Choosing the right fence

1. What is the purpose of your fence?

It's important to start by deciding exactly what you need your fence to do.There are a number of options you should consider:

• provide safety and security
• screen an unsightly view
• retain children or pets
• enclose pools or tennis courts
• reduce noise
• improve the look and style of your property
• provide privacy
• mark a boundary
• shape your property and define particular areas for certain activities
• define personal space

Some fences perform certain functions better than others, but with some careful planning and professional advice, you can often choose a fence that will do more than one thing.

No matter which fence you choose, you will want to make sure it suits your needs, your landscape and complements your environment.

2. What are your legal obligations?

Always consult your local council before installing a fence to ensure compliance with any local council by-laws. Council regulations vary from region to region and can help you with respect to height, materials and distances from neighbours or pavements. This is mandatory for the installation of a pool fence, and can result in fines if regulations are not adhered to.

3. How do you choose the right design?

You will want your new fence to be functional, but it should also enhance the look of your home. Here are some ways to help you achieve this:

The style of your home

First, look at the architectural style of your home. Is it Contemporary, Georgian, Federation, Brick Federation, Old Colonial, Tuscan or another style altogether? The design of your fence should complement the style of your home.

Making an impression versus blending in

Do you want the fence to stand out and become a feature in itself, or blend in? Some fences are designed not to be seen, while others are used to form a backdrop to other features. Specific colours and styles will help you achieve the look you are after.

Choosing a fencing Contractor

It all comes down to trust, but as a guide, there are two questions you should be able to answer before requesting a quote from a contractor:

1 Can they do the job? If you are not sure, ask to see jobs they have previously done that are similar to yours.

2 Will they look after my interests? If you haven’t worked with the contractor before, it can be difficult to know. So get in touch with previous customers. Ask for references. And keep an eye out for the contractor’s signs on fences in your neighbourhood.

Once you’ve identified two or three trustworthy contractors, you should start shopping around for value. But don’t base your decision solely on price because as a general rule, you get what you pay for. We recommend that you factor competence and integrity into the equation to make sure you select the best all-round contractor for the job.