How Much Does Custom Timber Fretwork Cost in Melbourne?

If you’re pricing timber fretwork for a verandah, gable, or frieze, the honest answer is that it depends on the pattern, the length you need, the timber, and the finish. But you don’t need a formal quote to get a realistic feel for the cost.

The key thing to understand is that timber fretwork is priced per linear metre, not per panel. That means the cost scales with the running length of fretwork your project needs, not with the number of separate pieces. As a guide, standard fretwork patterns at Karem Woodcraft range from around $151 to $608 per linear metre in assembled LOSP treated pine, with intricate and arched designs sitting at the upper end. Fully bespoke patterns and heritage reproductions are quoted per project.

Karem Woodcraft manufactures custom timber fretwork in Melbourne and delivers Australia-wide, so the guide prices below apply whether you’re restoring a home locally or interstate.

How Timber Fretwork Is Priced

Fretwork is measured and priced by the linear metre, the same way balustrades are. If your verandah frontage is six metres wide and you want decorative frieze fretwork running the full length, you’re paying for six linear metres of fretwork in your chosen pattern.

Two things then shape the rate per metre:

• The pattern. A simpler, more open lattice design costs less per metre than a dense, intricate lacework pattern, because there’s more cutting and more material involved in the detailed work.
• The profile. Straight frieze fretwork that runs along beneath the roofline is more economical than arched fretwork, which is made to span the curved opening between verandah posts and involves more shaping and assembly.

Standard patterns are made to your measurements, so you’re getting a proven design cut and assembled to fit your home. A fully custom pattern, or an exact reproduction of existing heritage fretwork, is quoted separately because of the additional design and setup work involved.

Guide Prices by Pattern

The table below shows current guide prices for assembled fretwork in LOSP treated pine, per linear metre. These give you a realistic basis for budgeting before you request a formal quote. You can see each of these patterns on the external fretwork page.

Pattern	Guide price (per linear metre)
FR4	$151.00
FR8	$197.50
FR5	$203.00
FR2	$221.02
FR3	$221.02
FR4 (arched)	$439.00
FR1	$607.67

Prices are a guide only, correct at time of publishing, and assume standard LOSP treated pine. Hardwood and other timber species are available on request and are priced separately.

A Worked Example

Say you’re restoring the verandah on a Federation home with a six-metre frontage and you want frieze fretwork across the full width:

• In a simpler FR4 pattern at $151 per linear metre, that’s roughly $906.
• In a mid-range FR5 pattern at $203 per linear metre, around $1,218.
• In an intricate FR1 pattern at $607.67 per linear metre, about $3,646.

The pattern you choose has the single biggest effect on the total, which is why it’s worth deciding on the look you want before you compare prices. Figures above are for the fretwork only and exclude finishing and delivery.

What Drives the Cost Up or Down

Beyond the pattern itself, several factors move the final figure:

• Length required. More linear metres means a higher total, but a continuous run is usually more economical per metre than a short one-off length.
• Arched versus straight. Arched panels that span between posts cost more per metre than straight frieze runs.
• Timber species. LOSP treated pine is the standard and most cost-effective choice for external work. Hardwood upgrades cost more.
• Finish. Raw, primed, and painted finishes carry different costs. Pre-priming adds to the upfront price but saves work on site.
• Standard versus bespoke. A pattern from the standard range is more affordable than a fully custom design or an exact heritage reproduction.

What’s Included in the Price

A fretwork price is about more than the cut timber. With Karem Woodcraft, external fretwork is supplied in LOSP H3 Protim treated pine, which protects against termite attack and fungal decay in the Australian climate. That treatment is backed by a 25-year guarantee on external LOSP H3 treated pine products, and a 10-year manufacturing warranty applies to all assembled products.

Every project is made to your measurements, with a full matching service for replacing or extending existing fretwork, and Australia-wide delivery from the Melbourne workshop.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

The guide prices above will get you close, but an exact figure depends on your measurements and choices. To get an accurate quote rather than a rough estimate, have these details ready:

• The pattern you’re after (or a photo of fretwork you want matched)
• The total linear metres required, or your verandah measurements
• Whether you need straight or arched fretwork
• Preferred timber species and finish

For arched fretwork, the measurements needed are the width, the outside overall height, and the centre overall height of the opening, because each arched panel is made to those specifications.

Karem Woodcraft provides custom quotes within two business days of receiving your measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is timber fretwork priced per panel or per metre?
Per linear metre. The cost is based on the running length of fretwork your project needs, in your chosen pattern, rather than a flat per-panel rate.

Why does arched fretwork cost more than straight fretwork?
Arched fretwork is made to span the curved opening between verandah posts and involves more shaping and assembly than a straight frieze run, so the rate per linear metre is higher.

Does the price include timber treatment?
Yes. External fretwork is supplied in LOSP H3 treated pine, which protects against termites and decay, and is backed by a 25-year guarantee.

Can you match an existing heritage fretwork pattern?
Yes. Existing patterns can be reproduced from photographs, measurements, or original samples. Because this involves custom design work, it is quoted per project rather than at standard-range rates.

Do you deliver across Australia?
Yes. Karem Woodcraft manufactures in Melbourne and delivers fretwork Australia-wide.

Get a Price for Your Project

Custom timber fretwork is a relatively small part of a verandah or restoration budget that makes a large difference to the finished character of a period home. With clear per-linear-metre pricing, you can plan your project with confidence before committing.

To browse patterns and request a quote, see Karem Woodcraft’s range of external fretwork: External Fretwork, Karem Woodcraft. Send through your measurements and chosen pattern, and you’ll have an accurate quote within two business days.