A good Colorbond fence starts well before the first post hole is dug. Sorting out the boundary, your neighbour and the council side of things early saves a lot of back and forth once quotes start coming in.
Most dividing fences sit on the boundary line, but older Adelaide fences sometimes drift over the years. If you are not sure the existing fence is in the right spot, check your certificate of title and survey plan, or talk to a licensed land surveyor before you commit. A survey peg costs a lot less than moving a finished fence.
In South Australia, the Fences Act 1975 sets out how neighbours share the cost of a dividing fence. The usual process is to give your neighbour a written Notice of Intention to Perform Fencing Work, covering the type of fence, where it will go and the estimated cost. Your neighbour then has 30 days to respond. A friendly chat before the paperwork goes out makes everything easier, including agreeing on the colour each side will see. The Legal Services Commission of South Australia has plain English information on the process.
A standard Colorbond boundary fence up to 2.1 metres high is generally exempt from development approval in South Australia, but there are exceptions. Corner blocks, front fences, heritage and character areas, fences built on top of retaining walls and swimming pool barriers can all have extra rules. Newer estates may also have encumbrances that set fence colours or heights. Check with your local council or PlanSA before you lock in a height.
Total length of each fence line in metres
Preferred height (1.8 metres is the most common for backyard privacy)
Any slope, step or change in ground level along the line
Retaining walls, trees, roots, sheds or garden beds near the fence
Where gates need to go and what needs to fit through them
How an installer will get materials from the street to the fence line
If there is an existing fence, work out what it is made of, whether it needs removing and who pays for disposal. The fence replacement page covers this in more detail, including what to do if you suspect asbestos.
Boundary confirmed
Neighbour spoken to and notice served if needed
Council and estate rules checked
Length, height and gate positions noted
Colour agreed for both sides
Two or three written quotes to compare
For another take on these early decisions, the Adelaide Colorbond fencing homeowner guide walks through planning a fence from the look of it right through to access. When you are ready to talk to an installer, New Fence Adelaide supplies and installs Colorbond fencing in Adelaide.
Next up: Styles and colours.
All pages in this guide: Home | Planning | Styles and colours | Fence replacement | Installation | Quote factors | Gates | Common questions | Service area