Wood fence cost in Appleton, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,150 – $7,700
- Per linear ft
- $20.50 – $50.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #81
- 1 = most expensive
Appleton homeowners pay roughly $3,150 to $7,700 to install a wood fence at 150 linear ft, or $20.50 to $50.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Appleton is almost level. Carpenters earn a median of $30.04 an hour in the Appleton area, 3% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Appleton, WI, standard level
$4,500 to $6,350
About $29.50 to $41.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,400 |
| Labor | $2,200 | $2,850 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $110 |
| Total | $4,500 | $6,350 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Appleton, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $2,800 | $4,200 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,700 | $2,500 | $3,350 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $3,150 | $5,450 | $7,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Appleton number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 60%, construction laborers at 40%. Weighted together, Appleton wages are 1.12 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (42% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Appleton metro is 93.8 (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 (92.4) and land at $35 to $140.
Planning more than one job in Appleton?
Because every project leans on different trades, Appleton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, chain-link fence runs +8% and vinyl fence −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $9,050 | −2% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,700 | +8% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,900 – $11,600 | +2% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,100 | level |
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 Appleton is 1.12 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $30.04 an hour, which is 3% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.40 and $40.83 an hour. BLS counts 700 of them working in the area, 56.3 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 $28.49 an hour, 26% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.86 and $36.28 an hour. About 1,030 work in the metro. That is 82.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($40.83 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $500. At the 25th percentile ($24.40) it shrinks by about $260. The total moves by 9.2% or 4.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 124,230 jobs in the Appleton area. That makes it the 174th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $24.40 | $30.04 | $40.83 | $29.12 | 1.03 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $21.86 | $28.49 | $36.28 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
When to schedule wood fence in Appleton
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Appleton (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Appleton (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Appleton gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 25 | 10 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 29 | 12 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 22 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 34 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 46 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 61 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 51 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 39 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 43 | 28 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Dec | 31 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Appleton
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Appleton 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
$3,150 to $4,950
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,500 to $6,350
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,900 to $7,700
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,100 – $3,350 | $3,050 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,200 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,150 – $4,950 | $4,500 – $6,350 | $5,900 – $7,700 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,150 – $6,600 | $6,000 – $8,400 | $7,800 – $10,300 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,200 – $9,850 | $8,950 – $12,600 | $11,700 – $15,300 |
How Appleton compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Appleton. Wausau is the lowest at about $5,000 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 80 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WIthis page | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,450 | |
| Oshkosh, WI20 miles | $3,350 – $8,150 | $5,750 | +6% |
| Green Bay, WI20 miles | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −2% |
| Sheboygan, WI50 miles | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,400 | −1% |
| Wausau, WI80 miles | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,000 | −7% |
| Milwaukee, WI100 miles | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | level |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Appleton comes in at #81 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Appleton is 1% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | level |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | level |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $3,350 – $8,150 | $5,750 | +6% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Appleton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Appleton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,450 | +1% |
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $2,650 – $6,750 | $4,700 | −13% |
| Crestview, FL | 125,050 jobs | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −9% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $3,150 – $7,850 | $5,500 | +1% |
Add-ons priced for Appleton
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Appleton by the average of the local wage index (1.12) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.03. 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) | $150 – $820 |
Why two Appleton quotes can differ
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).
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 $4,500 to $6,350 for Appleton, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Appleton, WI: 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 Appleton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Appleton?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,150 to $7,700 in the Appleton area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,500 to $6,350. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Appleton?
About $20.50 to $50.50 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 Appleton or Oshkosh?
Oshkosh is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,750, which is 6% more than Appleton ($5,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Appleton?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $2,500 out of $5,450. Materials are 52% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Appleton?
$4,150 to $10,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Appleton?
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 Appleton area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Appleton expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Appleton is 1% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($5,350 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Appleton?
The BLS median is $30.04 an hour in the Appleton area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.40 to $40.83.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Appleton?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,150 to $4,950 and premium work $5,900 to $7,700. 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 Appleton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September and October 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 Appleton?
$150 to $820, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Appleton
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