How it’s worked out
- Posts: fence length ÷ post spacing, rounded up, plus one, plus an extra post per gate.
- Rails: one rail per bay per row: two rows up to 1.5 m, three rows above that.
- Palings (butted): fence length ÷ (paling width + gap), plus 5% spare for splits and offcuts. Lapped and capped: palings on both faces, each overlapping about 25 mm, plus a capping rail along the top.
- Concrete: a 300 mm hole at least 600 mm deep (deeper for taller fences), less the post, at about 0.0095 m³ per 20 kg bag. Use the concrete calculator for other hole sizes.
- Nails: two galvanised nails per paling per rail, plus 10%.
Before you build
- Check height limits and whether you need approval: how high a fence can be without approval.
- Talk to your neighbour. Dividing fence laws in each state set out how costs are shared.
- Call Before You Dig Australia (1100) before digging post holes.
- Use H4 treated or naturally durable posts in the ground, or galvanised steel posts, and H3 for rails and palings.
Questions
How many palings do I need per metre?
For 150 mm palings butted with no gap, about 6.7 per metre. For 100 mm palings, 10 per metre. Lapped-and-capped fences use about 20% more, because palings on both faces overlap each other by about 25 mm.
How far apart should fence posts be?
Timber paling fences in Australia commonly use posts at about 2.4 m centres, which matches standard 2.4 m rail lengths. Windy sites, taller fences or heavier designs may need closer spacing. Check the product or supplier’s span guidance.
How many rails does a paling fence need?
Two rails for fences up to about 1.5 m high, and three rails for 1.8 m fences, so the palings don’t bow or twist.
Do I need approval for a new fence?
Many boundary fences are exempt from approval up to a set height, but limits vary by state and council, and you may need to talk to your neighbour about sharing costs. See our fence height guide.
Estimates only. Check the product label and your measurements before you buy. More free tools: see them all.