Aluminum fence cost in Dover, DE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,600 – $10,900
- Per linear ft
- $24 – $71.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #161
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an aluminum fence in the Dover area: $3,600 to $10,900 for 150 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 5% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $25.07 an hour in the Dover area, 14% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your aluminum fence cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Dover, DE, standard level
$5,800 to $8,700
About $38 to $57 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 34% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,700 | $5,700 |
| Labor | $2,050 | $2,850 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $5,800 | $8,700 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Dover, DE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,150 | $4,700 | $7,250 | 65% |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,450 | $3,500 | 34% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $3,600 | $7,250 | $10,900 | 100% |
Where the Dover price comes from
Labor is 34% of the midpoint bill here, against 35% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (40%), construction laborers (40%), sheet metal workers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Dover the blended ratio comes out at 0.93.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dover is at 96.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $4,900 nationally becomes $4,700 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 97.5: $40 to $150.
Extras that change the Dover total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.95 for Dover, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.93) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $190 – $850 |
Related projects, priced for Dover
Jobs that often go together with aluminum fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dover wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−5%) and wood fence lowest (−6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,700 | −5% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,850 – $7,200 | −6% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,450 – $5,800 | −6% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $34,300 – $107,500 | −5% |
Dover: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dover. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from pool fence (100 linear ft) to 200 ft (200 linear ft).
Basic
$3,600 to $6,500
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$5,800 to $8,700
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$7,950 to $10,900
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,400 – $4,350 | $3,900 – $5,850 | $5,350 – $7,300 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,600 – $6,500 | $5,800 – $8,700 | $7,950 – $10,900 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,800 – $8,650 | $7,700 – $11,500 | $10,600 – $14,400 |
Who does the work: Dover trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Dover the blend is 0.93.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $25.07 an hour, 14% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.87 and $32.20 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 39.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $22.02 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.50 and $24.63 an hour. BLS counts 400 of them working in the area, 58.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.55 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $38.65 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 8.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $260 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $80. That is a swing of roughly 1.1% to 3.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dover has 68,080 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 265th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $22.87 | $25.07 | $32.20 | $29.12 | 0.86 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $18.50 | $22.02 | $24.63 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $23.00 | $29.55 | $38.65 | $29.71 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
How Dover compares
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Dover. Lancaster comes closest at about $7,550.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DEthis page | $3,600 – $10,900 | $7,250 | |
| Vineland, NJ25 miles | $4,450 – $13,000 | $8,700 | +20% |
| Atlantic City, NJ45 miles | $4,100 – $12,100 | $8,100 | +12% |
| Philadelphia, PA55 miles | $3,900 – $11,600 | $7,750 | +7% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $3,850 – $11,600 | $7,700 | +7% |
| Lancaster, PA75 miles | $3,750 – $11,400 | $7,550 | +4% |
| Delaware (statewide) | $3,650 – $11,000 | $7,350 | +1% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dover ranks #161 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dover is 1% below the Delaware figure.
Dover is the only Delaware metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dover against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $3,650 – $11,000 | $7,300 | +1% |
| Burlington, NC | 67,830 jobs | $3,450 – $10,500 | $7,000 | −3% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,700 | +6% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $3,450 – $10,500 | $7,000 | −3% |
The best months for aluminum fence in Dover
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Dover (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Dover are February through December: 11 of 12. Outside them, January has an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Dover gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 13 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.9 inches in August). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 25 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44 | 28 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 29 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 55 | 35 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 66 | 45 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 54 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 64 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 69 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 67 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 61 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 50 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 39 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 49 | 32 | 4.0 | Workable |
Why two Dover quotes can differ
Style
Aluminum picket runs $25-$50 per linear foot installed, ornamental fence $40-$75, and privacy designs $75-$130 (HomeGuide).
Soil and slope
Steep slopes and rocky clay can add $15-$20+ per linear foot in labor.
Pool codes
Many codes require a pool barrier with gaps under 4 inches, which influences the style you can buy.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $5,800 to $8,700 for Dover, DE is attached.
Detailed aluminum fence report for Dover, DE, $9
The report lays out the aluminum fence numbers for Dover, DE line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Aluminum fence in Dover: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in Dover?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,600 to $10,900 in the Dover area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,800 to $8,700. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in Dover?
About $24 to $71.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $75.
+Is aluminum fence cheaper in Dover or Vineland?
Vineland is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $8,700, which is 20% more than Dover ($7,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dover?
About 34% at the midpoint, or $2,450 out of $7,250. Materials are 65% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in Dover?
$3,600 to $10,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in Dover?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $150 for fees in the Dover area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dover expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of Delaware?
Dover is 1% below the Delaware statewide estimate ($7,350 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Dover?
The BLS median is $25.07 an hour in the Dover area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.87 to $32.20.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in Dover?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,600 to $6,500 and premium work $7,950 to $10,900. Basic means: standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft. Premium means: tall privacy slat or custom ornamental.
+When is the best time to install an aluminum fence in Dover?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. February and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add one gate" add in Dover?
$190 to $850, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near Dover
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does an Aluminum Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range minus HomeGuide's $10-$25/ft labor range.