House fencing

Hey everyone,

I need to replace my falling fence as per the council. Got a few quotes and they seem very expensive ~2k for a 30m fence. Fair price? Any other suggestions? Can i just repair my old one?
thanks

Comments

  • +1

    I just paid around $80/m for a timber fence @ 2m height so @ $66/m I think you're getting a decent rate. You could probably do it cheaper yourself if you have time, the right tools, expertise etc.

    If the fence is shared with a neighbour you can split the costs and go 50/50.

  • Not shared unfortunately. Essentially my fence is okay only problem is its falling down and hence the council notice. I was wondering if I could just make it stand again with a few posts.

    • The problem with old fences is once posts start rotting and collapsing the rest will soon follow. You're better off replacing the whole thing and avoiding any potential issues due to a collapsed fence.

      You might be able to find some a handyman type person on gumtree, pay them a day rate and source all the materials yourself. For someone with the right equipment and who knows what they're doing it should take 2 or 3 days.

      • +1

        Not worth it.

        Unlike other trades, there isn't a huge profit with fencing.

    • Re this, below:

      'The problem with old fences is once posts start rotting and collapsing the rest will soon follow.'

      I disagree.

      Unlike the visible part of the fence, the actual supporting posts are 'rooted' in the ground. Sounds like someone did a shonky job in that respect to me. I think you might well be able to salvage your fence.

      I had a similar problem to you. The actual fence was fine (treated pine palings/standard), but the posts had not been properly 'installed' (not deep enough, or concreted in, etc.).

      I rigged up some ropes and attached them to my car's tow-ball, gently pulled the fence back up to straight, banged in some star-pickets on the failing side, then had a dude who knew more than I about such things concrete in some proper supporting posts. Then I painted the entire fence with a good external/outdoor paint.

      That all took a while though, and I had to pay the guy who concreted in the new posts $500, as well as outlaying a couple of hundred for paint. So it depends how much time you have as well I guess. In one way it is an advantage that it is not a 'shared fence', because it means that whatever you decide to do you can do, without any tedious/potentially lengthy/frustrating 'negotiations' (arguments) with neighbours.

      • It depends what sort of problem there is with the fence. Our colourbond fence rusted out the posts so it got blown over. Timber fences often fall apart when the rails rot or fixings fail.

        • Mmmyeah, true, but the dude says above:

          'Essentially my fence is okay only problem is its falling down…'

        • @GnarlyKnuckles: But doesn't really describe the problem. 'Falling down' could mean all the palings are falling off, or the posts are failing making the panels fall over.

  • I paid about $1200 for a 15m straight colourbond fence and that was mates rates. $2k sounds about right.

    It is not difficult if you know how to do it, but it is hard work and a lot of mucking around to get it to be straight if you don't know how to do it or if you don't have the right tools.

  • Price sounds reasonable.

    Do you need the fence? Maybe you could just pull it down and not have one.

    I rebuilt a section of fence at Christmas time. As above, not difficult, just hard work. The hardest part was digging out the old post footings, you might be able to move the post locations to make it a bit easier though.

  • +1

    Call Donald Trump and tell him there are Mexicans next door.

  • Can i just repair my old one?
    If you have some DIY in you, you owe it to yourself to try. Spend the $2,000 on something far, far, far more worthwhile.

Login or Join to leave a comment