Fence Calculator
What a fence costs to supply and install from its length, type, height and site, with gates and old-fence removal — plus the posts, rails, palings or panels the job needs.
Length × the rate per metre for the fence type, adjusted for height and site difficulty, gives the fence cost; the low and high rates of the type give the range.
| Fence | $2,400.00 |
|---|
How the fence calculator works
Length × the rate per metre for the fence type, adjusted for height and site difficulty, gives the fence cost; the low and high rates of the type give the range. Gates and removal are added. Bays are length ÷ post spacing, rounded up; posts are bays + 1; rails are rails-per-bay × length; a timber fence needs palings per metre, any other fence one panel per bay. Every figure is rounded to the nearest $10.
Formula: Fence = length × rate × height factor × site factor · total = fence + gates + removal · bays = ⌈length ÷ spacing⌉, posts = bays + 1
How the fence cost is worked out
Length × $/m by type × height factor × site factor, then gates and removal
The calculator takes your total fence length and multiplies it by a per-metre rate for the type you pick, then applies a height factor and a site factor for slope or difficult access. It adds any gates (priced per unit) and the cost of removing the old fence if you're replacing one. Because installed rates vary a lot between cities and sites, it also shows a low-to-high band rather than pretending there's one exact price.
The materials count
Fence posts sit at 2.4 m centres, so the number of bays is your length divided by 2.4, rounded up, and posts = ⌈length ÷ 2.4⌉ + 1 — you need one extra post to close the last bay. Each bay gets its rails (about 3 for timber, 2 for most panel fences), and a timber paling fence uses roughly 6.5 palings per metre (150 mm boards with a small gap).
Worked example
A 20 m Colorbond fence at 1.8 m on a flat, accessible site, at the typical rate of about $120/m, is roughly $2,400 supplied and installed — usually somewhere in the $1,700–$3,000 range. That's 9 bays and 10 posts. Add a single gate (about $250–$650) or a driveway gate ($500–$1,500) on top, and add removal if you're pulling out an old fence.
Fence types & ratesFence types and what they cost
Typical supplied-and-installed rates by type at 1.8 m on a flat site (2026 market-survey ranges — approximate):
- Colorbond / steel — ~$120/m (about $85–$150). Australia's most-installed fence: private, low-maintenance and quick to put up.
- Timber paling, treated pine — ~$100/m (about $75–$120). The budget choice; needs oiling or painting and eventually rots or warps.
- Timber paling, hardwood — $120–$200/m (merbau, spotted gum). Looks better and lasts longer, but dearer and still needs oiling.
- Aluminium slat — ~$250/m (about $150–$350). A modern, durable look; more expensive than Colorbond or timber.
- Pool fence, aluminium — ~$240/m (about $180–$300). Tubular pool-compliant fencing to AS 1926.1.
- Pool fence, glass — $250–$600+/m. Frameless or semi-frameless glass; the premium pool-fence option.
The trade-off is maintenance vs looks vs cost. Timber is cheapest to build but the dearest to keep looking good; Colorbond is the low-fuss all-rounder; aluminium and glass cost more upfront but hold up with almost no upkeep. There's no single "best" fence — it depends on your budget, your outlook and how much maintenance you'll do.
Gates, height, site & who paysGates, height, site and who pays
Gates
Gates are priced per unit, on top of the per-metre fence rate, and each opening needs its own two posts. A single pedestrian gate runs about $250–$650 supplied and installed (Colorbond around $440–$630); a double or driveway gate is $500–$1,500 depending on width, material and whether it's manual or motorised.
Height and site
The standard height is 1.8 m. Going taller means longer posts and more infill: a 2.1 m fence adds about 15% and a 2.4 m fence about 35% to the per-metre rate, while a lower 1.5 m fence saves about 10%. A sloped site adds around 20% and difficult access about 30%, because stepping the fence and getting materials in takes longer.
