Aluminum fence cost in Charlottesville, VA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,550 – $10,800
- Per linear ft
- $23.50 – $71
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #179
- 1 = most expensive
Charlottesville homeowners pay roughly $3,550 to $10,800 to install an aluminum fence at 150 linear ft, or $23.50 to $71 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Charlottesville is 5% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $26.97 an hour in the Charlottesville area, 7% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Charlottesville, VA, standard level
$5,750 to $8,650
About $38 to $57 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 33% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,700 | $5,750 |
| Labor | $1,950 | $2,800 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $120 |
| Total | $5,750 | $8,650 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Charlottesville, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $4,700 | $7,250 | 66% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $2,400 | $3,400 | 33% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $3,550 | $7,200 | $10,800 | 100% |
Why Charlottesville prices look the way they do
Labor is 33% 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 Charlottesville the blended ratio comes out at 0.90.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Charlottesville metro is 96.8 (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 (99.1) and land at $40 to $150.
Is Charlottesville 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 $6,850 to $7,850 across Charlottesville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VAthis page | $3,550 – $10,800 | $7,200 | |
| Harrisonburg, VA40 miles | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,100 | −1% |
| Lynchburg, VA55 miles | $3,400 – $10,400 | $6,900 | −4% |
| Richmond, VA75 miles | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | −2% |
| Washington, DC85 miles | $3,900 – $11,800 | $7,850 | +9% |
| Roanoke, VA85 miles | $3,400 – $10,300 | $6,850 | −5% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $3,650 – $11,100 | $7,350 | +3% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Charlottesville comes in at #179 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $9,700; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $6,500 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Charlottesville is 2% below the Virginia figure.
Other Virginia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $3,500 – $10,700 | $7,100 | −1% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | −2% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $3,400 – $10,300 | $6,850 | −5% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $3,400 – $10,400 | $6,900 | −4% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $3,400 – $10,400 | $6,900 | −4% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $3,450 – $10,500 | $7,000 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Charlottesville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charlottesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $3,300 – $10,100 | $6,700 | −7% |
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $3,250 – $9,900 | $6,600 | −8% |
| Topeka, KS | 115,750 jobs | $3,550 – $10,700 | $7,100 | −1% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $3,400 – $10,300 | $6,850 | −5% |
Cost by quality level and size in Charlottesville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Charlottesville 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
$3,550 to $6,450
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$5,750 to $8,650
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$7,900 to $10,800
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,400 – $4,350 | $3,850 – $5,800 | $5,300 – $7,250 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,550 – $6,450 | $5,750 – $8,650 | $7,900 – $10,800 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,750 – $8,600 | $7,650 – $11,500 | $10,500 – $14,400 |
What nearby projects cost in Charlottesville
Because every project leans on different trades, Charlottesville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl fence runs −4% and inground pool −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,800 | −4% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,900 – $7,300 | −4% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $5,850 | −5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $34,400 – $107,500 | −5% |
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 Charlottesville is 0.90 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $26.97 an hour, which is 7% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.28 and $29.53 an hour. BLS counts 630 of them working in the area, 54.9 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 $21.67 an hour, 4% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.49 and $22.62 an hour. About 570 work in the metro. That is 49.7 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 $22.57 an hour, which is 24% below the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $21.25 and $29.55 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.53 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $90. At the 25th percentile ($22.28) it shrinks by about $170. The total moves by 1.3% or 2.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 114,780 jobs in the Charlottesville area. That makes it the 190th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $22.28 | $26.97 | $29.53 | $29.12 | 0.93 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $18.49 | $21.67 | $22.62 | $22.66 | 0.96 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $21.25 | $22.57 | $29.55 | $29.71 | 0.76 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.90 | |||||
When to schedule aluminum fence in Charlottesville
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Charlottesville 2 Sse (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through December is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Charlottesville (11 of 12 months). January has an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January 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.
Charlottesville gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, July and September (4.9 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 3.0 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 10 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 | 44 | 28 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 31 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 55 | 37 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 66 | 47 | 4.2 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 55 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 64 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 68 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 66 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 61 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 50 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 40 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 32 | 3.8 | Workable |
Extras that change the Charlottesville total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Charlottesville by the average of the local wage index (0.90) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.94. 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) | $190 – $840 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Charlottesville 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 $5,750 to $8,650 for Charlottesville, VA is attached.
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Aluminum fence in Charlottesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in Charlottesville?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,550 to $10,800 in the Charlottesville area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,750 to $8,650. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in Charlottesville?
About $23.50 to $71 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 Charlottesville or Harrisonburg?
Harrisonburg is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $7,100, which is 1% less than Charlottesville ($7,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charlottesville?
About 33% at the midpoint, or $2,400 out of $7,200. Materials are 66% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in Charlottesville?
$3,550 to $10,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charlottesville expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of Virginia?
Charlottesville is 2% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($7,350 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Charlottesville?
The BLS median is $26.97 an hour in the Charlottesville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.28 to $29.53.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in Charlottesville?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,550 to $6,450 and premium work $7,900 to $10,800. 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 Charlottesville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. February 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 Charlottesville?
$190 to $840, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near Charlottesville
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.