Timber paling fence cost in Melbourne
The treated pine paling fence is the default Melbourne boundary fence for a reason: at $50 to $120 per metre installed, nothing beats it on upfront cost. Step up to lapped-and-capped or hardwood and you’re into the $84–$200 band.
Quick answer — timber paling fence cost in Melbourne
| Style | Typical Melbourne rate (2026) |
|---|---|
| Standard 1.8 m treated pine paling, installed | $50 – $95 per metre |
| Paling with exposed posts & capping | $75 – $120 per metre |
| Lapped & capped (premium overlap style) | $90 – $180 per metre |
| Hardwood palings / posts | $84 – $200 per metre |
What a paling fence quote includes
A standard quote covers treated pine posts set in concrete, two or three rails, palings, and a bottom plinth board — the sacrificial timber that cops the ground moisture so the palings don't. Check three things on any Melbourne quote: whether old fence removal is included or a separate $15–$40 per metre line; whether the plinth is included (it should be); and the rail count — a 1.8 m fence on two rails will sag years before a three-rail fence does, and the cheapest quote is usually cheapest because of exactly this.
Pine vs hardwood — where the extra money goes
Treated pine is the workhorse: cheap, straight enough, and rated for ground contact. Hardwood costs up to double but takes knocks better, holds nails harder, and suits exposed or high-traffic boundaries. The smart middle path many Melbourne fencers suggest: hardwood posts and plinth (the parts that fail first) with pine palings on top — most of the durability for a fraction of the full-hardwood premium.
Worked example — 20 m boundary replacement, Glen Waverley
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Remove & dispose of old fence (20 m) | $520 |
| Treated pine posts, rails, plinth & palings — supply | $1,180 |
| Installation labour (3-rail, 1.8 m) | $1,350 |
| Total | $3,050 (mid-range of the $2,350–$5,050 band) |
| Half-share with neighbour | $1,525 each |
Sharing the bill
Boundary paling fences are the bread and butter of the Fences Act 1968 (Vic) half-share arrangement: a standard paling fence is the textbook "sufficient dividing fence", so an equal split is the default position. Get the quote in writing, give your neighbour a copy, and keep it civil — the formal fencing-notice process exists for the rare standoff, but a $1,500 half-share conversation rarely needs lawyers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 20 metre paling fence cost in Melbourne?
Typically $2,350–$5,050 for a full replacement — old fence removed, new 1.8-metre treated pine paling fence installed. A straightforward flat block with good access lands near the bottom of that band; slopes, tight access, and capping push it up.
Is treated pine or hardwood better for a paling fence?
Pine is far cheaper and perfectly serviceable; hardwood is tougher and longer-lived but costs up to double. The popular compromise in Melbourne is hardwood posts and plinth — the components that rot or fail first — with pine palings, capturing most of the durability gain cheaply.
How long does a timber paling fence last?
Around 15–25 years in Melbourne, with the plinth and the post bases going first. Keeping soil and garden beds off the bottom of the fence, and replacing the plinth when it softens, buys years of extra life from the same palings.
Does my neighbour pay half for a new paling fence?
Generally yes — a standard paling fence is the classic "sufficient dividing fence" under the Fences Act 1968 (Vic), and equal contribution is the default. Provide a written quote, agree before work starts, and use the formal fencing-notice process only if you genuinely cannot agree.
Should I repair or replace an old paling fence?
If posts are solid, replacing palings and plinths is cheap and worthwhile. Once posts move at the base or the fence leans, repairs are throwing good money after bad — a leaning fence is telling you the footings are gone, and replacement is the economic answer.
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