Who pays
A boundary fence is usually a 50/50 cost split with your neighbour under state fencing law — but only to a "sufficient" standard; if you want something dearer you generally pay the difference. Serve written notice and agree on the fence, cost and contractor before starting. Note that pool fences must meet AS 1926.1 — at least 1.2 m high, no climbable gaps, self-closing and self-latching gates — and be inspected and certified.
Frequently asked Frequently asked questions
Where these figures come from
The cost here is built from your fence length and a per-metre rate — there is no single official price for a fence, because it depends heavily on the type, the height, the site and the finish. The rates below are 2026 market-survey ranges drawn from typical Australian fencing-contractor and supplier pricing; they are approximate and site-dependent, not a quote.
- Installed rates (1.8 m, flat site) — Colorbond ~$120/m ($85–$150), timber pine ~$100/m ($75–$120), hardwood $120–$200/m, aluminium slat ~$250/m ($150–$350), aluminium pool ~$240/m ($180–$300), glass pool $250–$600+/m. Each has a wide band because cities and sites vary.
- Gates — single pedestrian $250–$650, double/driveway $500–$1,500. Removing an old fence adds about $15–$50/m.
- Height & site factors — 1.5 m ×0.90, 1.8 m ×1.00, 2.1 m ×1.15, 2.4 m ×1.35; sloped +20%, difficult access +30%.
- Materials — posts at 2.4 m centres; palings about 6.5 per metre for timber.
- Rules — boundary fences are usually shared 50/50 under state fencing law; pool fences must comply with AS 1926.1 and be certified.
- Further guidance — ACCC — consumer rights on quotes, contracts and guarantees.
Last checked: July 2026. All prices are indicative market ranges and vary by city, type, height, site and design. This is a planning estimate — always get quotes for your own boundary before you commit.
Understanding your resultSelect the question that matches where you are right now.
The headline number is the estimated cost of your fence: the fence itself (length × rate, adjusted for height and site) plus any gates and old-fence removal. The range underneath shows how far that can move as installed rates swing from budget to premium across cities.
What to do with itUse it to set a budget and sanity-check the quotes you get. If a quote lands well outside the range, ask what's different — the type, the height, the site or whether removal is included.
What it is notIt's not a fixed quote or a site plan. It doesn't set out footings, retaining or council rules for front and pool fences — those come from your fencing contractor or council.
Why a rangeFence pricing genuinely varies. The same fence can differ by a third or more on city, access, height and finish alone, which is why the tool shows a low-to-high band rather than one number.
Four things move a fence's cost the most: the length, the type, the height and site, and the gates.
Type choiceThe type is the biggest lever on the rate — timber pine at ~$100/m versus aluminium slat at ~$250/m is more than double. Pick for how private you want it, the look and how much upkeep you'll do.
Height and siteA 2.4 m fence adds about 35% over 1.8 m; a sloped site adds ~20% and difficult access ~30%. A standard-height fence on a flat, open block is the cheapest build.
Gates and removalGates are priced per unit — $250–$650 for a single, $500–$1,500 for a driveway gate — and each needs its own posts. Pulling out an old fence adds about $15–$50/m on top.
A few habits keep the estimate honest and the quotes comparable.
Measure the real runUse the actual boundary length and set the height, site and gates at the Detailed level. Corners, a slope and a single gate all lift the total once you add them in.
Quote like for likeGet a few quotes for the same fence — same type, height and gates — and check each includes posts, footings, removal of the old fence and waste disposal before you compare the totals.
Talk to the neighbour firstFor a shared boundary, serve written notice and agree on the fence and cost split before starting. Going ahead without agreement can leave you wearing the whole bill.
A fence is usually one line in a bigger outdoor or renovation budget. Model the rest of the job and the money side too.
Pouring footings or a slabNeed concrete for posts, a mowing strip or a slab nearby?
Concrete slab calculator → Building a deck tooCosting a deck as part of the same backyard project?
Deck cost calculator → Financing the projectCheck what you could borrow before committing to a bigger build.
