Published: · Projects · ~2 min read
The cost of a metal fence comes from material quantities, and the quantities come from a few dimensions: length, height, and the spacing of posts and pickets. The example below starts from 50 metres of fence and shows each step; prices are not fixed in the text because steel prices change often, and the products at the end show current prices.
Assumptions for the example
- 50 m fence, 1.5 m above ground, posts every 2.5 m (each post is 2.2 m long, 0.7 m of it in the ground).
- 60×60×2 square tube posts, two rows of 40×20×2 rectangular tube rails, Ø10 round bar pickets 12 cm apart centre to centre.
- Concrete footings: one 30×30×70 cm hole per post.
Quantities and weights
| Item | Calculation | Quantity | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posts 60×60×2 | 50 / 2.5 + 1 = 21 posts × 2.2 m | 46.2 m | ≈ 164 kg |
| Rails 40×20×2 | 2 rows × 50 m | 100 m (17 bars of 6 m) | ≈ 168 kg |
| Pickets Ø10 | 50 / 0.12 ≈ 417 pcs × 1.5 m | ≈ 626 m (105 bars of 6 m) | ≈ 386 kg |
| Concrete footings | 21 × 0.3 × 0.3 × 0.7 m | ≈ 1.3 m³ | – |
Weights per metre come from the tables: 3.56 kg/m for posts, 1.68 kg/m for rails and 0.617 kg/m for the Ø10 picket. In total the fence uses roughly 718 kg of steel.
How to get to a cost
Material cost is the sum of what you order: the number of bars of each product times the price per bar (or weight times price per kg), plus concrete, paint or galvanizing, fasteners and, if you do not install it yourself, labour. For an accurate figure, use the supplier's quote on the day you order.
What changes the cost most
- Post spacing. At 3 m instead of 2.5 m you need 18 posts instead of 21, but the rails must be stiffer.
- Pickets. They are the heaviest part of the example (almost 54% of the weight); their spacing and diameter change the total a lot.
- Cutting. 2.2 m posts give only 2 pieces from a 6 m bar, so 11 bars; at 2.0 m they give 3 pieces, so 7 bars. See how to reduce cutting waste.
- Protection. Hot-dip galvanizing costs more than paint but lasts longer; choose based on the location and budget.
Calculate your own fence
For your dimensions, use the metal fence calculator: it gives the number of posts, rails and pickets, the 6 m bars, weight, paint area and concrete. If you also need a gate, see the gate calculator, and the square tube table helps you pick the section.
The example materials at MatHaus
Below are products from the MatHaus catalogue for the sizes used above, with current prices.
Links to MatHaus are affiliate links: if you buy through them, e-utilio.ro may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details.
Want the quantities for your fence?
The fence calculator gives posts, rails, pickets and total weight.