DIY Fence and Gate Installation: Is It Right for You?
With TV shows like The Block sparking a huge amount of interest and encouragement, homeowners are more eager than ever to get their hands dirty and take control over their own renovations. In the next three years, according to recent data, home renovations in the Australian Property Market are set to peak with a $96.4 billion growth anticipated.
DIY renovations can be as simple as fresh coat of paint, right through to doing your own landscaping or building a deck. If you’re considering a new DIY task or you’re already a handyman around your home, installing a new fence and gate can boost your home’s value and give you the ultimate kerb appeal your property could be lacking. But, how do you know if it’s the right job for you and your skills?
1. What Decisions Do I Need to Make Beforehand?
Firstly, before ordering your materials and design from your fencing supplies company, you need to determine the style of fencing you want. The quality, style and purpose of your fence should be your main concerns as they can make or break the appearance of your home and its level of usefulness. Consider the purpose of your fence and how your chosen style will benefit this. For example, steel fencing can add a high level of security to your home whereas aluminium fencing can be more decorative and easy to work with. If you need help making the decision, speak to one of our staff to point you in the right direction or check out some of the other blogs on our site where we discuss the benefits of different materials and styles.
After you’ve decided your fencing style and materials, you’ll need to work out how much of everything you’ll need. Adequate preparation in advance will make the installation go much smoother and help you deal with any problems if they do occur. Mark out the area you wish to fence and determine where the gate(s) will go.
Throughout Australia, there are regulations in place regarding the space between fencing panels. Make sure when you’re mapping out the measurements, you take these into consideration to ensure you the right sizes. You’ll need the exact measurements of slats permissible in your area and measurements of the length of fencing you’ll need to cover your boundary.
2. What Factors Should I Consider?
There are 3 considerations you’ll need to consider before starting your DIY installation project.
- Does your proposed fence meet the state requirements? Depending on the purpose of your fence and its location, there are rules in place that define what you can and can’t do. These can vary significantly from state to state, so it’s important you become familiar with exactly what applies to your circumstances. For example, fencing required specifically for the pool will need to adhere to strict requirements, and fencing at the front of your home will need to meet your council regulations.
- Will it be installed on uneven ground? Whilst contours and slopes can add character to the landscaping of your yard, they can introduce problems when it comes to installing your fence and calculating the length of the boundary. Use of custom panels designed to meet a complicated slope, or rackable and stepped panels can assist with this. Make sure you mark out the slopes in your planning process too.
- Does it require additional support? Some fences will require extra support to fulfil their purpose or use of materials. A mid-rail can be added across the centre of your fence to ensure there is no buckling or warping. Mid-rails can be a decorative feature too – and add to a strong, sturdy and elegant fence for your yard.
3. DIY Cost Savings vs. Contractor Time Savings
Before you make the decision to choose a DIY installation over hiring a fencing contractor (like us) to do the job for you, consider whether the cost savings of supply only vs. supply and installation will be worth your while. Generally, these cost savings will be around 15% – 20% from our normal prices and all savings are in the installation costs.
Our supply-only fencing kits offer DIY enthusiasts with an affordable fencing and gate solution, but we only recommend them for homeowners who are qualified in a trade or are at least very handy with tools. You’ll also need to consider the liability and risks involved.
4. What Risks Are Involved If I Do Go Ahead?
As with any home improvement and DIY project, there are risks associated. Being aware of what could go wrong though, will help to eliminate issues along the way. At Fencemakers, we only cover what we supply; for example, the materials and powdercoating. While we will still guarantee the durability of the materials and coatings for two years, any defaults in the fencing caused by poor installation will not be covered under our guarantee.
Any installations that are not up to standard may compromise our products or its expected life-span. To reduce these risks, we recommend you check (and triple check!) the regulations for your location surrounding the fence purpose, the use of materials and specific height and spacing measurements. If you’re unsure, our staff are always happy to offer help and advice along the way.
