Wood fence cost in Ann Arbor, MI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,050 – $7,600
- Per linear ft
- $20 – $49.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #105
- 1 = most expensive
A wood fence in Ann Arbor, MI usually costs $3,050 to $7,600 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $20 to $49.50 per linear ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. 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 Ann Arbor, MI, standard level
$4,400 to $6,250
About $29 to $41 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,350 |
| Labor | $2,100 | $2,750 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $4,400 | $6,250 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Ann Arbor, MI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $2,800 | $4,200 | 53% |
| Labor | $1,600 | $2,400 | $3,250 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,350 | $7,600 | 100% |
Why Ann Arbor prices look the way they do
Labor is 45% 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 Ann Arbor the blended ratio comes out at 1.08.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Ann Arbor is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,000 nationally becomes $2,800 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.9: $40 to $150.
Specs and site conditions that change a Ann Arbor bid
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).
Related projects, priced for Ann Arbor
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Ann Arbor wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+2%) and vinyl fence lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,900 | −3% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,350 | +2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,300 | level |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,100 | level |
What local crews earn in Ann Arbor
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 Ann Arbor the blend is 1.08.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $31.33 an hour, 8% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.61 and $36.52 an hour. About 640 work in the metro. That is 29.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $24.48 an hour, which is 8% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.01 and $29.43 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 23.2 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 $240 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $220. That is a swing of roughly 4.1% to 4.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Ann Arbor has 219,730 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 110th 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% | $26.61 | $31.33 | $36.52 | $29.12 | 1.08 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.01 | $24.48 | $29.43 | $22.66 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.08 | |||||
Ann Arbor weather and the wood fence calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Ann Arbor Muni Ap (5 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 Ann Arbor 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.
Ann Arbor gets about 30 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 1.9 and 2.1 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 32 | 15 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 16 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 25 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 35 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 46 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 57 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 57 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 48 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 38 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 36 | 22 | 1.7 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Ann Arbor
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Ann Arbor. 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
$3,050 to $4,900
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,400 to $6,250
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,800 to $7,600
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,050 – $3,300 | $2,950 – $4,200 | $3,900 – $5,100 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,050 – $4,900 | $4,400 – $6,250 | $5,800 – $7,600 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,050 – $6,500 | $5,850 – $8,300 | $7,700 – $10,100 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,100 – $9,650 | $8,750 – $12,400 | $11,500 – $15,100 |
Optional extras in Ann Arbor
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.01 for Ann Arbor, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.08) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $150 – $810 |
Is Ann Arbor cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Detroit is the priciest of the group at $5,600. Saginaw is the cheapest at $5,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MIthis page | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | |
| Detroit, MI45 miles | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +5% |
| Toledo, OH50 miles | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,250 | −2% |
| Lansing, MI50 miles | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Flint, MI55 miles | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +1% |
| Saginaw, MI75 miles | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | −2% |
| Michigan (statewide) | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Ann Arbor ranks #105 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Ann Arbor is 1% above the Michigan figure.
Elsewhere in Michigan
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +5% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $2,950 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −4% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +1% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $3,000 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −2% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Ann Arbor against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona, FL | 219,740 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,850 | −9% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $2,850 – $7,150 | $5,000 | −7% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 205,260 jobs | $3,600 – $8,800 | $6,200 | +16% |
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 $6,250 for Ann Arbor, MI is attached.
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Wood fence in Ann Arbor: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Ann Arbor?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,050 to $7,600 in the Ann Arbor area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,400 to $6,250. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Ann Arbor?
About $20 to $49.50 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 Ann Arbor or Detroit?
Detroit is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,600, which is 5% more than Ann Arbor ($5,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Ann Arbor?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $2,400 out of $5,350. Materials are 53% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Ann Arbor?
$4,050 to $10,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Ann Arbor?
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 Ann Arbor area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Ann Arbor expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Michigan?
Ann Arbor is 1% above the Michigan statewide estimate ($5,300 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Michigan; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Ann Arbor?
The BLS median is $31.33 an hour in the Ann Arbor area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.61 to $36.52.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Ann Arbor?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,050 to $4,900 and premium work $5,800 to $7,600. 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 Ann Arbor?
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 Ann Arbor?
$150 to $810, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Ann Arbor
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