Building sites · prices checked 28 October 2026
Temporary site fencing
Mesh panels, heavy feet and clips. How it goes up, how to stop it blowing over, and what the parts cost.
Supply prices checked against each supplier's page on 28 October 2026. Each figure links to its source. How we check
Temporary site fencing is free-standing mesh panels, usually 3.5 m wide and 2.0 m high, standing in heavy feet and clipped together. It goes up fast, moves as the job moves, and comes down at the end. HERMEQ lists 3.5 m × 2.0 m anti-climb panels from €47.55 ex VAT (€58.49 incl.).
Most building sites hire it. Long jobs, or contractors who reuse it, often buy.
The parts
| Item (HERMEQ) | Ex VAT | Incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-climb panel, 3.5 m × 2.0 m (as low as) | €47.55 | €58.49 |
| Panel with centre bar | €46.70 | €57.44 |
| Anti-climb panel, 2.4 m high × 2.5 m wide | €51.50 | €63.35 |
| Half-height panel, 3.5 m × 1.1 m (as low as) | €35.77 | €44.00 |
| Rubber block fence foot | €9.53 | €11.72 |
| Fence clip (coupler) | €1.30 | €1.60 |
| Hi-vis anti-trip fence foot | €11.83 | €14.55 |
| Step block strut | €18.53 | €22.79 |
| Mesh pedestrian gate | €105.61 | €129.90 |
| Mesh vehicle gate (as low as) | €215.19 | €264.68 |
Source: HERMEQ temporary mesh fencing, read 28 October 2026, ex VAT and incl. 23% VAT as listed.
How it goes together
- Set out the line.Along the site boundary, leaving room for gates and pedestrian routes.
- Place the feet.A fence foot or block for each panel leg. Rubber feet are heavy and won't crack.
- Stand the panels.Each panel's legs drop into the feet, two panels sharing each foot.
- Clip them.A clip (coupler) joins each pair of panels at the top, and anti-climb clips can be added lower down.
- Brace it.Stays or struts with ballast blocks stop the line blowing over in wind, especially with banners or screening on.
- Hang the gates.Mesh pedestrian and vehicle gates go in where people and lorries need to get in.
Wind is the main risk
A line of mesh panels catches the wind, and much more so with debris netting, printed banners or hoarding on it. Brace the line with struts and ballast at regular intervals and more at corners and ends. HERMEQ lists step block struts at €18.53 ex VAT (€22.79 incl.) and ballast blocks among its accessories. A fallen fence is a danger to the public and an open door to the site.
Anti-climb panels
Standard panels have a mesh you can get a toe into. Anti-climb panels have a closer mesh that's harder to climb and cut. For sites with plant, materials and tools left overnight, they're worth the small extra.
Feet on the footpath
Feet sticking out into a path are a trip hazard. Hi-vis anti-trip feet are made for that: HERMEQ lists them at €11.83 ex VAT (€14.55 incl.). If the fence goes on a public footpath or road, check with the council whether you need a licence first.
Hire or buy
| Hire | Buy | |
|---|---|---|
| Suits | One job, short to medium length | Long jobs, or reuse across jobs |
| Up front | Weekly hire plus delivery and collection | The full price of panels, feet and clips |
| Storage | None: it goes back | You need somewhere to keep it |
| Damage | Usually charged at the end | Your loss, your repair |
We haven't found published Irish hire rates we can confirm, so the contractor prices hire, delivery, erection and collection for your site.
Permanent fencing on a site
If the site will have a permanent boundary at the end, it can sometimes go up early and secure the build. Palisade or mesh with a vehicle gate is common on commercial developments. See palisade fencing and mesh fencing.
What to tell the contractor
- The site address and county
- Roughly how many metres, and how many gates
- Hire or buy, and for how long
- Ground: soil, gravel, tarmac or footpath
- Any banners, netting or hoarding to go on it
- When it's needed on site
Questions people ask
How much does temporary fencing cost to buy?
HERMEQ lists 3.5 m × 2.0 m anti-climb panels from €47.55 ex VAT (€58.49 incl.), rubber feet at €9.53 ex VAT (€11.72 incl.) and clips at €1.30 ex VAT (€1.60 incl.).
What size are temporary fence panels?
Usually 3.5 m wide and 2.0 m high. Half-height (1.1 m) and 2.4 m high panels are also made.
How do you stop temporary fencing blowing over?
Brace it with struts and ballast blocks, more at corners and ends, and more again if it carries banners or netting.
Should I hire or buy site fencing?
Hire for one job. Buy if the job is long or you'll reuse it, and you have somewhere to store it.
Can temporary fencing go on a footpath?
Check with the council first, as you may need a licence. Use anti-trip feet to cut the trip hazard.
Sources (1)
Prices and facts on this page were checked against these published pages. We are not connected to these businesses.
- HERMEQ temporary mesh fencing: hermeq.ie
Get the fence priced for your site
A few taps about the site, and one fencing contractor who covers your county rings you. Or call 087 162 1846 between 8am and 8pm.