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Trade 11 of 33Updated June 2026

A research dossier · 260 trade-region files across 8 states & territories · Dividing Fences Acts cross-referenced

Hiring a Fencer
has two questions: posts + neighbour.

Fencing looks simple. It mostly isn't. The half of the job that decides whether the fence is standing in 15 years sits 600mm underground — post hole depth, concrete spec, soil class. The other half is the neighbour you legally have to share the cost with. The cheap fencer cuts corners on the first half, and the wrong fencer doesn't mention the second half at all.

600mm

Minimum post-hole depth for a 1.8m fence.

50/50

Default cost split with the neighbour under each state Dividing Fences Act.

1.8m

Standard residential boundary height — without council approval.

In a hurry? Start here

I've got quotes

Compare them properly

Most fencer quotes price different scopes. See what a real quote contains, line by line.

I need someone now

Handle it urgently

Make-safe price first, full quote second — and verify the licence before anyone starts.

Is this one legit?

Verify this tradie

The free 60-second routine: licence, insurance, ABN, history — before you pay a deposit.

My state

Check your state rules

Licensing, deposit caps and the common gotcha for your state and territory.

Or grab the four printable buyer checklists →

90-second briefing

Read this first

Before you hire a fencer, know this.

  1. 1

    Confirm the fence type, height and footing depth — a fence is only as good as its posts.

  2. 2

    Boundary fences are shared cost by law — talk to the neighbour and check the dividing-fences process.

  3. 3

    Pool fencing has strict compliance rules and certification — confirm it meets AS 1926.

  4. 4

    Get materials specified (Colorbond gauge, timber treatment, post spacing) in writing.

  5. 5

    Get the licence and insurance details and a written scope before any deposit.

How this page was built

A research dossier, not a referral page.

Sources

Reddit + Whirlpool, ProductReview, Dividing Fences Act NSW + Neighbourhood Disputes Act QLD + Fences Act VIC, Building Commission NSW + QBCC + BPC.

Verification

Pricing + post-hole depth cross-checked against AS 1684 + manufacturer specs. Dividing-fences cost-share rules verified per state.

Funding

No fencer pays for placement. No referral fees. Funded by the supply-side flyer service at tradies.needatrade.com.au/flyers/.

Before we start

The fence is the easy part.
The post + the neighbour are the job.

Fencing failure splits 80/20: 80% of failures are posts coming out of the ground, 20% are the panels themselves. The cheap fencer digs a 300mm post hole, drops in two bags of cheap concrete, and walks away. Inside 5 years your fence leans, and inside 10 it's on the ground.

The neighbour side is its own minefield. Every state has a Dividing Fences Act setting the rules: how much notice you have to give, what counts as "sufficient fencing", how disputes get resolved at the local court. A working fencer knows the form numbers. A high-risk operator says "she'll be right, just tell them you're putting it up."

Notice the neighbour in writing. Get the cost-share agreement in writing. Before the post holes are dug.

01

How much should it really cost?

Fencing is priced per linear metre. The variance is in post hole depth + concrete spec + finish details.

Five lines a real fencing quote shows

  • 1Demo + site prep. Removing old fence, levelling, tip fees.
  • 2Post specification. Material (steel / treated pine / hardwood), hole depth (600mm minimum), concrete mix.
  • 3Panels / rails / palings. Material + brand, thickness, fixings (galvanised vs stainless).
  • 4Gates + hardware. Frame type, latch, hinge, drop bolt. Hardware brand named.
  • 5Neighbour notification + cost-share. Form lodged. Cost split agreement attached.

Indicative ranges · per linear metre

AU 2026

Colorbond (1.8m · standard)$110 – $180/m
Treated pine paling (1.8m)$95 – $160/m
Hardwood paling (spotted gum / merbau)$180 – $320/m
Aluminium slat (modern · privacy)$220 – $420/m
Gate (pedestrian · matching material)$450 – $1,800 ea
Cheap quote (shallow post · light concrete)under $80/m
Indicative. Slope, removal of mature shrubs, council overlays, pool-fencing compliance = upper end.

Ask this, exactly

Save · share · screenshot

"Can you send the quote with post depth (mm), concrete spec, post + panel materials, gate hardware brands, and the neighbour cost-share agreement?"

02

How to tell a real one from a cowboy.

The fencing quote-trap operator lives in the post hole. Looks identical from above ground at handover. Tells the truth five years later when the fence starts leaning.

Red flags — in order of how often you'll meet them

  • !

    Post depth under 600mm

    600mm is the minimum for a 1.8m fence in stable soil. Reactive clay or sandy soil needs more. The cheap quote's 300–400mm post hole = fence falling over in 5 years.

  • !

