Aluminum fence cost in Amherst, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $4,000 – $11,800
- Per linear ft
- $26.50 – $78
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #56
- 1 = most expensive
Amherst homeowners pay roughly $4,000 to $11,800 to install an aluminum fence at 150 linear ft, or $26.50 to $78 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Amherst is 4% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $32.13 an hour in the Amherst area, 10% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Amherst, MA, standard level
$6,350 to $9,500
About $42 to $62.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 39% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,700 | $5,750 |
| Labor | $2,550 | $3,600 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $6,350 | $9,500 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Amherst, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $4,750 | $7,300 | 60% |
| Labor | $1,750 | $3,100 | $4,400 | 39% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $4,000 | $7,900 | $11,800 | 100% |
Why Amherst prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: carpenters at 40%, construction laborers at 40%, sheet metal workers at 20%. Weighted together, Amherst wages are 1.18 times the national level. Labor makes up about 39% of the midpoint estimate (35% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Amherst metro is 97.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $4,750, compared with $4,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.2) and land at $40 to $150.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Amherst is 1.18 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $32.13 an hour, which is 10% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.62 and $41.93 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 53.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $27.96 an hour, 23% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $36.52 an hour. About 280 work in the metro. That is 42.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 20%) the local median is $36.07 an hour, which is 21% above the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $23.09 and $38.22 an hour. BLS counts 30 of them working in the area, 4.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($41.93 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $350. At the 25th percentile ($28.62) it shrinks by about $130. The total moves by 4.5% or 1.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 65,670 jobs in the Amherst Town-Northampton area. That makes it the 273rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $28.62 | $32.13 | $41.93 | $29.12 | 1.10 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.14 | $27.96 | $36.52 | $22.66 | 1.23 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $23.09 | $36.07 | $38.22 | $29.71 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.18 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Amherst
Because every project leans on different trades, Amherst's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, inground pool runs +12% and vinyl fence +1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,550 – $9,350 | +1% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,250 – $8,000 | +5% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,850 | +10% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $40,500 – $126,000 | +12% |
Is Amherst cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $7,600 to $8,200 across Amherst and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst, MAthis page | $4,000 – $11,800 | $7,900 | |
| Springfield, MA15 miles | $4,150 – $12,200 | $8,200 | +3% |
| Pittsfield, MA30 miles | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | −4% |
| Worcester, MA35 miles | $4,100 – $12,100 | $8,100 | +3% |
| Hartford, CT45 miles | $3,950 – $11,800 | $7,900 | level |
| Waterbury, CT60 miles | $3,850 – $11,600 | $7,700 | −3% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $4,200 – $12,400 | $8,350 | +5% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Amherst comes in at #56 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $9,700; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $6,500 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Amherst is 5% below the Massachusetts figure.
Other Massachusetts metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $4,250 – $12,500 | $8,400 | +6% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $4,100 – $12,100 | $8,100 | +3% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $4,150 – $12,200 | $8,200 | +3% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $4,100 – $12,100 | $8,100 | +2% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Amherst's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Amherst against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $3,600 – $10,800 | $7,200 | −9% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 65,460 jobs | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,100 | −11% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $3,600 – $10,800 | $7,200 | −9% |
| El Centro, CA | 65,430 jobs | $4,200 – $12,500 | $8,350 | +5% |
Optional extras in Amherst
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Amherst by the average of the local wage index (1.18) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 1.07. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $210 – $970 |
Why two Amherst 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.
Cost by quality level and size in Amherst
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Amherst wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$4,000 to $7,150
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$6,350 to $9,500
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$8,700 to $11,800
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,650 – $4,800 | $4,250 – $6,350 | $5,850 – $7,950 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $4,000 – $7,150 | $6,350 – $9,500 | $8,700 – $11,800 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $5,300 – $9,500 | $8,450 – $12,600 | $11,600 – $15,700 |
When to schedule aluminum fence in Amherst
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Westfield Barnes Muni Ap (15 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Amherst (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
Amherst gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.7 inches in October). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 18 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35 | 16 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 38 | 17 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 26 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 35 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 55 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 59 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 51 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 39 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 30 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 40 | 22 | 3.6 | Cold |
Get 3 local quotes
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Aluminum fence in Amherst: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in Amherst?
For 150 linear ft, expect $4,000 to $11,800 in the Amherst area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,350 to $9,500. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in Amherst?
About $26.50 to $78 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 Amherst or Springfield?
Springfield is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $8,200, which is 3% more than Amherst ($7,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Amherst?
About 39% at the midpoint, or $3,100 out of $7,900. Materials are 60% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in Amherst?
$4,000 to $11,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in Amherst?
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 Amherst area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Amherst expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Amherst is 5% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($8,350 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Amherst?
The BLS median is $32.13 an hour in the Amherst area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.62 to $41.93.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in Amherst?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $4,000 to $7,150 and premium work $8,700 to $11,800. 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 Amherst?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March 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 Amherst?
$210 to $970, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near Amherst
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.