A fence is a bigger decision than it looks. Done right it secures the property, keeps kids and pets where they should be, and lifts the look of the place. Done in a hurry it ends up on the wrong side of a boundary, over a gas line, or in a style you regret. Almost all of that is avoidable with a bit of planning before the crew arrives. Here is what to work through, and then how to get the site ready.
Before you commit: 8 things to get right
1. Establish the property boundary
Pulling out a brand-new fence because it strayed onto next door is an expensive, avoidable mistake. Never guess the line. Check your title and survey plans, or your local council's records, and if there is any doubt commission a surveyor. Even a small encroachment can mean tearing the fence down and starting again.
2. Know the local rules
In NSW, a boundary fence up to a set height can often be built as exempt development, meaning no separate planning approval, but that depends on height, location and your zone. Confirm the current thresholds on the NSW Planning Portal before you assume you are exempt, and check your council for any local overlays. Some areas restrict which materials or styles are allowed, so it pays to ask early rather than rebuild.
3. Match the material to the job
There are plenty of fencing materials on the market and each has a job it does best. A woven chainwire or welded mesh fence is the practical choice for boundaries, animal enclosures, sporting courts, pool surrounds and industrial yards, where you want strength, long life and clear sightlines. Powder-coated aluminium suits decorative residential work. Let the fence's actual purpose drive the choice rather than picking on looks alone. Our guide to weather-resistant materials walks through the options.
4. Choose the gates at the same time
Work out your access when you plan the fence, not after. A gate should match the fence in material and build, and the number and placement of gates is easier to get right on paper than to retrofit. For a decent-sized yard, two gates at separate points is a sensible default.
5. Childproof the fence and the gates
Whether you are keeping children and pets in or hazards out, both the fence and the gates need to hold a determined toddler. Pick a height, a mesh and a latch that actually does the job, and remember pool areas carry their own strict rules covered in understanding fencing legislation.
6. Set a budget honestly
Budget shapes every other choice, so set one before you start ringing around. Knowing your ceiling lets a fencer steer you to the material and spec that gets the most fence for the money, instead of quoting blind.
7. Use a professional installer
A DIY fence can save on labour, but a professional gets the tension, footings and line right the first time, which is what makes a fence last. Most established fencers also stand behind their work with a warranty, so if something moves you have someone to call.
8. Check the guarantees
Ask what product guarantee comes with the materials and what workmanship warranty comes with the install, and for how long. While you are at it, ask to see examples of past jobs so you know the installer delivers what they promise.
Getting your yard ready for the crew
A prepared site means a faster, cheaper install. Once you have chosen your fencer, work through these.
- Mark the boundary. Set out the line clearly with stakes and string so everyone is working to the same edge.
- Tell the neighbours. If you share a boundary, let them know what is going in and roughly when. On a shared dividing fence, agreement on style and cost up front avoids a dispute later; the Dividing Fences Act 1991 (NSW) sets out how those responsibilities are shared.
- Locate underground services. Installing a fence means digging, so find your water, sewer, power and comms lines first. Your fencer can often arrange this, and a free Dial Before You Dig enquiry at 1100.com.au is the standard way to get the plans. Hitting a service is expensive and dangerous.
- Clear the work area. Move furniture, pots and anything valuable well clear of the line, and cover garden beds you want protected. Walk the perimeter for stumps, rocks and slopes that will change the materials or the method.
- Flag the no-go zones. Mark any areas you want kept off-limits, and any ground hazards the crew should know about.
- Have your paperwork ready. If it is a shared fence, have proof of your right to alter it on hand for the first consultation so nobody is left waiting.
Clearing an old fence first
If an old fence has to come out, a good crew has the gear and the method to handle it. You can smooth the job by deciding up front whether you want the whole thing gone or just sections repaired; sometimes the posts are sound even when the wire is shot, and that changes the materials and time needed, so tell the installer before they order anything. One field tip: if a post is stuck, lightly wetting the ground about fifteen to thirty minutes before the crew arrives makes it far easier to pull. Leave it too long and the post can seize even harder.
The takeaway: the fence itself is the easy part. Nail down the boundary, the rules, the material, the gates and the budget before anyone digs, prep the site, and the install becomes the quick, tidy job it should be.