How to Quote a Fence Installation in Australia
A fence looks like a straight run of posts and panels — until the ground slopes, the old fence has to go, and the gate takes longer than 4 metres of boundary. Here's how to scope a fencing quote so nothing gets missed.
Fencing is one of the easiest trades to underquote. The run looks simple from the footpath, but a real quote has to carry post holes, footings, panels, gates, old-fence removal and whatever the slope throws at you. This guide walks through what a fencing quote should cover, what the common fence types cost per metre in 2026, and the site traps that quietly turn a good day into a break-even one.
What a good fencing quote covers
Before you price anything, walk the line and list every part of the job. A complete fencing quote accounts for all of these:
- Post holes and footings — digging plus concrete, priced per post rather than buried in a rate.
- Posts — steel or timber, with the size and spacing spelled out.
- Rails and infill — top and bottom rails, and the panels, sheets or palings that fill each bay.
- Gates and hardware — every gate as its own line, with hinges, latches and drop bolts.
- Old fence removal — demolition and tip fees if you're replacing an existing fence.
- Retaining — sleeper or retaining walls where a level change needs holding back below the fence.
Always state the fence height, material and colour in writing, and attach a simple site sketch of the run. It settles arguments at handover and stops the customer 'remembering' a taller fence than you priced.
Fence costs per metre in 2026
Material choice is the biggest lever on price. These installed rates include posts, concrete and labour — quote from your current supplier pricing, not last month's job:
| Fence type | Installed / metre | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Timber paling | $60–$100 | Budget boundary fences, painted or left to grey off |
| Colorbond | $75–$120 | The default suburban fence — fast to install, low upkeep |
| Aluminium slat | $150–$300 | Modern front boundaries and privacy screens |
| Glass pool fencing | $300–$600 | Framed or frameless, must meet AS 1926.1 |
Gates add roughly $300–$800 each depending on type and hardware, and they never come out of the per-metre rate. Price every gate separately.
Working out materials
Once you have the run length, the bay layout does the rest. Posts sit every 2.4 metres for most fences, so divide the run to get your post and bay count, then work out the infill per bay:
- Colorbond — 1 sheet and 2 rails per bay, plus a cap on every post.
- Timber — 3 rails and roughly 14–16 palings per bay, depending on paling width.
- Concrete — allow about 1–2 bags per post hole; more on tall or gate posts.
- Waste — add around 5% on materials for offcuts and the odd bent sheet.
Gate posts and end posts take heavier footings than a standard line post. If you price every hole the same, the gates are already eating your margin before you start.
Slopes, boundaries and level changes
Flat ground with clear access is the exception, not the rule. The site conditions decide how the fence is built and how long it takes — check them before you send a number:
- Sloping ground — step Colorbond down in post-spacing increments, or step or rack timber palings to follow the fall.
- Big level changes — anything a step won't handle needs a retaining or sleeper wall below the fence, quoted as its own item.
- Boundary position — confirm the line with the neighbour, and a survey if there's any doubt, before you set a post.
- Obstacles and services — trees, stumps and rock slow the dig, and you must call Dial Before You Dig before committing post positions.
Common mistakes that eat your margin
- Not walking the whole line. Quoting from the front corner hides the stumps, rock and access problems waiting up the back. Walk every metre before you price it.
- Forgetting old fence removal. Demolition and tip fees are real money. Leave them off and you're paying to make room for your own job.
- Ignoring the slope. A stepped or racked fence is slower to set out and build than a flat run. Price the fall, don't blend it into a flat rate.
- Underquoting gates. A single gate can take as long to hang and adjust as 3–4 metres of fence. Give each one its own line and its own hours.
- Guessing the boundary. Build on the wrong line and you're pulling it out at your cost. Confirm the boundary before the first post goes in.
Pro tips for a fencing quote that holds
- Walk the full run and mark post positions on site before you quote.
- Call Dial Before You Dig and note any services near the fence line.
- Confirm the boundary with the neighbour so nobody disputes it later.
- Quote every gate as a separate, detailed line item.
- Include old fence removal and disposal whenever you're replacing a fence.
- Flag any retaining the level changes will need, so it isn't a surprise variation.
ServiceYak keeps your per-metre rates, gate prices and removal costs in a reusable kit, so you can build an itemised fence quote on site and send the PDF before you've packed up the measuring wheel.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fence cost per metre in Australia?
As an installed guide for 2026: timber paling runs $60–$100/m, Colorbond $75–$120/m, aluminium slat $150–$300/m, and glass pool fencing $300–$600/m. Gates add roughly $300–$800 each.
Should I quote gates separately from the fence?
Yes. A gate can take as long to fit and adjust as several metres of fence, and it needs heavier posts and its own hardware. Give every gate its own line so the labour is visible and never absorbed into the per-metre rate.
Do I need to allow for the slope when quoting a fence?
Almost always. Sloping ground means stepping or racking the fence, which is slower to set out and build. Steeper falls may need a retaining wall below the fence — price that as a separate item, not part of the fence rate.