Wood fence cost in Seattle, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,500 – $8,650
- Per linear ft
- $23 – $56.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +14%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #15
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood fence in the Seattle area: $3,500 to $8,650 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 14% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $36.74 an hour in the Seattle area, 26% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Seattle, WA, standard level
$5,050 to $7,100
About $33 to $46.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,750 |
| Labor | $2,450 | $3,200 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $130 |
| Total | $5,050 | $7,100 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Seattle, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $3,100 | $4,700 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $3,500 | $6,050 | $8,650 | 100% |
Where the Seattle 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 $36.74 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Seattle is 1.26 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 47% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Seattle is at 104.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,000 nationally becomes $3,100 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 111.1: $45 to $170.
Seattle: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Seattle. 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
$3,500 to $5,550
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$5,050 to $7,100
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$6,600 to $8,650
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,350 – $3,750 | $3,400 – $4,750 | $4,450 – $5,800 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,500 – $5,550 | $5,050 – $7,100 | $6,600 – $8,650 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,650 – $7,400 | $6,700 – $9,400 | $8,750 – $11,500 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,950 – $11,000 | $10,000 – $14,100 | $13,000 – $17,100 |
Seattle against nearby metros and the rest of Washington
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 $5,600 to $6,050 across Seattle and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WAthis page | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,050 | |
| Bremerton, WA40 miles | $3,300 – $8,200 | $5,750 | −5% |
| Olympia, WA60 miles | $3,250 – $8,100 | $5,650 | −7% |
| Yakima, WA90 miles | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −8% |
| Bellingham, WA95 miles | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −1% |
| Portland, OR135 miles | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,950 | −2% |
| Washington (statewide) | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Seattle ranks #15 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Seattle is 1% above the Washington figure.
Elsewhere in Washington
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −8% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $3,250 – $8,100 | $5,650 | −7% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $3,250 – $8,200 | $5,700 | −6% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −8% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $3,300 – $8,200 | $5,750 | −5% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Seattle against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,900 – $9,550 | $6,750 | +11% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $3,500 – $8,550 | $6,050 | −1% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $2,950 – $7,400 | $5,200 | −14% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −7% |
The best months for wood fence in Seattle
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Seattle Sand Pt Wsfo (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Seattle: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Seattle gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (5.8 inches in November). The station averages about 2 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 | 47 | 37 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 50 | 37 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 54 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 43 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 65 | 48 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 70 | 53 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 77 | 57 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 77 | 57 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 41 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 37 | 5.5 | Workable |
Optional extras in Seattle
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.15 for Seattle, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.26) and goods price index (1.04). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $170 – $920 |
Who does the work: Seattle 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 Seattle the blend is 1.26.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $36.74 an hour, 26% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.64 and $47.93 an hour. About 14,970 work in the metro. That is 71.8 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 $28.72 an hour, which is 27% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $37.03 an hour. BLS counts 13,040 of them working in the area, 62.5 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 $520 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $280. That is a swing of roughly 4.7% to 8.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has 2,086,210 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 13th 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% | $30.64 | $36.74 | $47.93 | $29.12 | 1.26 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $23.67 | $28.72 | $37.03 | $22.66 | 1.27 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.26 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Seattle
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Seattle wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+18%) and vinyl fence lowest (+9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,900 – $10,000 | +9% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,750 – $7,300 | +18% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,450 – $13,100 | +15% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,600 – $17,200 | +14% |
Why two Seattle quotes can differ
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.
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 $5,050 to $7,100 for Seattle, WA is attached.
Detailed wood fence report for Seattle, WA, $9
Multi-page report for Seattle, WA: 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 Seattle: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Seattle?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,500 to $8,650 in the Seattle area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,050 to $7,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Seattle?
About $23 to $56.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Seattle or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,750, which is 5% less than Seattle ($6,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Seattle?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $2,850 out of $6,050. Materials are 51% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Seattle?
$4,650 to $11,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Seattle?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $170 for fees in the Seattle area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Seattle expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Washington?
Seattle is 1% above the Washington statewide estimate ($6,000 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Seattle?
The BLS median is $36.74 an hour in the Seattle area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.64 to $47.93.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Seattle?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,500 to $5,550 and premium work $6,600 to $8,650. Basic means: pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft. Premium means: premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence.
+Is there a bad season to install a wood fence in Seattle?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add one gate" add in Seattle?
$170 to $920, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Seattle
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