    No mention of the Dividing Fences process

    A working fencer either lodges the notice with the neighbour, or hands you the form to do it. A corner-cutter says "just talk to them" — and you end up paying 100% when they refuse to pay.

  • !

    Wrong-side palings

    Tradition: the "good side" (smooth side of palings) faces your neighbour. State laws vary, but a working fencer asks. A red-flag operator puts the rough side facing the neighbour without asking, then you cop the complaint.

  • !

    No setback for non-standard heights

    Over 1.8m generally needs council approval (and a setback). Pool fence has its own rules. High-risk operators build to the height you ask without checking — and council enforces removal a year later.

  • !

    Cash payment

    Standard pattern. No invoice = no warranty + nothing to claim against when the fence fails.

The verification routine — 5 minutes, free

  1. ✓
    State licence above threshold (NSW: $5k+. QLD: $3.3k+. VIC: $10k+).
  2. ✓
    ABN on abr.business.gov.au.
  3. ✓
    Public liability + workers comp. Certificate of currency.
  4. ✓
    Knows the state Dividing Fences Act. Can name the form to lodge with the neighbour.
  5. ✓
    Two reference jobs at year 7+. Old fence still straight, posts still solid. Drive past.

Ask this, exactly

"Can you confirm post depth, concrete spec, and tell me what notice we need to give my neighbour under the state Dividing Fences Act?"

03

Licence + the Dividing Fences Act.

Each state has its own Dividing Fences Act setting the rules for who pays, what counts as "sufficient", and how disputes resolve.

Fencer — licensing & compliance by state

Choose your state:
NSW $5,000

Regulator

Building Commission NSW

Common gotcha

Written scope; pool barrier compliance where applicable

VIC $10,000

Regulator

Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC, formerly VBA)

Common gotcha

Written scope; pool barrier compliance where applicable

QLD Licensed

Regulator

QBCC

Common gotcha

Written scope; pool barrier compliance where applicable

WA Licensed

Regulator

Building Services Board (Building and Energy)

Common gotcha

Written scope; pool barrier compliance where applicable

SA Licensed

Regulator

Consumer and Business Services (CBS)

Common gotcha

Written scope; pool barrier compliance where applicable

ACT Licensed

Regulator

Construction Occupations Registrar (Access Canberra)

Common gotcha

Written scope; pool barrier compliance where applicable

NT Licensed

Regulator

Building Practitioners Board

Common gotcha

Written scope; pool barrier compliance where applicable

TAS Licensed

Regulator

CBOS (Consumer, Building and Occupational Services)

Common gotcha

Written scope; pool barrier compliance where applicable

Half-time

Posts + notice. Get them right, the rest is panels.

Quote anatomy, the cowboy test, the dividing-fences rules. The first three sort the working fencers from the boundary-line chancers. The next seven are how you tell working fencers apart — and how the fence still stands in 2046.

04

When can they fit you in?

Fencers typically 4–8 weeks out. Neighbour notice adds 21–30 days minimum on top in most states. Concrete pours need a dry window for the post cure. A working fencer schedules around all three.

Notice window.

21–30 days neighbour notice in most states. Cost-share agreed during this window.

Realistic install.

Standard 30m residential fence: 2–4 days for two-person crew. Allow concrete cure before fence is finished.

Weather + season.

Post concrete cure needs 24–48 hours dry. Heavy rain delays. Hot weather + clay = different cure regime.

Ask this, exactly

"What's your real start window after I lodge the neighbour notice, and what's your rule if it rains during the post cure?"

05

What happens next, step by step.

  1. 1Step

    Site visit + design

    Measure boundary. Confirm height + material. Photograph existing fence + access. Soil check.

  2. 2Step

    Notice to neighbour

    Fencing notice lodged under the state Dividing Fences Act. 21–30 days for response. Cost-share agreed.

  3. 3Step

    Contract + deposit

    10% deposit (max). Schedule confirmed. Variation rules in writing. Cost-share contributions tracked.

  4. 4Step

    Demo + post holes

    Old fence removed. Posts marked at correct spacing. Holes dug to specified depth.

  5. 5Step

    Set posts + concrete

    Posts plumbed + concreted. 24–48 hour cure before panel install.

  6. 6Step

    Panels + gate + sign-off

    Panels fixed. Gate installed + tested. Walk-through with you. Final invoice + photos.

06

Colorbond, timber, or aluminium?

Option A · most common

Colorbond

Steel sheet on steel posts. 15-year manufacturer paint warranty. No painting, no rotting.

Right when: low maintenance + modern aesthetic + longest lifespan.

Wrong when: heritage area requires timber.

$110 – $180/m

Option B

Timber

Treated pine palings most common. Hardwood (spotted gum / merbau) premium. Needs staining every 3–5 years.

Right when: heritage area, natural look, ok with maintenance.

