How to Quote a Colorbond Fence in Australia
Colorbond is the default suburban fence — quick to install and easy to quote, right up until the gates and the sloping back corner. Here's how to price a Colorbond fence so the bay count, colour and gates all line up.
Colorbond goes up fast, which is exactly why it's easy to underquote. The sheets and rails are predictable, so the money hides elsewhere — in the gates, the post upgrades, the sloping run and the colour the customer picks. This guide covers what a Colorbond quote should list, what each height costs installed in 2026, how to count the materials off the run, and the site factors that move the price.
What a Colorbond quote should list
Colorbond is a system of parts, so quote it part by part. Every Colorbond fence quote should include:
- Fence sheets — the visible infill, priced per bay.
- Posts — C-section or tubular steel, set in concrete footings.
- Rails and caps — top and bottom rails per bay, and a cap on every post.
- Gates — frames, sheet infill and hardware, each as its own line.
- Old fence removal — demolition and disposal where you're replacing a fence.
- Retaining — sleepers below the fence wherever a level change needs holding.
Always pin down the fence height — 1.5 m, 1.8 m or 2.1 m — and the exact Colorbond colour in writing, and attach a site plan of the run. Colours don't all cost the same, so the colour choice belongs in the quote, not a phone call later.
Colorbond costs per metre in 2026
Height is the main driver of the per-metre rate. These installed prices include sheets, posts, rails, caps, footings and labour:
| Fence height | Installed / metre |
|---|---|
| 1.5 m | $70–$95 |
| 1.8 m (standard) | $85–$120 |
| 2.1 m | $100–$140 |
Gates sit on top of that and vary widely: a single pedestrian gate runs $350–$600, a double driveway gate $700–$1,200, and a manual sliding gate $1,000–$2,000. Price each one separately — it's the most commonly underquoted item on the job.
Counting the materials
Colorbond posts sit every 2.38 m to match the sheet width, so the run length gives you the whole bill of materials. A standard 20-metre, 1.8 m fence works out like this:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Posts (every 2.38 m) | 9 |
| Fence sheets (1 per bay) | 8 |
| Rails (2 per bay) | 16 |
| Post caps | 9 |
| Concrete | ~15 bags |
Allow 1.5–2 bags of concrete per post hole, and step up to heavier concrete on gate and end posts. Scale the same per-bay maths to any run and you won't be short a sheet on install day.
Getting the gates right
Gates are where Colorbond quotes leak money, because a gate is far more than a fence bay with a hinge. A single gate needs its frame, sheet infill, hinges, a latch, a drop bolt on doubles, and its own concrete for heavier gate posts.
- Gate posts must be heavier duty than line posts, with bigger footings — never priced the same.
- Confirm the number, size and swing direction of every gate at the site visit.
- A double or sliding gate needs a drop bolt or track hardware the pedestrian gate doesn't.
Site factors that move the price
- Sloping ground. You step the fence down in post-spacing increments, which is slower to set out. Expect it to add 10–20% to the cost.
- Rocky ground. Every post hole takes longer to dig. Add roughly $20–$50 per post where you're hitting rock.
- Limited access. If sheets and concrete have to be carried in by hand, that's extra labour. Add hours for a tight or awkward site.
- Old fence removal. Demolition and tip fees run about $8–$15 per metre. Quote it as its own line, not a freebie.
- Level changes. A bigger fall needs retaining sleepers under the fence. Price the retaining separately from the Colorbond.
Pro tips for a tidy Colorbond quote
- Walk the whole run and mark post positions on site before you quote.
- Call Dial Before You Dig — steel posts and underground services don't mix.
- Confirm the boundary line with the neighbour before you start.
- Quote every gate as its own detailed line item.
- Account for sloping ground — it adds both complexity and cost.
- Use real-time Colorbond pricing, because colours are priced differently.
ServiceYak keeps your Colorbond rates by height, gate prices and per-post extras in a reusable kit, so you can count the bays and send an itemised PDF quote on the spot instead of back at the desk.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Colorbond fence cost per metre?
Installed in 2026, a 1.5 m fence runs $70–$95/m, the standard 1.8 m $85–$120/m, and 2.1 m $100–$140/m. Gates and any retaining are extra, priced as their own line items.
How many posts do I need for a Colorbond fence?
Posts go every 2.38 m to match the sheet width, so a 20-metre fence needs about 9 posts, 8 sheets, 16 rails and 9 caps. Divide the run length by 2.38 and add one for the end post.
Why is a Colorbond gate so much dearer than a fence bay?
A gate needs a frame, hinges, a latch, a drop bolt on doubles and heavier gate posts with bigger footings, plus the labour to hang and adjust it. That's why it's the most underquoted item and always deserves its own line.