Should You Get Rid Of the Old Fence First?
A fencing task looks straightforward from the street. New lumber, new blog posts, a cool line, done. The component that typically gets overlooked is the old fence resting there like a persistent neighbor, and the inquiry that shows up almost every time somebody publications a quote: ought to you remove the old fence first, or must the fencing contractor handle it as part of the job?
If you ask it delicately, you will obtain a laid-back answer. The fact is much more nuanced. In some scenarios, leaving the existing fence location makes the installer's life less complicated and saves you cash. In others, keeping it there simply creates extra labour, added time, and a higher opportunity of surprises once the posts come out.
I've gotten on site for lots of fence tasks throughout different residential properties and conditions, and the decision generally boils down to one point: what the old fence is most likely to do throughout the brand-new jobs. Does it obstruct, or does it offer helpful reference points? Does it conceal the actual border situation, or does it rest easily in the exact same impact the new fencing will inhabit? Let's break it down properly.
The genuine concern is about gain access to and alignment
When a fence installer (and great fencing contractors) speak about whether the old fencing needs to appear first, they are truly talking about 2 issues:
First, access. Can the crew action materials, equipment, and auger equipment where they need to function? Second, positioning. Is the brand-new fence mosting likely to utilize the exact same line, or does it need to change slightly as a result of border clarity, ground conditions, or design changes?
Even a "exact same fencing line" can be various as soon as you measure effectively. Numerous old fences were constructed with charitable interpretation of the limit, or on top of previous secure fencing impacts. Sometimes the articles are also misaligned simply enough to matter when you are trying to maintain panels directly, rails degree, and spacing consistent.
If the existing fencing is still tough and in the same place, it can act like a short-lived overview. If it is leaning, rotten, or obstructing the dig areas, it ends up being friction, and removal very first generally makes the most sense.
Why leaving the old fence can work
There's a useful factor some Fence contractors suggest leaving the old fence location until they prepare to install. If the old fence is not breaking down, the team can utilize it for referral while they set out string lines, verify article positions, and plan any type of changes.
On one residential property, the old wood fence was old yet surprisingly strong. It was not pretty, however it really did not move when you pushed on it. The house owner thought about tearing it out early. The fencing contractor Melbourne group recommended resisting. They took measurements from the old fence line, confirmed the new layout, and just eliminated areas as they set up the new blog posts. That method lowered the time the site was open and unguarded, and the staff avoided the "we eliminated whatever, after that became aware the boundary line changes" scenario.
Leaving it in place can additionally minimize wind direct exposure if you are near an open area. Momentary securing matters if you are setting up color towel, washed wood panels, or anything that catches wind during construction.
Another thing people fail to remember is weather. Rainfall changes soil uniformity. If the old fence is still there, you can often organize the job in such a way that keeps areas obtainable, rather than removing everything and transforming the entire website into a muddy mess overnight.
Why removing the old fencing initially is usually better
Now for the other side. Getting rid of the old fence early can be the smarter move when the existing fencing is going to reduce the brand-new mount down, or when it is dangerous in its present form.
I have actually seen scenarios where the old fence is plainly rotten at the base. The rails and pickets can look "fine" up until you begin excavating. After that you draw a board, and the whole section breaks down. When that occurs mid-install, staffs waste time tidying up and resetting. It also runs the risk of damaging neighboring landscape design, outdoor patios, or paths where the particles finishes up.
There's likewise a tidiness and safety and security angle. An installer can function around a fencing that is still steady, yet if the old structure is tangled, half-rotten, or packed with old bolts, it usually becomes a threat while you are trying to take care of brand-new materials. For a Fence company Melbourne task, that matters due to the fact that the site needs to stay orderly, and the crew requires to prevent spending quality time picking splinters out of machinery or untangling old cord that has actually been stapled in over the years.
If you are placing in a much heavier fence system, like thicker blog posts, masonry bases, or certain metal designs, you typically need clear access to dig places and footing areas. In those situations, removal first can reduce the overall work time.
A few "it depends" information that change the answer
A fence agreement is typically priced around anticipated site conditions. The old fence is one of those problems that can turn the task time. Here are the variables that continually affect whether you must eliminate it first, or wait on the fence contractor to do it.
Post condition and how much the new fencing footprint will overlap
If the brand-new fence utilizes the exact same message positions, elimination might not be required until the last minute. If the brand-new posts need to go elsewhere, or you are changing to fix placement, after that the old fence often requires to be gotten rid of early so the staff can dig without wrestling around old timber.
Boundary verification and any type of survey needs
Sometimes the fence line is contested or unclear. If there's any type of possibility the new fence position needs to be set off from the old one, the old fence can either help (as a referral) or puzzle (as an inaccurate referral). In those situations, a careful set out matters greater than rushing removal.
Site accessibility for vehicles, trailers, and augers
If you have narrow side access, or a driveway that restricts where products can be presented, the old fencing can either create an obstacle or provide room to lay lumber briefly. In a great deal of country yards, the gain access to facts choose what's practical.
Waste handling and skip container logistics
Old fencing material needs to go someplace. Some Fencing installers include removal and disposal as component of their service. Others do not, or they bill independently. If you eliminate it on your own and you have no excellent disposal strategy, it can turn into a weekend break job that finishes with an avoid bin you didn't spending plan for.
I have actually seen house owners spend an entire day demoing lumber only to find the container delivery and neighborhood oblique demands add a cost that makes "DIY removal" look much less smart on paper. Often it is still worth it, however it should be a deliberate decision, not an unexpected one.
