5 Common Fencing Mistakes (And How We Avoid Them)
A well-built fence should last for many, many years, but we often notice fences failing long before their time due to avoidable mistakes. As rural fencing contractors in Central Victoria, we take pride in doing the job right the first time.
Here are some of the common fencing mistakes we come across and how we make sure they never happen on our projects.
1. Weak Strainer Assemblies
A strainer truly is the backbone of any fence. If it’s not strong enough, the fence line will sag and lean, likely resulting in a collapsed fence. By setting strainer posts deep in the ground using our rammer, we can ensure that each post is tight and secure, leaving you with a fence that stands straight and strong for the long haul.
2. Choosing the Wrong Type of Fence
Not every fence is suitable for every purpose. For example, prefabricated mesh (such as ring-lock) is a great option for sheep and cattle, but it’s a disaster waiting to happen for horses. We take time to understand your property, livestock and long-term needs before recommending the right fencing solutions specifically for you.
3. Incorrect Post Spacing
Posts that are too far apart weaken a fence. Posts too close together waste material and money. It’s always important to us to get the right balance between strength, cost and efficiency by spacing posts correctly taking into consideration the terrain, fence type, and it’s intended purpose.
4. Ignoring Ground Movement
Ground conditions are forever changing, particularly in clay soils, rocky terrain or flood prone areas. Posts can shift and fences can fail if theses conditions aren’t thought through. We prevent this by installing posts deeper where needed and in some cases, we use additional anchoring methods.
5. Poor Gate Placement
Gates – they’re often treated as an after-thought. Bad placement of gates creates headaches such as bottlenecks when moving stock, difficult machinery access and unnecessary double-handling. We work with our clients to plan gate locations well. We think not just about the here and now, but years into the future. We encourage clients to consider, “Where will I need to drive my ute, tractor, or float in five years – not just next week!”
Strong fences start with smart planning. Contact us today and we’ll help you avoid the common mistakes and get it right from the start!