Is It Cheaper to Buy Aluminium Slat Fencing Online and Do It Yourself?
Buying aluminium slat fencing online and installing it yourself can seem like the cheapest way to upgrade your property. Many online suppliers promote DIY kits as a low-cost alternative to professional installation.
But once you break down the real costs, most homeowners find the final price is not as low as expected-and in many cases, the DIY route ends up costing more in time, tools, and materials.
Before you decide to go down the DIY path, it’s worth understanding what you’re actually paying for.
The “Cheap Online Kit” Idea vs Reality
At first glance, buying fencing online looks simple:
Order a kit
Get it delivered
Install it yourself
Save on labour costs
But the advertised kit price usually only tells part of the story.
What it doesn’t include is everything needed to actually complete the job properly.
Is DIY Aluminium Slat Fencing Actually Cheaper?
One of the biggest misconceptions with aluminium slat fencing is that buying a DIY kit online and installing it yourself is significantly cheaper.
In reality, once you factor in everything required to complete the job properly (tools, bulk material packs, delivery logistics, time, and the risk of mistakes) it’s often not much cheaper at all, and in some cases costs almost the same as having it custom made and professionally installed.
In fact, for many of our customers, our custom-made supply-and-install pricing is very similar to what they would spend just buying the materials delivered to site themselves.
The difference is that with DIY, you are still responsible for:
Measuring everything correctly
Buying or hiring tools
Handling and storing materials
Cutting, installing, and fixing issues
Risking costly mistakes or wasted materials
With a custom slat fence installation, all of that is handled for you, accurately, safely, and professionally from the start.
So the real question isn’t just “is DIY cheaper?”
It’s “is it actually better value once everything is included?”
1. Tools and Equipment Costs
Most homeowners don’t already own the specialist tools required for aluminium slat fencing installation.
Common additional costs include:
Post hole diggers or core drill equipment
Concrete and mixing tools
Levels, clamps, and alignment tools
Metal cutting tools suitable for aluminium
If you need to buy or hire these, the cost can quickly add up, especially for a one-off project.
2. Bulk Material Purchasing (You Often Pay for More Than You Use)
Online fencing systems are usually sold in:
Fixed lengths
Pre-set kits
Bulk packs of slats, posts, and fixings
This means:
You often over-order materials “just in case”
Leftover components go unused
Or worse, you under-order and need extra deliveries
Either way, the “cheap kit” becomes less efficient and more expensive than expected.
3. Delivery Isn’t as Simple as It Sounds
Most DIY fencing suppliers deliver materials to:
Your verge
Driveway
Front of property (not installed location)
This creates extra work and potential issues:
Heavy materials must be moved manually
Items are exposed to weather or damage
Safety risk if materials are left near the street
Time spent organising and storing materials before installation even begins
This is often overlooked when comparing costs.
4. Time Has a Real Cost
Even a small aluminium slat fence takes significant time to:
Measure and plan layout
Set posts correctly
Cut and adjust slats
Fix alignment issues
Clean up mistakes or rework sections
What seems like a “cheap weekend job” can turn into:
Multiple weekends
Delays due to weather or mistakes
Extra trips to hardware stores
For many homeowners, this time cost is one of the biggest hidden expenses.
5. Mistakes Can Increase the Total Cost Quickly
DIY fencing leaves room for small errors that become expensive:
Posts not aligned correctly
Uneven slat spacing
Incorrect cuts leading to wasted material
Gates not fitting or functioning properly
Even small mistakes can require:
Re-ordering materials
Starting sections again
Paying for corrections later
This is where DIY often stops being “cheap”.
So Is DIY Aluminium Slat Fencing Actually Cheaper?
In theory, yes-you save on labour.
In reality, once you include:
Tools and equipment
Extra or wasted materials
Delivery handling
Time spent installing
Potential rework or mistakes
…the cost difference between DIY and professional installation is often much smaller than expected.
In some cases, DIY ends up being similar in total cost, but with significantly more effort and risk.
What You Get With Professional Installation Instead
With custom professional aluminium slat fencing, you’re not just paying for labour, you’re paying for a complete, finished result.
This includes:
Accurate on-site measurement
Materials supplied in exact quantities
No tools or equipment required
Clean, professional installation
Correct alignment and spacing
A finished product ready to use immediately
No guesswork. No waste. No rework.
The Real Decision: Cost vs Value
DIY aluminium slat fencing isn’t just a question of price-it’s a question of value.
Ask yourself:
Is my time worth more than the savings?
Do I have the tools and experience already?
Do I want to risk mistakes or rework?
Do I want a perfect finish the first time?
For many homeowners, especially in Perth where property layouts vary, the answer ends up pointing toward professional installation.