fence in Modesto, plan on $3,500 to $8,600 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $23 to $56.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $35.45 an hour in the Modesto area, 22% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Modesto, CA, standard level
$5,050 to $7,100
About $33 to $46.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,800 |
| Labor | $2,450 | $3,150 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $5,050 | $7,100 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Modesto, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $3,150 | $4,750 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,750 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $100 | $160 | 2% |
| Total | $3,500 | $6,050 | $8,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Modesto number
Labor is 46% 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 Modesto the blended ratio comes out at 1.24.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Modesto 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 (104.1) and land at $40 to $160.
Wood fence: what moves the price in Modesto
Composite
A composite wood-look privacy fence is $55-$85 per linear foot installed (HomeGuide).
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.
Modesto against nearby metros and the rest of California
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Modesto. Stockton is the lowest at about $5,900 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 30 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | $3,500 – $8,600 | $6,050 | |
| Stockton, CA30 miles | $3,400 – $8,400 | $5,900 | −3% |
| Merced, CA30 miles | $3,400 – $8,500 | $5,950 | −2% |
| San Jose, CA50 miles | $3,700 – $9,000 | $6,350 | +5% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $3,500 – $8,700 | $6,100 | +1% |
| Vallejo, CA70 miles | $3,550 – $8,750 | $6,150 | +2% |
| California (statewide) | $3,550 – $8,750 | $6,150 | +1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −12% |
Across 300 US metros, Modesto comes in at #17 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Modesto is 1% 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 | +1% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,900 – $9,550 | $6,750 | +11% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | −3% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | level |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,700 – $9,000 | $6,350 | +5% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Modesto's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Modesto against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $2,650 – $6,750 | $4,700 | −22% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $2,700 – $6,850 | $4,750 | −21% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $3,000 – $7,600 | $5,300 | −12% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $3,000 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −14% |
Modesto 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 Modesto is 1.24 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $35.45 an hour, which is 22% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.52 and $40.15 an hour. BLS counts 1,430 of them working in the area, 73.2 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 $29.15 an hour, 29% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $38.02 an hour. About 1,070 work in the metro. That is 54.8 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 ($40.15 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $220. At the 25th percentile ($28.52) it shrinks by about $320. The total moves by 3.6% or 5.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 195,230 jobs in the Modesto area. That makes it the 117th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.13% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $28.52 | $35.45 | $40.15 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.89 | $29.15 | $38.02 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.24 | |||||
Climate in Modesto: timing your wood fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Modesto City Co Ap (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 Modesto (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Modesto gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.6 inches in January). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 0.1 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 90 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 | 39 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 54 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 63 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 59 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 43 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 39 | 2.2 | Workable |
Modesto: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Modesto 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
$3,500 to $5,550
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$5,050 to $7,100
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$6,550 to $8,600
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,350 – $3,700 | $3,400 – $4,750 | $4,400 – $5,800 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,500 – $5,550 | $5,050 – $7,100 | $6,550 – $8,600 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,650 – $7,350 | $6,700 – $9,400 | $8,700 – $11,400 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,950 – $11,000 | $10,000 – $14,000 | $13,000 – $17,100 |
What nearby projects cost in Modesto
Because every project leans on different trades, Modesto's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, chain-link fence runs +18% and vinyl fence +10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,900 – $10,100 | +10% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,750 – $7,300 | +18% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,250 – $12,700 | +11% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,550 – $17,100 | +13% |
Extras that change the Modesto total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Modesto by the average of the local wage index (1.24) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.15. 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 – $920 |
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 $5,050 to $7,100 for Modesto, CA is attached.
Detailed wood fence report for Modesto, CA, $9
Multi-page report for Modesto, 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 Modesto: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Modesto?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,500 to $8,600 in the Modesto area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,050 to $7,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Modesto?
About $23 to $56.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Modesto or Stockton?
Stockton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,900, which is 3% less than Modesto ($6,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Modesto?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $2,800 out of $6,050. Materials are 52% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Modesto?
$4,650 to $11,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Modesto?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $160 for fees in the Modesto area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Modesto expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of California?
Modesto is 1% 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 Modesto?
The BLS median is $35.45 an hour in the Modesto area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.52 to $40.15.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Modesto?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,500 to $5,550 and premium work $6,550 to $8,600. 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 Modesto?
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 Modesto?
$170 to $920, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Modesto
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