Wrong when: low maintenance + long life are priorities.

$95 – $320/m

Option C

Aluminium slat

Modern slatted look. Powder-coated. Filter light + privacy in one. Premium price.

Right when: modern architecture, want airflow + privacy + design statement.

Wrong when: budget-conscious — Colorbond delivers similar privacy at half the price.

$220 – $420/m

07

Warranty — two clocks.

  1. Layer 01

    Statutory workmanship

    ACL + state-specific. 6 years on structural fencing above threshold (residential).

  2. Layer 02

    Fencer's workmanship

    Typically 12 months to 5 years. Post stability, panel attachment, gate operation.

  3. Layer 03

    Material warranty

    BlueScope Colorbond: 15 years on paint. Aluminium powder-coat: 10 years typical. Treated pine: limited.

  4. Layer 04

    Insurance-backed

    HBC / HW / DBI above state thresholds. Same rules as builder.

Ask this, exactly

"Could you list workmanship + material warranties, with year limits, in writing?"

08

Soil, slope, setback rules.

  • Reactive clay

    Sites that swell + shrink. Deeper posts, more concrete, wider spacing. The cheap fencer ignores this.

  • Slope

    Stepped vs raked. Stepped looks better but costs more. Steep blocks need engineered retaining underneath.

  • Height + setback

    1.8m standard. Over that = council approval + likely setback from boundary. Front fences often capped at 1.2m.

  • Pool fencing

    Separate compliance regime (AS 1926). Pool builder usually coordinates. Not standard fence work.

Ask this, exactly

"Have you checked the soil + slope + council height rules — and is what we're building compliant without a DA?"

09

Edge cases — get a second opinion for…

  • Pool fencing (AS 1926)

    Strict compliance regime. Different latches + gates. Specialist installer — usually the pool builder coordinates.

  • Heritage / Conservation Area

    Material match required. Picket timber, wrought iron. Standard Colorbond often refused.

  • Retaining wall + fence combo

    Engineered retaining over 600mm + fence on top. Different trades coordinated. Engineering certificate required.

  • Bushfire zone (BAL-rated)

    Plant choices restricted near fence. Some materials prohibited within defensible space.

  • Strata / common-property

    Owners corporation approval. Boundary location can be ambiguous in strata — survey may be required.

  • Disputed boundary

    Surveyor required before fencing. Don't guess — boundary disputes are expensive.

  • Steep slope (>15°)

    Stepped fence with structural posts. May need engineering input.

  • Old retaining + fence (failing)

    Diagnose retaining first. Sometimes the retaining failure is what's pulling the fence over.

  • Tree roots + fence line

    Concrete poured around existing roots can damage tree. Council protection if it's a significant tree.

10

After they leave.

Fencing aftercare splits by material. Colorbond: nothing for 15 years. Timber: stain every 3–5 years. Aluminium: occasional rinse. The cost-share documentation is the third aftercare element — keep it for the next time you sell.

Cost-share record.

Neighbour's contribution + the signed agreement. Required if you ever sell or if the fence is replaced in the future.

Timber stain schedule.

Treated pine: re-stain every 3–4 years. Hardwood: every 4–5 years. Skip = grey + cracked + the warranty void.

Gate adjustment.

Hinges loosen, ground settles. A working fencer happily comes back to re-align at year 1.

BlueScope Colorbond warranty.

15-year paint warranty. Register the install with BlueScope to activate.

Ask this, exactly

"Will you provide the cost-share documentation + the BlueScope warranty registration (if Colorbond) + the stain schedule (if timber)?"

If you've read this far

A fencer who names the post depth + the neighbour notice in the same breath is not a unicorn. It's the bar.

The verification routine below is how you confirm any fencer you find — their licence number, insurance certificate, ABN, specialist endorsements, and references — before you sign or pay a deposit. We don't introduce, list or recommend specific tradies. No paid placement.

✓ No referral fees✓ Verified means all 10✓ No spam
Verify any fencer's licence 60-second routine · 6 free checks

Editorial position: we don't list, rank or recommend tradies on this site.
The separate operator platform — members.needatrade.com.au — opens later this year.

The toolkit

Use these before you sign.

The four components below apply to every Australian trade contract. The trade-specific sections above add the layer on top.

51 homeowner quotes · Reg State trade regulator + work-safety regulator · AS AS 1926 · 9 operator quotes · Last reviewed June 2026

Quote anatomy

What a real quote should contain

01

Operator + ABN

Full legal name + active 11-digit ABN

Verify on the Australian Business Register before paying any deposit. If the ABN isn't active, the contract has no enforceable counterparty.

02

State trade licence

Licence number + class on the quote

Cross-check on the relevant state regulator (linked in the glossary licence-check section). Confirms they can legally do the work.

