My Yard Is Hard to Get Into. Will That Cost Me More?

In this post:

• Why difficult access can affect the price
• What we look at when we quote your yard
• Why access costs should never be a surprise

Some yards are easy. A wide side gate, flat ground, a truck parked out the front.

Others aren't. A steep driveway. A narrow side path. No side access at all, so everything has to go through the house or over a neighbour's yard. A backyard down three flights of stairs.

If that's your place, you're probably wondering whether it'll blow out the price. It's a fair question, and it deserves a straight answer.

Why access can affect the price

Every post, panel, bag of concrete and sleeper has to get from the truck to the fence line. Every bit of old fence and soil has to come back out.

When that means carrying by hand instead of using a barrow or a small machine, the job takes longer. On some sites, it needs extra people for the day. On retaining walls, it can mean digging by hand instead of with an excavator.

So yes, difficult access can add cost. But it shouldn't be a surprise.

The problem is surprises, not access

In the reviews, nobody's angry that a tough site cost a bit more. They're angry when nobody mentioned it until the invoice. Reviewers were full of praise when a company handled tricky access without adding extra charges.

That's the difference. A good contractor looks at your access when they quote, and builds it into the price from the start.

What we look at when we quote

• How wide the side access is, and whether there's a gate in the way.
• Steps, slopes and soft ground between the street and the fence line.
• Where a truck or skip bin can park.
• Whether we'll need to go through a neighbour's yard, and whether they're happy with that.
• Whether a small machine can get in, or it's all by hand.

How we keep it fair

If access will affect the job, we tell you at the quote and it's in the price. You won't find a new access charge added on the day.

If there's a way to make it easier, like taking off a section of the old fence first or getting your neighbour's okay to come through their side, we'll suggest it. Sometimes that saves you money.

If your yard is tricky to get into, tell us when you book the quote. A photo of the side path helps a lot.

Common questions

Will you still do the job if there's no side access?

Usually, yes. It just takes more planning, and sometimes a neighbour's permission to come through their side.

How much extra does difficult access cost?

It depends on the site. We'll tell you at the quote, and it's built into the price, not added later.

Can I help reduce the cost?

Sometimes. Clearing the side path, or taking out a section of old fence first, can make a real difference.

Keep reading

• How much does a Colorbond fence cost in Brisbane?
• Will the price change after I pay the deposit?
• Will the fencers damage my property?

Got a tricky yard? Call us on 07 2141 7748, get a price online or let's have a chat.