Aluminum fence cost in Boston, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $4,250 – $12,500
- Per linear ft
- $28 – $82.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #26
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an aluminum fence in the Boston area: $4,250 to $12,500 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 10% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $36.16 an hour in the Boston area, 24% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Boston, MA, standard level
$6,700 to $10,000
About $44.50 to $66 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,800 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $2,850 | $4,000 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $130 |
| Total | $6,700 | $10,000 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Boston, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $4,850 | $7,450 | 58% |
| Labor | $1,950 | $3,400 | $4,900 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $100 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $4,250 | $8,400 | $12,500 | 100% |
Why Boston prices look the way they do
Labor is 41% 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 Boston the blended ratio comes out at 1.30.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Boston is at 99.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $4,900 nationally becomes $4,850 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 108.3: $45 to $160.
Planning more than one job in Boston?
Jobs that often go together with aluminum fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Boston wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, inground pool comes out highest (+20%) and vinyl fence lowest (+6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,750 – $9,800 | +6% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,450 – $8,500 | +12% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,700 – $7,400 | +18% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $43,400 – $135,500 | +20% |
Boston: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Boston. 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
$4,250 to $7,550
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$6,700 to $10,000
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$9,200 to $12,500
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,850 – $5,050 | $4,500 – $6,750 | $6,200 – $8,400 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $4,250 – $7,550 | $6,700 – $10,000 | $9,200 – $12,500 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $5,650 – $10,000 | $8,950 – $13,300 | $12,200 – $16,600 |
Who does the work: Boston 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 Boston the blend is 1.30.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $36.16 an hour, 24% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $29.26 and $47.47 an hour. About 12,720 work in the metro. That is 47.0 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 $30.49 an hour, which is 35% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $26.22 and $45.11 an hour. BLS counts 11,580 of them working in the area, 42.8 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 $39.69 an hour, 34% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $25.37 and $45.12 an hour. About 2,330 work in the metro. That is 8.6 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 $410 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $250. That is a swing of roughly 3.0% to 4.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has 2,703,890 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 10th 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% | $29.26 | $36.16 | $47.47 | $29.12 | 1.24 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $26.22 | $30.49 | $45.11 | $22.66 | 1.35 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $25.37 | $39.69 | $45.12 | $29.71 | 1.34 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.30 | |||||
The best months for aluminum fence in Boston
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Boston Logan Intl 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 Boston are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Boston gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, October and December (4.3 inches in December). Inside the workable window, May and August are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 14 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 | 37 | 23 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 25 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 31 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 56 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 50 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 66 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 58 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 48 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 38 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 42 | 29 | 4.3 | Cold |
Optional extras in Boston
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.15 for Boston, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.30) and goods price index (1.00). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $230 – $1,050 |
Boston against nearby metros and the rest of Massachusetts
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 $7,500 to $8,400 across Boston and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MAthis page | $4,250 – $12,500 | $8,400 | |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $3,750 – $11,300 | $7,500 | −11% |
| Worcester, MA50 miles | $4,100 – $12,100 | $8,100 | −3% |
| Providence, RI60 miles | $3,900 – $11,600 | $7,800 | −7% |
| Barnstable, MA70 miles | $4,100 – $12,100 | $8,100 | −4% |
| Portland, ME85 miles | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | −9% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $4,200 – $12,400 | $8,350 | −1% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | −9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Boston ranks #26 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Boston is 1% above the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $4,100 – $12,100 | $8,100 | −3% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $4,150 – $12,200 | $8,200 | −2% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $4,100 – $12,100 | $8,100 | −4% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $4,000 – $11,800 | $7,900 | −6% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | −9% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $3,700 – $11,300 | $7,500 | −10% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $3,600 – $10,900 | $7,250 | −13% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $3,600 – $11,000 | $7,300 | −13% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,800 – $14,100 | $9,450 | +13% |
Aluminum fence: what moves the price in Boston
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.
Permit
A fence permit runs $40-$150.
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 $6,700 to $10,000 for Boston, MA is attached.
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Aluminum fence in Boston: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in Boston?
For 150 linear ft, expect $4,250 to $12,500 in the Boston area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,700 to $10,000. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in Boston?
About $28 to $82.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $75.
+Is aluminum fence cheaper in Boston or Manchester?
Manchester is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $7,500, which is 11% less than Boston ($8,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boston?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $3,400 out of $8,400. Materials are 58% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in Boston?
$4,250 to $12,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in Boston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $160 for fees in the Boston area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boston expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Boston is 1% above 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 Boston?
The BLS median is $36.16 an hour in the Boston area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.26 to $47.47.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in Boston?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $4,250 to $7,550 and premium work $9,200 to $12,500. 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 Boston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. May and August 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 Boston?
$230 to $1,050, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near Boston
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.