Brett Field
A timber paling fence costs $78 to $185 a metre supplied and installed, and $110 a metre is typical, according to What's The Damage (Gold Coast page, October 2026). A 1.8 m hardwood paling fence costs $98 to $185 a metre, with $125 typical.
Below are prices by fence type, gates, removal and repairs, how timber compares with Colorbond, what a well-built fence includes, and the Queensland rules on who pays and when you need approval. These are market prices from cost guides, checked on 12 October 2026. They are not a quote from us.
How much does a timber fence cost per metre in 2026?
Most timber paling fences land at $78 to $185 a metre installed. Here are the Gold Coast figures, with GST included.
| Fence (supplied and installed) | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timber paling fence, per m | $78 | $110 | $185 |
| Hardwood paling fence, 1.8 m high, per m | $98 | $125 | $185 |
| Picket fence, per m (material not stated) | $59 | $88 | $245 |
Source: What's The Damage (Gold Coast page), October 2026. Its figures are estimates built from public cost guides and trade price data, not quotes from local jobs. The site says Gold Coast fencing prices rose about 4.7% over the past year.
The per-metre rate is for the fence itself. Gates and removing the old fence are separate lines (see below), so check what each quote includes.
What does each type of timber fence cost?
Pine palings are the cheaper choice, and hardwood and feature timbers cost more. What's The Damage breaks down timber fences like this on its national Colorbond vs timber page.
| Timber type | Per metre, installed | 40 m fence |
|---|---|---|
| Pine paling (standard) | $80-$130 | $3,200-$5,200 |
| Hardwood paling | $100-$180 | $4,000-$7,200 |
| Treated pine picket | $65-$90 | $2,600-$3,600 |
| Feature timber (merbau and the like) | $120-$180 | $4,800-$7,200 |
Source: What's The Damage, Colorbond vs timber fence cost (national figures), October 2026. These ranges are for Australia as a whole, not the Gold Coast.
Hardwood costs more than treated pine but lasts longer. On its Gold Coast page, What's The Damage says hardwood such as merbau or spotted gum copes better with the humidity and holds stain or paint better than pine.
How much does a whole timber boundary fence cost?
A full boundary fence of about 40 metres costs $3,925 to $8,800, with $5,900 typical, on What's The Damage's Gold Coast page. That figure is not split by material. The site says most home fence jobs run 15 to 40 metres.
It also gives a worked example for a timber front fence: a 15 m street fence, 1.2 to 1.5 m high, in treated pine or hardwood palings, at $1,170 to $2,775 in total.
For a fence on a shared boundary, you may not pay the whole bill. In Queensland, neighbours usually split the cost of a basic dividing fence equally (see the section on who pays below). So your share of a 40 m boundary could be half the quote, if your neighbour agrees or QCAT orders it.
How much do gates, fence removal and repairs cost?
A single gate adds $245 to $635 installed, and taking out an old timber fence costs $15 to $44 a metre with disposal, on the Gold Coast page.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single gate, installed | $245 | $490 | $635 |
| Double or driveway gate, Colorbond or timber, manual | $785 | $1,175 | $2,450 |
| Timber paling fence removal, with disposal, per m | $15 | $24 | $44 |
| Fence repair, palings or rails, per m | $59 | $98 | $145 |
| Fence post replacement, per post | $135 | $225 | $295 |
| Timber retaining wall, per m | $145 | $275 | $440 |
Source: What's The Damage (Gold Coast page), October 2026.
Before an old fence comes down, the City of Gold Coast says to consider whether it may contain asbestos. For small repair jobs, our guide to what a carpenter costs per hour has hourly rates.
Is a timber fence cheaper than Colorbond?
Not by much up front. On the Gold Coast page, timber paling and Colorbond both cost $78 to $185 a metre, with timber typical at $110 and Colorbond at $125.
The gap shows up over time. What's The Damage's Colorbond vs timber page says:
- pine paling fences need oiling or painting every 3 to 5 years, at about $400 to $800 a time
- over 15 years, that works out at about $150 a metre for timber against about $105 for Colorbond
- treated pine lasts 10 to 15 years with regular care, and hardwood (merbau, spotted gum) 20 to 25 years
- in coastal areas with salt air, take 3 to 5 years off those figures
Timber has its own wins. It suits gardens and heritage streets, you can stain it any colour, and you can replace one paling at a time.
If you never want to oil or paint a fence again, Colorbond is the better fit, and a fencing company is the right call for it. We build timber fences and gates.
