Flagpole installation costs $850, on average, and most projects cost between $400 and $1,000. Pricing depends mostly on the type of flagpole, the height, and permit costs.
The average cost to install a flagpole is $850, but you could pay as little as $65 for a small, wall-mounted flagpole or as much as $7,000 for a custom wooden flagpole made from an exotic wood, like teak. Most projects fall between $400 and $1,000.
There are a few key things to consider in order to get an accurate estimate for your flagpole installation project.
The type of flagpole you install is the most significant cost factor. Something as simple as a wall-mounted flagpole will cost $65. A standard metal flagpole set in the ground will cost an average of $850 and can range from $200 up to $800, depending on the type and thickness of the metal and the height of the pole. A custom wooden flagpole adds the most to your curb appeal, but these cost $5,000, on average, and can range from $3,500 up to $7,000.
| Type of Flagpole | Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| Wall-mounted | $75–$220 |
| Fixed metal | $200–$800 |
| Telescopic | $300–$1,000 |
| Commercial | $800–$1,200 |
| Wooden | $3,500–$7,000 |
The materials for your flagpole installation will account for between 20% and 50% of your installation costs, or between $30 and $3,500, depending on the type of flagpole you want. Aluminum is a long-lasting material that will come with the lowest material costs. Steel will cost more but is also more durable and lasts longer.
Wood is the most expensive flagpole material, mostly because the height of a standard flagpole requires that an expert cut the pole from a single trunk that’s 20 to 30 feet tall. Wooden flagpoles require special tools and are often only available from dedicated craftspeople, so they can cost $3,500 or more for the materials alone.
Labor will account for the remaining 50% to 80% of your total, or between $450 and $700, on average. These labor costs include delivery, assembly, and either mounting your flagpole to an exterior wall or digging a hole and setting the flagpole in concrete. As such, labor costs are highest for flagpoles set in the ground.
Your material, delivery, and installation costs will depend on your flagpole's height, with taller flagpoles costing more in all three areas.
Standard flagpoles are 20 feet tall and cost an average of $850 to install. Residential flagpoles that are 30 feet tall can increase costs by 10% to 15%. Commercial flagpoles are normally around 50 feet tall and can reach up to 100 feet or more. Longer flagpoles for commercial properties can increase material and installation costs by 50% to 80%.
Where you live will play a role in your flagpole installation costs, as well. Labor charges vary based on your local cost of living, and the permit fees for flagpole installation will also range based on what your local municipality charges. The table below includes average pricing based on the cost of living by state, which predominantly affects labor costs.
| State | Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $1,230 |
| Florida | $870 |
| Georgia | $780 |
| Illinois | $810 |
| Michigan | $780 |
| New York | $1,050 |
| North Carolina | $830 |
| Ohio | $810 |
| Pennsylvania | $810 |
| Texas | $790 |
Permits for flagpole installation cost between $50 and $250. The actual cost will depend on your local municipality and the fee schedule your building department uses. You’ll need a permit for most flagpole installations, especially if the pole is 20 feet tall or more. You don’t need a permit for a wall-mounted flagpole.
Some professionals will be familiar with local zoning regulations and will include the permit cost in your estimate. Check with your professional before hiring if you should budget separately.
Installing a flagpole is a relatively simple job for an avid DIYer to tackle, and doing the installation yourself will save you an average of $400 on labor costs. You’ll save less—closer to $50—if you install a wall-mounted or portable flagpole, but the process is even simpler, so just about anyone can tackle it with a bit of planning.
In addition to the cost of the flagpole, make sure you budget for concrete and pea gravel to complete the installation. These will cost under $20, though, so you’ll still save a significant amount of money.
Installing a flagpole in the ground is more complicated, and you want to make sure that the pole is perfectly plumb. Otherwise, you risk detracting from your curb appeal rather than adding to it. It can be challenging to get the pole plumb, too, as many are flared, which makes using a level inaccurate. If you’re concerned about pouring concrete for the base or getting the pole plumb, or you don’t have the time to get the job done, consider hiring a local handyman service for a professional installation.
While you’re setting aside a budget for flagpole installation, you should consider the following add-on services to add even more to your curb appeal and get the most out of the project.
Cost to install exterior lighting for the flag: $100–$400
Cost to install landscape curbing: $780–$2,100
Cost to install hardscaping: $5,000–$18,000
Tree removal cost: $200–$2,000
Cost to install flower beds: $800–$3,000
Cost to install landscape lighting: $2,000–$6,000
Flagpole installation costs can vary from very affordable to extremely expensive. Here are a few tips to keep your total as low as possible.
Choose the flagpole material carefully. Aluminum flagpoles cost $450 for the materials, while a custom wooden flagpole can push material costs up to $3,500 or more. Pick the most affordable material that suits the rest of your landscaping to keep installation costs to a minimum.
Consider DIYing. Most DIYers can tackle flagpole installation with some planning and patience, and you’ll save an average of $400 on labor if you do. Do the work yourself if you’re comfortable to save.
Keep flagpole height to a minimum. Flagpole materials, the installation labor, and permit costs all increase with the height of your flagpole. Stick with the standard 20- to 25-foot flagpole to avoid upcharges for greater heights.
Choose an affordable lighting solution. You can save some money on your flagpole illumination by opting for a solar or battery-powered light rather than trenching and hiring an electrician for a hardwired light.
Call before you dig. Hitting an underground utility line—even if it’s a small sprinkler line—can turn an affordable project into a very expensive and invasive one. Contact Call-Before-You-Dig to ensure the area you’re excavating is clear.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Installing a flagpole can improve your home’s curb appeal, so it will often have a modest positive impact on your property value. You’ll see a much larger bump in property value if you install a custom wooden flagpole than you would if you install a standard aluminum pole. Adding lighting to your flagpole will also have a positive impact on home value, as will trimming trees away from the new lawn addition.
To install a 20-foot flagpole, you should dig a hole that’s at least 2 feet deep and twice the diameter of the base of the flagpole—normally between 6 and 10 inches. If you live in an area that sees extreme weather, like hurricanes, tropical storms, or tornadoes, it’s a good idea to set the pole 3 or 4 feet into the ground for better stability. Just keep in mind that every foot you bury is a foot you take away from the visible flagpole height, so buy a flagpole according to the buried height you need.
It’s not illegal to fly an American flag at night without a light shining on it, but the U.S. Flag Code notes that it’s respectful to provide illumination. Installing a flagpole light is also common practice and will add more to your home’s curb appeal at night. Choosing a solar-powered or battery-powered light for your flag is an affordable way to provide illumination.
