Fencing contracting done right

Fencing contracting covers the whole job: assessing the boundary or paddock line, choosing a fence type that suits the site, setting posts and strainers, fixing rails, netting or panels, hanging gates, and finishing the line so it is straight, tight and tidy.

Common options include timber panel and paling fences for residential boundaries, post-and-rail fencing for lifestyle blocks, post-and-wire or netting fences for stock, and galvanised or timber gates. The right choice depends on what the fence needs to do and the ground it sits on.

Rules vary by district and by fence height, location and type, so it is worth checking your local council district plan before work starts. Fences near a road, over easements, or above certain heights can have extra requirements, and shared boundary fences sit under the Fencing Act 1978.

Under the Fencing Act 1978, adjoining owners of a boundary fence can generally be asked to share the cost of a standard fence. The detail depends on the fence and the agreement between neighbours, so it pays to sort this out in writing before any work begins.

Clear the fence line of plants, stock and obstacles where you can, mark any underground services before digging, and have a clear idea of the fence type, height and gate positions you want. A site walk-over before quoting helps pin down the details.