Per-foot benchmarks help compare options: $0. 20/ft for cable, $8–$40/ft for trenching, and $60–$180 per labor hour depending on skill level and fusion requirements. These figures reflect typical U S prices before any permit waivers or incentives. Commercial building installations with 100-200 network drops generally range from $15,000 to $30,000. Single-mode fiber costs less per foot than multimode fiber, but it requires more. Buyers typically pay for fiber optic cable by length, fiber type, and installation complexity., 12-core vs 96-core) and brand. The price swing usually depends on the core brand. Custom-built cables or niche specifications can lead to higher prices.