As a guide, a standard 1.8m treated pine paling fence in Adelaide generally runs between $100 and $180 per metre supplied and installed. Hardwood palings, feature slat fencing and heritage picket work sit higher, roughly $180 to $350 per metre. Removing an old fence, difficult access, sloping ground and rock all affect the final figure, which is why we quote every job on site for free.
Picket fencing is usually priced by height and timber. A 1.2m treated pine picket front fence typically starts around $180 per metre installed, while hardwood pickets with a capping rail, decorative tops and a matching gate will cost more. Gates are quoted separately because hardware, width and bracing vary. Tell us the look you’re after and we’ll price the exact profile.
In most Adelaide council areas a domestic timber fence up to 2.1m along a side or rear boundary doesn’t need development approval. The common exceptions are front fences, corner allotments with sight-line requirements, heritage-listed or character properties, and any fence acting as a pool safety barrier. We’ll flag anything that looks like it needs checking, and you can confirm with your local council before we start.
Under the Fences Act 1975 (SA), a dividing fence is generally a shared cost between the two owners. The process starts with giving your neighbour a written Notice of Intention to Perform Fencing Work setting out the proposed fence and the quotes. They then have 30 days to agree or to reply with a cross-notice proposing something different. We’re fencing contractors rather than lawyers — the Legal Services Commission of SA publishes free notice forms and plain-English guidance.
For anything in the ground we use H4-treated pine posts, and H3-treated pine for rails and palings above ground. Treated pine is the best value for boundary fences and lasts well when it’s installed properly. For front fences, pickets, slat screens and gates, hardwoods like merbau, jarrah and spotted gum look far better and handle our hot dry summers with a coat of oil every couple of years. Cypress is a good middle option.
A standard 20 to 30 metre boundary fence is usually a one to two day job once the materials are on site. Removing and disposing of an old fence adds around half a day. Longer runs, sloping blocks, retaining or plinth work, custom picket profiles and wide driveway gates can push it out to three to five days. You’ll get a firm start date with your quote.
Yes — most Adelaide blocks have some fall in them. We either step the panels down the slope in even drops, which suits paling and picket fences and keeps the top line level, or rake the fence so it follows the ground for a cleaner modern look. Where the fall is severe we add a treated pine or concrete sleeper plinth along the base so there are no gaps for pets to get under.
Yes. We take down the old fence, dig out or cut off the existing posts, and remove all the waste from site. Removal and tip fees are itemised in your quote so there are no surprises later. If it’s a shared boundary fence we’ll plan the timing so your yard isn’t left open any longer than it needs to be, which matters if you’ve got dogs or young kids.
A properly built treated pine fence with concreted H4 posts will typically last 15 to 20 years or more in Adelaide. Hardwood pickets and slats last longer again. Maintenance is simple: give it a hose down each year, and re-oil or re-stain feature timber every two to three years to stop it greying and checking in the summer sun. Standard boundary palings can be left to weather naturally if you prefer.
We build gates to match every fence we install, from single side gates through to wide double driveway gates, hung on heavy-duty galvanised hardware and properly braced so they don’t drop out of square. We can also prepare gates for automation. All of our fencing work is backed by a workmanship guarantee, and as a licensed South Australian builder (BLD 339869) we build to Australian Standards.
