Removing an Old Fence: Preparing for New Installation

Many ageing fences may not completely fall apart. Instead, they often lean gradually until a panel detaches in a storm, signalling an urgent need for replacement.

Once you have scheduled a new fence installation, it’s crucial to remove the existing fence and dispose of it properly—a task that is often overlooked until the last moment. This guide highlights essential considerations to address before taking down the old panels.

Discuss Fence Removal with Your Neighbour Before You Start

If the fence serves as a boundary between properties, it’s essential to communicate with your neighbour about the removal. This conversation helps prevent potential disputes later.

In New South Wales, the Dividing Fences Act 1991 outlines how neighbours can share costs related to a dividing fence and the process for reaching an agreement. NSW Fair Trading provides clear guidance on this topic, including steps to take if an agreement cannot be reached. Familiarising yourself with this information prior to taking down the old fence can help avoid uncomfortable discussions later on.

Key points to clarify include the timeline for fence removal, the duration during which the boundary will be exposed, and how costs will be divided. A brief discussion beforehand can prevent misunderstandings and complications.

Understanding the Old Fence Removal Process

The details of fence removal largely depend on the type of construction.

Timber paling fences typically come apart in a systematic way. First, the palings are removed, followed by the rails, and finally, the posts. While the palings can be taken off quickly, the posts may present challenges due to their usual concrete anchoring.

Colorbond fences can be taken down more quickly, but they can be cumbersome to handle. Although the sheets detach easily from the rails, they are long, have sharp edges, and do not stack neatly. Like timber fences, the posts are generally set in concrete.

Older boundary fences may include various materials, such as chain wire on steel posts, timber lattice over a low brick base, and sometimes durable hardwood. The type of material affects both the duration of the removal process and associated costs.

Making Decisions About Posts and Footings Before Removal

This decision should be made prior to the removal, as it significantly impacts the fencer’s work more than yours.

Concreted posts can either be excavated with their footings attached, creating a series of holes along the boundary, or they can be cut off at ground level, leaving the footings in place. The choice depends on where the new fence posts will be positioned. If the new fence aligns with the existing line, the buried footings could complicate the fencer’s task on their first day.

Consulting with the fencer about their preference before scheduling the removal is advisable. They will likely provide a clear recommendation, and a quick phone call can prevent complications when they arrive to begin work.

Key Checks Before Taking Down the Old Fence

Certain older boundary and side fences in Sydney may not be made from timber or steel. Instead, they could consist of flat grey fibre cement sheeting, often attached to steel posts, and in some cases, this material may contain asbestos.

If the fence resembles flat sheeting rather than palings or Colorbond, it’s crucial to halt any demolition efforts until you can identify the material. SafeWork NSW and your local council offer resources for recognising these materials and information regarding licensed handlers. This is not a decision to rush during a weekend project; proper identification and understanding of the correct procedures are critical.

Managing Old Fence Timber After Removal

Fence materials can be classified into distinct categories. Steel posts, Colorbond sheeting, and chain wire form one category, while timber constitutes another. Concrete footings are treated separately.

It’s important to stress that treated pine, commonly used in modern fencing, should never be burned. Burning treated timber releases harmful preservatives into the smoke and ash, making it unsuitable for fire pits, wood heaters, or backyard bonfires. While old fence palings may seem like a free source of firewood, they are unsafe to burn.

Conversely, hardwood palings from genuinely old fences can be valuable if you have a specific use in mind. If you wish to keep some for future projects, please communicate this preference before the job begins.

What Other Items Will Be Cleared Along with the Old Fence?

A fence line rarely remains free of debris. Vegetation that has grown alongside the fence and items that have been stored against it often accumulate over time.

• Vegetation along the fence line: creeping plants, overgrown shrubs, and roots that may have contributed to the fence leaning.
• Timber offcuts and old palings: remnants from previous repairs, often leaning against nearby structures.
• Pots and garden edging: items that have remained beside the fence and have not been relocated.
• Old outdoor furniture and equipment: items that have been hidden out of sight along that side of the yard.
• Green waste from clearing the area: this is necessary for the fencer to work efficiently and generates its own waste load.

To ensure the fence line is fully prepared for the new installation, consolidating all debris into one load optimises the use of the truck and eases the fencer’s arrival.

Planning for the Gap Between the Old and New Fence

It’s essential to prepare for this gap, as it can unexpectedly catch homeowners off guard.

During the interval between the removal of the old fence and the installation of the new one, the boundary will be exposed. If you have dogs, small children, or a pool in your yard, it is crucial to have a plan in place before removal rather than scrambling afterward. Temporary fencing, securing pets indoors, or timing the removal to coincide with the fencer’s arrival are all effective strategies. Lacking a plan can lead to complications.

If a pool is present, remember that pool barrier regulations remain applicable even when the boundary fence is down. If the boundary fence is part of the pool barrier, consult your certifier before any removal occurs.

Scheduling Old Fence Removal Services in Sydney

Our fence removal services are part of our comprehensive backyard demolition and junk removal offerings, with debris and cuttings from the fence removal transported in the same vehicle under green waste removal.

When you contact us, please provide details about the fence: the approximate length in metres, whether it is timber, Colorbond, or wire, if the posts are concreted, and any additional items that need to be removed alongside that side of the yard. If a fencer has already scheduled a start date, mention this, as coordinating the removal with this date can streamline the process.

Consider two additional resources: the differences between council hard waste and private junk removal, which can be useful before placing fence timber on the kerb, and the comparison between skip bags and skip bins if you prefer to dismantle the fence yourself over a weekend.

Common Queries About Old Fence Removal

Should the Old Fence Be Removed Before the Fencer Arrives?

In most cases, yes. Most fencers prefer a cleared boundary, allowing them to start setting up on their first day rather than spending valuable time tearing down and stacking the old fence. Consult your fencer to clarify their preferences, as some include removal in their services while others do not, which may determine whether you need our assistance.

Can You Remove the Concrete Footings from the Old Fence Posts?

Yes, the footings can be removed alongside the posts, leaving holes in the ground, or the posts can be cut off at ground level, leaving the footings intact. The best option depends on the placement of the new posts, so consult with the fencer first and relay their advice before we begin work.

Is Neighbour’s Consent Necessary for Removing a Dividing Fence?

Since a dividing fence affects both properties, discussing the matter with your neighbour is important rather than making unilateral decisions. The Dividing Fences Act 1991 outlines how neighbours in New South Wales can agree on and share costs associated with a dividing fence. Ensure this is settled before scheduling the removal.

Can I Keep the Old Palings for Firewood?

Not if they are treated pine, which constitutes the majority of modern palings. Burning treated timber is unsafe as it releases harmful preservatives into the smoke and ash. Older hardwood palings are a different matter. If you wish to keep some, please inform us before the job begins, and we will set aside a stack for you.

What Other Items Can Be Cleared Along with the Fence?

The entire area alongside the fence can be cleared as needed. The fence line typically contains overgrown vegetation, old timber leaning against it, and various items stored out of sight. Since the boundary must be cleared for the fencer, consolidating everything into one load is a more efficient use of the truck than scheduling separate removals.