Choosing the right fencing contractor can save you thousands of dollars and years of frustration.
Over the years, we’ve repaired and replaced countless fences that failed long before they should have. In many cases, the problem wasn’t the materials—it was the way the fence was built.
At Crawfords Fencing, we believe educating homeowners is just as important as building quality fences.
Here are some of the most common mistakes we see.
1. Posts Installed Too Shallow
One of the biggest reasons fences lean.
If the foundations aren’t deep enough, the fence will eventually move.
2. Not Enough Concrete
Using too little concrete or poor-quality concrete reduces the strength of the entire fence.
3. Incorrect Post Spacing
Posts that are spaced too far apart place unnecessary stress on rails and palings.
4. Poor Drainage Around Fence Posts
Constant moisture can reduce the lifespan of timber posts and contribute to movement over time.
5. Using the Wrong Timber Treatment
H3 and H4 timber are designed for different purposes.
Using the wrong treatment level can significantly reduce the life of the fence.
6. Painting Treated Timber Too Early
Fresh treated timber needs time to dry.
Painting too early can trap moisture inside the timber.
As Director Tyrone Crawford often explains:
“It’s like putting wet timber inside a plastic bag on a hot day.”
7. Ignoring Wind Loads
Every fence experiences wind loading.
Fence height, location and exposure should all influence how the fence is built.
8. Poorly Installed Gates
A fence is only as good as its gate.
Incorrect hinges, poor post installation or inadequate bracing can cause gates to sag over time.
9. Poor Alignment
Straight fence lines require planning, string lines and attention to detail.
Small errors become very noticeable over long runs.
10. Inferior Brackets
Not all brackets are created equal.
Quality brackets and fixings contribute to a stronger, longer-lasting installation.
11. No Drainage Behind Retaining Walls
A retaining wall is designed to retain soil—not water.
Without proper drainage you’ve potentially created a swimming pool behind the wall, and the pressure becomes enormous.
12. Ignoring Surcharge Loads
Retaining walls supporting houses, driveways, pools or garages require additional consideration.
13. Using Undersized Steel
Structural steel should suit the loads it will carry.
14. No Engineering When Required
Engineering isn’t an unnecessary expense.
It’s there to ensure retaining walls safely support the loads placed upon them.
15. Cheap Materials
The cheapest quote often becomes the most expensive over time. Here’s a clear example of one at a Ringwood medical centre where a carpentry crew just didn’t have the experience they claimed and one month after there install we were called in to pullout and replace all of there work – fortunately our client was refunded by the other company and hopefully they learned a few valuable lessons
16. Poor Site Preparation
Removing vegetation, old concrete and unstable material before construction helps provide a better foundation.
17. No String Line
Professional fencing starts with accurate set-out.
Straight fences don’t happen by accident.
18. Poor Communication
A good contractor should explain the process, discuss site conditions and keep you informed throughout the project.
19. Cutting Corners Below Ground
The most expensive mistakes are often the ones nobody can see.
20. Choosing Price Over Value
A fence built to last decades is usually better value than replacing a cheap fence after only a few years.
21. Using Lightweight Bolt-On Brackets
Not every bolt-on retaining wall bracket is built for long-term performance.
At Crawfords Fencing, we’ve developed our own heavy-duty bracket systems because we wanted a solution we could confidently stand behind.
22. Skipping Geotextile Fabric
Without separation, soil can migrate into the drainage aggregate over time, reducing the effectiveness of the drainage system.
23. Forgetting Future Maintenance
A quality fence should also be practical to maintain and repair if required.
24. Hiring a General Builder Instead of a Fencing Specialist
Fencing is a specialised trade.
Every day we work with footing depths, wind loading, drainage, gates, retaining walls and structural steel.
Experience matters.
25. Not Asking Questions
A professional contractor should welcome questions.
If someone can’t explain why they’re building something a certain way, it’s worth asking whether they truly understand it themselves.
Build It Once. Build It Properly.
At Crawfords Fencing, we don’t believe in shortcuts.
From the first hole we dig to the final screw we tighten, every decision is made with one goal in mind:
Building fences and retaining walls designed to stand the test of time.
As Director Tyrone Crawford often says:
“The quality of a fence isn’t measured on the day it’s finished. It’s measured ten or twenty years later when it’s still standing straight.”
Need Honest Advice?
Whether you’re planning a timber fence, Colorbond fence, integrated retaining wall, gate or concrete sleeper retaining wall, Crawfords Fencing can help.
We proudly service Ringwood, Ringwood East, Ringwood North, Croydon, Heathmont, Blackburn, Mitcham, Vermont, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Templestowe, Warrandyte, Bayswater, Wantirna, Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Chirnside Park, Montrose, Coldstream, Yarra Glen and surrounding suburbs throughout Maroondah, Whitehorse, Manningham, Knox and the Yarra Ranges.
Contact Crawfords Fencing today for a free, no-obligation quote.
Example of one of the worst brand new fence installs we had to pull out of the ground (2 weeks old)- luckily the other company gave our clients a refund and we were able to help them out with some proper fencing