Fence and gate work
Timber side gates
New gates framed and braced so they don't sag, hung on heavy-duty hinges, with a latch or drop bolt that lines up. Old gates rehung on a new post when the old one has rotted at ground level.
Paling fences
Hardwood or treated-pine palings on treated-pine rails and posts, butted or lapped. New fences, and runs replaced after storm damage.
Leaning posts and broken rails
A fence usually leans because a post has rotted at the ground. We replace the post, set it in concrete, and re-fix the rails and palings.
Privacy screens and slatted fences
Slatted timber screens on top of a fence, around a deck or in front of the bins.
ACT fence rules
A fence up to 1.8 m high is exempt from building approval. For the planning exemption, a fence panel can be no higher than 2.3 m and its posts no higher than 2.5 m above the ground, and the exemption doesn't cover fences between the front boundary and the building line (Planning (Exempt Development) Regulation 2023). A front fence needs its own check.
Shared boundary fences are usually a cost shared with your neighbour, so it's worth agreeing the fence with them before work starts. In heritage precincts the materials are set: Braddon's register entry calls for timber paling, lattice, brush or open mesh side and rear fences up to 1.8 m (Inner North page).
Pool fences
Pool barriers still need certification in the ACT. We don't build pool fencing; use a specialist pool fence installer.
What to send us
- The fence length and height, and photos of what's there now
- Front, side or back fence, and whether it's shared with a neighbour
- The gate's width and what's wrong with it
- The timber and style you'd like
- What's along the fence line: garden beds, trees, paving
Questions about fences & gates in Canberra
How high can a timber fence be in the ACT?
A fence up to 1.8 m is exempt from building approval. The planning exemption allows panels up to 2.3 m and posts up to 2.5 m, but not in front of the building line.
Why does my gate sag?
A gate without a diagonal brace, a hinge post that's rotted or moved, or hinges too light for the gate. Bracing the frame and re-setting the post usually fixes it.
Can you replace just a few palings?
Yes. Broken or missing palings can be replaced individually; matching weathered timber takes a season to blend in.
Who pays for a boundary fence?
Boundary fences are usually shared with the neighbour. Agree the fence and the cost split with them before work starts.
Do you build Colorbond fences?
We work in timber. A steel fence is a job for a fencing contractor.
Where this information comes from
The rules and figures on this page come from these published pages, checked on 8 October 2026.
- Planning (Exempt Development) Regulation 2023 · ACT Legislation Register, republication effective 22 May 2026
- Building (General) Regulation 2008 · ACT Legislation Register, republication effective 1 October 2026 (schedule 1, exempt building work)
