Wood fence cost in Indiana
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (150 linear ft)
- $3,050 – $7,600
- Per linear ft
- $20 – $49.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $5,350
- Metros covered
- 8
Indiana prices for wood fence: $3,050 to $7,600 for 150 linear ft, or $20 to $49.50 per linear ft without the permit. The state midpoint is 1% below the national one. Local wages for carpenters are $30.23 an hour.
Inside Indiana, the metros we cover range from $5,150 (Terre Haute) to $5,350 (Evansville) 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 Indiana (statewide), standard level
$4,400 to $6,200
About $29 to $40.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,300 | $3,450 |
| Labor | $2,050 | $2,650 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $4,400 | $6,200 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Indiana
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,850 | $4,300 | 54% |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,350 | $3,150 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,300 | $7,600 | 100% |
Indiana 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 1.05 for Indiana.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $30.23 an hour, which is 4% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.01 and $36.95 an hour. BLS counts 15,240 of them working in the state, 47.6 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 $24.07 an hour, 6% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.28 and $29.92 an hour. About 28,600 work in the state. That is 89.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($36.95 an hour) would add about $310 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($24.01) would take off about $290. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 3,201,220 jobs across Indiana (May 2025), which is 2.1% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $24.01 | $30.23 | $36.95 | $29.12 | 1.04 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $21.28 | $24.07 | $29.92 | $22.66 | 1.06 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Wood fence cost by metro in Indiana
2 of the 8 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $5,300, and the top-to-bottom gap is 5%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville, IN | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +1% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +1% |
| Elkhart, IN | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | level |
| Lafayette, IN | $3,000 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −1% |
| South Bend, IN | $3,000 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −1% |
| Bloomington, IN | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | −2% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $2,950 – $7,400 | $5,150 | −3% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $2,950 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −3% |
Other Indiana jobs that often go with wood fence
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Indiana wages and prices. Against national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+1%) and vinyl fence lowest (−2%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $8,950 | −2% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,250 | +1% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,750 – $11,200 | −1% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,500 – $15,000 | −1% |
Indiana seasons and wood fence
Season matters for wood fence. For each Indiana metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for exterior installation.
Evansville has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Indiana at 11 months (February through December); Terre Haute has the shortest at 9 (March through November). Rainfall runs from 35 inches a year in Elkhart to 49 inches in Bloomington.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | 21 | 85 | 44 | 9: March through November |
| Fort Wayne | 18 | 84 | 39 | 9: March through November |
| Evansville | 26 | 89 | 48 | 11: February through December |
| South Bend | 17 | 83 | 39 | 9: March through November |
| Elkhart | 18 | 83 | 35 | 9: March through November |
| Lafayette | 18 | 84 | 37 | 9: March through November |
| Bloomington | 21 | 85 | 49 | 9: March through November |
| Terre Haute | 21 | 86 | 41 | 9: March through November |
How Indiana compares with nearby states
Indiana ranks 22 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. Indiana sits at $5,300. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 140 miles away | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,000 | −6% |
| Illinois | 140 miles away | $3,550 – $8,700 | $6,150 | +15% |
| Ohio | 180 miles away | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,300 | level |
| Michigan | 220 miles away | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | level |
| Wisconsin | 260 miles away | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +1% |
Wood fence: what moves the price in Indiana
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).
Optional extras in Indiana
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Indiana by the average of the local wage index (1.05) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 1.00. 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) | $150 – $800 |
Quality levels and sizes in Indiana
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Indiana wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$3,050 to $4,850
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,400 to $6,200
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,750 to $7,600
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,050 – $3,250 | $2,950 – $4,200 | $3,900 – $5,100 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,050 – $4,850 | $4,400 – $6,200 | $5,750 – $7,600 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,050 – $6,450 | $5,850 – $8,250 | $7,650 – $10,100 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,050 – $9,650 | $8,750 – $12,300 | $11,400 – $15,000 |
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 $4,400 to $6,200 for Indiana is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the wood fence numbers for Indiana 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 Indiana: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Indiana?
$3,050 to $7,600 for 150 linear ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Indiana can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Indiana is cheapest for wood fence?
Terre Haute at about $5,150 (midpoint, 150 linear ft). The priciest is Evansville at $5,350.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Indiana than the US average?
It is 1% cheaper: $5,300 against $5,350 for 150 linear ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Indiana?
About 44% ($2,350). Materials are 54%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.05x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in Indiana?
The BLS statewide median is $30.23 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.01 to $36.95.
+Where does Indiana rank for wood fence costs?
22nd most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $5,300 for 150 linear ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Indiana?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,050 to $4,850 and premium work $5,750 to $7,600. 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 Indiana?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Indiana metros we cover, Evansville has the most comfortable months (11 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 Indiana?
$150 to $800, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence by city in Indiana
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