Wood fence cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $2,950 – $7,400
- Per linear ft
- $19.50 – $48.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #141
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a wood fence in Dubuque, plan on $2,950 to $7,400 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $19.50 to $48.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 3% 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 Dubuque, IA, standard level
$4,300 to $6,050
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 | $4,300 | $6,050 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $2,800 | $4,200 | 54% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,250 | $3,050 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $130 | 2% |
| Total | $2,950 | $5,150 | $7,400 | 100% |
Why Dubuque 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 Dubuque the blended ratio comes out at 1.01.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dubuque 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 (87.3) and land at $35 to $130.
Related projects, priced for Dubuque
Because every project leans on different trades, Dubuque's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, chain-link fence runs −2% and vinyl fence −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,750 | −5% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,100 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,000 | −3% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,300 – $14,600 | −4% |
Dubuque 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 Dubuque is 1.01 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $28.89 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.41 and $30.47 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 44.5 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 $23.46 an hour, 4% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $28.85 an hour. About 500 work in the metro. That is 85.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($30.47 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $75. At the 25th percentile ($23.41) it shrinks by about $250. The total moves by 1.4% or 4.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 58,470 jobs in the Dubuque area. That makes it the 292nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $23.41 | $28.89 | $30.47 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.37 | $23.46 | $28.85 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
Optional extras in Dubuque
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Dubuque by the average of the local wage index (1.01) 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 – $780 |
How Dubuque compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 150 linear ft range from $4,900 to $5,400 across Dubuque and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $2,950 – $7,400 | $5,150 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $2,950 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −5% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +3% |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +5% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | −1% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Dubuque comes in at #141 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Dubuque 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 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $2,950 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −5% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | −1% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Dubuque's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dubuque against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | 58,650 jobs | $3,000 – $7,550 | $5,250 | +2% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $2,500 – $6,500 | $4,500 | −13% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $3,050 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +4% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $2,800 – $7,150 | $4,950 | −4% |
Climate in Dubuque: timing your wood fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Dubuque Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Dubuque (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March 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.
Dubuque gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 43 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 27 | 11 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 59 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 28 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 32 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood fence pricing in Dubuque
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dubuque 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
$4,300 to $6,050
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,600 to $7,400
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,000 – $3,150 | $2,900 – $4,050 | $3,750 – $4,950 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $2,950 – $4,700 | $4,300 – $6,050 | $5,600 – $7,400 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $3,950 – $6,250 | $5,700 – $8,050 | $7,450 – $9,800 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $5,850 – $9,350 | $8,500 – $12,000 | $11,100 – $14,600 |
Wood fence: what moves the price in Dubuque
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).
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 $4,300 to $6,050 for Dubuque, IA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Dubuque, IA: 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 Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Dubuque?
For 150 linear ft, expect $2,950 to $7,400 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,300 to $6,050. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Dubuque?
About $19.50 to $48.50 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 Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,150, which is 1% less than Dubuque ($5,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $2,250 out of $5,150. Materials are 54% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Dubuque?
$3,950 to $9,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Dubuque?
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 Dubuque area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dubuque expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque 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 Dubuque?
The BLS median is $28.89 an hour in the Dubuque area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.41 to $30.47.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Dubuque?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $2,950 to $4,700 and premium work $5,600 to $7,400. 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 Dubuque?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October 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 Dubuque?
$150 to $780, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Dubuque
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