Are you planning to hire fencing contractors for a new build?
Before you hire an Adelaide fence installer, it’s crucial to ask the right questions.
Choose the wrong team, and you could end up with:
- Safety hazard of a fence
- Fencing that could fall apart in strong wind
- Extra charges halfway through the job, after you’ve already locked in the price
To help you avoid these headaches, I’ll reveal the 3 most important questions to ask before committing to a fencing company’s quote – (Plus 3 red flags to watch out for) – So you can make a smart hiring decision and avoid dodgy tradies.
3 Questions To Ask Fence Installers In Adelaide
1. “Are You Licensed & Insured?”
Before committing to anything, make sure your fence installer has proper licensing and insurance.
Why?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor might save you a buck upfront, but it puts you at risk for poor quality work and potential liability if something goes wrong.
- Why Licensing Matters: Licensed contractors follow fence industry standards, so you know the work will be done properly.
- Why Insurance Matters: If a worker gets injured on your property, or damage occurs to your home during installation, insurance protects you from getting the bill.
For extra assurance, ask to see proof of the information you’re looking for.
Calabria Fencing is licensed for fence work in South Australia 🙂
Related: Fencing Laws In South Australia – Easy 2025 Guide
2. “What Does The Quote Cover?”
Being 100% clear on what the quoted price covers keeps your wallet safe. Some fencing contractors in Adelaide will lock in a seemingly final price, only for additional costs to creep in as the job progresses.
You don’t want this issue, so get them to clarify what the quote covers before signing anything.
Common Hidden Costs:
- Clearing foliage or debris in the way of the installation
- Hiring special tools for unique projects
- Fence removal and disposal fees
- Additional materials for the job
If there’s extra work, there should be extra charges.
You should know them before agreeing to a quote, otherwise they’ll get added on as the project progresses.
Which leads to confusion and the potential to get overcharged.
(At Calabria Fencing, we NEVER tack on extra charges and always stick to the agreed-upon price.)
Use our simple 30-second quote generator, and we’ll get a quote to you in 24 hrs.
3. “Do You Have Reviews Or Photos Of Fences You’ve Installed?”
All good contractors should be able to provide reviews and photos of their past work.
Seeing their previously built fences tells you whether or not they know what they’re doing.
And seeing what past customers have to say gives you an idea of the service you’ll receive.
Most fencing companies in Adelaide have all this on their websites, so you shouldn’t have to look very hard or ask.
Look at the homepage of our website!
We proudly showcase our reviews and recent fence installations so you know we’re good at what we do.
All fencing contractors should be just as proud of their work.
If not, they might only build dodgy fences.
Things To Watch Out For When Hiring Fence Installers In Adelaide
It’s smart to ask good questions to potential fence installers.
But listening to the answers you get is just as important.
Listen, not just to the answers themselves, but to also how those answers are given.
Are they confident in what they’re saying?
Do they sound unsure of themselves?
Below I’ll point out 3 red flags to beware of when hiring fence installers in Adelaide.
No Proof Of Insurance Or License
I touched on this one a bit earlier, but I’ll elaborate here.
Any fence installers you hire should be licensed and insured, and you should ask for this information.
However, don’t just take their word for it. Ask to see PROOF of this info.
If they hesitate to provide it, or make excuses, take it as a red flag.
(This is especially important for big projects exceeding $12,000, where licensing is required by law.)
No Knowledge Of Local Laws & Regulations
Adelaide has specific rules about fence height, materials, and placement. For example, your fence can’t exceed 2.1m in height in most scenarios, and it needs to be built along an officially surveyed property line.
What happens if a newly built fence doesn’t comply with local laws & regulations?
You might get away with it for a little while.
Until the local council comes along and determines your new fence needs to go.
That’s when you – (not the fencing company) – get slapped with a nice ol’ fine for noncompliance, and you’ll be required to pay for a full replacement. Yes, out of your own pocket. Which won’t go down too well considering you just spent thousands for the new fence.
Avoid this costly scenario by making sure your fence installers know about local laws before starting any work.
“Too Good To Be True” Quotes
If a quote seems unbelievably cheap, there’s most likely a reason for that.
Brand-new fencing is supposed to last for years. Ideally decades.
Fence installers will give you a cheap quote for one of these two reasons (or both):
- They’re going to use cheap materials
- They plan on cutting corners on the work quality
Cheap materials + Poor workmanship = Your fence won’t even last a year.
Fencing isn’t cheap, especially if you get modern Colorbond fencing. Trying to skimp out on price will cost you more in the long run. Because the worse your fence is built, the more likely you’ll need to pay for repairs throughout the years.
And that will leave you even more out of pocket than if you paid that bit extra from the start.
Read: Adelaide Fencing Costs: Simple Pricing Guide (2024)
Read: Colorbond Fencing Price Per Metre In Adelaide (2024)
How To Avoid Overly Cheap Fencing Quote (Mini Guide)
If you’re planning to have a new fence built, here’s a quick step-by-step on getting a price that’s not too cheap or too expensive:
- Find 2 or 3 fencing companies that serve your location
- Request a quote from each company
- Compare the quoted prices
- Select the average price
Going through this simple process will guarantee you get a good price for your project.
Of course, you also wanna make sure the company you choose is as reputable and experienced as us 🙂 That’s important too.
Read: 5 Ways To Save Money On Your Fence Installation
Read: How To Quickly Get a New Fence Installed In Adelaide
Conclusion
Getting a new fence installed in Adelaide isn’t just about finding someone who can slap up a few panels. It’s an important investment in the long-term value of your home. So you need to find someone who can build a fence that will last as long as possible.
Asking the right questions will help you see who’s right for the job.
To recap,
Here are the top 3 important questions to ask a fence installer in Adelaide:
- “Are you licensed and insured?”
- “What does the quote cover?”
- “Do you have reviews or photos of fences you’ve installed?”
At Calabria Fencing, we don’t just answer these questions confidently, we back them up with proof! With a 5-star Google rating and a gallery of completed projects, you can feel safe knowing you’ll get a strong fence built at a great price!
Use our simple 30-second form to request a free online fencing quote!
These blog posts might also help you plan your new fence build:
Read: How To Choose The Right Adelaide Fencing Contractors
Read: How To Choose The Right Fence For An Adelaide Home
Read: 10 Things That Impact the Cost of Your New Fence
You can never be too informed 🙂