How Much Does Bird Netting Cost? A Guide for Home Gardens and Commercial Use

Bird netting costs can range from $50 for a modest DIY purchase for a backyard garden to a $50,000+ for a major investment for commercial orchards and crop protection.

The cost is impacted by the area you would like to cover, the quality of the netting and the installation cost.

What is bird netting used for?

Bird netting is a physical barrier that helps stop birds from reaching fruit trees, vegetable beds, vineyards, sheds, and other vulnerable areas. It is commonly used in both residential gardens and commercial horticulture because it provides a long-term solution rather than a short-lived deterrent.

For home users, it is often used on fruit trees, berry patches, and small vegetable gardens. For commercial growers, it can protect orchards and larger crop blocks from bird damage and fruit loss.

Typical price ranges

The cost depends on the net type, size, material quality, and installation (install it yourself or hire a professional).

For Australian bird-protection projects, a basic bird net installation can cost between $50 and $5,000, depending on the size and complexity of the area being covered. Commercial systems can be much higher, with permanent farm-scale netting reaching $10,000 to $70,000+ per hectare depending on the design.

Home garden costs

For a home garden, costs are usually driven by the size of the fruit tree or garden bed and the type of netting chosen. A small backyard project might only need a compact pre-cut net or a small roll, plus a few fasteners or poles.

A realistic home-garden budget might look like this:

• Small fruit tree cover: A few hundred dollars.
• Medium backyard setup with accessories: A few hundred dollars.
• Larger home orchard or multiple beds: potentially over $1,000 if you use heavier material or professional installation.

Example:

An Australian homeowner wants to protect two dwarf fruit trees and one berry patch in a backyard garden. They buy a mid-size UV-stabilised net, ties, clips, and a few support poles, and install it themselves over a weekend. Their total project cost comes to about $150 to $450, depending on the net quality and hardware.

Commercial use costs

Commercial bird netting is more expensive because it covers larger areas and often requires stronger support systems, specialised hardware, and professional labour. Permanent systems may use tensioned wire, poles, clips, and reinforced netting designed to handle wind, weather, and repeated seasonal use.

Commercial growers should budget for:

• Netting material.
• Posts, wires, and anchors.
• Labour and equipment.
• Maintenance and eventual replacement.

On a farm scale, the range can be dramatic: throw-over systems may cost roughly $10,000 to $15,000 per hectare, while more permanent flat-top systems can reach $60,000 to $70,000+ per hectare.

Example:

A berry farm wants to net a 1-hectare block to reduce bird damage before harvest. The grower chooses a professionally installed drape-style system because it balances cost and protection, and the total project may cost around $12,000 to $18,000 for materials and labour. If the same grower opted for a more permanent structure, the cost could rise substantially.What affects the price?

Several factors influence the final cost of bird netting:

• Area size, because larger spaces need more material
• Material type
• Mesh size, because finer meshes often cost more
• The installation method, because DIY is cheaper than professional installation
• Structural support, because tall or wide areas may need posts, cables, and anchors

If the project is temporary and small, a lighter net can be cost-effective. If the site is commercial or exposed to wind and repeated use, paying more for durability usually makes sense over time.

Buying tips

Choose bird netting in accordance with Australian state and territory regulations.

Make sure the net is UV-stabilised if it will stay outdoors for long periods, and factor in installation hardware before comparing prices.

For home use, pre-cut nets can be convenient and reduce waste. For commercial use, it is usually better to request a tailored quote based on the exact block size and crop type.

Where to buy bird netting from?

Sage Horticultural offers anti-bird netting in different mesh sizes, colours, and qualities. They are UV-stabilised HDPE knitted drape-over and side net designed to resist tearing and fraying during installation and removal.