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A 20 m Colorbond fence About $2,400 installed
At a typical $120/m supplied and installed, a 20 m Colorbond (steel) fence at 1.8 m on a flat, accessible site is about $2,400 — usually somewhere in the $1,700–$3,000 range depending on your city, colour and access. Colorbond is the most-installed fence in Australia: low maintenance, private, and quick to put up over 9 bays (10 posts).
| Rate | $120/m installed |
|---|---|
| 20 m total | ≈$2,400 |
| Likely range | $1,700–$3,000 |
| Posts | 10 (9 bays) |
- Melbourne/Adelaide Often dearer
- Colour/access Move the price
Timber paling vs Colorbond Timber ~$400 cheaper on 20 m
Treated-pine timber paling is the budget option at around $100/m installed — a 20 m fence is about $2,000, versus $2,400 for Colorbond. But timber needs oiling or painting and eventually rots or warps, while Colorbond lasts decades untouched. Hardwood paling (merbau, spotted gum) looks better and lasts longer but costs $120–$200/m.
| Timber pine | ≈$100/m ($2,000) |
|---|---|
| Colorbond | ≈$120/m ($2,400) |
| Hardwood | $120–$200/m |
- Timber upkeep Oil/paint; eventually rots
- Colorbond Low maintenance, longer life
How many posts for a 30 m fence? 14 posts, 13 bays
Fence posts sit at 2.4 m centres — the maximum safe span for the rails. For 30 m: bays = 30 ÷ 2.4 = 12.5, rounded up to 13 bays, and posts = bays + 1 = 14 (you need an extra post to close the last bay). A gate opening needs its own two posts, so add for each gate.
| Post spacing | 2.4 m centres |
|---|---|
| Bays (30 m) | 13 |
| Posts | 14 |
- Formula ceil(length ÷ 2.4) + 1
- Gates Add 2 posts each
Adding a gate +$250–$650 for a single gate
A single pedestrian gate, supplied and installed, runs about $250–$650 (Colorbond around $440–$630) — so a 20 m Colorbond fence with one gate is roughly $2,850. Double or driveway gates are $500–$1,500 depending on width, material and whether they're manual or motorised. Gates are priced per unit, on top of the per-metre fence rate.
| Single gate | $250–$650 |
|---|---|
| Double / driveway | $500–$1,500 |
| 20 m + 1 gate | ≈$2,850 |
- Motorised Adds more again
- Needs Its own gate posts
Materials for a 30 m timber fence 14 posts · 90 m rail · 195 palings
For 30 m of 1.8 m timber paling: 14 posts (13 bays at 2.4 m), 3 rails per bay = 90 lineal metres of rail, and about 195 palings (150 mm wide with a small gap ≈ 6.5 per metre). Buy a few spare palings for cuts and the odd split board. Add concrete for the post holes — roughly one 20 kg bag per post.
| Posts | 14 |
|---|---|
| Rails | 90 m (3/bay) |
| Palings | ≈195 |
| Concrete | ~1 bag/post |
- Palings ≈6.5 per metre
- Spares Allow for cuts/splits
Taller fences cost more per metre 2.4 m ≈ +35% over 1.8 m
The standard fence height is 1.8 m. Going taller means longer posts, more infill and often deeper footings: a 2.1 m fence adds about 15% and a 2.4 m fence about 35% to the per-metre rate. A lower 1.5 m fence saves ~10%. Check your council rules — front fences and pool fences have height and gap limits, and shared boundary fences are usually a 50/50 cost split with your neighbour.
| 1.5 m | ×0.90 |
|---|---|
| 1.8 m (standard) | ×1.00 |
| 2.1 m | ×1.15 |
| 2.4 m | ×1.35 |
- Boundary fence Usually 50/50 with neighbour
- Check Council height limits
Pool fencing is a special job ~$180–$300/m aluminium, more for glass
Pool fences must meet the AS 1926.1 safety standard — 1.2 m minimum height, no gaps a child could climb, self-closing/self-latching gates and strict clearances from climbable objects. Aluminium tubular pool fencing runs about $180–$300/m installed; frameless glass is $250–$600+/m. A 25 m aluminium pool fence is roughly $6,000. It must be inspected and certified, so don't cut corners on a DIY pool fence.