What should a well-built timber fence include?
Treated or durable posts set deep enough, enough rails, and fixings that will not rust. Timber Queensland's Technical Data Sheet 20 (residential timber fences, March 2014) recommends:
| Part | Timber Queensland recommends |
|---|---|
| Posts | Pine treated to at least H4, or hardwood of in-ground durability class 1 or 2 |
| Rails and palings | Pine treated to at least H3, or hardwood of above-ground durability class 1 or 2 |
| Post depth | About 450 mm for fences up to 1200 mm high, 600 mm for fences 1200 to 1800 mm high |
| Post holes | At least 300 mm across, with 100 mm or more of coarse gravel in the base so they drain |
| Rails | Three rails for fences over 1200 mm and up to 1800 mm high |
| Nails, screws and bolts | Hot-dipped galvanised or stainless steel |
For poor soil or taller fences, the data sheet says to get professional advice. It also says palings shrink and can open gaps, so lap them if you want full privacy. Good quality, light coloured paint gives the most protection. Low quality, dark finishes that only form a film are not recommended, as they can speed up decay.
What's The Damage says to expect to restain or repaint every 2 to 3 years in the Gold Coast climate. Near the beach, fixings matter too. Our decking timber guide covers screws and brackets for salt air.
Who pays for a dividing fence in Queensland?
Usually both neighbours, in equal shares. Under the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011, neighbours must generally share the cost of building and keeping up a "sufficient" dividing fence.
- Between two homes, a sufficient fence is 0.5 to 1.8 m high and made mainly of materials such as timber palings, lattice, chain wire or metal panels.
- If one owner wants more than that, such as a taller fence, they pay the extra.
- To ask for a contribution, give your neighbour a notice to contribute in the approved form, with at least one written quote.
- If you have not agreed within 1 month, either owner can apply to QCAT within 2 months of the notice.
- Until you agree, neither owner may start the work, unless it is urgent.
The Queensland Government's page on your responsibility as a fence owner suggests giving two quotes as a courtesy. It also says a fence built wholly on one side is owned by that neighbour, even if the other helped pay. Tenants should send fence questions to the owner or agent. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Do I need council approval for a fence on the Gold Coast?
Usually not, if the fence is no higher than 2 m. Under the Building Regulation 2021 (Schedule 1), a fence no higher than 2 m above natural ground, and not a pool fence, is accepted development, so it needs no building approval.
The City of Gold Coast's residential fencing page lists the exceptions:
- Corner lots. Fencing within the corner cannot be more than 1.0 m high.
- Waterfront fencing. Limited to 1.2 m high within the waterway regulation line.
- Pool fencing. Needs approval and inspection.
- Title restrictions and earlier approvals. Covenants or old development conditions can limit the fence type.
The council also says to talk to your neighbour, check your boundaries and check for services with Dial Before You Dig. Pool fences follow their own rules. Under the QBCC pool safety laws, the pool owner must keep a fence that meets the safety standard, at least 1200 mm high from the ground. More on approvals is in our guide to council approval on the Gold Coast.
Does a fencing contractor need a QBCC licence?
Yes, if the job is worth more than $3,300. The QBCC says building work over $3,300 needs a licensed contractor. The QBCC Regulation's list of exempt work names farm fences and strand wire fences with no concrete footings, not timber boundary fences. A whole boundary fence often costs more than $3,300.
Deposits are capped too. The QBCC sets the maximum at 20% for work of $3,300 or less, 10% for $3,301 to $19,999, and 5% above $20,000. Check the contractor's licence on the QBCC website before you pay anything.
We build and repair timber fences and gates across the Gold Coast. Brett is a carpenter with more than 25 years on the tools. See our carpentry services.
Where do these prices come from?
Checked on 12 October 2026: What's The Damage (Gold Coast fencing page and Colorbond vs timber fence cost page, both last verified October 2026); Timber Queensland Technical Data Sheet 20, residential timber fences (March 2014); the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 (current version); the Queensland Government page on your responsibility as a fence owner (updated September 2021); the Building Regulation 2021, current as at 14 August 2026; the City of Gold Coast residential fencing page (no date shown); the QBCC Regulation 2018, current as at 1 September 2026; and the QBCC pages on when you need a licence (August 2021), deposits (June 2025) and pool safety laws (August 2021). We will check the prices again every three months.
See our carpentry work, or check what your job will cost.
