Fence removal cost in Melbourne

By the WTD team · Updated June 2026

Removing an old fence in Melbourne runs $15 to $30 per metre for the labour, or $20 to $40 per metre once disposal is included — with one big exception. If your old fence is asbestos cement, the price changes completely, and so do the rules.

Quick answer — fence removal cost in Melbourne

What the per-metre price actually covers

A standard removal quote covers pulling the palings, rails, and posts, digging or cutting out the post footings, loading the waste, and carting it away. The disposal leg is the part people forget: a 20-metre paling fence produces close to a trailer-and-a-half of timber and concrete, and Melbourne metro transfer stations charge by weight or load. That's why "mate with a ute" removals often end up costing nearly as much as paying a fencer — the tip fees and the Saturday don't come free.

The asbestos fence trap

Plenty of Melbourne fences built before 1990 — especially the grey corrugated "super six" style across the northern and western suburbs — are asbestos cement. These cannot be treated like ordinary fencing waste. In Victoria, removing more than 10 square metres of asbestos requires a licensed asbestos removalist, and all of it has to be wrapped, transported, and disposed of at an EPA-approved facility. Expect $25–$50+ per metre with minimum call-out fees, and never let anyone angle-grind or smash an asbestos fence to "save time" — that's exactly how fibres go airborne.

Not sure what your fence is? Age and the corrugated profile are the giveaways: if the property is pre-1990 and the fence is grey corrugated sheet, treat it as asbestos until a sample says otherwise.

Removal as part of a replacement — the usual path

Most Melbourne fence removals happen as the first line of a replacement quote, and fencers price it keenly to win the whole job — typically $15–$40 per metre folded into the total. A standard 20-metre boundary replacement, old fence out and new paling fence in, lands in the $2,350–$5,050 range depending on height, materials, and access. If you only need removal with no replacement, expect the per-metre rate to sit at the top of the band, because the fencer can't spread their call-out across a bigger job.

Worked example — 20 m paling fence, Reservoir

The same removal bundled into a full replacement quote came back at $520 — proof that removal is cheapest when it rides along with new fence work.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to remove a 20 metre fence in Melbourne?

Around $300–$600 for the labour on a standard timber or Colorbond fence, or $400–$800 once disposal and tip fees are included. Brick fences and anything with asbestos cement sheeting cost substantially more.

Can I remove an old fence myself?

Legally yes, for timber and steel fences — it is unlicensed work. Budget realistically for disposal though: tip fees and transport for a 20-metre fence often run $150–$300, and post footings are heavy, slow work. If there is any chance the fence is asbestos cement, stop and get it identified first.

How do I know if my fence is asbestos?

Grey corrugated cement sheeting on a pre-1990 Melbourne property is the classic profile — often called "super six" fencing. The only way to be certain is a lab test of a small sample. Until then, treat it as asbestos: do not cut, drill, or break it.

How much does asbestos fence removal cost in Melbourne?

Typically $25–$50+ per metre through a licensed asbestos removalist, with minimum job fees that often start around $500–$800. The price covers safe handling, wrapping, transport, and disposal at an EPA-approved facility — none of which can legally be skipped.

Do fencing quotes include removing the old fence?

Usually as a separate line item — commonly $15–$40 per metre. Always check the quote: "supply and install" sometimes assumes a clear fence line, and discovering the removal is extra after you have signed is a classic budget blowout.