By Gene and Katie Hamilton

No matter what time of year it is, seeing Old Glory waving in the wind always brings a sense of pride. If you're considering adding a flagpole to your yard, a good choice is a telescoping pole with aluminum sections that slide up and down and snap in place.

A contractor will charge $847 to install a 25-foot pole in concrete, which includes the labor and material. You can buy a flagpole kit for $500 and install it yourself. The kit includes a 25-foot pole with installation sleeve and gold ball top, a 3-foot-by-5-foot flag and swivel rings and harness that allows the flag to fly freely. Another cost is $25 for concrete mix and gravel for its foundation.

To install a pole, dig a round hole approximately 28-inches deep by 12-inches round, and place 6-inches of small gravel for drainage in the bottom of the hole. Insert the bolt in the sleeve and fill in the area around it with concrete. Use a carpenter’s level to make sure it is level.

When choosing a flag pole you should know about the wind in your area. Really. The wind load or expected wind at an elevation of 30-feet above the ground is used to determine the appropriate size of a flag pole. Don’t worry you won’t have to figure it out because flag and flag pole retailers use a reference map - it’s the same one for highway and transportation signs. Don't want to do this job yourself? Click Home Advisor, a free referral service that connects homeowners with local contractors.

For more information from The Flag Guys click here Installing a Flagpole.

Caring for a flag: Wash a polyester or nylon flag in a machine on the "Gentle Warm" cycle and to dry, lay it on a clean dry towel so it can air dry.

Wrapping up, given the average cost to install a flagpole you can compare the price of a contractor’s bid with doing it yourself. For a local cost input your ZIP Code.

Improvement and Repair Cost Updated 2020