Steel prices move with the market, so a fence quote is a snapshot, not a fixed number. This guide shows how the price per metre is built from panels, posts, foundations and coating — and how the coating choice shapes the 10-year total cost.
The cost per metre is the sum of panels, posts, foundations and labour, and coating. Taller fences shift cost toward posts and footings, and the coating system you pick changes not just the upfront price but the 10-year total. This guide explains the structure, not a market price.
Each block is independent, so a cheaper panel can be offset by a heavier post system at the same height.
| Cost block | What it covers | Moves with |
|---|---|---|
| Panels | Mesh or rail panel, wire/tube size, height | Type, height, mesh opening |
| Posts | Post size, spacing, base plates, caps | Height, wind, spacing |
| Foundations & labour | Concrete, excavation, erection time | Ground, height, access |
| Coating | HDG / powder / duplex, colour | Environment, life target |
The verified envelope we quote against is on the metal fencing specifications page: height 0.6–3.0 m (up to 6.0 m for sports), mesh opening 50×50 to 200×200 mm, post □40×40 to □60×60 mm, surface HDG / powder / electrostatic.
Within the panel block, the construction and wire/tube size drive both material and fabrication cost.
Double-wire fence panels use two horizontal wires welded to verticals — a rigid, popular perimeter panel whose cost scales with wire diameter and height. 358 mesh (small 3×8 gauge apertures) is an anti-climb panel with very high wire count and tight tolerances, so it sits at the top of the security-panel range. Chain-link (roll) mesh is the leanest per metre because it is a continuous woven product with minimal fabrication, though its security level is lower.
The key point for budgeting: a small change in mesh opening or wire diameter changes the steel mass per metre, just as it does for grating and crimped mesh. Ask for the wire/tube sizes, not just the type name.
The post system is where height quietly raises the price — and where the biggest lifecycle savings or risks live.
Post spacing. Posts are counted per metre as the inverse of spacing. Wider spacing means fewer posts and less concrete, lowering delivered cost — but it also lowers impact and wind resistance. The right spacing balances economy against the security or safety level required.
Post size. As fence height rises, the post must resist a larger overturning moment, so the section grows (toward □60×60 mm and thicker wall). A 3 m security fence needs a heavier post than a 1.2 m boundary fence of the same panel type.
Foundations & labour. Concrete volume scales with post size and local soil, and erection time scales with total length and site access. On hard or restricted ground, foundation and labour can rival the panel cost — a reminder to read the quote as a full system, not just the mesh.
The cheapest upfront finish is not always the cheapest over the fence's life. Model the coating as a lifecycle choice.
| Coating system | Upfront cost | Typical first maintenance | 10-yr total cost view |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrostatic / powder on bare steel | Low | Earliest (repaint) | Highest lifecycle risk |
| Hot-dip galvanized (HDG) | Medium | Late / minimal | Strong over 10 yrs |
| Duplex (HDG + powder) | Higher | Latest, colour kept | Best in corrosive sites |
This is a lifecycle comparison of cost structure, not a price list. HDG to EN ISO 1461 gives a long service life; the duplex system protects cut edges and keeps colour, delaying maintenance. In coastal or high-pollution sites the duplex system usually wins on 10-year total cost despite the higher upfront price. Always weigh coating against the site environment, not against the headline number.
It depends on height and wind. For a low boundary fence the panel often dominates, but as height rises the post and foundation must resist a larger overturning moment, so posts, base plates and concrete can overtake the panel. Tall or high-wind sites therefore lean toward the post-and-foundation share of the quote, which is why post size and spacing deserve as much attention as the mesh.
In corrosive or coastal environments, yes. Hot-dip galvanizing alone already gives a long service life; adding a powder top coat protects any cut edge and keeps the colour, delaying the first major maintenance. A powder-only or electrostatic-only finish over bare steel can need repainting well within 10 years. Over the full life, the duplex system usually wins on total cost even though its upfront price is higher.
Because the number of posts per metre is the inverse of the spacing. Wider spacing means fewer posts, less concrete and lower delivered cost — but it also reduces the fence's resistance to impact and wind. The right spacing is a balance between economy and the security or safety level the site requires, not a free saving.