Fence removal cost in Melbourne
Removing an old fence in Melbourne runs $16 to $52 per metre in our Melbourne table, or $16 to $47 per metre for a timber paling fence with disposal 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
| Removal type | Typical Melbourne rate (2026) |
|---|---|
| Old fence removal | $16–$52 per metre ($32 typical) |
| Timber paling removal, including disposal | $16–$47 per metre ($26 typical) |
| Brick or masonry fence demolition | Quoted per job |
| Asbestos cement ("super six") fence — licensed removal | Quoted per job; minimum job fees apply |
Rows from our Melbourne fencing table. Brick demolition and licensed asbestos removal aren't priced there, so get them quoted.
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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, a contractor removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos (or any friable asbestos) must hold an asbestos removal licence, and all of it has to be wrapped, transported, and disposed of at an EPA-approved facility. Our Melbourne table doesn't price licensed asbestos removal, so get it quoted, expect 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. In our Melbourne table removal is $16–$52 per metre, or $16–$47 for a timber paling fence with disposal. A standard 20-metre boundary replacement, old paling fence out and new paling fence in, comes to $2,000–$4,940 (20 m × the paling removal and paling fence rows), 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 — removing a 20 m paling fence
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Remove & dispose of old paling fence (20 m at $16–$47/m) | $320–$940 |
| At the typical $26 per metre | $520 |
20 m × the timber paling removal (incl. disposal) row in our Melbourne fencing table.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to remove a 20 metre fence in Melbourne?
At 20 m × the removal rows in our Melbourne table: $320–$1,040 for an old fence at $16–$52 per metre, or $320–$940 for a timber paling fence with disposal included at $16–$47 per metre. Brick fences and anything with asbestos cement sheeting are quoted per job.
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 add up, 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?
Our Melbourne table doesn't price it: licensed asbestos removal is quoted per job, usually with a minimum job fee. 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 — $16–$52 per metre in our Melbourne table, or $16–$47 for a timber paling fence with disposal. 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.
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