Why do fencing quotes differ so much?

Quotes vary with post type and spacing, removal of the old fence, rock or slope on site, gates and hardware, and whether permits are included. Compare scopes line by line, not just totals.

Is GST included in the published price ranges?

The source guide does not say. Ask each fencer to state whether the quote includes GST so that you compare like with like.

Do fencers charge to remove the old fence?

Usually yes, as a separate item covering demolition and disposal. Asbestos sheeting is removed by a licensed removalist at a separate cost.

Should I pay a deposit for a fence?

A reasonable deposit for materials is common, but avoid paying most of the price before work starts. Agree payment stages in the written quote.

Does a cheaper material always save money?

Not always. Timber costs less up front but needs staining and eventual post replacement, while steel costs more initially with less upkeep. Compare over the years you expect to stay.

Fencing Costs in Wollert: Price per Metre Guide

Published installed prices for common fences run from $75 to $120 per metre for treated pine paling and $85 to $100 per metre for Colorbond steel, up to $275 to $600 per metre for frameless glass. A dividing fence is normally split equally between neighbours, so each owner usually pays about half of the agreed price for the shared run. These are national guide figures, and the price you are quoted will come from the independent fencer who inspects your job, not from this website, as explained on the about page.

Published price ranges by fence type

Fence type	Published installed range	Typical use around Wollert
Treated pine paling	$75 to $120 per metre	Budget boundaries, matching older timber
Hardwood paling	$80 to $125 per metre	Matching existing hardwood fences
Colorbond steel	$85 to $100 per metre	Side and rear boundaries in new estates
Treated pine slat	$280 to $350 per metre	Front fences, wing fences and screens
Tubular metal	$180 to $350 per metre	Pool barriers and open front fences
Semi-frameless glass	$200 to $275 per metre	Pool barriers with posts
Frameless glass	$275 to $600 per metre	Pool barriers with a clear view

All seven ranges come from the hipages guide to fencing cost per metre, last updated in January 2026, which says the figures typically include installation labour and materials. They are a starting point for budgeting, not a quote.

What pushes a fencing price up or down?

Length. Fencers have fixed costs for travel, setting out and cleaning up, so a long run usually costs less per metre than a short one. Fencing several boundaries at once with your neighbours can help.

Height. A 2.1 m fence uses more material than a 1.8 m fence, and a fence above 2 m may need a building permit, which adds time and fees.

Ground conditions. The City of Whittlesea describes Wollert’s landscape as including many stony rises. Rock in a post hole means slower drilling, and soft ground can need deeper or wider footings.

Slope. On sloping ground panels are stepped or cut, which adds labour and offcuts.

Old fence removal. Taking down and disposing of an existing fence is usually quoted as a separate item. If an old sheet fence might contain asbestos, testing and licensed removal sit outside a normal fencing quote.

Access. Narrow side paths, locked yards and no vehicle access to the boundary all slow the work.

Timing. Most quotes state how long the price stays valid. Ask how long that is, and whether a rise in material prices can be passed on to you if the start date slips.

Gates and extras. Side gates, double gates, lattice tops, plinths, capping and colour-matched trims are often itemised separately; see side gates and wing fences.

Pool barrier requirements. A barrier needs compliant gate hardware, a building permit unless exempt, an inspection and council registration, all of which add cost beyond the fence itself. The pool fencing page lists the steps.

What should a fencing quote include?

A clear quote lets you compare like with like and gives your neighbour something to sign. Look for:

The length of each run and the finished height.
The material, profile and colour, for example sheet profile and colour for steel, or paling size and timber type for timber.
Post type, size, spacing and footing method.
Whether removal and disposal of the old fence is included.
Gates and hardware, listed one by one.
Who obtains any permit, and whether its cost is in the price.
How spoil, offcuts and packaging are handled.
Payment stages and what happens if rock or buried services are found.

What is usually left out of the price?

Building permit, surveyor and inspection fees, unless stated.
Council fees for pool registration and certificate lodgement. Each council sets these, so check the current figure on its website, such as the City of Whittlesea pool and spa page.
Re-marking a boundary by a licensed surveyor.
Asbestos testing and removal.
Landscaping, retaining walls or moving garden beds out of the way.

How is the cost shared with a neighbour?

The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria says neighbours generally share the cost of a sufficient dividing fence equally, and that can include clearing the line, removing the old fence, surveying the boundary and temporary barriers. If one owner wants a higher fence or a dearer material, that owner normally pays the difference. A Fencing Notice with a quote attached gives the other owner 30 days to respond.

As a worked example, if two owners share a 20 metre Colorbond boundary priced within the published range of $85 to $100 per metre, each pays half the total for that run, plus anything only one of them asked for.

How should you compare quotes?

Get at least two quotes for the same scope, written the same way.
Check the length on each quote matches your own measurement.
Compare post size and spacing, not just the headline price.
Ask how each fencer handles rock, slope and old fence disposal.
Confirm who arranges any permit.
Check the provider’s registration on the Building and Plumbing Commission practitioner search when the job needs it.

The Building and Plumbing Commission says fencing is generally domestic building work and that once the contract price is over its published threshold, a major domestic building contract and a registered builder are required. Larger contracts can also bring in Home Warranty insurance, which the registered builder pays for on eligible work.

Red flags in a fencing quote

A large deposit before any materials are delivered.
No written scope, only a total price.
A fencer willing to start before your neighbour has agreed or the Fencing Notice period has passed.
Advice to skip a permit for a fence above 2 m or a pool barrier.
An offer to cut up an old fibro fence without testing.
A price far below the published ranges with no explanation of what has been left out.

Prices by service and suburb

Each service page explains the job in more detail: Colorbond fencing, timber paling fences and fence repairs. Local conditions for each suburb are on the Wollert, Epping and Craigieburn pages.

When you have your measurements and know what your neighbour wants, ask for fencing quotes for your property and include the fence type from the table above.

Send a job enquiry

Fencing costs in Wollert