03

Public liability insurance

$10–20 million cover, still current (not expired)

This is what pays if they damage your home — or a neighbour's — or someone is injured during the job. Ask them to email you the insurance certificate; "I'm covered, mate" is not proof.

04

Workers' insurance

In place if they bring any workers onto your property

If a worker is hurt on your property and the operator has no workers' insurance, you can be the one left liable. A genuine sole trader with no employees may not need it — just ask.

05

Itemised scope of work

What's included, what's not, line by line

"Standard installation" means nothing in court. Specific scope items are what get enforced.

06

Materials specification

Brand, grade, quantity, AS standard where applicable

Prevents the "we used what was on the truck" substitution that turns up under failure inspections.

07

Variations clause

How changes get priced + agreed, in writing

No written variation = unenforceable. Verbal "we'll work it out" is how budgets blow out by 40%.

08

Deposit + progress

Within your state's legal cap (e.g. NSW 10%; VIC 10%/5% by threshold; QLD tiered 20%/10%/5% by job value)

Above-cap deposits are illegal. Caps differ by state — check your state's current regulator guidance. Progress payments should align with completed stages, not arbitrary dates.

09

Warranty terms

Workmanship period + manufacturer warranty pass-through

Statutory warranty applies regardless, but written terms accelerate enforcement.

10

Completion definition

What "practical completion" means for this job

Triggers final payment + starts the defects liability period.

11

Dispute path

Named regulator/tribunal for disputes (e.g. NCAT, VCAT, QCAT)

Knowing the path before signing makes you a less attractive target for a dispute.

If a quote you receive is missing any of these, ask for them before you sign or pay a deposit.

The working operator vs the cowboy

Where
✓ Working operator
✗ Cowboy

Quote

Written, itemised, with named scope + exclusions. Numbered + dated.

A number on a text. "I'll do it for $X."

Licence

Licence number on the quote; matches the name on the state register.

"I'll send the licence later." Never does.

Insurance

Emails you the insurance certificate the same day you ask.

"I'm insured, mate." Never actually sends the certificate.

Deposit

Within statutory limit. Held in their account, receipted.

Asks for cash up front. Above the legal limit.

Variations

Written. Cost + time impact. You sign before work changes.

Verbal "we'll sort it out". Surprise invoice at the end.

Warranty

Written workmanship period. Manufacturer cert handed over.

"My word's my warranty." No paper.

References

Three recent jobs with photos + contact for past clients.

"All my reviews are on Google."

Clean-up

Final clean defined in scope. Photos taken at handover.

Site left messy. Promises to "come back tomorrow".

Ask this, exactly

Could you send your state trade licence number, current Certificate of Currency for public liability, and ABN before I confirm — and please put the itemised scope, deposit terms, and variation clause in writing too?

Send via SMS or email before booking. A working operator replies the same day with all of it attached. A cowboy stalls.

Deposit checklist

Before you pay a fencer deposit, collect these

  • Licence number

    State trade licence + class, printed on the quote. Verified on the regulator register.

  • ABN

    Active 11-digit ABN, entity name matching the licence. Checked on abr.business.gov.au.

  • Certificate of currency

    Current public-liability certificate (and workers comp if they bring workers). The insurer’s one-page proof — not “I’m covered, mate”.

  • Written, itemised quote

    On letterhead, numbered and dated. Not a number in a text message.

  • Scope inclusions / exclusions

    What’s in, what’s out, line by line. “Standard installation” is not a scope.

  • Deposit amount

    Within your state’s statutory cap (NSW 10%; QLD tiered 20% / 10% / 5% by job value; VIC 10% / 5% by threshold; other states vary). Check your regulator before paying.

  • Variation clause

    How changes get priced and agreed — in writing, before the work changes.

  • Warranty terms

    Workmanship period + manufacturer pass-through, with year limits and what triggers a callback.

  • Compliance / handover paperwork

    The certificate or compliance document you’ll receive at completion (varies by trade and state).

  • Defects / callback process

    The defects-liability period and how you call them back for an obvious fault — in writing.

  • Post spacing and footing depth

    Fencer-specific

  • Pool-fence compliance certificate (AS 1926)

    Fencer-specific
Collect every item before you transfer a deposit. If a tradie stalls on any of them, that is the answer.

Related references

Briefing

The 12 questions →

 Operational

Verify a tradie →

 Translation

Glossary →

 Provenance

Source ledger →
← Back to all 33 trades

Trade 11 of 33.

Standards

Standards often relevant to this trade

These are orientation references only — not a complete or job-specific list. Ask the licensed contractor to confirm the current standards, the NCC, and any state or territory requirements that apply to your job.

Plain-English definitions, who’s responsible, and an “ask this” for each → see the glossary.