Wood fence cost in Madison, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,100 – $7,700
- Per linear ft
- $20.50 – $50.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #83
- 1 = most expensive
Madison homeowners pay roughly $3,100 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, Madison is almost level. Carpenters earn a median of $30.52 an hour in the Madison area, 5% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Madison, WI, standard level
$4,500 to $6,350
About $29.50 to $41.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,400 |
| Labor | $2,150 | $2,850 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $4,500 | $6,350 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Madison, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $2,800 | $4,200 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,650 | $2,500 | $3,350 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,100 | $5,400 | $7,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Madison number
Labor is 46% 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 Madison the blended ratio comes out at 1.11.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Madison 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 (97.3) and land at $40 to $150.
When to schedule wood fence in Madison
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Madison Dane Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Madison (8 of 12 months). 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.
Madison gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 27 | 12 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 25 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 51 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 29 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
Madison: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Madison 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
$3,100 to $4,950
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,500 to $6,350
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,850 to $7,700
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,100 – $3,350 | $3,000 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,200 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,100 – $4,950 | $4,500 – $6,350 | $5,850 – $7,700 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,150 – $6,550 | $5,950 – $8,400 | $7,800 – $10,200 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,200 – $9,800 | $8,900 – $12,500 | $11,600 – $15,300 |
Madison against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Oshkosh is the priciest of the group at $5,750. Dubuque is the cheapest at $5,150.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | |
| Janesville, WI40 miles | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,650 | +4% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,650 | +4% |
| Dubuque, IA80 miles | $2,950 – $7,400 | $5,150 | −4% |
| Oshkosh, WI85 miles | $3,350 – $8,150 | $5,750 | +7% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −1% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Madison comes in at #83 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Madison 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 |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −2% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,450 | level |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $3,350 – $8,150 | $5,750 | +7% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Madison's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Madison against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,900 | −10% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | −6% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $2,800 – $7,150 | $5,000 | −8% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $3,200 – $7,900 | $5,550 | +3% |
Planning more than one job in Madison?
Because every project leans on different trades, Madison's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, chain-link fence runs +6% and vinyl fence −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $9,000 | −2% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,600 | +6% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,200 | 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 Madison is 1.11 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $30.52 an hour, which is 5% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.71 and $39.68 an hour. BLS counts 2,320 of them working in the area, 56.9 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 $27.40 an hour, 21% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.70 and $31.94 an hour. About 2,370 work in the metro. That is 58.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($39.68 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $420. At the 25th percentile ($25.71) it shrinks by about $220. The total moves by 7.9% or 4.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 408,070 jobs in the Madison area. That makes it the 61st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.26% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $25.71 | $30.52 | $39.68 | $29.12 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.70 | $27.40 | $31.94 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.11 | |||||
Why two Madison 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).
Optional extras in Madison
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Madison by the average of the local wage index (1.11) 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 |
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 Madison, WI is attached.
Detailed wood fence report for Madison, WI, $9
Multi-page report for Madison, 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 Madison: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Madison?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,100 to $7,700 in the Madison 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 Madison?
About $20.50 to $50.50 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 Madison or Janesville?
Janesville is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,650, which is 4% more than Madison ($5,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Madison?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $2,500 out of $5,400. Materials are 52% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Madison?
$4,150 to $10,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Madison?
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 Madison area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Madison expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Madison 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 Madison?
The BLS median is $30.52 an hour in the Madison area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.71 to $39.68.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Madison?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,100 to $4,950 and premium work $5,850 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 Madison?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October 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 Madison?
$150 to $820, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Madison
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