How Much Does an Aluminum Fence Cost?

Average Cost of Metal Fence Installation

The average cost of aluminum fencing is around $32 per linear foot, installed. This price includes a 4 to 5 foot tall aluminum fence, 1-2 walkthrough gates and 1 double-gate for wider entryways like a driveway or entrance to your backyard. The cost includes permits and a site survey to locate property lines. All labor and aluminum fencing materials to install the fence, concrete for anchoring the posts, and all cleanup after the fence installation is completed.

Aluminum Fencing Project Overview

Aluminum fences add a touch of classic elegance when installed in front of a home or around a backyard pool. While providing minimal security but attractive decor, aluminum fences are useful as enclosures for dogs and child play-areas. Also called metal fencing and ornamental aluminum fencing, it mimics the look of wrought iron at a fraction of the cost and requires very little maintenance with its tough powder-coated finish.

The most common installation options are:

• DIY installation with posts, pre-assembled aluminum fence panels, hardware and accessories that you purchase.
• Hiring a fence company to install your new aluminum fencing, selected from their options and discounts available as a contractor.

This Cost Estimate (Costimate) provides complete aluminum fence prices for both options, and information about style and height choices. Aluminum fence costs are itemized below and pricing factors are explained to help you plan your budget for DIY installation, or for hiring a fence company to handle the project.

Note: Aluminum fences and picket fences serve similar purposes but with quite different appearance. If you’d like to compare aluminum fencing with picket fencing prices and options, see our Picket Fence Costimate for details. If you’re unsure about what kind of fence you might want, read our guide to different fence types.

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Product and Supplies Cost Details

The pricing data below compares the estimates costs for a steel or aluminum fence. Linear foot and installation costs, as well as many options and variables you’ll have to consider when estimating the cost of an aluminum fence around your property.

Aluminum Fencing Cost Factors

These factors affect the total cost for your fence project.

• Fence Height: Fence panels in heights of 2.5’ to 6’ are made for residential fencing, and fence panels up to 10’ are produced in commercial grades. The height you choose is going to affect the panel cost the most.
• Grade of the Material: Commercial and industrial aluminum fencing is manufactured with thicker gauges of aluminum and steel, so cost more than residential aluminum fencing.
• Linear Feet of Fence Installed: Panels are available in 4’, 6’ and 8’ widths, so to determine the number of panels you’ll need, divide the number of linear feet by the width of the panel you’re considering.
• Color of the Fencing: The most affordable fencing is black, and you’ll pay a small premium for colors like beige, white, ivory, green, brown, tan, sandstone and gray.
• Number and Types of Gates: Gates often feature more elaborate design, and with the needed hardware, cost up to 100% more than panels, so figure the cost of a single gate for walkways and double gates for a driveway.
• Posts and Caps: Posts and caps are produced from about 2” square to 6” square and in various styles, and cost goes up with size and how elaborate the design is. When you know the length of the fence, number of corners and the width of the panels, you’ll be able to determine the number and types of posts required for the fence.

Cost of Installation Supplies

Now that you have an idea of your options, let’s itemize metal fence costs used to prepare a budget.

• $10-$25 | Stakes, string and marking paint to establish the lines for fence installation
• $25-$325 | Residential grade aluminum fence panels from 2.5’ to 6’ high and up to 8’ long.
• $185-$1,350 | Pre-assembled gates from 3’-10’ high in the various aluminum grades. Single-gate sizes range from 3’-6’ wide, and double-gate assemblies range from 8’ to 14’ wide. Aluminum fence gate prices are based on width and how elaborate the gate is.
• $16-$300 | Hollow 2”x2”, 4”x4” and 6”x6” posts up to 10’ high and in several aluminum thicknesses are made in three types of posts. Line posts have holes on opposite sides. Corner posts have holes on adjoining sides to form a right angle and end posts have holes on only one side. Some posts include caps. For fences up to 6’ high, the posts must be sunk 2’ into the soil; for higher fences, the depth must be 3’.
• $40-$60 | Steel post inserts provide greater fence strength. They are optional unless required by your local building code for elevated installations such as decks and balconies.
• $3-$5 ea. | Bag of concrete – If your posts will be installed in the ground, you will need about 2 bags of concrete for every 3 posts.
• $8-$15 | Mounting bracket or flanges and screws – If you are installing posts on concrete or a deck or attaching the fence to a wall, you will need a mounting bracket at each post or attaching point.
• $60-$80 per day | Daily rental of a power auger – If you’re installing posts in the ground, the work will go much quicker with a gas-powered auger for one or two people.

