Wood fence cost in Lincoln, NE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $2,800 – $7,050
- Per linear ft
- $18.50 – $46
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #215
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood fence in the Lincoln area: $2,800 to $7,050 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 8% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $24.00 an hour in the Lincoln area, 18% below the US median of $29.12.
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 Lincoln, NE, standard level
$4,050 to $5,750
About $26.50 to $37.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,400 |
| Labor | $1,750 | $2,250 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $110 |
| Total | $4,050 | $5,750 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Lincoln, NE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $2,800 | $4,250 | 57% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $2,000 | $2,650 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $2,800 | $4,900 | $7,050 | 100% |
Where the Lincoln price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.00 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Lincoln is 0.89 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 41% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lincoln is at 94.1 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 91.6: $35 to $140.
What nearby projects cost in Lincoln
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lincoln wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−7%) and wood deck lowest (−10%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,250 – $8,550 | −7% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,450 – $5,700 | −7% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $10,600 | −7% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,850 – $13,700 | −10% |
Who does the work: Lincoln 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 Lincoln the blend is 0.89.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $24.00 an hour, 18% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.70 and $28.77 an hour. About 1,020 work in the metro. That is 55.9 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 $22.45 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $24.46 an hour. BLS counts 1,250 of them working in the area, 68.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $220 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $110. That is a swing of roughly 2.2% to 4.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lincoln has 182,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 126th 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% | $21.70 | $24.00 | $28.77 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $19.28 | $22.45 | $24.46 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Lincoln bid
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.
How Lincoln compares
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Kansas City is the priciest of the group at $5,250.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NEthis page | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,900 | |
| Omaha, NE55 miles | $2,850 – $7,150 | $5,000 | +2% |
| Sioux City, IA120 miles | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | +1% |
| Topeka, KS135 miles | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,950 | level |
| Des Moines, IA170 miles | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | +6% |
| Kansas City, MO185 miles | $3,000 – $7,500 | $5,250 | +7% |
| Nebraska (statewide) | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,950 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lincoln ranks #215 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lincoln is 0% below the Nebraska figure.
Elsewhere in Nebraska
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $2,850 – $7,150 | $5,000 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lincoln against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $3,100 – $7,750 | $5,400 | +10% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $2,850 – $7,250 | $5,050 | +3% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 | −3% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +8% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood fence pricing in Lincoln
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lincoln. 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
$2,800 to $4,500
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,050 to $5,750
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,350 to $7,050
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,850 – $3,000 | $2,750 – $3,900 | $3,600 – $4,750 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $2,800 – $4,500 | $4,050 – $5,750 | $5,350 – $7,050 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $3,700 – $5,950 | $5,400 – $7,650 | $7,100 – $9,350 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $5,550 – $8,900 | $8,050 – $11,400 | $10,600 – $14,000 |
The best months for wood fence in Lincoln
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.
Lincoln gets about 29 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 26 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 1.6 and 1.3 inches. The station averages about 42 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 | 36 | 14 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 18 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 29 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 65 | 39 | 2.7 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 51 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 67 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 64 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 54 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 41 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 28 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 18 | 1.2 | Cold |
Optional extras in Lincoln
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.92 for Lincoln, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.89) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $140 – $730 |
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 $4,050 to $5,750 for Lincoln, NE is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Lincoln, NE: 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 Lincoln: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Lincoln?
For 150 linear ft, expect $2,800 to $7,050 in the Lincoln area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,050 to $5,750. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Lincoln?
About $18.50 to $46 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Lincoln or Omaha?
Omaha is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,000, which is 2% more than Lincoln ($4,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lincoln?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $2,000 out of $4,900. Materials are 57% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Lincoln?
$3,700 to $9,350. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Lincoln?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $140 for fees in the Lincoln area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lincoln expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Nebraska?
Lincoln is 0% below the Nebraska statewide estimate ($4,950 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Nebraska; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Lincoln?
The BLS median is $24.00 an hour in the Lincoln area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.70 to $28.77.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Lincoln?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $2,800 to $4,500 and premium work $5,350 to $7,050. 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 Lincoln?
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 Lincoln?
$140 to $730, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Lincoln
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