Why can't you install my fence without any disruption to the landscape?

A common question we are asked is why can’t the fence just slot into the same spot you have removed it from? The answer is detailed, as each Hardie fence and colourbond fence install has its own problems to overcome.

In theory if you were to remove a fence on a flat surface with nothing either side then this would be achievable. Unfortunately this is almost never the case as a Hardie fence, super six fence or asbestos fence that has been installed years and in some cases decades earlier is often subjected to build up of soil or landscaped structures close to the fence line. Commonly people tend to use the space right up to the fence line, and with narrow sections down the side of most suburban blocks, it is often landscaped with concrete, pavers or garden build up.CLICK HERE to see a good example of obstructions built up against a Hardie fence over time.

 Above: An example of landscaping built up against an existing Hardie fence.

In some cases it is other trades people who have built structures close to a fence line without assessing to see if the landscape has been sufficiently retained to accommodate the Hardie fence or colorbond fence. As it is not their problem at the time, the owner will only have the issue when the fence goes over and, at this point, it will be exposed as to the poor foundations it was built upon with all weight bearing on the fence.

This means all the paving, garden, or new concrete (liquid limestone) will have to be taken back to an acceptable distance away from the fence and then a retaining wall must be built to accommodate. As this is an existing problem, the owner is faced with the previous tradesperson’s error in not taking the correct steps in the event the fence goes over, undoing all his hard work that usually by this point has been paid for and completed sometime before.

Another common reason for why the new colorbond fence or Hardie fence cannot accommodate the existing landscape and structures is that over time people will build structures to a fence line that has moved over, or as we say in the trade, no longer plumb.

As an example, commonly a side access gate will be built and even installed to a lean as to accommodate the gap that will remain. When the fence goes down, a new fence is to be erected in a plumb position, and the existing post will be falling onto the fence line. It must be removed and re-installed. This is additional work to just erecting a new colorbond fence or hardie fence. It is then accommodating structures that were previously installed to the old fence line.

Another common problem is that when you join a fence to an existing fence that is not plumb, you are either going to install the new fence on an angle, which is not recommended, or align the old fence, which may be cheaper, pending on the length, just to remove and start again. It is always advised to ask a Perth Trade Centre tradesman what he can see will be the issue and then go from there.

It is very hard to anticipate every scenario but as a rule with existing fence lines, you should expect that the new fence installation will possibly face some issues in accommodating existing conditions, some of which may have attributed to the destruction of the old fence.

We as tradesman don’t go out of our way to create problems that don’t exist, but with fencing to existing fence lines we are often faced with little surprises that previous people have left for us to fix up.  

Fencing on boundaries/ common fencing between neighbours

**You may find this blog useful but in no way should be considered legal advice. 

Without doubt common fences in Perth between neighbours can be a test for most people who won’t always agree with what should be done and who should pay for what. It is fair to say that in the Perth Fencing business we see a fair share of disputes between neighbours. As Perth fencing contractors/ installers, we all in the business have many stories to tell. Although it would seem that most disputes we witness here in Perth do tend to take on a similar pattern.

A boundary fence is the glue that separates two worlds; the defining line between what is mine and what is yours. As is the case, once that glue has been separated it needs to be put back together asap and before worlds collide.

Here in Perth, as is not always the case in other parts of the world, our fences provide us with that line of privacy that we all have the right to enjoy. We at Perth Trade Centre approach every boundary fence acknowledging the rights of both neighbours. It is often the case that one neighbour will contact Perth Trade Centre fencing before informing the other. Although this is harmless enough in the fact that you may have a fence that has just been blown over and you have acted quickly to have the matter resolved and perhaps have thought that once the contractor has done his assessment and submitted a quote then that is the time to introduce the quote to your neighbour, it is not always taken that way, and experience has shown that for whatever reason, some people seem to think that a neighbour has presented them with a problem before he or she has had the chance to act on what they see as their fence also.

Now we are not saying that this is the case for all neighbours, but experience has shown that, if possible, it is always advised that you contact your neighbour before you contact your preferred Perth fencing contractor. This is good for a number of reasons; we then are able to contact both parties before organising a time to assess the project, whilst both parties are in attendance. This gives everyone the opportunity to understand what is required and also the opportunity to ask questions and resolve any issues before they have time to brew.

Just remember, as a Perth fencing business, we want to get in and get things completed as quickly and efficiently as you do. We are only being paid for installing the fence, so mediation between neighbours is not under any circumstance something we get involved in. Any changes or stipulations that cannot be resolved must be followed down the correct channel.

If you require more information, contact your local government area in which you reside, where they will be able to assist you on matters relating to the fence act, retaining wall information and other related material. It is always advised that a fence line should be considered a joint effort between owners to have the matter resolved quickly, although not every part of the process is as straight forward. As mentioned, we do our very best to make sure all our Perth Trade Centre fencing customers be informed to what should be a non-complicated procedure.