Here’s How Much It Costs to Install a Flagpole
Normal range: $400 - $1,000
The average cost to install a flagpole ranges from $400 to $1,000, with a national average of $850, depending on the type of flagpole.
The average cost to have a professional install a flagpole is $850, but you can expect to pay between $400 and $1,000. Installing a flagpole in your yard can be a fantastic way to express your love and appreciation for certain countries, sports teams, or interests. Understanding the various flagpole options available to you will make it easier to budget for this perfect spring landscaping project.
- Average
- $850
- Low end
- $65
- high end
- $7,000
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Flagpole by Style?
| Flagpole Style | Cost |
|---|---|
| Portable Flagpole | $75–$220 |
| Residential Flagpole | $200–$800 |
| Telescopic Flagpole | $65–$600 |
| Commercial Flagpole | $780–$1,000 |
| Wooden Flagpoles | $3,600–$7,000+ |
Portable Flagpole
Designed to stay up for only a short amount of time, portable flagpoles are ideal for sales, tailgating, and other special events. Some portable flagpoles come with a stake for temporary installation in dirt or grass, while you can use others on hard surfaces thanks to a tire mount that you drive over with a car’s tire to keep the pole in place.
Residential Flagpole
Also known as sectional flagpoles because the pole arrives in sections that you piece together, residential flagpoles are meant for permanent placement but can be taken down for easy maintenance or bad weather. When you assemble these units, they take on a seamless appearance to look like one piece of metal.
Telescopic Flagpole
Telescopic are a style of residential flagpole, and while they also come in sections, they work differently than traditional sectional flagpoles. Telescopic flagpoles use an interlocking sleeve mechanism to extend and collapse. You can collapse these flagpoles when not in use, but more importantly, you can raise your flag at the same time that you extend your pole—there’s no need for a halyard rope to run the flag up and down.
Commercial Flagpole
Commercial flagpoles are large, heavy-duty products that are meant to stay in place indefinitely. While there are commercial flagpoles that measure hundreds of feet tall to complement the larger buildings of businesses, there are also commercial-grade poles that are small enough to use within residential areas.
Wooden Flagpole
Historically, flagpoles were made of wood. With the advent of cheaper and faster manufacturing processes, this material has fallen out of favor. However, if you’re willing to pay the much-higher prices that these types of flagpoles command, you can find several companies that still make them the old-fashioned way: by hand. Also note that if you go this route, you’ll also pay higher installation fees as solid-wood flag poles are heavy and difficult to maneuver. In almost all cases, an installer will require the use of a crane for installation.
Installing a Flagpole Cost Breakdown
When considering flagpole installation costs, you need to consider the type of flagpole you’ll install, additional materials you’ll require for placing your pole, and the cost of professional installation.
Flagpole
The two primary factors in a flagpole’s cost are its material and its style.
Flagpole Material
Flagpoles for residential use are most commonly available in the following materials: fiberglass, satin aluminum, and anodized aluminum.
Fiberglass flagpoles are strong and durable, and they can withstand the effects of wind and weather. These types of poles weigh less than their aluminum counterparts and are generally cheaper to buy, but they’re only available in one-piece construction, which makes transportation more difficult.
Satin aluminum flagpoles come in a bare finish that’s extremely popular for its classic look. Anodized aluminum poles are powder-coated in a finish that increases durability and gives you a range of color options from which to choose.
Flagpole Style
The style of flagpole you choose plays a big factor in its cost and ease of use. Portable
Due to their lightweight construction, portable flagpoles are not meant to remain in place for long periods of time. They can’t withstand strong winds and may not hold up to constant rain and sun, and their pricing reflects that fact that they’re for occasional use.
A smaller, portable flagpole that uses a stake for placement in the ground can cost as little as $75, while a more robust flagpole that can be ground-mounted or held in place with a car tire costs around $220.
Residential
While it’s possible to find one-piece flagpoles for use in residential applications, they’re typically labeled as commercial-grade due to their size and weight. Sectional flagpoles are a more common option for homes as they’re easier to transport and install. They’re available in a wide range of grades, materials, and finishes to meet your decorating preferences.
How much you’ll pay for this type of flagpole greatly depends on its quality and source. You can find a simple 20-foot flagpole kit made from basic materials at a home improvement store for as little as $200. A 25-foot pole kit made using premium materials from a dedicated manufacturer can easily cost $800 or more.