Whether the old fence is attached to anything else
A remarkably common side case is an old fence that is connected right into points like boundary keeping walls, celebrity pickets that are connected to old entrance joints, or sections that double as assistance for vines. Eliminating it prematurely can create a domino effect. Await the Fence contractor Melbourne crew to evaluate, and they'll commonly handle removing and reinstating cleanly.
When eliminating first is usually the better move
There are clear patterns where removal first usually aids the work. If your scenario matches numerous of these, it often makes sense to remove the old fencing prior to the installers arrive, or at the very least eliminate the areas that will straight disrupt the dig and set out.
Even in these instances, I still recommend coordinating with your Fencing contractors ahead of time. Some installers like to remove their own means so they can regulate what gets harmed, where debris goes, and exactly how the brand-new articles are set without interruption.
When you may maintain the old fence place temporarily
Not every old fence requires to find down initially. In some cases keeping it there till the new job is organized correctly makes every little thing smoother.
In these situations, an expert group usually removes just what they should as they proceed, which can keep your backyard calmer and decrease mess.
The cost truth: you may save cash, or you might lose it
People normally ask about eliminating the old fence first because of price. That's fair. If you tackle the trial on your own, you may decrease the labour line product. Yet fencing jobs are not billed only for elimination time. They're additionally billed for the time spent handling access, waste, and the knock-on effects of doing things out of sequence.
Here's a based means to think of it:
- If the fencing crew is currently preparing to get rid of the old fence, and they can do it rapidly as component of the set up workflow, your DIY demonstration may not conserve much.
- If the staff will certainly have to function around unstable fencing areas, demolition on your timetable could really decrease their time and enhance the outcome.
- If your DIY work creates added damage, you could wind up paying more for repair work or reconstruction, especially around yard beds, paths, or existing articles that weren't anticipated to be pulled.
The best "cash conserving" relocation is not necessarily doing trial on your own. It's ensuring the extent is clear. Ask your Fence company what elimination and disposal consists of in the quote, and ask what adjustments in cost if the old fencing is already gone.
If you are comparing quotes from different Fence contractors, make sure you are comparing the exact same extent. One quote may consist of elimination and rubbish disposal, another might think you manage it. That's where decisions get messy fast.
Safety and validity: the component people overlook
Removing a fencing sounds harmless, however it can include risks: nails and staples, old cable that reduces, hidden lumber fragments, unsteady messages, and anything connected to the fencing line.
Also, there are boundary and permit considerations. I'm not discussing dramatic policies that stop every work. I imply the useful side of fence compliance where neighborhood demands issue. Your installer likely manages this procedure, but your obligation boosts if you are transforming the website before authorization checks are complete.
Even if there are no authorizations needed for your particular work, I still encourage you to work with. A fencing installer can recommend on just how to present the job without leaving you exposed or developing concerns before measurements and approvals are secured in.
A functional circumstance: removing it very early versus staging it
Let me share a common yard story I have actually seen repeat.
A property owner desired a brand-new hardwood paling fence. They got rid of the old panels the day prior to the staff showed up. The fence was old steel celebrity pickets with hardwood rails, and it was already leaning. Once the boards were off, the pickets were exposed. A few were not safe and secure any longer, and when the staff came to establish string lines, they realised the old picket placements were not what the home owner assumed.
The installer can still work, but they needed to hang out validating post placements, handling loose residues, and guaranteeing the brand-new openings were secure and not disrupted by the old picket bases. The end result was still great, however the routine slipped slightly and the site was dirtier than necessary.
If the house owner had actually coordinated removal with the fencing contractors, they might have removed only the sections required to access the dig zones, while leaving adequate framework in position for positioning checks. In the end, that type of staging often lowers rework.
So, should you get rid of the old fencing first?
There isn't a single response that fits every lawn. The choice has to do with timing and scope, not just effort.
If your old fencing is unstable, in the incorrect placement, or plainly in the means of article setup, removing it first can genuinely help. If the fencing is strong and aligned, leaving it up until the Fencing Installer Melbourne group prepares to set out and install can keep the job more secure, cleaner, and more predictable.
The finest method is a simple preparation discussion. Determine that has removal in the scope, and determine what "done" means. As an example, does "elimination" indicate drawing boards only, or does it include getting rid of messages and rails, plus disposal?
If you have multiple choices, you can additionally request an organized plan. Several seasoned Fencing installers fit removing areas in turn, so your privacy stays undamaged and the site stays workable while the task progresses.
Questions to ask your fence contractor prior to you touch a hammer
If you desire the decision to be evident, ask a couple of targeted inquiries. This avoids the most typical rubbing points.
Here are the inquiries I would certainly put to your Fence contractor or Fence installer as soon as the quote conversation starts:
With those answers, the choice comes to be practical instead of guesswork.
What I recommend in actual life
If you are waiting for setup, I usually advise coordinating first rather than acting instantly. If the installer says the fencing should boil down for accessibility or safety and security, you can do the elimination swiftly and keep the job moving. If the installer claims the fencing can remain temporarily for laid out and placement, you'll likely wind up with a far better outcome and less mess.
For numerous house owners throughout Melbourne, collaborating with recognized fencing contractors Melbourne groups additionally indicates you obtain the benefit of experience with neighborhood conditions, dirt types, and normal yard accessibility. They know which fences usually appear easily and which ones turn into a mid-day of "one more thing" once the fasteners are exposed.
In other words, the most economical path is not always DIY elimination. It's selecting the series that matches your website and your scope, so the Fence company work streams smoothly from set out to mount to cleanup.
If you inform me a bit concerning your existing fencing (product, condition, and whether you are moving the fencing line or changing in the same footprint), I can assist you analyze the most likely best sequence for your situation.