MESH MADE IN ORANGE NSW
Plan a rural fence: a practical start-to-finish field guide
A good fence starts on a rough sketch—not with a truckload of mesh. Work through the job in the order that prevents expensive surprises.
The short answer
Split the property into named runs. Decide what each run must contain or exclude, measure it, mark the assemblies and gates, then build the materials order. Do not let a cheap roll decide the fence design.
Start with the job the fence has to do
“Fence the back paddock” leaves too much unsaid. A boundary beside a road, an internal division and a lambing paddock have different consequences if something gets through. Write down the animals on both sides, including the smallest animals you need to manage. Record existing fences you plan to reuse.
Keep in
Which animals use this paddock now, and which will use it later? Consider pressure around feed, water, gateways and yards.
Keep out
If you are excluding animals, consider how they approach: through a gap, underneath, over the top or through a gate.
Keep working
Where must people, machinery and stock move? A fence that blocks those movements can cost you work every day.
Draw separate runs, not one unexplained total
A change of direction, gate or separate straining section is worth marking on the plan. Label the runs A, B and C so your photos, quote and materials list describe the same places. Measure along the actual fence route; a straight line on a map does not capture every ground-level rise and dip.
| Run | Measured length | Site note |
|---|---|---|
| A · west boundary | 240m | Existing corner at northern end—condition to check |
| B · lane side | 180m | One 4m gate; record gate posts separately |
| C · rear division | 95m | Rocky rise; photograph before quoting |
For run B, the simple net mesh length is 176m before joining and end allowances. That does not tell you the final picket count by itself: the gate creates two separate mesh runs, so measure each side of it.
Walk the line before finalising the order
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Mark the difficult places
Photograph corners, gullies, rock, trees, old posts, gate approaches and unloading access. Include a wide shot and a close-up; a close-up alone rarely shows the scale of the problem.
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Set the construction details
Have the installer confirm the post layout, end assemblies, embedment and mesh installation method for the actual site. Check boundary position and underground services before construction.
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Separate work from materials
List clearing, old-fence removal, drilling, installation, freight and unloading. If they are excluded, make that visible—not a conversation after the truck arrives.
Make the order checkable
Your one-page fence brief
Print this page and fill in the blanks. Keep it with your photos and quote.
- Run names and lengths
- ________________________________
- Animals / purpose of each run
- ________________________________
- Mesh code and roll lengths
- ________________________________
- End assemblies, corners and gates
- ________________________________
- Picket section, height, finish and spacing
- ________________________________
- Fixings, joins and separate wire
- ________________________________
- Site access, freight and unloading
- ________________________________
- Items supplied by you / excluded from quote
- ________________________________
Keep required quantities separate from purchase quantities. For example, needing 199 intermediate pickets and buying a 200-pack leaves one spare. A larger pack is not an error, but you should be able to see why it is in the order.
Before you leave this guide
The best first deliverable is a labelled sketch plus a run schedule. Once two suppliers or installers are quoting that same brief, their totals become much easier to compare.
Turn your plan into a materials list
Enter the measured runs in the calculator. Keep end assemblies, gates, installation and delivery visible when you check the result.
Open the fence calculatorSources & scope
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Waratah — designing your fence
Property layout and fence-purpose planning. -
Before You Dig Australia — understanding utility plans
Service-location planning before excavation or post installation.
This is an Outback planning guide, not a site-specific installation specification. Manufacturer references explain the subject; their branded product dimensions and methods are not automatically specifications for Outback products.
Editorial review: September 2026. Outback links identify our own product information. External sources are independent references, not endorsements. Product prices, availability and order quantities are shown on the current listings or your written quote.Enquire from Canada
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