Aussie Fencing

Avoid Aussie Fencing. Our experience has been problematic from the start. They made us pay 50% deposit on a contract over $9,000, which is a breach of building law - as per Building & Energy WA not permitted under legislation (6.5% deposit max allowance on contracts over $7,500). They have also “lost” our quote yet claim the works are complete and enforceable - with nothing to reference at their end. They also charged us for 30m of removal and dispose of old fence - that remained dumped on our verge for several weeks after removal (yet demanded immediate payment). Retaining is excessive (beyond anything we approved) and FULL of large gaps between bottom of retaining and ground level - basically retaining nothing. Despite multiple conversations on-site, over the phone, and via email, they repeatedly refused to include our basic design requirements in the quote specifically a 1.5m front corner boundary height (required by council) and a level top. At quoting stage, the estimator failed to measure accurately or provide any meaningful guidance, simply telling us the installer would “sort it on the day.” Instead, the installer arrived with limited materials, resulting in 650 mm of unnecessary retaining panels on a slope rather than using the obvious 1.8 m panel solution. We were then charged over $500 extra for expensive retaining and a visually unacceptable outcome that did not reflect our requirements. Even the installer on the day said he requested 1.8m panels for the job as the number of retaining panels we are paying for is ridiculous. Customer service has been equally extremely disappointing. Their Sales rep, consistently rude, dismissive, and unwilling to help resolve any issues or answer questions throughout the entire process. Despite clear written evidence on our side, the company has since made claims that don’t align with the facts and provide no supporting proof. We have simply requested that issues be addressed to resolve the excessive retaining - which they have charged us substantially more to include. Aussie Fencing have now sent us the balance invoice without addressing any of our concerns, and actually increased the invoice with additional charges never approved. To top off all of the above, the General Manager attended site to “resolve the matter” with no quotes in hand (apparently lost in their system), no background knowledge of the job scope, stumbled words when asked why they charged 50% deposit instead of 6.5% - and somehow believe they have grounds to enforce with absolutely no resolution provided to date. The matter now sits with Building & Energy who are very interested in these breaches, particularly the enforcements division.

Aussie weren’t the cheapest, but they had great reviews, so I had them out to install around 20m of Colorbond fencing and 2 x gates in May 2023. Initially communication was great, and they came out a couple of times to accommodate a fussy neighbour. After installation, I noticed that the gate had been installed with almost a 20mm gap on the hinge side and 30mm on the latch side. The installer had set the posts wider than was on the plan. The gate faces the (small) backyard and living / dining area – you could view the entire area through the gap so not great for privacy. I emailed Aussie and asked for this to be rectified. I was told by their rep, [Name Removed], “There should be approx 10mm to 15mm max gaps for hinges and 15mm max for latches”. This same rep (who I’d dealt with originally and was different to the one who installed) came out to rectify, but made it sound like he was doing me a favour (because his boss told him “not to worry about it”). I received a quote from Aussie 18 months prior, and the same Colorbond fence had a 200% mark up on it. Steel has not gone up that much, so no-one is doing anyone a favour, especially when it’s corrective work. Whilst on site he noted there was a water pipe close to where the post was and assumed this was why the post was set where it was (the original installer didn’t mention this to me, despite being in the other room). I asked if it was safe to continue and if an alternative was needed, however he said there was around 20mm leeway and continued to move the post and close the gap. Recently I’ve gone to dig up the area to install some pavers, and discovered there was a huge 70cm wide concrete slab around the post (previously was a standard 20cm fill), with only around 20mm clearance to the top of existing pavers (which are 60mm thick). I queried why this was done and was advised it was because a big area of sand had been dug out to move the post, and back filled with cement to support the pavers. I wouldn’t necessarily have had an issue with this (if it was installed a bit lower) but again, this wasn’t discussed with me while he was on site (but also, a new post wouldn’t have cost them much. This was just cheaper for them, and sloppy work). The concrete slab is uneven and I can’t install pavers here as planned. [Name Removed] was going to come back out, I asked him if he could let me know when he was coming out so I could be home and if altering the concrete would compromise its integrity and his initial response was evasive / condescending, telling me to leave him the keys and “just relax and I’ll sort it out”. Since there’d been two issues already, I wasn’t going to let him back on site unsupervised and without knowing what he was planning to do. He went on a rant and reminded me how much of an effort moving the post was for the gate (again insinuating he did me a favour), and wouldn’t have moved the post at all if he knew the pipe was underground (really not sure what the relevance of this was), despite showing me and mentioning being aware of the pipe whilst moving the post in an email (???). When I reminded him that he’d shown me the pipe BEFORE moving the post and said there was around 20mm to move the post, he told me he'd never said this. The gate had been moved 15mm by him, so I didn’t have any reason to lie about something that he’d ALREADY done. [Name Removed] just seemed intent on winning an argument he’d unnecessarily created. So either he’s shown negligence in moving the post whilst being aware of the underground water pipe if in fact it is an issue, or what I said is true (which it is). Or both. I’m not entirely confident in the work they’ve done now and hope it doesn’t cause issues down the track. I told him not to worry about returning as I don’t have any trust in the company now. I’m not paying a contractor to gaslight and treat me like an idiot (although apparently, I have), especially when they’re charging exorbitant prices. 95% of this correspondence is via email so I have no issue supporting what I’ve said. Really poor customer service and workmanship unfortunately. In this climate where contractors are charging through the roof, you’d expect a reasonable level of customer service. But some, like Aussie, take 100% more and give you 100% less care factor.

I required a small fencing and gate install in colourbond. Aussie Fencing explained it was too small for them but happily recommended Retro Trade Fencing. Retro Trade Fencing were excellent on all levels from start to finish. Nothing was too much trouble. So, thank you Aussie Fencing for your recommendation to Retro Trade Fencing.

I Got a quote to replace 21m fencing from Aussie Fencing. After paying 50% deposit Aussie fencing then asked for more money. Consequently using another reputable company with some integrity.

This company quoted us incorrectly and won’t take responsibility for their error, they also did not supply us with the correct items with a number of items missing Leaving us out of pocket. This occurred because they had 2 different people picking our order at different times and messed it up. We are currently having them investigated for fraud through our credit card company. Go elsewhere! Don’t risk it! There are plenty of other competitors with better service who care about their customers.

It’s rare today that you receive any sort of customer service. My interaction today with Alannah and the staff was that rare occasion. Not only was she helpful and capable but the smile makes it even more enjoyable. Thank you for your help

Bought some steel tubing over the phone.Went in next day and picked up straight away. Great price and service, as well as easy to pick up in drive through yard with the product brought straight to my car.

Great advice over the phone on what i needed great service at front desk and guy helped loading my trailer all friendly, and great price will definitely be back again. Gordon.