Texas Fence Installation Business Pricing Guide: How to Set Your Rates

Nate Jones
Dec 5
3 min read

Setting the right pricing is critical for running a profitable fence installation business in Texas. Whether you are serving Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, or El Paso, knowing how to calculate rates for materials, labor, overhead, and insurance ensures you stay competitive while protecting your profits.

This guide walks you through how to set your rates, average pricing in Texas, and factors that influence pricing, including insurance costs from One Hampton Insurance to protect your business.

1. Understand Your Costs

Before you can set your rates, you must understand all costs involved in a fence installation project:

Materials – wood, vinyl, metal, posts, concrete, gates
Labor – wages for yourself and your crew
Equipment & tools – trucks, trailers, drills, augers, safety gear
Overhead – office, marketing, software, permits
Insurance – general liability, commercial auto, tools/equipment

Example: If installing a cedar fence in Dallas, calculate wood cost, labor hours, truck fuel, tools depreciation, and insurance contribution to determine your minimum per-foot rate.

2. Determine Labor Costs

Labor is often the largest portion of your price. Consider:

Crew size (owner + helpers)
Hourly wages in Texas cities:

City	Average Labor Cost / Hour
Houston	$18 – $28
Dallas	$20 – $30
Austin	$20 – $32
San Antonio	$18 – $27
Fort Worth	$19 – $28
El Paso	$16 – $25

Factor in productivity: a crew may install 50–100 linear feet of fencing per day depending on terrain, material, and complexity.

3. Factor in Materials and Supply Costs

Material costs vary widely by type and region:

Wood fences: $5–$15 per linear foot
Vinyl fences: $15–$30 per linear foot
Metal / wrought iron fences: $20–$50 per linear foot
Ranch or barbed wire fencing: $2–$6 per linear foot

Tip: Always include a 10–20% buffer for waste, damaged materials, or price fluctuations.

4. Overhead and Administrative Costs

Overhead includes:

Office or storage rental
Software for estimating, invoicing, or scheduling
Permits and licensing

Allocate a portion of these monthly costs to each job to ensure your rates cover your operating expenses.

5. Include Insurance Costs

Insurance protects your Texas fence installation business and may be required for commercial contracts. Typical policies include:

Distribute your annual insurance costs across your jobs to ensure your rates cover your risk exposure.

Tip: Working with an independent insurance agency like One Hampton Insurance allows you to compare carriers in Texas cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and El Paso to get the best coverage at competitive rates.

6. Decide on a Pricing Model

Fence contractors typically use one of three models:

Per Linear Foot – Most common; allows customers to easily understand costs.
Flat Project Rate – For large or complex jobs (e.g., commercial properties).
Hourly Rate – Useful for repairs, adjustments, or irregular work.

Example: Linear Foot Pricing in Texas

Houston: $25–$35 / linear foot for standard wood fence
Dallas: $28–$38 / linear foot
Austin: $30–$40 / linear foot
San Antonio: $22–$32 / linear foot
Fort Worth: $24–$34 / linear foot
El Paso: $20–$30 / linear foot

Adjust rates based on material type, terrain, permit costs, and project complexity.

7. Add a Profit Margin

After covering labor, materials, overhead, and insurance, add a profit margin of 15–35% depending on competition and project complexity. Commercial and industrial projects usually allow for higher margins than residential work.

8. Monitor Market Rates in Your Area

Competitor research is key:

Search Google for “fence installation Houston” or “Dallas fence contractors”
Check Angi / HomeAdvisor pricing guides
Adjust your rates to stay competitive while protecting profit

9. Offer Value-Added Services

Increase your rates by offering:

Gates or custom entryways
Staining or finishing services
Security features or decorative panels

Final Thoughts

Setting the right rates for your Texas fence installation business requires balancing material costs, labor, and market demand. Whether you’re in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, or El Paso, competitive pricing combined with proper insurance coverage ensures long-term success.

👉 Ready to protect your business?

Get your free Texas fence contractor insurance quote today!

Click here to request a quote