Aluminum fence cost in Columbia, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,450 – $10,500
- Per linear ft
- $23 – $69
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #233
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an aluminum fence in Columbia, plan on $3,450 to $10,500 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $23 to $69 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 8% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $23.11 an hour in the Columbia area, 21% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Columbia, SC, standard level
$5,600 to $8,400
About $37 to $55.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 32% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,700 | $5,700 |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,600 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $5,600 | $8,400 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Columbia, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,150 | $4,700 | $7,250 | 67% |
| Labor | $1,250 | $2,200 | $3,150 | 32% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $3,450 | $7,000 | $10,500 | 100% |
Why Columbia prices look the way they do
Labor is 32% 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 Columbia the blended ratio comes out at 0.84.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Columbia metro is 96.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $4,700, compared with $4,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.7) and land at $35 to $140.
Columbia 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 Columbia is 0.84 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $23.11 an hour, which is 21% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.13 and $28.49 an hour. BLS counts 880 of them working in the area, 22.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $20.49 an hour, 10% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.50 and $23.15 an hour. About 2,610 work in the metro. That is 66.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.12 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $19.49 and $29.52 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 8.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($28.49 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $190. At the 25th percentile ($20.13) it shrinks by about $110. The total moves by 2.8% or 1.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 394,200 jobs in the Columbia area. That makes it the 65th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.25% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $20.13 | $23.11 | $28.49 | $29.12 | 0.79 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $17.50 | $20.49 | $23.15 | $22.66 | 0.90 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $19.49 | $24.12 | $29.52 | $29.71 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Columbia
Because every project leans on different trades, Columbia's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl fence runs −6% and chain-link fence −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,550 | −6% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,750 – $7,000 | −9% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,400 – $5,500 | −10% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,500 – $101,500 | −10% |
Climate in Columbia: timing your aluminum fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Columbia Owens Dwtn Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Columbia (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Columbia gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.8 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 83 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 | 57 | 37 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 40 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Mar | 69 | 46 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 53 | 2.7 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 62 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 70 | 4.8 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 73 | 4.8 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 72 | 4.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 86 | 67 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 77 | 56 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 44 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 60 | 39 | 3.5 | Workable |
Cost by quality level and size in Columbia
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Columbia 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
$3,450 to $6,300
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$5,600 to $8,400
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$7,700 to $10,500
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,300 – $4,200 | $3,750 – $5,650 | $5,150 – $7,050 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,450 – $6,300 | $5,600 – $8,400 | $7,700 – $10,500 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,600 – $8,350 | $7,400 – $11,200 | $10,200 – $14,000 |
Extras that change the Columbia total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Columbia by the average of the local wage index (0.84) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.90. 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) | $180 – $810 |
Columbia against nearby metros and the rest of South Carolina
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 $7,000 to $7,150 across Columbia and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SCthis page | $3,450 – $10,500 | $7,000 | |
| Augusta, GA70 miles | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,100 | +1% |
| Spartanburg, SC70 miles | $3,550 – $10,700 | $7,100 | +2% |
| Florence, SC70 miles | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | +1% |
| Charlotte, NC75 miles | $3,550 – $10,700 | $7,150 | +2% |
| Greenville, SC90 miles | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | +1% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | +1% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Columbia comes in at #233 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $9,700; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $6,500 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Columbia is 1% below the South Carolina figure.
Other South Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | +1% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $3,550 – $10,700 | $7,150 | +2% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $3,550 – $10,700 | $7,100 | +2% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $3,400 – $10,300 | $6,850 | −2% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | +1% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,100 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Columbia's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Columbia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $3,700 – $11,100 | $7,400 | +6% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $3,550 – $10,700 | $7,150 | +2% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $4,000 – $11,900 | $7,950 | +14% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $3,600 – $10,800 | $7,200 | +3% |
Why two Columbia quotes can differ
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.
Style
Aluminum picket runs $25-$50 per linear foot installed, ornamental fence $40-$75, and privacy designs $75-$130 (HomeGuide).
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 $5,600 to $8,400 for Columbia, SC is attached.
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Aluminum fence in Columbia: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in Columbia?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,450 to $10,500 in the Columbia area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,600 to $8,400. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in Columbia?
About $23 to $69 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $75.
+Is aluminum fence cheaper in Columbia or Augusta?
Augusta is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $7,100, which is 1% more than Columbia ($7,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Columbia?
About 32% at the midpoint, or $2,200 out of $7,000. Materials are 67% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in Columbia?
$3,450 to $10,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in Columbia?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $140 for fees in the Columbia area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Columbia expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Columbia is 1% below the South Carolina statewide estimate ($7,050 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Columbia?
The BLS median is $23.11 an hour in the Columbia area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.13 to $28.49.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in Columbia?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,450 to $6,300 and premium work $7,700 to $10,500. 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 Columbia?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. April 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 Columbia?
$180 to $810, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near Columbia
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.