Wood fence cost in Cedar Rapids, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $2,950 – $7,350
- Per linear ft
- $19.50 – $48
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #146
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a wood fence in Cedar Rapids, plan on $2,950 to $7,350 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $19.50 to $48 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Cedar Rapids, IA, standard level
$4,250 to $6,000
About $28 to $39.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,350 |
| Labor | $1,950 | $2,550 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $100 |
| Total | $4,250 | $6,000 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $2,800 | $4,200 | 55% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,250 | $3,000 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $130 | 2% |
| Total | $2,950 | $5,150 | $7,350 | 100% |
Why Cedar Rapids prices look the way they do
Labor is 44% 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 Cedar Rapids the blended ratio comes out at 1.00.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Cedar Rapids metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $2,800, compared with $3,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.0) and land at $35 to $130.
Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids is 1.00 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $28.33 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.11 and $31.75 an hour. BLS counts 530 of them working in the area, 38.1 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 $23.40 an hour, 3% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $28.57 an hour. About 990 work in the metro. That is 71.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($31.75 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $160. At the 25th percentile ($23.11) it shrinks by about $240. The total moves by 3.1% or 4.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 139,260 jobs in the Cedar Rapids area. That makes it the 160th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.09% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $23.11 | $28.33 | $31.75 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $21.73 | $23.40 | $28.57 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Cedar Rapids bid
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.
Optional extras in Cedar Rapids
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Cedar Rapids by the average of the local wage index (1.00) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.97. 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 – $770 |
Climate in Cedar Rapids: timing your wood fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Cedar Rapids Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Cedar Rapids (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Cedar Rapids gets about 36 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.0 and 2.0 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 28 | 11 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 33 | 16 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 27 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 38 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 50 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 60 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 63 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 60 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 52 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 28 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 33 | 17 | 1.6 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Cedar Rapids?
Because every project leans on different trades, Cedar Rapids's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, aluminum fence runs −2% and vinyl fence −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,700 | −5% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,050 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,750 – $11,200 | −2% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,250 – $14,500 | −4% |
How Cedar Rapids compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Cedar Rapids. Iowa City is the lowest at about $4,900 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 40 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IAthis page | $2,950 – $7,350 | $5,150 | |
| Iowa City, IA40 miles | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −4% |
| Dubuque, IA45 miles | $2,950 – $7,400 | $5,150 | +1% |
| Waterloo, IA55 miles | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | −1% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +3% |
| La Crosse, WI115 miles | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +4% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +4% |
Across 300 US metros, Cedar Rapids comes in at #146 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Cedar Rapids is 1% above the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | +2% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +3% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −4% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | −1% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −3% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $2,950 – $7,400 | $5,150 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Cedar Rapids's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cedar Rapids against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $2,850 – $7,150 | $5,000 | −3% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,650 | +10% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $3,550 – $8,750 | $6,150 | +20% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +5% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood fence pricing in Cedar Rapids
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Cedar Rapids 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
$2,950 to $4,700
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,250 to $6,000
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,600 to $7,350
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,950 – $3,150 | $2,850 – $4,050 | $3,750 – $4,950 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $2,950 – $4,700 | $4,250 – $6,000 | $5,600 – $7,350 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $3,900 – $6,250 | $5,650 – $8,000 | $7,400 – $9,750 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $5,850 – $9,300 | $8,450 – $11,900 | $11,100 – $14,500 |
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 $4,250 to $6,000 for Cedar Rapids, IA is attached.
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Wood fence in Cedar Rapids: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Cedar Rapids?
For 150 linear ft, expect $2,950 to $7,350 in the Cedar Rapids area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,250 to $6,000. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Cedar Rapids?
About $19.50 to $48 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City?
Iowa City is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,900, which is 4% less than Cedar Rapids ($5,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cedar Rapids?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $2,250 out of $5,150. Materials are 55% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Cedar Rapids?
$3,900 to $9,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Cedar Rapids?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $130 for fees in the Cedar Rapids area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cedar Rapids expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Iowa?
Cedar Rapids is 1% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($5,100 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Cedar Rapids?
The BLS median is $28.33 an hour in the Cedar Rapids area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.11 to $31.75.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Cedar Rapids?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $2,950 to $4,700 and premium work $5,600 to $7,350. 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 Cedar Rapids?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and November 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 Cedar Rapids?
$150 to $770, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Cedar Rapids
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