Telescopic
Telescopic flagpoles are popular for their ease of use. As such, there are many brands and models from which to choose, at a wide range of construction qualities and prices. You can buy an entry-level telescopic flagpole from a hardware store for as little as $65. If you want one that will last longer thanks to high-quality materials, you should expect to pay $350 to $600 for a kit that includes a flagpole, finial, and flag.
Commercial
Commercial-grade flagpoles are available as sectional kits or one-piece designs. One-piece designs are the most expensive to purchase due to increased transportation costs (it can be quite tricky to ship a 20 to 25-foot long pole!)
When you buy a commercial flagpole, you’ll enjoy thicker, stronger materials (typically fiberglass or high-grade aluminum) that ensure decades of use with proper care. The cost for a 20 to 25-foot flagpole runs $780 to $1,000.
Wooden
Wooden flagpoles offer a classic look, but due to the high costs of materials and manufacturing labor — these poles are generally handmade by experienced craftspeople — they’re extremely expensive. To purchase an 18- to 24-foot flagpole (the most appropriate size range for a residential home), you’ll pay $3,600 to $7,000 or more.
Installation Materials
To install a residential flagpole measuring 18 to 25 feet tall, you need to dig a hole, fill it with gravel for drainage, and use concrete to set the pole’s ground sleeve. If you need to buy the materials to complete this project, here’s what you can expect to pay:
Shovel or hole digger: $15 to $75
Pea gravel: $4 to $6 per 0.5-cubic-foot bag
Concrete: $5 to $10 per 50-pound bag
Other materials you may need to purchase to finish this project may include a flag (if you didn’t buy a kit that includes one) and landscape lighting to ensure your flag is always illuminated (if you don’t intend to take it down at night).
American flags generally cost $10 to $50 depending on size and material, while landscape lighting pricing can vary enormously depending on whether you choose an inexpensive solar solution, a wired spotlight, or something in between.
Labor
If you hire a professional, expect the average flagpole installation cost to be $250 to $350. Based on the scope of the project, it may take 4 to 8 hours for a pro to complete the job.
Depending on the area where you live, you may have access to professional flagpole installers. If you live in a smaller town or just want a different option, you may also contact a local handyperson to install the flagpole for you.
Cost to Install a Flagpole Yourself
The cost to install a flagpole yourself is generally about $525. This includes the cost of a flagpole kit and installation materials like gravel and concrete.
Installing a flagpole is not difficult, but you do need time and patience—and it would really help to have an extra set of hands helping you. It requires a fair amount of manual labor in digging a hole at least two feet deep, carrying bags of gravel and concrete to the worksite, mixing and pouring the concrete, and then hoisting the flagpole into place.
Because you’ll be working with heavy materials, there’s a risk for injury, especially if you’re working by yourself. There’s also the fact that working outside on a hot day can be uncomfortable at the least and potentially dangerous if you don’t take care to hydrate and rest.
Cost to Install It Yourself vs. Hiring a Handyperson
By installing a flagpole yourself, you stand to save $250 to $350 in professional labor costs. This translates to a savings of about 25%.
When deciding whether to tackle the project yourself or hire a local handyperson, consider the time and effort that the project requires, as well as your experience level.
Installing a flagpole isn’t hard, but it does need you to work to exacting standards. You have to make sure that you dig your hole deep enough and fill it correctly to ensure your flagpole can stand up to high winds. You also have to be precise when straightening and cementing your flagpole as any deviation from perfection will result in a leaning pole.
Considering the effort that goes into installing a flagpole, the long-lasting results of a job well-done (or not so well-done), and the relatively low cost to have a professional do the work, it makes most sense to have a pro handle this project.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, it costs $850 to have a flagpole installed by a professional, like a handyperson or landscaper. This includes the cost of the pole, installation materials, and labor.
If you decide to DIY this project, you can expect to pay about $500 for a flagpole kit that includes what you need, plus another $25 for gravel and concrete for setting the pole.
For stability, your flagpole should be buried at least two feet into the ground. However, your pole may have different requirements based on its size and intended use.
If you’re planning to install a flagpole yourself, be sure to contact Call-Before-You-Dig so as not to inadvertently cut potentially dangerous utility wires.
Refreshing your home’s landscaping is a great project to undertake if you’re planning to install a flagpole. Trimming trees, adding flowerbeds, and improving other outdoor elements can complement the look of your new yard decor.