Fencing crews lose more time to site conditions than to the actual fence. Clearing the way before the truck arrives keeps the job to schedule and keeps the price where the quote said it would be.
Here is the short version of what to sort out.
Clear the fence line, both sides
Move pots, garden furniture, firewood, bins and anything stacked against the fence. Cut back plants at least half a metre from the line so posts can be set plumb and panels can be handled.
If the far side is your neighbour's, ask them to do the same. Access from both sides speeds up the whole job.
Confirm access to the boundary
Tell us before the day if the only way in is through the house, down a laneway, or through a gate narrower than a metre. Hand carrying materials is fine, it just needs to be in the plan rather than a surprise.
Leave a parking space near the front if you can. Materials get carried from the truck, so every extra 20 metres adds time.
Know where your services run
Post holes go down around 600mm. Irrigation lines, garden lighting cable, gas lines and stormwater are the usual casualties. If you know where anything runs, mark it with spray paint or a peg.
For anything substantial, a free Before You Dig Australia enquiry is worth doing ahead of time.
Plan for pets and kids
The fence comes down before the new one goes up, so the yard is open for part of the day. Arrange somewhere secure for dogs, and expect noise from post hole digging and saws.
Sort the boundary question first
If there is any doubt about where the boundary actually sits, resolve it before the job, not during it. Old fences are not always on the line. A surveyor is cheap compared to moving a completed fence.
Have the neighbour conversation done
Shared boundary work goes best when the other owner already knows the date, the fence type and the arrangement. Confirm it in writing before the booking.
After the job
Leftover concrete and old fence material goes with the crew. Soil from post holes stays on site. Leave new timber to dry for a few months before you stain it.
Do I need to be home for a fence installation? Not usually, as long as the crew has access to the fence line and any gates are unlocked. We confirm access with you before the day.
Who removes the old fence? We do. Removal and disposal are part of the installation, and leftover concrete goes with us. Soil stays on site.
What happens if you hit an irrigation line? Mark anything you know about before we dig. Unmarked services can be damaged, so a few minutes with a can of spray paint saves a repair.
How long does a typical fence install take? Most residential runs up to 20 metres are one to two days on site, depending on access, removal and ground conditions.
Get an instant quote