FENCING QUESTIONS, ANSWERED STRAIGHT

Under the Dividing Fences Act 1991, adjoining owners contribute equally to the cost of a dividing fence of a sufficient standard. If one owner wants something better than sufficient — a taller fence, a more expensive material — that owner pays the difference. If the fence was damaged by one owner's negligence, that owner pays the whole restoration cost.

In residential zones, side and rear boundary fences up to 1.8 metres are generally exempt development, or 1.2 metres if the fence is masonry. Fences along a primary or secondary road boundary are limited to 1.2 metres. Above those heights you'll usually need approval, and there are extra conditions in secondary road setbacks.

A NSW pool barrier must be at least 1.2 metres high measured from the finished ground level outside the barrier. There must be no gap under the fence greater than 100 millimetres, and no gap between vertical members greater than 100 millimetres. Perforated or mesh materials have their own maximum aperture limits.

No. We come out, measure the run on site, check the fall and the access, and give you a written itemised price. It costs you nothing and there's no obligation. We don't quote over the phone because a phone number is a guess and a guess is what turns into a variation later.

Most residential fences are a one to two day job on site — posts and concrete on the first day, panels, capping and gates on the second, with the concrete curing in between. Longer runs, retaining, modular walls or automated gates add time, and the number of days is written into the quote.

Colorbond if you want to stop thinking about it: no rot, no painting, no dropped palings, and it's solid so you get real privacy. Timber if the look matters on an older or leafier property, if your neighbour prefers it, or if you're on bushfire-prone land where hardwood is one of the permitted materials. Over the life of the fence the cost is close.

Sydney Fence Group is a fencing contractor based in Penrith, New South Wales, with over 18 years experience. We install chainwire, security fencing, glass pool fencing, modular walls, Colorbond, aluminium slat, timber paling, gates and retaining walls for residential and commercial customers across Western Sydney. Open 7 days. Phone 0447 215 206.