Wood fence cost in Janesville, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,250 – $8,000
- Per linear ft
- $21.50 – $52.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +6%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #47
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a wood fence in Janesville, plan on $3,250 to $8,000 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $21.50 to $52.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $36.24 an hour in the Janesville area, 24% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Janesville, WI, standard level
$4,700 to $6,600
About $31 to $43 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,400 |
| Labor | $2,400 | $3,100 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $4,700 | $6,600 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Janesville, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $2,800 | $4,200 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,750 | $3,650 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $3,250 | $5,650 | $8,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Janesville number
Labor is 49% of the midpoint bill here, against 42% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (60%), construction laborers (40%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Janesville the blended ratio comes out at 1.22.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Janesville 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 (93.7) and land at $35 to $140.
Janesville labor market for wood fence
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 Janesville is 1.22 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $36.24 an hour, which is 24% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $39.98 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 51.5 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 $26.77 an hour, 18% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $36.28 an hour. About 480 work in the metro. That is 68.7 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 ($39.98 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $170. At the 25th percentile ($23.92) it shrinks by about $570. The total moves by 3.1% or 10.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 69,870 jobs in the Janesville-Beloit area. That makes it the 260th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $23.92 | $36.24 | $39.98 | $29.12 | 1.24 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.00 | $26.77 | $36.28 | $22.66 | 1.18 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.22 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Janesville?
Because every project leans on different trades, Janesville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, chain-link fence runs +10% and vinyl fence level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,450 – $9,200 | level |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,850 | +10% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,950 – $11,700 | +3% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,050 – $16,100 | +7% |
Janesville against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Janesville is the priciest of the group. Racine is the cheapest at $5,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WIthis page | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,650 | |
| Rockford, IL25 miles | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,650 | level |
| Madison, WI40 miles | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | −4% |
| Kenosha, WI60 miles | $3,150 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −1% |
| Milwaukee, WI65 miles | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | −4% |
| Racine, WI65 miles | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −6% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −5% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −5% |
Across 300 US metros, Janesville comes in at #47 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Janesville is 5% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | −4% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | −4% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −6% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,450 | −4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $3,350 – $8,150 | $5,750 | +2% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −6% |
Cities with a workforce like Janesville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Janesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −5% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,000 | −11% |
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $2,900 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −9% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,850 | −14% |
Cost by quality level and size in Janesville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Janesville 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
$3,250 to $5,150
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,700 to $6,600
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$6,100 to $8,000
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,200 – $3,450 | $3,150 – $4,450 | $4,100 – $5,400 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,250 – $5,150 | $4,700 – $6,600 | $6,100 – $8,000 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,350 – $6,850 | $6,250 – $8,750 | $8,150 – $10,600 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,500 – $10,300 | $9,350 – $13,100 | $12,100 – $15,900 |
Optional extras in Janesville
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Janesville by the average of the local wage index (1.22) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.08. 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) | $160 – $860 |
Climate in Janesville: timing your wood fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Afton - Janesville Wwtp (5 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 Janesville (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.
Janesville gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.1 and 2.3 inches. The station averages about 13 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 | 28 | 12 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 32 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 25 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 58 | 36 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 48 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 58 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 60 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 51 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 40 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 29 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 34 | 18 | 1.9 | Cold |
Wood fence: what moves the price in Janesville
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).
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 $4,700 to $6,600 for Janesville, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Janesville, 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 Janesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Janesville?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,250 to $8,000 in the Janesville area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,700 to $6,600. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Janesville?
About $21.50 to $52.50 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 Janesville or Rockford?
Rockford is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,650, which is 0% less than Janesville ($5,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Janesville?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $2,750 out of $5,650. Materials are 50% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Janesville?
$4,350 to $10,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Janesville?
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 Janesville area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Janesville expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Janesville is 5% 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 Janesville?
The BLS median is $36.24 an hour in the Janesville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.92 to $39.98.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Janesville?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,250 to $5,150 and premium work $6,100 to $8,000. 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 Janesville?
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 Janesville?
$160 to $860, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Janesville
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