How to resolve Colorbond fence installation issues?

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.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/46550#Comment_46550

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)

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!!

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/46559#Comment_46559

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/85344#Comment_85344

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

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/107863#Comment_107863

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…

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121191#Comment_121191

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.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129514#Comment_129514

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

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129514#Comment_129514

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

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134782#Comment_134782

You can hang gates from either side the gate s hinges need to sit on a post ideally that's into the ground or attached at the top to bottom onto the wall.

A gate needs two posts hinge side then the latch side.

If you swap sides the gate swings from just make sure the gate latch is reversable, or you will need a new one.

If you want and in swinging gate or out swinging gate this is easy to do by adjusting hinge positions just the latches need to match that operation.

My gate has a latch pin for in swinging, but this won't allow the gate to open outwards, and it will hit the gate frame and the security of the gate is good as the latch is inside of the gate.

If the same latch used on the outside, you could lock people in but anyone can open gate from the street. So a new latch that is lockable on the outside is needed.

I hope i didn't over complicate all that

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134782#Comment_134782