| Aluminium pool | $180–$300/m |
|---|---|
| Glass pool | $250–$600+/m |
| 25 m aluminium | ≈$6,000 |
| Standard | AS 1926.1 |
- Must be Certified + compliant
- Gates Self-closing / self-latching
Who pays for a boundary fence? Usually split 50/50
A dividing fence on a shared boundary is normally a 50/50 cost between neighbours under state fencing laws — but only to a 'sufficient standard'. If you want something dearer (a taller fence, premium material), you generally pay the difference. Serve written notice and agree on the fence, cost and contractor before starting; going ahead without agreement can leave you wearing the whole bill. Investment properties and some councils have their own rules.
| Shared boundary | Usually 50/50 |
|---|---|
| Premium upgrade | You pay the difference |
| First | Written notice + agree |
- No agreement? You may wear it all
- Varies by State fencing law
Worked examples
| Inputs | Estimated fence cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 20 m of Colorbond at 1.8 m on a flat site | $2,400 | $2,400; range $1,700 – $3,000 |
| 30 m of pine paling at 1.5 m on a slope, one gate | $3,690 | $3,690 |
| 12 m of glass pool fence | $4,800 | $4,800 |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How much does a new fence cost in Australia?
Supplied and installed, most fences run about $85–$150/m for Colorbond (typically ~$120), $75–$120/m for treated-pine timber paling, $120–$200/m for hardwood paling, and $150–$350/m for aluminium slat. So a 20 m Colorbond fence at 1.8 m on a flat, accessible site is roughly $2,400 before gates or removing the old fence. These are 2026 market-survey ranges that vary by city, height and access — always get quotes.
What's the cheapest fencing option?
Treated-pine timber paling is usually the cheapest, about $75–$120/m installed (typically ~$100/m) — a little under Colorbond's ~$120/m. Timber is cheaper to put up but needs oiling or painting and eventually rots or warps, while Colorbond lasts decades with almost no upkeep. Hardwood paling looks better and lasts longer but costs $120–$200/m.
How many posts do I need?
Fence posts sit at 2.4 m centres, so the number of bays is the length divided by 2.4, rounded up, and posts = bays + 1 (you need one extra to close the last bay). For a 30 m fence that's 13 bays and 14 posts. Each gate opening needs its own two posts, so add for gates.
Who pays for a boundary fence?
A dividing fence on a shared boundary is normally a 50/50 cost split between neighbours under state fencing law, but only to a "sufficient" standard — if you want something dearer, you generally pay the difference. Serve written notice and agree on the fence, cost and contractor before starting; going ahead without agreement can leave you wearing the whole bill.
How much does a fence gate cost?
A single pedestrian gate, supplied and installed, runs about $250–$650 (Colorbond around $440–$630). Double or driveway gates are $500–$1,500 depending on width, material and whether they're manual or motorised. Gates are priced per unit on top of the per-metre fence rate, and each opening needs its own two posts.
What are the rules for pool fencing?
Pool fences must meet the AS 1926.1 safety standard — at least 1.2 m high, no gaps or footholds a child could climb, and self-closing, self-latching gates with strict clearances from climbable objects. Aluminium pool fencing runs about $180–$300/m installed and frameless glass $250–$600+/m. It must be inspected and certified, so don't cut corners on a DIY pool fence. Sources
The sources behind this calculator
- American Association of Feline Practitioners — Feline Life Stage Guidelines — the six feline life stages the cat-age page uses
- Wang et al. 2020, Cell Systems — Quantitative translation of dog-to-human aging by conserved remodeling of the DNA methylome — the 16·ln(age)+31 epigenetic formula on the dog-age page
- Fair Work Ombudsman — sets hospitality award wages — why tipping is optional in Australia
Last checked: July 2026. Where a page states a convention (a tipping custom, a pet life stage), the page names the body it follows.