A fence looks dead simple from the footpath. But the part that decides whether it's still straight in ten years is the part you can't see — the posts, how deep they're dug, what's holding them. Skimp there and you get a fence that leans after the first decent southerly comes through.
We build and fix fences across Wollongong and the Illawarra. Helensburgh down through the Gong to the Shoalhaven. Timber paling, picket, Colorbond, a run sitting on top of a retaining wall — new jobs and repairs both.
Timber, picket or Colorbond
Most jobs round here land on one of three.
- Timber paling — the classic backyard fence. Treated pine palings on a hardwood frame, posts in concrete. Good value, easy to swap a board when one cracks, and it sits right against the older fibro and brick streets through Corrimal, Unanderra and Warrawong.
- Picket — the front-yard look. A cottage in Thirroul, a federation place in town. Fiddlier to build because every gap has to read even, so it costs a touch more. Worth it when it's done properly.
- Colorbond — the low-fuss steel one. Won't rot, never needs oiling, goes up quick on a clean run. One thing worth knowing: the cheaper coatings chalk and fade in heavy salt air close to the water, so near the beach I'll point you at a better grade.
For timber near the coast I lean to proper treated pine, merbau rails, or spotted gum if you want something that'll really go the distance. Salt off a southerly buster carries a fair way inland — it's not just the beachfront houses that cop it — so I use galvanised or stainless fixings on the lot. Cheap bright screws bleed rust streaks down a brand-new fence inside a year. Looks shocking.
Whatever the cladding, posts go in concrete and down to firm ground. Not plonked in a shallow hole and backfilled with dirt. That's the bit nobody sees, and it's the bit that matters.
Gates, slopes and retaining-wall tops
Gates are where a lot of fences fall over. A gate cops more movement than any panel on the run — it swings, it slams, the kids hang off it. So we brace them right, hang them on solid posts, and fit a latch that actually catches. No dragging on the ground by the time winter hits.
Half the Illawarra's on a slope. A fence on a hill has to be thought through, not just built flat and hoped for. You either rake the panels to follow the ground or step them down in even sections, and which one looks right comes down to the block and how steep it runs. We do a lot of these through Figtree, Mount Keira and Austinmer. Fencing on top of a retaining wall is its own thing again — the posts and the load have to be worked out so you're not slowly shoving the wall over. I'll walk you through it on site.
Boundary fences and the shared-cost bit
If it's a fence between you and the neighbour, a couple of things are worth knowing before anyone digs a hole.
In NSW a dividing fence is generally a shared cost under the Dividing Fences Act — split evenly for a fence that's reasonable for the area, usually a standard timber or Colorbond run around 1.8 metres. Neighbour wants something dearer? They normally chip in the difference. The trick is getting it in writing before the job, not after. I'm happy to quote a plain standard fence so you've got a fair figure to take next door, plus a separate price if you want to go nicer. Saves the over-the-fence chat turning awkward.
Rough guide on cost: a standard timber paling fence runs somewhere around $120 to $200 a metre supplied and built, and Colorbond sits in a similar band depending on height and colour. Pulling out an old fence, rocky ground, sloping blocks — they all push it up. You'll get a fixed written quote once Dave's had a look. No surprises halfway through.
We're licensed and insured, local, and we turn up when we say we will. Dave will come walk the line with you and tell you straight what the job needs — no hard sell.
After a new fence, a gate that won't behave, or a tired old run that wants fixing? Give us a bell on 0414 007 351 or grab a free quote. Happy to come have a look.
Common questions
- Who pays for a fence between me and my neighbour?
- Under the NSW Dividing Fences Act a boundary fence is usually a shared cost, split evenly for a fence that does the job. If your neighbour wants something flasher than standard, they generally cover the extra. Sort it in writing first — we're happy to quote a 'standard' fence so you've got a fair number to take next door.
- Timber or Colorbond — which is better near the coast?
- Both work fine if they're built right. Colorbond is low fuss and won't rot, though it can dent and the cheaper coatings chalk in heavy salt air. Treated timber or merbau gives you that warmer look but wants a coat of oil or paint now and then. We'll talk through your spot and budget on site.
- How long does a new fence take?
- A standard run on a flat block is often a day or two once materials are on hand. Set the posts in concrete, let them go off overnight, then hang the panels or palings. Sloping blocks, hard ground or a retaining-wall top add time, and I'll give you a realistic window in the quote rather than guess.