Starting a Fencing Contracting Business in Rural NSW

There's a chronic shortage of good fencing contractors across the Central West. Every time we sell materials to a property owner, the conversation often turns to "know anyone who can build it?" If you're handy with a post driver and a strainer, there's a real business opportunity here. Here's what you need to know to get started.

THE DEMAND IS REAL

Drought recovery, flood damage, property turnover, and the simple fact that fences don't last forever means there's always work for competent fencing contractors. The Central West — Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo, and everywhere in between — has hundreds of thousands of kilometres of fencing that needs building, repairing, or replacing.

Many experienced fencers are retiring and not enough young people are coming into the trade. If you can do quality work reliably and turn up when you say you will (you'd be amazed how many contractors can't manage that), you'll build a reputation quickly.

WHAT YOU NEED TO START

ABN and business registration: Register for an ABN (free through abr.gov.au) and choose your business structure. Most fencing contractors start as sole traders. If you're turning over more than $75,000 per year (which a busy contractor will within the first year), you must register for GST.

Insurance: This is non-negotiable.

  • Public liability insurance ($10-$20 million cover): Protects you if someone is injured or property is damaged during your work. Most property owners won't let you on their land without it.
  • Workers compensation: Required if you employ anyone, even casually.
  • Vehicle and equipment insurance: Protect your tools and vehicles.
  • Income protection: Optional but sensible — if you can't work, you can't earn.

Budget $2,000-$5,000 per year for insurance as a sole operator.

Licences: In NSW, fencing work under $5,000 doesn't require a specific licence. Over $5,000, you technically need a contractor licence from NSW Fair Trading (or the work needs to be supervised by a licence holder). Check current requirements — the rules change periodically.

ESSENTIAL TOOLS

Starting basic:

  • Ute or truck with tray (your most important asset)
  • Post driver — manual to start, powered when you can afford it ($2,000-$8,000 for hydraulic)
  • Fence strainers (monkey grips and chain strainers)
  • Fencing pliers, wire cutters, crimpers
  • Clip gun and clips ($150-$300 for the gun)
  • Spirit level, string line, measuring wheel
  • Post hole digger — manual auger to start, hydraulic when you grow ($3,000-$10,000)
  • Basic hand tools, drill, grinder
  • Safety gear (gloves, eye protection, steel caps, hearing protection)

Minimum startup for tools: $5,000-$15,000 (excluding vehicle)

Growing your toolkit:

  • Hydraulic post driver (dramatically increases productivity)
  • Powered post hole borer (PTO or standalone)
  • Wire spinner/unroller
  • Trailer for materials
  • Generator and welder for fabrication work

PRICING YOUR WORK

Fencing contractors in the Central West typically charge by the metre, with rates varying by fence type and terrain:

Standard hinged joint mesh fence (flat ground): $8-$12/m (labour only, landowner supplies materials)

Standard mesh fence (hilly/rocky ground): $12-$18/m

Exclusion fencing: $15-$22/m

Plain wire fence: $5-$8/m

Strainer assemblies: $150-$300 each (labour)

Gate hanging: $100-$200 each

Supply-and-install rates are higher — typically materials cost + labour rate.

When quoting, visit the site first. Walk the fence line, note the terrain, count the strainers needed, and identify any problem areas (rock, steep slopes, creek crossings). A detailed quote builds confidence with the client and protects you from underpricing.

BUILDING YOUR REPUTATION

In rural areas, your reputation is everything. Three things build it:

Quality work: Build fences you'd be proud to put your name on. Every fence you build is a billboard for your business — neighbours see it, agents see it, and word gets around.

Reliability: Turn up when you say you will. Finish when you say you will. If something changes, call the client immediately. This alone will put you ahead of 50% of contractors.

Communication: Provide written quotes, keep clients updated on progress, and be honest about what you find during the job. If you hit rock and it's going to cost more, tell the client before you charge them.

BUILDING SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS

Develop a good relationship with your materials suppliers. As a regular contractor buying volume, you should be getting trade or pallet pricing, not retail. At Outback Fencing Supplies, we look after our regular contractors with competitive pricing, reliable stock availability, and delivery to site when needed.

We're happy to provide materials quotes for your clients, hold stock for upcoming jobs, and give technical advice on specifications. Call us on 0434 093 077 or set up a trade account at 76 Astill Drive, Orange.

GROWING THE BUSINESS

Once you've got a few jobs under your belt:

  • Get a website (even a basic one) and list on Google Business
  • Ask satisfied clients for Google reviews
  • Join local farming groups on Facebook — many fencing jobs are posted there
  • Register with LLS as a fencing contractor for government-funded projects
  • Consider specialising (exclusion fencing commands premium rates)
  • Hire help for bigger jobs — even a reliable labourer doubles your output

The fencing trade isn't glamorous, but it's honest work, it pays well, and there's more demand than supply. If that sounds like your kind of thing, get started.

Back to blog