Adelaide Colorbond Fence Planning

A good fence should last a long time, so it pays to ask the right questions before you commit. Clear answers upfront mean fewer surprises on installation day. Copy these into your phone or print them out. Ask exactly what is included, from posts and capping to clean up. Example image only. Not a New Fence Adelaide project. Questions about the quote What exactly is included? Removal, disposal, gates, extensions and clean up? Is the quote based on a site visit or on photos and measurements? What happens if the crew hits rock, roots or unexpected services? What are the deposit and payment terms? Questions about the business What insurance do you hold for this type of work? Do you hold any licences relevant to the job? What warranty applies to the workmanship? Who handles material warranty claims? Questions about the old fence and your neighbour How will you handle removal of the existing fence? What happens if the old fence might contain asbestos? Can you provide a quote that's easy t...

A gate gets used far more than the rest of the fence, so it's worth planning carefully. It's much easier to get the gate right at the design stage than to add or change one later. Top-down diagram comparing a single swing gate, double swing gates and a sliding gate Gate types seen from above Single Double swing Sliding Dashed lines show the space each gate needs Illustration only. Not a New Fence Adelaide project. Measure what needs to fit through Think beyond people walking through. Common items include: Wheelie bins Lawn mowers and wheelbarrows Trailers Cars Measure the widest thing you'll regularly move and allow some extra room. A sliding driveway gate built to match the fence. Example image only. Not a New Fence Adelaide project. Choose the right gate type Single pedestrian gates suit side paths and backyard access. Double swing gates suit driveways and wide openings. Sliding gates can suit driveways where there isn't room for gates to swing. Check which way it ...

Two fences that look the same on paper can end up with quite different quotes. That's not always a red flag. Usually it comes down to the site and what's included. Knowing the main factors helps you compare quotes fairly and spot anything missing. Extras such as lattice tops, plinths and gates all add to the scope of a quote. Example image only. Not a New Fence Adelaide project. The main things that affect a quote Length and height The total run of fence and its height are the starting point. Taller fences and extensions use more material. Ground conditions Rock, tree roots, reactive clay soils and slopes all affect how posts are dug and set. Sloping blocks may need stepped panels, plinths or retaining. Removing the old fence Removal and disposal of an existing fence is part of many quotes. If the old fence may contain asbestos, specialised removal adds another step. Access Easy side access is quicker to work with than a fence line only reachable through the house or across a s...

If you've never had a fence installed, it helps to know what to expect. Knowing the rough order of work makes it easier to plan around it, keep pets safe and answer any questions from the crew. Straight, level panels come from careful setting out and post work. Example image only. Not a New Fence Adelaide project. Before the crew arrives Underground services are checked. Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) is the free service for locating pipes and cables before digging. The fence line is cleared and the old fence removed, if that's part of the job. Access is sorted. Crews need a clear path to carry panels and posts, so unlock side gates and move cars if needed. Stage 1: Setting out and digging post holes The installer marks the line and post positions, then digs the post holes. Stage 2: Setting the posts Posts are set in concrete and lined up so the fence runs straight and level. On sloping blocks, this is where stepping or raking is worked out. Stage 3: Fitting rails and panel...

Most Colorbond jobs in established Adelaide suburbs aren't brand new fences. They're replacing leaning timber, rusted sheeting or old fibro panels. Replacing a fence brings its own checklist. A bit of preparation makes the day go smoothly. A neat, level fence line is the goal once the old fence is gone. Example image only. Not a New Fence Adelaide project. Find out what the old fence is made of This is the big one. Many older fences in Adelaide are fibre cement. Fibro made before the late 1980s may contain asbestos. Don't cut, drill, break or water blast it. SafeWork SA sets the rules for how asbestos is handled and removed. If there's any chance your fence contains it, get advice and use a licensed removalist. Agree on removal with your neighbour Removing the old fence is part of the project, not an afterthought. Agree who's arranging it and how the cost is shared before work starts. Plan for the days without a fence There's usually a short period with no fence...

Colour is usually the fun part of a fence project. It's also the part people most often second guess once the fence is up. A few simple checks can help you pick something you'll still like in ten years. Contrasting posts and capping can tie a fence to your house colours. Example image only. Not a New Fence Adelaide project. Start with your house, not the fence Stand in the backyard and look at: Your roof and gutters Window frames The pergola or patio Any sheds A fence that picks up one of those colours tends to look planned rather than added on. If your roof is Colorbond, matching or complementing that tone is an easy win. Light or dark colours? Darker colours such as Monument, Basalt or Woodland Grey give a modern, crisp look. Plants stand out well in front of them. Lighter shades such as Surfmist can make a small yard feel more open. In Adelaide's hot summers, some people also think about how much heat a dark fence holds near an outdoor living area. Agree on colour with...