Colorbond Fence Cost Sydney: Price per Metre (2026)

How much does a Colorbond fence cost per metre in Sydney?

As of October 2026, a 1.8 metre Colorbond fence in Sydney typically costs about $80 to $190 per metre supplied and installed. What's The Damage gives these Sydney figures, including GST:

Source: What's The Damage Sydney fencing guide, checked 20 October 2026. Airtasker's national fencing guide (updated August 2026) gives $70 to $130 per metre for Colorbond including labour.

The Sydney range runs a little higher than Airtasker's national figure. Use the Sydney numbers to budget, and get written quotes after a site visit.

What does a full Colorbond boundary fence cost?

Multiply the length by the per-metre price, then add removal, gates and any retaining. What's The Damage puts a full 40 metre boundary at about $4,000 to $9,000.

As a worked example using What's The Damage's typical Sydney rates (our arithmetic, not a quote):

• 30 metres of 1.8m Colorbond at $130 per metre: about $3,900.
• Removing 30 metres of old fence at $30 per metre: about $900.
• Total: about $4,800. Shared equally with one neighbour, about $2,400 each.

What's The Damage also gives a 30 metre run on a steep slope at about $2,400 to $5,700 before any retaining work.

What changes the price of a Colorbond fence?

• Height: 2.1m panels cost more than 1.8m panels and may need approval.
• Length: longer runs spread set-up costs, so the per-metre price can drop.
• Slope: sloping blocks need stepped panels and more post holes. Large steps may need a plinth or retaining wall.
• Retaining: if soil is held back along the boundary, a timber retaining wall costs about $170 to $520 per metre in Sydney (What's The Damage).
• Ground: sandstone and rock, common across Sydney, make post holes slower to dig.
• Old fence: removal and disposal, and much more if the old fence is fibro containing asbestos.
• Gates and access: gates are priced separately, and narrow side paths slow the job.

How does Colorbond compare with other fence types?

Colorbond sits in the middle of the price range. It costs about the same as a timber paling fence in Sydney and far less than glass, brick or wrought iron.

Indicative only, checked 20 October 2026. Airtasker figures are national and include labour.

Colorbond panels are factory pre-coloured steel, so they do not need painting or staining. Timber is easier to repair one paling at a time but needs more upkeep over the years.

How is a Colorbond fence installed?

How long it takes depends on the length, the slope, the ground and whether an old fence must come out first. Ask your fencer for a time estimate. The usual steps are:

1. Agree the boundary line, height, colour and cost split with your neighbour.
2. Check for underground pipes and cables before digging post holes.
3. Remove and dispose of the old fence, using a licensed removalist if it is fibro.
4. Set steel posts in concrete footings along the boundary.
5. Fit the top and bottom rails and slide in the infill sheets, stepping panels on slopes.
6. Hang any gates, then clean up offcuts and spoil.

What if the old fence is fibro?

Old fibro (asbestos cement) fences are common around older Sydney homes and are treated as bonded asbestos. Asbestos NSW says a homeowner may remove less than 10m² of bonded asbestos, but more than that needs a licensed removalist. A 1.8 metre fence passes 10m² after about 5.5 metres of length.

Ask each fencer whether asbestos removal is included or priced separately, and who will do it.

Who pays for a dividing fence in NSW?

Usually both neighbours, in equal shares. Under the Dividing Fences Act 1991, adjoining owners normally split the cost of building or replacing a sufficient dividing fence, Legal Aid NSW says. If one neighbour wants a better fence than is sufficient, such as a taller fence or a premium finish, that neighbour usually pays the extra.

If you cannot agree informally, follow the process in the Act:

1. Talk to your neighbour about the fence type, height, colour, position and cost. Get a couple of quotes.
2. If you cannot agree, serve a written fencing notice describing the boundary, the type of fence, the estimated cost and how you propose to split it.
3. Wait one month. If there is still no agreement, either neighbour can apply to the Local Court or NCAT for fencing orders.
4. Mediation can help before going to the court or tribunal. Since 1 July 2025, Community Justice Centres only take disputes referred by NSW courts, so most neighbours use a private mediator first.

Other rules from Legal Aid NSW: a neighbour who damages the fence usually pays for repairs; work done without agreement or an order usually can't be recovered unless it was urgent; councils and other public authorities don't have to contribute; and where the fence is part of a pool barrier, the pool owner usually pays for that section.

Do you need council approval for a Colorbond fence in NSW?

Often not, if the fence meets the exempt development standards. The NSW Planning Portal says side and rear boundary fences in residential zones must be no higher than 1.8 metres (1.2 metres for masonry). Metal parts must be low-reflective and factory pre-coloured, which suits Colorbond.

• Front fences on a road boundary are limited to 1.2 metres.
• On bushfire-prone land, fences must be built from non-combustible materials or hardwood.
• Exempt development generally can't be used on State Heritage Register land.

A 2.1 metre fence is taller than the exempt limit, so check with your council before ordering it. In NSW, a contractor licence is needed for residential building and trade work worth more than $5,000 including GST (labour and materials). Check the licence on the NSW Government licence check (verify.licence.nsw.gov.au) and make sure the name matches the business on your quote.

What should a fencing quote include?

• The length, height, panel profile and colour.
• Removal and disposal of the old fence, including any asbestos.
• Post spacing and how posts are set (concrete footings).
• Plinths, retaining and how slopes will be stepped.
• Gates, hinges and latches.
• Who confirms the boundary line, and the split between neighbours if relevant.

Contracts: Jobs over $5,000 including GST need a written contract. The deposit can be no more than 10 per cent. For work over $20,000, the contractor must take out Home Building Compensation cover before taking any money, and you get a five clear business day cooling-off period.

Get quotes for a Colorbond fence

Describe your fencing job to MyTradeCrew. Give the rough length, height, colour, whether an old fence needs removing (and if it is fibro), any slope or retaining, and how many gates you need. We will send it to up to three vetted, licensed and insured local trades from our crew. They contact you, inspect the job and quote, and you contract with the one you choose directly. It is free for homeowners, with no obligation.

Frequently asked questions