Assembly and placing the flagpole should only take 15 minutes, but you’ll need at least 30 minutes for your concrete to set.
Cost
$100—$500
Doing the labor yourself goes a long way
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Bucket
Shovel
Level
Trowel
SUPPLIES
Duct tape
Quick-setting concrete
Flagpole set
Flag
Whether you want to show off your patriotic pride or your allegiance to your favorite sports teams, a flagpole is a great way to broadcast that to the neighborhood. You can install a flagpole yourself in a few easy steps, and save money on labor costs.
You can complete the installation in a short amount of time as long as you have the proper tools and supplies. This quick how-to guide will help you get your flagpole up in no time.
Prepping to Install a Flagpole
There’s not a whole lot of prep work to this project; the main thing is just finding a good spot for the flagpole. Chances are, you already have a good idea where it would look best and provide the most visibility, but you need to make sure the ground is suitable. It can’t be too hard or have too much rock in it since you’ll need to dig a hole, and it can’t be a super soft ground like sand or an area that frequently has standing water.
Dig a Hole
Your first step is to grab a shovel and dig a hole for the flagpole to sit in. It should be about a foot to a foot and a half in diameter, and anywhere from 2 to 3 feet deep. Your flagpole kit will come with a PVC sleeve, which you will be anchoring in this hole. As such, the hole shouldn’t be deeper than the PVC sleeve, as you’ll want a few inches of the PVC sleeve sticking up out of the ground above the concrete.
Duct Tape the PVC Sleeve
Before you start filling the hole, prep your PVC sleeve, which will involve duct taping one end so that concrete doesn’t seep in and block your flagpole from entering the sleeve fully. This duct-taped end will be on the bottom of the hole, with the open end at the top to allow you to slide the flagpole in.
Fill the Hole With Concrete
Start mixing your concrete; you may need around two or three 50-pound bags depending on the depth and width of the hole. Then, place the PVC sleeve in the whole, duct-taped side down, and start pouring the concrete around it. Use your level to keep the sleeve straight throughout the process. If the concrete sets around the sleeve and it’s not level, your flag will be tilted, and you’ll have to dig it out and start all over again.
Keep filling the hole until the concrete is a few inches below the top of the PVC sleeve, and then allow it to set. Use a trowel to level out the concrete. Keep checking that PVC sleeve with the level throughout so you can adjust as necessary until the concrete sets.
Assemble the Flagpole
Now that the concrete has hardened and the PVC sleeve is set, it’s time to assemble the flagpole. Each flagpole is different, so assemble according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, slide the completed flagpole into the PVC sleeve. If you’ve used the level properly, it should stick straight into the air without tilting. Fill the area around it with dirt until it blends in with the rest of the environment.
Feed Rope and Raise Flag
Photo: Hill Street Studios / DigitalVision / Getty Images
With the flagpole in place, now you can raise the flag. But first, you’ll need to feed a rope through the flagpole’s pulley system and attach carabiners to it. Then, attach the flag, and raise it.
DIY Installing a Flagpole vs. Hiring a Pro
If you’ve run into difficulty finding a good spot to dig a hole or just don’t feel like doing this project yourself, you can hire a handyperson to take care of it for you. That’s an especially good option if you are already having someone come over to do some work on your house as you can just ask them to take care of this little project as well. The cost of hiring a handyperson typically is about $60 to $125 per hour. Contact a handyperson near you to get a quick quote.
Additional Questions
Do I need to ground a flagpole?
No, you do not need to do anything special to ground a flagpole in case of a lightning strike, as since it is set in the ground the lightning will travel into the soil. Only poles that do not contact the earth have to be grounded by something.
How tall should a residential flagpole be?
The standard residential flagpole will be about 20 feet high, although you may want it a few feet higher than that if you have a home with multiple levels.
Does a flagpole need planning permission?
It's a good idea to check with local ordinances or your homeowner's association (HOA) to see if there are any rules or guidelines on flagpoles in your neighborhood. For example, while flagpoles may be allowed, there may be a rule about being above a certain height or taken down at certain times.
