Aluminum fence cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,700 – $11,000
- Per linear ft
- $24.50 – $72.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #141
- 1 = most expensive
An aluminum fence in Dubuque, IA usually costs $3,700 to $11,000 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $24.50 to $72.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $250 less. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Dubuque, IA, standard level
$5,900 to $8,800
About $39 to $58 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 37% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,600 | $5,550 |
| Labor | $2,250 | $3,150 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $100 |
| Total | $5,900 | $8,800 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,100 | $4,550 | $7,050 | 62% |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,700 | $3,850 | 37% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $3,700 | $7,350 | $11,000 | 100% |
Where the Dubuque price comes from
Labor is 37% 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 Dubuque the blended ratio comes out at 1.03.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dubuque is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $4,900 nationally becomes $4,550 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.3: $35 to $130.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Dubuque. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Dubuque
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 Dubuque the blend is 1.03.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $28.89 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.41 and $30.47 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 44.5 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 $23.46 an hour, which is 4% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $28.85 an hour. BLS counts 500 of them working in the area, 85.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dubuque metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $31.95 an hour against $29.71 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.78 and $36.58 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $55 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $200. That is a swing of roughly 2.7% to 0.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dubuque has 58,470 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 292nd 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% | $23.41 | $28.89 | $30.47 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.37 | $23.46 | $28.85 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $23.78 | $31.95 | $36.58 | $29.71 | 1.08 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Dubuque?
Jobs that often go together with aluminum fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dubuque wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, inground pool comes out highest (−1%) and vinyl fence lowest (−5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,750 | −5% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,950 – $7,400 | −3% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,100 | −2% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,900 – $112,000 | −1% |
How Dubuque compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 150 linear ft range from $7,150 to $7,650 across Dubuque and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $3,700 – $11,000 | $7,350 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $3,750 – $11,200 | $7,450 | +2% |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $3,550 – $10,700 | $7,150 | −3% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $3,800 – $11,300 | $7,550 | +3% |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,650 | +4% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $3,650 – $10,900 | $7,250 | −1% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $3,650 – $10,900 | $7,300 | −1% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | +3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dubuque ranks #141 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dubuque is 1% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $3,700 – $11,100 | $7,400 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $3,800 – $11,300 | $7,550 | +3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $3,750 – $11,200 | $7,450 | +2% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $3,550 – $10,700 | $7,150 | −3% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $3,650 – $10,900 | $7,250 | −1% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $3,600 – $10,800 | $7,200 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dubuque against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | 58,650 jobs | $3,750 – $11,300 | $7,500 | +2% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $3,250 – $9,900 | $6,600 | −10% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,700 | +5% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $3,650 – $11,000 | $7,300 | −1% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: aluminum fence pricing in Dubuque
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dubuque. 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
$3,700 to $6,600
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$5,900 to $8,800
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$8,100 to $11,000
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,450 – $4,450 | $3,950 – $5,900 | $5,400 – $7,400 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,700 – $6,600 | $5,900 – $8,800 | $8,100 – $11,000 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,900 – $8,800 | $7,800 – $11,700 | $10,700 – $14,600 |
Why two Dubuque quotes can differ
Permit
A fence permit runs $40-$150.
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.
Optional extras in Dubuque
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for Dubuque, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.03) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $200 – $880 |
Dubuque weather and the aluminum fence calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Dubuque Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Dubuque are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March and December 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.
Dubuque gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 43 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 27 | 11 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 59 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 28 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 32 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
Get 3 local quotes
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Aluminum fence in Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in Dubuque?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,700 to $11,000 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,900 to $8,800. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in Dubuque?
About $24.50 to $72.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $75.
+Is aluminum fence cheaper in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $7,450, which is 2% more than Dubuque ($7,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 37% at the midpoint, or $2,700 out of $7,350. Materials are 62% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in Dubuque?
$3,700 to $11,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in Dubuque?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $130 for fees in the Dubuque area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dubuque expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque is 1% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($7,300 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Dubuque?
The BLS median is $28.89 an hour in the Dubuque area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.41 to $30.47.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in Dubuque?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,700 to $6,600 and premium work $8,100 to $11,000. 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 Dubuque?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October 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 Dubuque?
$200 to $880, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near Dubuque
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.