Wood fence cost in Amherst, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,250 – $8,000
- Per linear ft
- $21.50 – $52
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #53
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood fence in the Amherst area: $3,250 to $8,000 for 150 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 5% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $32.13 an hour in the Amherst area, 10% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Amherst, MA, standard level
$4,650 to $6,550
About $30.50 to $43 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,500 |
| Labor | $2,250 | $2,950 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $4,650 | $6,550 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Amherst, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,900 | $4,350 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,750 | $2,600 | $3,450 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,250 | $5,600 | $8,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Amherst 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 Amherst the blended ratio comes out at 1.16.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Amherst is at 97.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,000 nationally becomes $2,900 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.2: $40 to $150.
Who does the work: Amherst trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Amherst the blend is 1.16.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $32.13 an hour, 10% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.62 and $41.93 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 53.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $27.96 an hour, which is 23% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $36.52 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 42.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $450 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $160. That is a swing of roughly 2.9% to 8.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Amherst Town-Northampton has 65,670 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 273rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $28.62 | $32.13 | $41.93 | $29.12 | 1.10 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.14 | $27.96 | $36.52 | $22.66 | 1.23 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
The best months for wood fence in Amherst
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Westfield Barnes Muni Ap (15 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Amherst are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Amherst gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.7 inches in October). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 18 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35 | 16 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 38 | 17 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 26 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 35 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 55 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 59 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 51 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 39 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 30 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 40 | 22 | 3.6 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Amherst
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Amherst wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+10%) and vinyl fence lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,550 – $9,350 | +1% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,850 | +10% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,000 – $11,800 | +4% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,850 – $15,800 | +4% |
Cost by quality level and size in Amherst
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Amherst. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from backyard (100 linear ft) to full lot (300 linear ft).
Basic
$3,250 to $5,150
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,650 to $6,550
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$6,100 to $8,000
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,150 – $3,450 | $3,150 – $4,400 | $4,100 – $5,350 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,250 – $5,150 | $4,650 – $6,550 | $6,100 – $8,000 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,300 – $6,800 | $6,200 – $8,700 | $8,050 – $10,600 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,400 – $10,200 | $9,250 – $13,000 | $12,100 – $15,800 |
Why two Amherst 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.
Optional extras in Amherst
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.06 for Amherst, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.16) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $160 – $850 |
How Amherst compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Amherst. Pittsfield is the lowest at about $5,400 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 30 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst, MAthis page | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,600 | |
| Springfield, MA15 miles | $3,400 – $8,350 | $5,900 | +5% |
| Pittsfield, MA30 miles | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | −4% |
| Worcester, MA35 miles | $3,350 – $8,250 | $5,800 | +4% |
| Hartford, CT45 miles | $3,200 – $7,900 | $5,550 | −1% |
| Waterbury, CT60 miles | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | −2% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $3,450 – $8,450 | $5,950 | +6% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Amherst ranks #53 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Amherst is 6% below the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $3,450 – $8,500 | $6,000 | +7% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $3,350 – $8,250 | $5,800 | +4% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $3,400 – $8,350 | $5,900 | +5% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | +2% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Amherst against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $2,900 – $7,350 | $5,100 | −9% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 65,460 jobs | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −12% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $2,800 – $7,150 | $4,950 | −11% |
| El Centro, CA | 65,430 jobs | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,950 | +6% |
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 $4,650 to $6,550 for Amherst, MA is attached.
Detailed wood fence report for Amherst, MA, $9
Multi-page report for Amherst, MA: 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 Amherst: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Amherst?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,250 to $8,000 in the Amherst area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,650 to $6,550. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Amherst?
About $21.50 to $52 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 Amherst or Springfield?
Springfield is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,900, which is 5% more than Amherst ($5,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Amherst?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $2,600 out of $5,600. Materials are 52% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Amherst?
$4,300 to $10,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Amherst?
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 Amherst area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Amherst expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Amherst is 6% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($5,950 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Amherst?
The BLS median is $32.13 an hour in the Amherst area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.62 to $41.93.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Amherst?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,250 to $5,150 and premium work $6,100 to $8,000. 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 Amherst?
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 Amherst?
$160 to $850, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Amherst
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