How much a new fence costs in 2026, and whether your quote is fair
On fence permits, the median declared value runs from $3,750 in Baltimore to $4,250 in Buffalo and Pittsburgh. That comes from 2,362 permits in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Baltimore, adjusted to today's dollars. Enter your ZIP and quote to compare yours with the middle half in your region.
Reviewed by Matt Kovalik, licensed Minnesota journeyworker electrician. License AJ703617 (verify). Updated October 2026. Based on 2,362 permits in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Baltimore.
Fence checker
Fair.
Your quote sits in the middle half of what these permits show.
What 1,255 permits in Baltimore show.
Middle half: $2,130 to $6,440.
Across regions, the median permit value runs from $3,750 in Baltimore to $4,250 in Buffalo and Pittsburgh.
Free, no account. Nothing you type leaves this page.
- Northeast$4,250Buffalo and Pittsburgh
- Midwest$4,030Cleveland
- South$3,750Baltimore
- Westno data
What to know about wiring along a fence
A fence can end up carrying lights, gate openers, cameras, keypad entry and landscape wiring. Plan those runs before the posts and trenches go in, not after.
Outdoor wiring ages badly when it is rushed: conduit clamped crookedly to posts, low-voltage cable laid too shallow, a transformer sitting in a flower bed. Straight runs, solid gates, good drainage and durable materials matter more to how a fence lasts than any add-on.
Questions to ask before you sign
Questions for this job.
- Who confirms the property line, and will the fence sit fully on my side of it?A fence over the line can turn into a dispute with a neighbor. Markers or a survey settle it before posts go in.
- Will you request utility locates and check height and setback rules with the city or association before starting?Buried lines and local fence rules both need answers before digging. Fixing either afterward means redoing work.
- How deep will the posts go, how far apart, and how will they be set?The posts carry the fence. Depth and spacing decide how it holds up to wind, frost, and a heavy gate.
- How many gates are included, how wide, and what hinges, latches, and bracing come with them?Gates move every day, so their hardware and bracing deserve a line in the bid.
- Is removing and hauling away the old fence included, including old posts and concrete?Pulling old posts is real labor. A quote for the new fence only leaves that work to you.
- How will you handle slopes and uneven ground along the line?A fence can step down or follow the ground, and each looks different and leaves different gaps. Agree on it before the work starts.
- Which side faces out, and how will you protect plants, lawn, and sprinkler lines while you work?Local rules sometimes decide which side faces the neighbor, and digging along a line can damage landscaping and irrigation.
What moves the price
- $3,750
Lowest regional median
The lowest median permit value of any region for a fence install or replacement.
- $4,250
Highest regional median
The highest median permit value of any region. Length, height, material and gates can move any single quote.
- $6,250
Top of the middle half in Cleveland
A quarter of Cleveland fence permits sit above this. A quote above it is worth checking against the scope.
Fair range by metro
| Metro | Region | Middle half of permit values | Permits | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | Northeast | $2,510 to $10,030 | 37 | October 2026 |
| Pittsburgh | Northeast | $14,180 to $53,630 too few for a zone | 2 | October 2026 |
| Cleveland | Midwest | $2,500 to $6,250 | 1,068 | October 2026 |
| Baltimore | South | $2,130 to $6,440 | 1,255 | October 2026 |
| Seattle | West | $15,090 to $46,350 too few for a zone | 2 | October 2026 |
Declared permit values, issued October 2023 to October 2026, adjusted to 2026 dollars with CPI-U. Cities join a zone only if they pass the calibration check.
Questions people ask
How much does a new fence cost?
On fence permits, the median declared value runs from $3,750 in Baltimore to $4,250 in Buffalo and Pittsburgh. The length of the run, the height, the material and the number of gates can all move a quote. Enter your ZIP in the checker for the middle half of permit values near you, then compare the scope with what you were quoted.
Which fence permits are in this range?
Permits to install or replace a fence at a house. We leave out retaining walls, pool barriers, fences built as part of a larger project, repairs to a few posts or boards, and commercial or multi-unit properties. That keeps the range about one job: putting up a new fence or replacing an old one.
Does a fence need a permit?
Many cities require one, especially for taller fences, fences near the front of the lot or fences on a corner, and some do not require one at all. Your city's rules decide it. Ask the contractor who pulls the permit and whether a survey of the property line is part of the job.
What should a fence quote include?
The length and height, the material and style, the gates and hardware, how the posts are set, removal and disposal of the old fence, and the permit. Ask who confirms the property line and who calls to mark buried utilities before digging. Get the answers in writing before you sign.
Sources
- City of Cleveland building permits
- City of Pittsburgh PLI permits (WPRDC)
- City of Buffalo permits (Open Data Buffalo)
- City of Seattle permits (data.seattle.gov)
- City of Baltimore housing and building permits (Open Baltimore)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI and PPI)
- How we build the numbers
- Data sources and licenses