FencersUpdated March 2026 · 2 min read

How to Quote a Fence Installation in Australia

Guide to quoting fence installations accurately. Covers Colorbond, timber, and aluminium fencing with per-metre pricing, materials, and labour for Australian fencers.

What to Include in a Fencing Quote

A fencing quote should cover: post holes and concrete footings, posts (steel or timber), rails (top and bottom), panels or palings, gate(s) with hardware, removal of old fence (if applicable), and any retaining required due to level changes. Always specify fence height, material, and colour. Include a site plan or diagram if possible.

Fencing Costs Per Metre in 2026

Colorbond fencing: $75–$120/linear metre installed. Timber paling fence: $60–$100/linear metre. Aluminium slat fence: $150–$300/linear metre. Pool fencing (glass): $300–$600/linear metre. Gates add $300–$800 each depending on type. These prices include posts, concrete, and installation labour.

How to Calculate Materials

For Colorbond: posts every 2.4m, 2 rails per bay, 1 sheet per bay. For timber: posts every 2.4m, 3 rails per bay, 14–16 palings per bay (depending on width). Concrete: approximately 1–2 bags per post. Always add 5% waste on materials. QuoteMate calculates all of this automatically from the linear metre measurement.

Dealing with Level Changes

Sloping sites add complexity. For Colorbond, you can step the fence in increments matching the post spacing. For timber, you can either step or rack the palings to follow the slope. Significant level changes may require retaining walls or sleeper walls below the fence — quote this as a separate item.

Common Fencing Quote Mistakes

1. Not inspecting the fence line for obstacles (trees, stumps, rock). 2. Forgetting to include old fence removal. 3. Not accounting for sloping ground. 4. Underquoting gates — they take as long as 3–4m of fence. 5. Not checking boundary positions with a survey.