How to Build a Fence on a Budget?

In a previous blog post, we explained the different cost ranges of common fencing options. To sum it up, there are low-cost fencing options, while others carry hefty price tags. You might think that the latter makes up for it with a quality build that can last generations, and you’d be right.

How much you want to allocate for your fence budget is – and has always been – up to you. Whether you desire to have a cost-effective wooden fence or resilient chain link fencing, you’ll find a way to make it a reality. There’s just one rule you must keep in mind: “Never blow your budget.”

We’d be lying if we told you that getting a fence is cheap. It’s an investment that’ll be a part of your property for as long as it remains standing and doing its job. That said, thinking that the best fences in Australia are out of your reach isn’t a healthy mindset. In the end, it all comes down to being a bit creative about using your fencing project budget.

What NOT to Do on a Budget

Before anything else, it’s important to have an idea of the things you shouldn’t do when building fences on a budget. These affordable fencing ideas might seem sensible at first, but they won’t be kind to you in the long run. Trust us, knowing these now will save you a lot of grief later.

• Be afraid of asking questions. How much you know about your dream fence can make or break that. Hesitating to ask or being intimidated by someone who thinks you ask too much can rob you of perhaps your only chance to own a fence.
• Settling for the lowest quote on a whim. Each price tag has a story to tell; some justify their cost, while others don’t. There’s a reason that the budget-friendly fence you’re eyeing can afford to be that cheap – and a cheap fence idea isn’t always a good one.
• Setting an unrealistic budget or timetable. Good fences take money and time to make. Getting the fencing materials and equipment with an unrealistic budget can mean corners have been cut somewhere to get them. The same goes for the timetable.
• Installing the fence while the concrete’s still curing. At the earliest, concrete can take 24 hours to completely dry and support the fence’s weight. Fence installation during curing risks misaligning the fence posts and keeping them that way once cured.
• Foregoing building a retaining wall on sloped land. For a home on sloped land, a fence must be built atop a retaining wall that serves as a solid foundation. Without the wall, the fence risks collapsing due to soil erosion brought on by bad weather.
• Building a fence without the right tools and skills. DIY fence installation may seem like the cheapest way, however, not hiring a fence professional to do the work won’t necessarily save you in service fees. In fact, such savings from DIY fence installation may go to repairing problems caused by improper fence installation or workmanship.

Think Cost-Effectiveness, Not Cost

A lower-priced product or service may be ideal in several situations but not in choosing a fence. A costly replacement too early in a fence’s lifespan is out of the question, especially for the cash-strapped. You’d want your fence to be the last one your home needs – at least until the next generation or two.

If you’re still basing your decisions on cost, it may be time to switch gears. As far as fences go, spending more for one can turn out to save you more over time than spending less by choosing a DIY fence installation. This is what it means to choose the most cost-effective option instead of the least costly one.

Practising this mindset won’t be easy, especially because there are just too many factors to consider. That said, you only need to consider the most essential ones to your situation to arrive at a sound decision.

Let’s set a scene: you want a privacy fence that goes well with your backyard garden patio but is tough enough to weather the Australian climate. Your budget can only afford about AUD$100 per linear metre of fencing. At Grays Fences & Gates, we have two affordable fencing options that fit the bill: timber and COLORBOND® fences. Their respective pros and cons are listed below.

When faced with this much information, expect to do a lot of comparing (and note-taking) here. One trick is to get important keywords from your fence plan and do due diligence on how these inexpensive fence ideas stack up in each area. Here’s a sample breakdown for your reference.

Of course, you’re free to delve deeper when comparing cheap fence ideas or low-cost fencing options and set your own criteria. It’s a lot of work for just choosing a fence, but it’s a decision that shouldn’t be left to raw chance.