How Long Does Fence Replacement Take in Sydney?
Updated: Oct 2
For a typical suburban boundary in Sydney, say 20 to 30 metres of paling or Colorbond fence with reasonable access and nothing unusual, replacement usually takes one to three days on site. From accepting a quote to standing back and looking at a finished fence is more often two to four weeks, because materials, scheduling and, on a shared boundary, your neighbour all sit in between.
The short answer
On site: one to three days for a standard residential boundary.
Gates and final trims: sometimes a short return visit once the post concrete has cured.
Quote to completion: commonly two to four weeks, driven by scheduling and materials rather than the work itself.
Larger or awkward jobs: longer, and the reasons below are usually why.
What actually happens, and when
Before anyone arrives
A site visit and a quote, agreement on the line and the style, materials ordered and, if the fence is on a shared boundary, the conversation with the neighbour. On a dividing fence in NSW there is a notice process and a cost-sharing framework behind that conversation. NSW Fair Trading and LawAccess NSW set out how it works, and it is worth reading before you lock in a date.
Our guide to who pays for a dividing fence in NSW explains that step, and the fencing cost guide covers what shapes a quote.
Day one: out with the old, in with the posts
The old fence comes down and goes on the truck, old footings are dug out, the line is set, and the new posts go in and are concreted. This is the day that decides whether the fence lasts, and the day most likely to throw up surprises: buried concrete, old footings twice the size anyone expected, tree roots, or services that are not where they are supposed to be.
Day two: the fence itself
Rails, then palings or Colorbond sheets, then capping and trims. Once the posts are in and set enough to work against, this part moves quickly. It is the most visible day and often the shortest.
Day three: gates, tidy-up and the walk-around
Gates hung and adjusted, plinths or gravel boards finished, site cleaned and old material removed. We would rather hang a gate on cured posts than on green concrete, so on a short job this is sometimes a brief separate visit rather than a third full day.
Why gates cannot always go on straight away
A gate hangs off its posts and works them every time it swings. Concrete around a gate post needs time before it takes that load properly, and how long depends on the mix, the weather and the weight of the gate. Rushing that step is one of the most common causes of a gate that sags within the first year, so a short wait is worth it.
If you already have a gate dropping, how to fix a sagging timber gate explains what is usually behind it.
What adds time to a fence replacement
Access. If everything has to be carried through the house or down a narrow side path, or there is no way to get a truck near the line, the job takes noticeably longer. Inner West terraces with no rear lane are the classic example.
Removal and disposal. A long run of old fence, embedded concrete footings, or old sheeting that may contain asbestos all change the timeline. The last of those needs licensed handling and is not something to disturb yourself.
Sloping or retained ground. Stepping a fence down a slope, or dealing with soil the old fence was informally holding back, adds time and sometimes needs retaining work first.
Pool barriers. A fence forming part of a pool barrier has compliance requirements and often an inspection, which sits outside our control on the calendar. Your council and the NSW Swimming Pool Register are where to check what applies to you.
Approvals. Many straight replacements at the same height do not need approval, but heritage conservation areas, corner blocks and taller front fences can. Your own council is the authority on that.
Materials. Standard Colorbond and paling stock is usually quick. Specific colours, custom gates, particular hardwood sizes and automation gear can add lead time.
Weather. Wet ground makes post holes and concrete work difficult and turns a lawn into a problem for anything heavy. Sydney's wet spells push back more fence jobs than anything else.
Our guides to council approval for a fence in Sydney and fencing a sloping block go into two of those in more detail.
Do you need to be home?
Usually not for the whole job, but it helps to be there at the start of day one to confirm the line, the height and which side the rails face, and again at the end to walk the finished fence. If gates, pets or side access are involved, being around when those decisions land saves a lot of back-and-forth.
What about the gap while the old fence is down?
The boundary is open from the moment the old fence comes out until the new one is clad, which is usually the same day or the next. If you have a dog, or a pool area affected by the work, say so before the job is booked. Temporary fencing, or sequencing the work so one section is closed before the next opens, is straightforward to plan and awkward to improvise.
How to keep your job moving
Sort the neighbour conversation before you lock in a date, not after.
Clear the fence line: pots, garden beds, stacked timber, anything within a metre or so of both sides.
Say up front if there is irrigation, lighting or low-voltage cable near the line.
Decide gate positions and widths early, because changing them later means new posts.
If a pool barrier or an approval is involved, start that at the same time as the quote.
Fences do not all reach the end of their life at the same rate. Our guide to how long a timber fence lasts in Sydney explains what decides it, and when to replace a fence helps you judge whether yours is there yet.
Get a realistic date for your fence
We handle fence replacement across Sydney and would rather give you an honest timeline than a hopeful one. Tell us the run length, the access and whether it is a shared boundary and we can be specific: request a quote. You can also see the full range of fencing we install, or read how a new fence installation runs from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to replace a 20 metre fence?
Most 20 metre residential runs with reasonable access are a one to two day job on site, with gates sometimes finished on a short return visit. Poor access, heavy old footings or sloping ground can push that out.
Do you take the old fence away?
Yes, removal and disposal of the old fence is part of a replacement. It is worth confirming it is included in any quote you compare, because it is a real cost and not every quote treats it the same way.
Can a fence be replaced in one day?
Short runs with good access sometimes are. The limiting factor is usually the post concrete rather than the labour, so where gates are involved we would normally still prefer to come back to hang them.
What happens if it rains?
Light rain rarely stops the work. Saturated ground is the problem: post holes collapse, concrete is harder to place well, and equipment damages lawns. We would rather move a day than build a fence into wet ground.
Does my neighbour have to agree before I replace a shared fence?
A dividing fence in NSW has a defined process for notice and cost sharing, and it is not simply one owner's decision. NSW Fair Trading and LawAccess NSW set out the steps, including what to do if you cannot reach agreement. We build fences; we do not give legal advice on your situation.
Read next: How long does a timber fence last in Sydney?
Also worth reading: How to Get a Fencing Quote in Sydney
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