colourbond fence installation issues

[jfordham]

Hi

i had a fencing company install a new colourbond fence to an investment property and they are adamant they have done it correctly…

as per pictures they have installed some of the fence posts ontop and into existing timber posts used for an existing retaining wall.  I’m not a fencer but I assume using the timber posts is not structurally sound and all the posts need to be 600 or 800mm in ground and concreted?

I will speak to them again but assume this all needs to be ripped out, and maybe reinstalled in front of the wall and directly into the ground and concreted?

 

 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @jfordham 

Conclusion :  This color bond installation looks totally shonky  and a  complete  rebuild and  all new posts required as it looks like all in the photos  have being cut short and mounted/screwed solely  onto treated  pine posts not dug into the ground as  per the installation guidelines specify. 

If you havn't paid them  then don't pay them or stop payment.  If you paid them  electronically you bank  can do a money claim  reversal ASAP as often these  lot want payment ASAP on  completion.

You might want to contact color bond themselves they may want to give you a supporting letter to that effect you can use to leverage a  solution against the installers.  Also do you know the material fence  suppliers the fencers  bought  the componentry from they will need to know who they are dealing with and  may assist.

Do search for  google and print off colorbonds.  Installation Guide Fencing  color bond fencing guide. 

Bunning  video  shows  correct post installation FYI  bunnings Color bond fence posts 

Current fence weaknesses 

A  I suspect the  longest color bond post is only just under ground 50mm and is screwed to the timber posts as the  fences sole support. So when the post rots the fence will fall/sag.  Possible evidence of that is in the photo ie the lack of post hole dirt. Only little mounds of  dirt per post. This means  no post holes dug as  usually digging  post hole creates plenty of  dirt where is it all.

If the color bond is sitting on treated  pine  stumps its long life span will be greatly  reduce to the life span of the treated pine stumps. 10 to 15 years less  with the wind blowning the fence on top.

If  what I am seeing is true you will need a complete rebuild.

1 All the  timber stumps must come out.

2 All the posts  in photos have being trimmed to short to go into the ground so will need to be  fully replaced with 2.4 meter  posts 2x back to back into each old stump hole and the timber plimiths slotted into  both sides.

Well   quite a  posting. pardon the  pun.

[jfordham]

Thanks for much for your reply…. Hopefully they are reasonable here and yes unfortunately already paid (I’m based in Sydney and property in  Brisbane…it’s my fault I paid too quickly)

[jfordham]

Sorry also had a question about the gate installation, as per pictures post has been bolted to top of brick and also side of brick wall. (Red and yellow  markings on second image)

i think it’s “ok” but again just hoping for an opinion 

thanks!!

 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @jfordham 

It is common for contrators to stick there hand out at the completion of  jobs so you  paying is  normal  at  completion dont feel bad your the good  guy here.

Well  the  good news is the gate  has a post into the ground which  will support both the gate  and the fence.  A perfect installation.  the fence panel you circled is all normal and good.  This post wasnt installed recently so must have been there  before the path was laid.

Looking  how much difference between the  front fence and side fence I would be concerned more as to how  deep the corner  fence post is actually buried ?   normal size is 2.4 M   - 1.8M fence panels height  leaves 0.6 or 600mm  of post length

Now look how far up the fence panels start at least 400mm  So 600-400 =200mm  of the post that is into the ground?   Unless a longer post was used at 3.0M?  In that case the post is longer into the ground up to 800mm  But 600mm is CBs standards here.

Take a photo  of the corner post. outside view and inside view down low to see  how the CB fence couples  with the timber section.

Color bond needs a  corner post termination ideally as per there guide lines.  

Hi @jfordham  You will need to engage color bond repesentative in that area to fully asses the fence as per color bonds installation guide. I am sure CB will want to help preserve their high  fencing reputation from  shonky  work.

So you will have a leg to stand on in mediation with the contractor.  You paid for a color bond fence SO if my yet unconfirmed remote photo observations  prove true  (re CB mounted on the old stumps ) you dont have  what you  paid for. So you will need  evidence of this to move forward.

I can only raise a red flag to help you seek help.  The photos you showed me  are valuable as it shows the lack of dirt out of the holes.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @jfordham,

The gate also doesn't look particularly great. I think @Jewelleryrescue might have misinterpreted that the post is in the concrete. To me, it doesn't look like either the fence or the gate post is concreted into anything. I presume they must have bolted it to the wall. Given that it would only be a couple of bolts into the wall at the bottom of the post to support a gate and that fence panel, I suspect you might run into an issue there. 

Your best bet would be to discuss with the installation company, and as @Jewelleryrescue mentioned, if you can find out who made this fencing (Colorbond is just the steel manufacturer. Other companies create their own fence panels, etc), you could reach out to them for their opinion.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[jfordham]

Thanks both. Such a great forum….

yes the post has been bolted ontop of the concrete floor, and into the side wall…..

I suspect it may hold for a short while but longer term will wear….

hopefully the contractor will be reasonable here…

[Jewelleryrescue]

Thanks to @MitchellMc   Sharper eyes

He caught that one and I am very glad he did.  

@MitchellMc   who in the building trade can  be hired to write a report as to the fences poor construction?

Wow a hinged fence on just bolted to a low wall this might last a year or so.  A contractor that does this and call it a good job @jfordham  rally all the evidence and local support you can see if you can get him to reveal who he buys his CB off?  They maybe able to help with pointing out the flawed fencing practices.

@MitchellMc  is right again companies like Lysaght  and others use the CB steel to make to metal components.

@jfordham   You paid for a Colourbond fence but only got half of one the top half. So Dept fair trading can be involved once you have local written inspections.  

Current Affairs to tv show are always starving on the hunt for new stories.  Cant hurt to contact them. 

[jfordham]

Thanks both will let you know how I go….

out of interest I presume best to have fixed the gate to the main wall on the right and have it open the other way?

anyway, appreciate all the input and valuable insights!

[MitchellMc]

That would likely have been the best choice if concreting of a post on the left was not possible @jfordham.

Mitchell