Wood fence cost in Burlington, VT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,050 – $7,650
- Per linear ft
- $20 – $50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #95
- 1 = most expensive
A wood fence in Burlington, VT usually costs $3,050 to $7,650 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $20 to $50 per linear ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Carpenters earn a median of $30.19 an hour in the Burlington area, 4% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Burlington, VT, standard level
$4,450 to $6,300
About $29 to $41 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,500 |
| Labor | $2,050 | $2,650 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $4,450 | $6,300 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Burlington, VT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,900 | $4,400 | 54% |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,350 | $3,150 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,350 | $7,650 | 100% |
What is behind the Burlington number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $30.19 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Burlington is 1.05 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 44% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Burlington is at 97.3 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 100.9: $40 to $150.
Burlington against nearby metros and the rest of Vermont
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Burlington. Manchester is the lowest at about $5,300 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 140 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, VTthis page | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | |
| Albany, NY140 miles | $3,100 – $7,800 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Manchester, NH140 miles | $3,000 – $7,600 | $5,300 | −1% |
| Utica, NY140 miles | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | level |
| Portland, ME150 miles | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | level |
| Pittsfield, MA160 miles | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +1% |
| Vermont (statewide) | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Burlington ranks #95 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Burlington is 1% above the Vermont figure.
Burlington is the only Vermont metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Burlington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | 120,480 jobs | $3,000 – $7,550 | $5,250 | −2% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $2,750 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −8% |
| Ocala, FL | 120,980 jobs | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 | −12% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $2,950 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −4% |
Burlington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Burlington. 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
$4,450 to $6,300
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,850 to $7,650
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,050 – $3,300 | $3,000 – $4,250 | $3,900 – $5,150 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,050 – $4,900 | $4,450 – $6,300 | $5,850 – $7,650 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,100 – $6,500 | $5,900 – $8,350 | $7,750 – $10,200 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,100 – $9,750 | $8,800 – $12,500 | $11,500 – $15,200 |
Add-ons priced for Burlington
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.01 for Burlington, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.05) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $150 – $810 |
Burlington 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, Burlington Intl 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 Burlington are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Burlington gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 88 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and October (4.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.1 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 8 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 | 29 | 13 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 32 | 14 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 48 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 57 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 61 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 32 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 35 | 21 | 2.5 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Burlington
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Burlington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+2%) and vinyl fence lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,450 – $9,100 | −1% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,300 | +2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,300 | −1% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,200 | level |
Wood fence: what moves the price in Burlington
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).
What local crews earn in Burlington
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 Burlington the blend is 1.05.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $30.19 an hour, 4% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.00 and $31.59 an hour. About 900 work in the metro. That is 74.9 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 $24.01 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $28.38 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 38.3 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 $65 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $240. That is a swing of roughly 4.5% to 1.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Burlington-South Burlington has 120,150 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 182nd 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% | $25.00 | $30.19 | $31.59 | $29.12 | 1.04 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $23.00 | $24.01 | $28.38 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
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Wood fence in Burlington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Burlington?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,050 to $7,650 in the Burlington area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,450 to $6,300. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Burlington?
About $20 to $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 Burlington or Albany?
Albany is 140 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,450, which is 2% more than Burlington ($5,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Burlington?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $2,350 out of $5,350. Materials are 54% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Burlington?
$4,100 to $10,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Burlington?
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 Burlington area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Burlington expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Vermont?
Burlington is 1% above the Vermont statewide estimate ($5,350 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Burlington?
The BLS median is $30.19 an hour in the Burlington area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.00 to $31.59.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Burlington?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,050 to $4,900 and premium work $5,850 to $7,650. 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 Burlington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. April 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 Burlington?
$150 to $810, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Burlington
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