temporary fencing

First_Timer_Ray · Mar 02, 2007 12:54 pm

Hi all,

In the estate where we own our land there is one house that has been built to almost completion (no others have even started), and everytime we go there the surrounding cyclone temporary fence has been left with a big gap (after hours). This has happened right from the slab stage. It has the builders' sign advertised at the front of the property - so I know who it is and it is one of the large "family" building companies. And when I say a big gap - I mean that it had approx 3m between the 2 ends of the fence.
What I don't get is why people are obligated to pay extra to have temporary fencing during construction when the fencing isn't keeping anything in or out! If we are required to pay $2000+ (we haven't had a quote from our current builder, but have off another company) for fencing that is basically useless - is there some way to make them remove the cost if we find that it isn't locked when there is no one onsite? Would we be able to state in the contract that should we find the fence unlocked they will refund the cost of the fencing?
I would be furious if this was my house, but it isn't the first time I've seen it happen either and I guess it will happen to us too.

Ray.

P.S there are broken wooden pellets (presumably from the bricks) all up one of the courts, my guess is from some youths that have run amok.

Amber · Mar 02, 2007 1:50 pm

Hi Ray,

I think there is another thread somewhere on the forum about this topic - you might want to do a search and see what the end result was but from memory, it is a council requirement (not the builder) so depending on your council, you may be able to get away with not having the added expense.

Ours cost $1,200.00 and at no time has it been locked and there are two panels currently ****** on the floor.

Yes - it is an absolute waste of money but the only good thing I can see from it is that it keeps the rubbish confined to your site.

Cheers
Amber

http://ourdreamhouse.blogspot.com

epiphany · Mar 02, 2007 4:56 pm

Amber

the only good thing I can see from it is that it keeps the rubbish confined to your site.

Or provides a handy way for people to dump their rubbish onto your property where it suddenly becomes your rubbish & not theirs.

Temp fencing in Vic is a council requirement, as Amber said. So if your council will let you get away without it, then talk to the builder for a refund.

Our neighbours-to-be ended up having stern words to their building company about their fence always being left open. It's now usually shut whenever we go past...we just go down every evening to tie up our fences again. It's a big pain in the proverbial but since we've been doing it, we've had no theft or vandalism (& we'd had a bit of a problem with it before that).

First_Timer_Ray · Mar 02, 2007 5:07 pm

I guess my point is that I don't have an issue paying for it, or having it - as long as it's serving it's purpose. Yes the council requires it, but I doubt the council is responsible for closing/locking it as the tradies leave. They just don't want to be sued for not having a policy on it incase someone gets hurt/killed as a result of being on a building site.
Can I not hold the building company responsible for leaving the fencing wide open (if or when it happens)? I would go and close it up if it wasn't a 45min drive from where we currently live

Ray.