Wood fence cost in Omaha, NE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $2,850 – $7,150
- Per linear ft
- $18.50 – $47
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #178
- 1 = most expensive
Omaha homeowners pay roughly $2,850 to $7,150 to install a wood fence at 150 linear ft, or $18.50 to $47 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Omaha is 6% lower. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.1).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Omaha, NE, standard level
$4,150 to $5,850
About $27 to $38.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,400 |
| Labor | $1,800 | $2,400 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $110 |
| Total | $4,150 | $5,850 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Omaha, NE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $2,800 | $4,250 | 56% |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,100 | $2,800 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $2,850 | $5,000 | $7,150 | 100% |
Why Omaha prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 60%, construction laborers at 40%. Weighted together, Omaha wages are 0.93 times the national level. Labor makes up about 42% of the midpoint estimate (42% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Omaha metro is 94.1 (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 (91.9) and land at $35 to $140.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Omaha is 0.93 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $25.39 an hour, which is 13% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.36 and $31.06 an hour. BLS counts 3,230 of them working in the area, 64.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $23.22 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.00 and $27.58 an hour. About 3,990 work in the metro. That is 80.1 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 ($31.06 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($22.36) it shrinks by about $140. The total moves by 5.2% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 498,100 jobs in the Omaha area. That makes it the 51st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.32% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $22.36 | $25.39 | $31.06 | $29.12 | 0.87 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $20.00 | $23.22 | $27.58 | $22.66 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Extras that change the Omaha total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Omaha by the average of the local wage index (0.93) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.94. 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) | $140 – $750 |
Wood fence: what moves the price in Omaha
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.
Height and permits
Fences over about 6 ft often need a permit and a setback check. Permits run $40-$150.
When to schedule wood fence in Omaha
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Omaha Eppley Airfield (10 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 Omaha (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.
Omaha gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 27 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.7 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 1.8 and 1.4 inches. The station averages about 33 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 | 34 | 15 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 19 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 52 | 30 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 64 | 41 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 53 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 63 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 66 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 56 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 43 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 50 | 30 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 20 | 1.2 | Cold |
Omaha: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Omaha 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
$2,850 to $4,600
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,150 to $5,850
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,450 to $7,150
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,900 – $3,100 | $2,800 – $3,950 | $3,650 – $4,850 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $2,850 – $4,600 | $4,150 – $5,850 | $5,450 – $7,150 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $3,800 – $6,100 | $5,500 – $7,800 | $7,200 – $9,500 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $5,650 – $9,100 | $8,200 – $11,600 | $10,800 – $14,200 |
Related projects, priced for Omaha
Because every project leans on different trades, Omaha's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, aluminum fence runs −4% and wood deck −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,600 | −6% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,450 – $5,850 | −5% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,650 – $11,000 | −4% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,950 – $14,000 | −8% |
Omaha against nearby metros and the rest of Nebraska
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Omaha. Lincoln is the lowest at about $4,900 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 55 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NEthis page | $2,850 – $7,150 | $5,000 | |
| Lincoln, NE55 miles | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −2% |
| Sioux City, IA85 miles | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −1% |
| Des Moines, IA120 miles | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | +4% |
| Topeka, KS155 miles | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,950 | −2% |
| Sioux Falls, SD160 miles | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −1% |
| Nebraska (statewide) | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,950 | −2% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +7% |
Across 300 US metros, Omaha comes in at #178 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Omaha is 2% above the Nebraska figure.
Other Nebraska metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 182,620 jobs | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Omaha's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Omaha against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $2,700 – $6,950 | $4,850 | −3% |
| Rochester, NY | 494,280 jobs | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +7% |
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $3,100 – $7,800 | $5,450 | +9% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $3,250 – $8,200 | $5,700 | +14% |
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Wood fence in Omaha: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Omaha?
For 150 linear ft, expect $2,850 to $7,150 in the Omaha area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,150 to $5,850. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Omaha?
About $18.50 to $47 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 Omaha or Lincoln?
Lincoln is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,900, which is 2% less than Omaha ($5,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Omaha?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $2,100 out of $5,000. Materials are 56% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Omaha?
$3,800 to $9,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Omaha?
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 Omaha area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Omaha expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Nebraska?
Omaha is 2% above 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 Omaha?
The BLS median is $25.39 an hour in the Omaha area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.36 to $31.06.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Omaha?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $2,850 to $4,600 and premium work $5,450 to $7,150. 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 Omaha?
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 Omaha?
$140 to $750, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Omaha
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