Timber paling is still the default fence across Melbourne, and the reason is simple. It does the job, it suits almost every suburban block, and it costs less than every alternative worth considering.
What varies is how much less. Quotes for the same fence line can differ by a factor of two depending on post type, paling grade and who is doing the work. Here is what the numbers actually look like, and where the money goes when you buy timber fence supplies rather than a finished fence.
Melbourne timber paling fencing typically falls in these ranges. Supply only means materials delivered or picked up. Installed includes digging, concreting, labour and removal of the old fence.
| Fence type | Supply only per metre | Installed per metre |
| 1.5m treated pine paling | $45 to $70 | $110 to $170 |
| 1.8m treated pine paling | $55 to $85 | $130 to $200 |
| 1.8m paling with steel posts | $70 to $105 | $150 to $230 |
| 1.8m hardwood or cypress paling | $90 to $150 | $190 to $300 |
| 2.1m treated pine paling | $75 to $115 | $170 to $260 |
Removal and disposal of an existing fence is usually quoted separately, commonly in the range of $15 to $35 per metre depending on what is coming out and how accessible it is.
Where the money actually goes
A paling fence is four components, and they do not cost what most people assume.
| Component | Share of material cost | Notes |
| Posts | Roughly 30 to 40% | The single biggest variable. Post type and spacing drive the total more than paling choice does. |
| Palings | Roughly 30 to 40% | Grade and thickness matter. Cheaper palings cup and split earlier. |
| Rails | Roughly 15 to 20% | Two rails is standard for 1.8m, three for 2.1m or exposed sites. |
| Concrete and fixings | Roughly 10% | Small line item, not worth economising on. |
That first row is the one to pay attention to. Posts are where quotes diverge, and the difference is not cosmetic.
Post choice: the decision that sets your price
Treated pine posts
The standard and the cheapest. H4 treated pine is rated for in-ground use and will typically give fifteen to twenty years in Melbourne conditions, less where drainage is poor or where the post sits in reactive clay that works it loose over seasons. Perfectly adequate for most suburban fence lines.
Galvanised steel posts
Around 30 to 50 per cent more at purchase, and they outlast the palings comfortably. On heavy clay through the western suburbs, this is often the better economic decision rather than the premium one, because the post is the component that fails first and replacing it means dismantling the fence around it.
Hardwood posts
Strong and long-lived, but heavier to work with and priced well above pine. Usually chosen where the fence is a feature rather than a boundary, or on rural and acreage lines where spans are longer.
What pushes a quote up
- Moving from 1.8m to 2.1m adds palings, an extra rail and often deeper post holes. Expect roughly 25 to 35 per cent, not a proportional increase.
- Sloping ground. A fence that steps or rakes down a slope takes longer to set out and generates more offcuts.
- If materials have to be carried through a house or a narrow side gate, labour climbs. Supply only pricing is unaffected by this, which is part of why it is more predictable.
- Ground conditions. Rock, buried concrete or old footings turn a straightforward dig into an hourly job.
- Paling grade. Premium palings cost more and stay straighter. Budget palings look identical on day one and noticeably different after two summers.
- A single gate with quality hardware typically adds a few hundred dollars and is often left out of a headline per metre figure.
Supply only versus installed
Across every row in the first table, materials account for roughly 40 to 45 per cent of an installed price. The rest is labour, equipment, disposal and margin.
A paling fence is also one of the more approachable DIY builds. The set out needs care, and the post holes are hard work, but there is no specialist skill involved and the tools are ordinary. For a straight run on level ground with decent access, supply only is a genuine saving rather than a false economy.
It gets less attractive on steep slopes, long runs, or where an old fence has to come out first. Those are the jobs where the labour component earns its money.
Working out your own number
Measure the fence line in metres. Multiply by the supply-only rate for your chosen height and post type. Add ten per cent for waste, offcuts and the occasional unusable paling.
If the fence sits on a boundary, the cost is usually shared with your neighbour under the Fences Act, and the quote you attach to a fencing notice needs to be accurate rather than approximate. It is worth pricing properly before that conversation, not after it.
Frequently asked questions
How many palings do I need per metre?
For standard palings butted together, roughly 10 to 11 per metre depending on paling width. Overlapped or lapped and capped styles use more, sometimes 30 to 50 per cent more, so confirm the style before calculating.
What post spacing should I use?
Around 2.4 metres is typical for a 1.8 metre paling fence. Exposed sites, taller fences and heavier palings call for closer spacing. Wider spacing saves posts, but the fence flexes more in wind and sags earlier.
Is treated pine or hardwood better value for a fence?
Treated pine for most suburban boundaries. Hardwood costs substantially more, and the extra life rarely justifies the difference on a standard paling fence. Hardwood makes more sense on feature fences and rural applications.
Does the fence cost include the gate?
Usually not. Per metre pricing covers the fence run. Gates are priced separately because the hardware, framing and hanging are a different job with different materials.
How long will a timber paling fence last in Melbourne?
Typically fifteen to twenty years for a well-built treated pine fence. Steel posts push that longer, since the palings usually outlast the pine posts that fail first at ground level.
Get a real number for your fence line
Prime Green Fencing supplies treated pine palings, posts and rails, hardwood and cypress, galvanised steel posts and all the fixings, direct from our Truganina yard. Give us your fence line length and the height you want, and we will price the exact materials rather than quote you a per metre average.
Call 0452 113 113 or visit 26 Apex Dr, Truganina VIC 3029. We deliver across Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Wyndham Vale, Tarneit, Point Cook, Melton and the wider western suburbs.