Affordable Fencing: What to Cut Out to Cut Costs

Installing a fence – and / or gates – around your property is a great way to increase security and improve privacy.

The right fence can also boost your home’s kerb appeal and even add value to your property.

However, with any new addition or renovation project, we understand that there’s always a budget to consider. Installing a top-of-the-range fence can look fantastic and last for years, but it can also be cost-prohibitive.

We’ve put together a few ideas to help reduce your costs and keep your fencing spend within budget. Check out our affordable fencing tips:

Consider the Purpose of Your Fence

Determining the primary purpose of your fence can be an easy way to cut down on costs. So, before you install anything, ask yourself your reason behind it.

For most homeowners, the primary motive for building a fence around the property is for an increased level of security. They will want to keep children and dogs in and intruders out.

For business owners and commercial landlords, security is also the main driver.

This will generally require a higher and more robust fence, which is generally more expensive.

For other homeowners however, the main driver may be increased privacy, or screening to create ‘zones’ in their backyard.

This is generally a cheaper option than security fencing, however if you opt for high fencing and deeper slats (leaving smaller gaps between the slats), costs will mount up.

If, on the other hand, you’re simply looking to boost kerb appeal and protection isn’t a priority, then your choice of fence can be significantly cheaper.

For an aesthetically pleasing, but cheaper option, you can limit the fencing to just the front boundary of your front yard.

Rather than running the fencing around the whole perimeter of your property (to the diving walls at the side and back), you can use fast-growing, dense trees and shrubs, or the less-attractive, cheaper Colorbond fencing to close the gaps.

This way, the costs of fencing materials is reduced because you won’t need as much.

Alternatively, if the fence is only needed to create a boundary between your and your neighbour’s gardens at the back or sides, you can leave the front yard open.

Look for Alternative Materials

Aluminium fencing can be a great alternative to steel because it’s less expensive, but still robust. Whilst it’s not as strong as steel, aluminium fencing has become a great substitute, offering a decent level of security and low maintenance.

Compared to steel fencing, aluminium has the benefit of being light-weight, yet it’s still regarded as a high-strength material. And because aluminium can be easily bent and shaped, it’s easier for fence manufacturers to work with. This generally means labour will be reduced, which makes it a cheaper option.

Its’ malleable properties also make it an appealing option for complex architectural designs. Aluminium fencing is renowned for its cost-effectiveness and is a popular choice for many home and business owners.

You can also consider mixing it up to cut down on costs. For example, if you opt for a security fence at the front of your home, use you can use landscaping for the side or back area.

Share the Costs with Your Neighbour

If your fencing will act as a boundary to the neighbouring property, you may be able to split the cost of the fencing with your neighbour.

The only slight drawback to this option is that both you and your neighbour will have to agree on the style and colour of the fence and choose an option that will suit both properties.

But provided you consult with them openly, it can be a great option.

You’ll need to know where the property’s boundary lines are, so be sure to confirm this with your neighbour or have the lot surveyed.

If you have neighbours on both sides of the area you want to fence, it can be ideal to have a third party involved in the agreement to divide the costs between the three of you.

In this case, because all three houses will be fencing the full property with the same fence style, it could be quite a large project and therefore a big order for your fencing contractor.

As a result, it could be worth discussing a discount with your fencing sales rep. This will encourage an even bigger saving for you and your neighbours.

Updating vs. Replacing

If you already have a fence and it looks like its seen better days, it may be worthwhile giving it a refresh instead of replacing it. The cost of removing and replacing the fence entirely can work out to be an expensive undertaking, so why not go for a more economical option?

With the way Fencemakers’ fencing in particular is designed, it’s really easy to replace damaged slats, louvres, panels or posts, without having to replace the entire fence, or even an entire section of the fence.

Consider Ongoing Maintenance Costs

However, if your fence is made of natural timber, there is a strong likelihood of you having to replace your fence down the track anyway. Natural wood fades, splits and rots over time, so you’ll also need to consider the ongoing maintenance required. This can be costly – both financially and in terms of your time.

In this case, replacing your wood fence with an aluminium or glass alternative now, could be the more affordable fencing option, as you’ll save significantly on maintenance costs.

If you still want the look of natural timber but without the maintenance, Smartwood is a perfect option.

When considering fencing materials, remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best option. Cheaper fencing usually has a shorter lifespan and requires more maintenance. And maintenance costs add up over time.

While cheaper up-front costs may be the more appealing option, in the long-run this could work out to be less cost-effective.

Also, a good fencing contractor will usually offer a guarantee on their products. At Fencemakers, for example, we offer a 15-year workmanship warranty on all our products.

If you’d like to discuss affordable fencing options, which still achieve your overall objectives, please feel free to contact our friendly team.