Aluminum fence cost in Detroit, MI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $4,000 – $11,900
- Per linear ft
- $26.50 – $78.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #53
- 1 = most expensive
An aluminum fence in Detroit, MI usually costs $4,000 to $11,900 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $26.50 to $78.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $380 more. Carpenters earn a median of $31.64 an hour in the Detroit area, 9% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Detroit, MI, standard level
$6,400 to $9,550
About $42 to $63 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 38% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,800 | $5,850 |
| Labor | $2,550 | $3,600 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $6,400 | $9,550 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Detroit, MI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $4,800 | $7,400 | 60% |
| Labor | $1,750 | $3,050 | $4,350 | 38% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $4,000 | $7,950 | $11,900 | 100% |
Where the Detroit price comes from
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, Detroit wages are 1.17 times the national level. Labor makes up about 38% of the midpoint estimate (35% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Detroit is at 98.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $4,900 nationally becomes $4,800 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.3: $40 to $150.
Planning more than one job in Detroit?
Jobs that often go together with aluminum fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Detroit wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+10%) and vinyl fence lowest (+2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,600 – $9,400 | +2% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,250 – $8,000 | +5% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,650 – $6,800 | +10% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $39,000 – $122,000 | +8% |
What local crews earn in Detroit
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 Detroit the blend is 1.17.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $31.64 an hour, 9% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.05 and $38.49 an hour. About 7,610 work in the metro. That is 40.0 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 $27.61 an hour, which is 22% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.25 and $30.04 an hour. BLS counts 11,610 of them working in the area, 61.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 20% of the weighting: a median of $36.12 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $23.85 and $44.58 an hour. About 1,640 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 $250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $240. That is a swing of roughly 3.0% to 3.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn has 1,904,530 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 15th 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% | $25.05 | $31.64 | $38.49 | $29.12 | 1.09 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.25 | $27.61 | $30.04 | $22.66 | 1.22 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $23.85 | $36.12 | $44.58 | $29.71 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: aluminum fence pricing in Detroit
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Detroit. 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
$4,000 to $7,200
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$6,400 to $9,550
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$8,750 to $11,900
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,700 – $4,800 | $4,300 – $6,400 | $5,900 – $8,000 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $4,000 – $7,200 | $6,400 – $9,550 | $8,750 – $11,900 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $5,350 – $9,550 | $8,500 – $12,700 | $11,600 – $15,900 |
Is Detroit 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 $7,350 to $7,950 across Detroit and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MIthis page | $4,000 – $11,900 | $7,950 | |
| Flint, MI35 miles | $3,900 – $11,500 | $7,700 | −4% |
| Ann Arbor, MI45 miles | $3,800 – $11,300 | $7,550 | −5% |
| Saginaw, MI60 miles | $3,700 – $11,000 | $7,350 | −8% |
| Lansing, MI70 miles | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,650 | −4% |
| Toledo, OH85 miles | $3,800 – $11,300 | $7,550 | −5% |
| Michigan (statewide) | $3,750 – $11,200 | $7,500 | −6% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | −5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Detroit ranks #53 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Detroit is 6% above the Michigan figure.
Elsewhere in Michigan
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $3,600 – $10,800 | $7,200 | −10% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 219,730 jobs | $3,800 – $11,300 | $7,550 | −5% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,650 | −4% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $3,900 – $11,500 | $7,700 | −4% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $3,800 – $11,300 | $7,550 | −5% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $3,700 – $11,000 | $7,350 | −8% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Detroit against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $4,250 – $12,600 | $8,400 | +5% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,100 – $12,300 | $8,200 | +3% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $4,450 – $13,100 | $8,750 | +10% |
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $3,900 – $11,600 | $7,750 | −3% |
Detroit 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, Detroit City 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 Detroit 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.
Detroit gets about 30 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.5 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.0 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 13 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 | 32 | 20 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 21 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 28 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 58 | 39 | 2.8 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 50 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 60 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 64 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 56 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 45 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 34 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 37 | 26 | 1.7 | Cold |
Extras that change the Detroit total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.08 for Detroit, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.17) and goods price index (0.99). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $220 – $970 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Detroit bid
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.
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 $6,400 to $9,550 for Detroit, MI is attached.
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Aluminum fence in Detroit: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in Detroit?
For 150 linear ft, expect $4,000 to $11,900 in the Detroit area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,400 to $9,550. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in Detroit?
About $26.50 to $78.50 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 Detroit or Flint?
Flint is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $7,700, which is 4% less than Detroit ($7,950). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Detroit?
About 38% at the midpoint, or $3,050 out of $7,950. Materials are 60% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in Detroit?
$4,000 to $11,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in Detroit?
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 Detroit area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Detroit expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of Michigan?
Detroit is 6% above the Michigan statewide estimate ($7,500 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Michigan; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Detroit?
The BLS median is $31.64 an hour in the Detroit area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.05 to $38.49.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in Detroit?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $4,000 to $7,200 and premium work $8,750 to $11,900. 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 Detroit?
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 Detroit?
$220 to $970, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near Detroit
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.