Aluminum fence cost in Lancaster, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,750 – $11,400
- Per linear ft
- $25 – $74.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #111
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an aluminum fence in Lancaster, plan on $3,750 to $11,400 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $25 to $74.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $26.77 an hour in the Lancaster area, 8% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Lancaster, PA, standard level
$6,050 to $9,100
About $40 to $59.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 34% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,850 | $5,950 |
| Labor | $2,100 | $3,000 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $6,050 | $9,100 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Lancaster, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $4,900 | $7,550 | 65% |
| Labor | $1,450 | $2,550 | $3,650 | 34% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $3,750 | $7,550 | $11,400 | 100% |
Why Lancaster prices look the way they do
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 Lancaster the blended ratio comes out at 0.97.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Lancaster metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $4,900, compared with $4,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (98.3) and land at $40 to $150.
How Lancaster compares
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Philadelphia is the priciest of the group at $7,750.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, PAthis page | $3,750 – $11,400 | $7,550 | |
| York, PA25 miles | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,650 | +1% |
| Reading, PA30 miles | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA45 miles | $3,800 – $11,500 | $7,650 | +1% |
| Philadelphia, PA50 miles | $3,900 – $11,600 | $7,750 | +3% |
| Baltimore, MD55 miles | $3,850 – $11,600 | $7,700 | +2% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | level |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | level |
Across 300 US metros, Lancaster comes in at #111 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $9,700; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $6,500 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Lancaster is 0% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $3,900 – $11,600 | $7,750 | +3% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,700 | +2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,700 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $3,800 – $11,500 | $7,650 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,650 | +1% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,650 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Lancaster's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lancaster against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,650 | +1% |
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | −7% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $4,050 – $12,100 | $8,050 | +7% |
| Trenton, NJ | 240,190 jobs | $4,300 – $12,700 | $8,500 | +12% |
Aluminum fence: what moves the price in Lancaster
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.
Climate in Lancaster: timing your aluminum fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Lancaster 2Ne Fltr Plt (5 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 Lancaster (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.
Lancaster gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 21 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, September and October (4.8 inches in September). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 20 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 | 40 | 22 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 43 | 24 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 52 | 31 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 65 | 41 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 60 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 65 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 63 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 56 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 34 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 44 | 27 | 3.5 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Lancaster?
Because every project leans on different trades, Lancaster's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, inground pool runs +1% and wood fence −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,550 – $9,150 | level |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,000 – $7,550 | −1% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,100 | −1% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $36,600 – $114,500 | +1% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: aluminum fence pricing in Lancaster
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Lancaster 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
$3,750 to $6,800
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$6,050 to $9,100
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$8,300 to $11,400
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,500 – $4,550 | $4,050 – $6,100 | $5,600 – $7,600 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,750 – $6,800 | $6,050 – $9,100 | $8,300 – $11,400 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $5,000 – $9,050 | $8,050 – $12,100 | $11,100 – $15,100 |
Lancaster labor market for aluminum fence
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 Lancaster is 0.97 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $26.77 an hour, which is 8% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.56 and $29.68 an hour. BLS counts 2,750 of them working in the area, 109.0 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 $23.40 an hour, 3% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.76 and $28.00 an hour. About 2,270 work in the metro. That is 90.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.79 an hour, which is 3% below the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $24.28 and $38.10 an hour. BLS counts 220 of them working in the area, 8.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.68 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $100. At the 25th percentile ($22.56) it shrinks by about $150. The total moves by 1.4% or 2.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 252,230 jobs in the Lancaster area. That makes it the 103rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.16% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $22.56 | $26.77 | $29.68 | $29.12 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $21.76 | $23.40 | $28.00 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $24.28 | $28.79 | $38.10 | $29.71 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
Add-ons priced for Lancaster
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Lancaster by the average of the local wage index (0.97) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 0.99. 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) | $200 – $890 |
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 $6,050 to $9,100 for Lancaster, PA is attached.
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Aluminum fence in Lancaster: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in Lancaster?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,750 to $11,400 in the Lancaster area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,050 to $9,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in Lancaster?
About $25 to $74.50 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 Lancaster or York?
York is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $7,650, which is 1% more than Lancaster ($7,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lancaster?
About 34% at the midpoint, or $2,550 out of $7,550. Materials are 65% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in Lancaster?
$3,750 to $11,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in Lancaster?
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 Lancaster area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lancaster expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Lancaster is 0% below the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($7,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Lancaster?
The BLS median is $26.77 an hour in the Lancaster area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.56 to $29.68.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in Lancaster?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,750 to $6,800 and premium work $8,300 to $11,400. 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 Lancaster?
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 Lancaster?
$200 to $890, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near Lancaster
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.