Fiber optic cable installation costs average $4,500 for most homeowners, with most installations ranging from $1,500 to $7,000. Fiber-optic cable materials typically cost $1 to $6 per linear foot, depending on fiber count and cable type. Single-mode fiber costs less per foot than multimode fiber, but it requires more. Whether you're running fiber to a home or a data center, here's exactly what contractors are charging in 2026. The main cost drivers include trenching or aerial deployment, materials, labor hours, and any required permits. Whether you're wiring a single building or laying fiber. A fiber optic cable is made up of ultra-thin strands, each capable of carrying huge amounts of data at the speed of light.