fencing costs: per-metre pricing for australian tradies
Fencing is steady work in Australia — new builds, replacements after storms, pool compliance, and boundary disputes that end with someone finally getting a proper fence. The work itself is usually straightforward, but the costs vary wildly depending on material, terrain, and how involved the council gets.
This guide covers real fencing costs per metre across Australia in 2026, including the tricky bits like sloping blocks, pool fencing compliance, and retaining walls that blow out the budget.
typical cost per metre
These are supply-and-install costs per lineal metre for standard 1.8m high boundary fencing. Pool fencing and retaining walls are priced separately.
| Fence Type | Cost/Metre | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorbond (standard) | $75 - $120 | Low | Most common in Australia. BlueScope steel. Minimal maintenance. |
| Colorbond (premium colours) | $90 - $140 | Low | Matt finish and newer colours cost more. Check lead times on less common options. |
| Timber paling | $60 - $100 | Low - Medium | Treated pine or hardwood. Cheaper upfront but needs maintenance. Capping rail recommended. |
| Timber slat (feature) | $120 - $250 | Medium | Merbau, spotted gum, or hardwood. Labour-intensive. Popular for front boundaries. |
| Pool fencing (glass) | $300 - $600 | Medium - High | Frameless glass. Must comply with AS 1926. Council inspection required. |
| Pool fencing (aluminium) | $100 - $200 | Low | Tubular aluminium. Must meet AS 1926 gap and height requirements. |
| Retaining wall (timber sleepers) | $150 - $350 | High | Over 600mm high usually needs engineer's design. Drainage critical. |
| Retaining wall (concrete block) | $200 - $500 | High | Structural. Engineer required over 600mm in most states. Add drainage and waterproofing. |
| Old fence removal | $15 - $30 | Low | Per metre. Includes disposal. Asbestos sheeting in older fences = specialist removal. |
A typical 40-metre boundary fence in Colorbond runs $3,000 - $4,800 installed. Add a gate, step the fence on a slope, or hit rock when digging post holes and you are quickly above that range.
where fencing jobs go wrong
- Sloping blocks. Stepped fencing on a slope takes significantly more time and materials than a flat run. Each step needs a cut panel or raked section. Price per metre goes up 20-40% on a decent slope. Always inspect the site — do not quote from a photo.
- Rocky ground. If you hit rock or heavy clay at post-hole depth, your labour time doubles. In sandstone areas around Sydney or basalt in Melbourne, factor this in or mark it as High uncertainty.
- Pool fencing compliance. Pool fencing in Australia must meet AS 1926. Council will inspect. Non-compliant gaps, self-closing gate failures, or climbable objects within 900mm will fail inspection. Rework is expensive and embarrassing. Know the standard inside out before you quote.
- Shared boundary disputes. Under the Dividing Fences Act (varies by state), neighbours generally share costs equally for a standard boundary fence. But what counts as standard is debatable. Sort this out before you start — not after you have installed a $250/metre hardwood slat fence your client's neighbour refuses to pay half for.
quoting fencing smarter
Fencing looks simple on paper — measure the run, price per metre, done. But the variables that blow out fencing jobs are all site-specific. Rocky ground, slopes, existing trees, retaining requirements. Quote each section of the fence separately and rate the uncertainty on each. A flat 20-metre run on clear ground is Certain. The 6-metre section along the steep side boundary with sandstone at 300mm deep is a Wild Guess until you dig the first hole.