Wood fence cost in Wausau, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $2,850 – $7,200
- Per linear ft
- $19 – $47
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #171
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood fence in the Wausau area: $2,850 to $7,200 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 6% lower than the US figure. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.8).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Wausau, WI, standard level
$4,150 to $5,900
About $27 to $38.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,400 |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,400 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $4,150 | $5,900 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Wausau, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $2,800 | $4,200 | 56% |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,100 | $2,850 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $2,850 | $5,000 | $7,200 | 100% |
Why Wausau prices look the way they do
Labor is 42% 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 Wausau the blended ratio comes out at 0.94.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Wausau is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,000 nationally becomes $2,800 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.7: $35 to $140.
Optional extras in Wausau
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.94 for Wausau, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.94) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $140 – $750 |
The best months for wood fence in Wausau
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Wausau Dwtn Ap (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 Wausau are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Wausau gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 64 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 23 | 7 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 10 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 21 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 32 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 45 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 55 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 57 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 49 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 37 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 40 | 25 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 14 | 1.5 | Cold |
Who does the work: Wausau 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 Wausau the blend is 0.94.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $24.03 an hour, 17% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.14 and $29.66 an hour. About 370 work in the metro. That is 53.2 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 $25.30 an hour, which is 12% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.07 and $30.00 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 73.3 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 $260 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $40. That is a swing of roughly 0.8% to 5.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Wausau has 69,530 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 261st 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% | $23.14 | $24.03 | $29.66 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.07 | $25.30 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
Is Wausau cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $5,000 to $5,750 across Wausau and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WIthis page | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,000 | |
| Eau Claire, WI75 miles | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +6% |
| Oshkosh, WI80 miles | $3,350 – $8,150 | $5,750 | +15% |
| Appleton, WI80 miles | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,450 | +8% |
| Green Bay, WI90 miles | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +5% |
| La Crosse, WI105 miles | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +6% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +7% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Wausau ranks #171 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Wausau is 6% below the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | +8% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +8% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +5% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,450 | +8% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $3,350 – $8,150 | $5,750 | +15% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wausau against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,650 | +12% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,850 | −3% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +7% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $3,050 – $7,700 | $5,350 | +7% |
Wausau: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Wausau. 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
$2,850 to $4,600
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,150 to $5,900
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,450 to $7,200
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,900 – $3,100 | $2,800 – $3,950 | $3,650 – $4,850 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $2,850 – $4,600 | $4,150 – $5,900 | $5,450 – $7,200 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $3,800 – $6,100 | $5,500 – $7,800 | $7,250 – $9,550 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $5,700 – $9,100 | $8,250 – $11,700 | $10,800 – $14,200 |
Why two Wausau quotes can differ
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).
Style
Split-rail and picket styles are cheaper to build than privacy fence, which uses more boards and takes more labor.
Planning more than one job in Wausau?
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Wausau wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (−2%) and wood deck lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,650 | −6% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,000 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,000 | −3% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,900 – $13,800 | −9% |
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 $4,150 to $5,900 for Wausau, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Wausau, 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 Wausau: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Wausau?
For 150 linear ft, expect $2,850 to $7,200 in the Wausau area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,150 to $5,900. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Wausau?
About $19 to $47 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 Wausau or Eau Claire?
Eau Claire is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,350, which is 6% more than Wausau ($5,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wausau?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $2,100 out of $5,000. Materials are 56% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Wausau?
$3,800 to $9,550. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Wausau?
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 Wausau area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wausau expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Wausau is 6% below 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 Wausau?
The BLS median is $24.03 an hour in the Wausau area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.14 to $29.66.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Wausau?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $2,850 to $4,600 and premium work $5,450 to $7,200. 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 Wausau?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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 Wausau?
$140 to $750, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Wausau
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