Wood fence cost in Charlottesville, VA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $2,900 – $7,300
- Per linear ft
- $19 – $48
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #154
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood fence in the Charlottesville area: $2,900 to $7,300 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 4% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $26.97 an hour in the Charlottesville area, 7% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Charlottesville, VA, standard level
$4,200 to $6,000
About $27.50 to $39 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,300 | $3,500 |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,400 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $120 |
| Total | $4,200 | $6,000 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Charlottesville, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,900 | $4,350 | 57% |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,100 | $2,800 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $2,900 | $5,100 | $7,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Charlottesville number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $26.97 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Charlottesville is 0.94 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 41% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Charlottesville is at 96.8 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 99.1: $40 to $150.
Planning more than one job in Charlottesville?
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Charlottesville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−4%) and aluminum fence lowest (−5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,800 | −4% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $5,850 | −5% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,550 – $10,800 | −5% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,200 – $14,400 | −5% |
Optional extras in Charlottesville
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.95 for Charlottesville, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.94) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $140 – $760 |
Who does the work: Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville the blend is 0.94.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $26.97 an hour, 7% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.28 and $29.53 an hour. About 630 work in the metro. That is 54.9 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 $21.67 an hour, which is 4% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.49 and $22.62 an hour. BLS counts 570 of them working in the area, 49.7 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 $120 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $220. That is a swing of roughly 4.3% to 2.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Charlottesville has 114,780 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 190th 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% | $22.28 | $26.97 | $29.53 | $29.12 | 0.93 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $18.49 | $21.67 | $22.62 | $22.66 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood fence pricing in Charlottesville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Charlottesville. 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
$2,900 to $4,650
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,200 to $6,000
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,550 to $7,300
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,950 – $3,150 | $2,850 – $4,050 | $3,750 – $4,950 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $2,900 – $4,650 | $4,200 – $6,000 | $5,550 – $7,300 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $3,850 – $6,200 | $5,600 – $7,950 | $7,350 – $9,700 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $5,750 – $9,250 | $8,400 – $11,900 | $11,000 – $14,500 |
How Charlottesville compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 150 linear ft range from $4,750 to $5,500 across Charlottesville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VAthis page | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | |
| Harrisonburg, VA40 miles | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −3% |
| Lynchburg, VA55 miles | $2,700 – $6,900 | $4,800 | −6% |
| Richmond, VA75 miles | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −3% |
| Washington, DC85 miles | $3,100 – $7,900 | $5,500 | +8% |
| Roanoke, VA85 miles | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 | −7% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $2,950 – $7,450 | $5,200 | +1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Charlottesville ranks #154 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Charlottesville is 1% below the Virginia figure.
Elsewhere in Virginia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,900 | −4% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −3% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 | −7% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $2,700 – $6,900 | $4,800 | −6% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $2,750 – $6,950 | $4,850 | −5% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $2,750 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charlottesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $2,600 – $6,650 | $4,600 | −10% |
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $2,500 – $6,450 | $4,450 | −13% |
| Topeka, KS | 115,750 jobs | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,950 | −4% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 | −7% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Charlottesville bid
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).
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).
The best months for wood fence in Charlottesville
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Charlottesville 2 Sse (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 Charlottesville are February through December: 11 of 12. Outside them, January has an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January 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.
Charlottesville gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, July and September (4.9 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 3.0 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 10 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 | 44 | 28 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 31 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 55 | 37 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 66 | 47 | 4.2 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 55 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 64 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 68 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 66 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 61 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 50 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 40 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 32 | 3.8 | Workable |
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 $4,200 to $6,000 for Charlottesville, VA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Charlottesville, VA: 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 Charlottesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Charlottesville?
For 150 linear ft, expect $2,900 to $7,300 in the Charlottesville area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,200 to $6,000. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Charlottesville?
About $19 to $48 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 Charlottesville or Harrisonburg?
Harrisonburg is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,950, which is 3% less than Charlottesville ($5,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charlottesville?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $2,100 out of $5,100. Materials are 57% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Charlottesville?
$3,850 to $9,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charlottesville expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Virginia?
Charlottesville is 1% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($5,200 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Charlottesville?
The BLS median is $26.97 an hour in the Charlottesville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.28 to $29.53.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Charlottesville?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $2,900 to $4,650 and premium work $5,550 to $7,300. 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 Charlottesville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. February 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 Charlottesville?
$140 to $760, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Charlottesville
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