4 things to check after ordering your horse fencing. 

After months of research, you have finally chosen the horse fencing that’s perfect for you and your property. You have spoken to your fencing supplier, paid your deposit and secured your fencing. Congratulations! You are done with the most critical part of ensuring your fencing project is a success.  

But do you have enough space for the goods? Do you have the right transport? Have you spoken to your fencing contractor? If you aren’t clear about the logistical requirements of your fencing right at the start, it will affect the execution of your complete project, costing you more time, effort and money. If you still haven’t thought about these factors, then we’ve got you covered. 

At Stock & Noble, we provide our partners with the finest fencing solutions across Australia and New Zealand. We support them at every step of their journey – from finding the right fence to placing an order and from smooth delivery to perfect installation. Based on our rich experience and relationship with transport companies, delivery services, and fencing contractors we understand the logistical complications that could happen in a fencing project. 

In this article, we will guide you through the next steps after you order your horse fencing. The information will help you get your horse property ready for your fencing materials to arrive and for your fencing contractor to start the work efficiently. 

If you want your fencing project to go smoothly, then read on as we discuss the ultimate checklist to prepare your property for fencing: 

Step 1: Check what questions should you ask your fencing contractor. 

Step 2: Check do you have enough storage space for your fencing material. 

Step 3: Check how will you unload your fencing material.  

Step 4: Check if your property access is large enough for the delivery vehicle. 

Follow these steps after placing your order and while you wait for the delivery of your fencing materials. They are specially laid out to make sure you have the critical information needed to avoid the most common logistical problems related to a fencing project. Read further for a smooth execution from beginning to end and have a beautiful horse fence just the way you imagined. 

Step 1. What questions should you ask your fencing contractor? 

Once you’ve finalised your fencing, ask the fencing contractor you have onboarded to revisit the installation site.  It’s time to get some logistical questions answered before your project begins: 

1. When would they start and how long will it take for the project to finish? 
2. How will he prepare the property for fencing? 
3. What’s his preference for storing the fencing material? For example, some fencing contractors might prefer the fencing to be stored close to the install area, while others prefer to bring it to the install area dependent on the need.  
4. Confirm with your fencing contractor if the gate of your property is large enough for the truck to enter and unload the material. 
5. Check if the contractor needs you to help with the preparation like mowing the grass or moving the rocks before he starts the actual work. 
6. Lastly, check what impact would the installation have on your day-to-day work and access to the property. Would he block the driveway, some part or the whole area? 

Step 2: Do you have enough storage space for your fencing material? 

Before your fencing material is sent on its way check if you have enough room and the right kind of spot to store it. No matter which fencing you’ve picked, it’s important to protect your supplies from water. The post and rail fencing usually comes tightly wrapped together and any water that seeps in will get trapped and potentially lead to rot or rust. 

The ideal storing place should be dry, clean, big enough to fit in all your fencing supplies and as close to your installation site as possible.  

Pick your storage space, clean it up, and make sure you have ample space for storage. If the storage space isn’t close to your installation site, you can also create a temporary spot using Tarps. This arrangement could work for a couple of weeks and keep water at bay. However, if your fencing has another few months to get installed you should find a better place to store it. 

If you need more time to find the perfect storage spot, you can also speak to the supplier and ask them to keep everything ready but ship it only when it’s convenient for you. Alternatively, you can also check with your fencing contractor if he or she will be able to store it and bring in the required materials as and when needed. 

Step 3: How will you unload your fencing material? 

The posts and rails are usually quite heavy and need specific equipment to unload them safely on your property. Typically, a pallet that the goods are shipped in weighs between 200 and 750 kg. For example, a pallet with 28 posts of Buckley weighs around 350 kg.  

To be best prepared for your delivery, ask yourself the following questions: 

1. Do you have a forklift available on your property? 
2. Do you have a tractor with a fork attachment? 
3. What’s the lifting capacity of your forklift?  
4. Let the supplier know the capacity so they can tell you the weight of the pallet and confirm if your forklift will be able to lift it or not. 
5. If you don’t have a forklift, check with the supplier if they can organise a fork or a crane along with the delivery of fencing materials. Please note this might change the overall cost of transport and the means of transport.  

Step 4: Is your property access large enough for the delivery vehicle? 

Typically, horse fencing materials are delivered on a semi-trailer which is around 19 metres in length or a rigid truck which is approximately 12 metres long.  

For either of these to enter your property and deliver the products safely, the gate should be at least 3 metres wide.  Along with the width of the gate, access from the road also has to be considered. As you can appreciate the truck needs to enter the property by swinging off the road and through the gate which requires considerable room.  

What if your property access won’t fit the delivery vehicle? 

1. Inform your fencing supplier and they can arrange for the delivery on a smaller truck without a trailer, if possible. 
2. Explore the option of materials being delivered on a truck right outside the property and can then transfer fencing material inside using a forklift. 
3. Consult with your fencing contractor and check if an arrangement can be made to get the materials delivered to a storage space outside the property and then transfer smaller quantities as needed for the project. 

Are you prepared for your fencing delivery? 

While choosing the right fencing is a great part of realising your dream of stunning horse property, the logistics that follow are equally important. In this article, you learnt the four most crucial things you need to check before the fencing materials are shipped by your supplier.  

Now you know the right questions to ask your fencing contractor, have a dry storage space in proximity, get the required equipment for unloading and check if there’s enough room for the delivery vehicle. If you want your fencing project to run smoothly and be a success, it’s critical to tick each of these points off your checklist. 

If you have purchased Buckley Steel Fencing System and want to know more about the installation and be all prepared for it Buckley – Installation FAQ, will be the right place to go to.  

We are sure this article helped you in getting you and your property ready for your fencing project. If you have any more questions related to your order, delivery, or transport of fencing materials, reach out to one of our fencing advisors and we would answer your questions in detail. All we want is for you to have the most beautiful equine property, exactly the way you wanted.