Permits, Inspection, and Installation Costs

You won’t be surprised by “hidden costs” when you know the details of what is required to install a fence. Ask your building code department whether you need a permit for the type and height of the fence you’re installing. By the way, if you are part of a homeowner’s association, be sure your fence complies with the bylaws, so you won’t have a costly fight on your hands to modify or remove the fence. That’s the ultimate “hidden cost.”

Permits and Inspection

• $25-$100 | Fence permit, if required. The permit will include an inspection of the design and installation to make sure it meets local codes and is installed properly.
• $0-$75 | Don’t dig without having a professional locate and mark utility lines you must avoid. In most areas, calling 811 will put you in touch with a free service paid for by utility companies. If you do have to pay for the service where you live, the cost won’t be prohibitive.
• $75-$150 | Property line survey – Installing a fence on your neighbor’s property can be a very expensive mistake, so be sure you know the property lines and that the fence is entirely on your property. If you’re handy with these kinds of things, you can also determine property boundaries using a metal detector to find the corner pins of your parcel. Mark them with stakes, and run string between them, and stake your fence lines within the boundaries.

Installation Cost and Time

Here’s what you’ll save if you install the fence yourself, given that you do it properly and don’t have to replace damaged material or hire a pro to correct mistakes. Most fencing brands include complete installation instructions, and mostly common hand tools are required to complete the work.

• $8-$12 per linear foot | Installation labor cost

This is a wide spectrum, and where your estimates fall will depend on the time and extras required to do the work:

• The Grade of the Material – Residential fencing is sufficient for most installations, but commercial and industrial grades offer enhanced strength for elevated locations and for security.
• Where your Home is Located – If the fence company needs to drive a significant distance to get to you, increasing its time and fuel costs, the estimate will be higher than for close locations.
• Obstructions – The removal of old fencing, trees, roots, shrubs, rocks and other obstacles raises the cost.
• Ground Elevations – Having to cut down high spots or add fill to low spots increases time and cost
• Soil Conditions – Dry, hard clay and rocky ground is more difficult to work in, so costs will be higher
• Time of Year – When fencing companies are busy, they’re less likely to offer discounts or competitive pricing, and the opposite is true if there is an “off season” where you live with weather still suitable for installation.
• Competitive Estimates – Regardless of other factors, it can save you a lot of time and money by talking to a contractor first, even if you plan to install yourself. You may find that the contractor installation is the best way to go once you see what’s involved with installing an aluminum fence in your area.

Completed Installation Time

These estimates are for fence contractors. DIY installation, especially if you don’t have fence installation experience, takes 50 percent to 100 percent longer.

• 1-2 days | Simple installation of up to 150 linear feet when posts are attached to concrete.
• 2-3 days | Simple installation of up to 150 linear feet where post holes must be dug; Longer/complex installation attached to concrete.
• 3-6 days | The longer and/or more complex the installation is, the more days it will take to complete. Your fence installer will give you an estimate of installation time.

DIY or Hire a Pro

I’ve installed a steel / aluminum fence around a backyard pool. It’s not a hard job as long as you have the right tools and knowledge to get it done right. In my case, we had to be very careful of underground water pipes that went from the pool to the filter, as well as electrical that controlled pool lighting. We put the fence directly outside the concrete pad, to nothing more than a post hole digger was needed.

• Requires a lot of digging and a good plan of where the fence will go.
• Familiarity with a wide array of hand tools, math, power tools.
• Pay attention to the soil in your yard If it’s hard or full of rocks and/or roots, rent an auger.

With common sense and a good plan, most DIY’s with basic knowleedge can put up their own aluminum fence.

DIY or Hire a Pro, What do you think?

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