5 Common Delays in Fencing Supply Projects (and How to Avoid Them)
If you’ve been stuck waiting on missing posts, wrong sheet lengths or a delivery that didn’t show, you’re not alone. We’ve supplied thousands of jobs across Melbourne, and we see the same five problems come up again and again.
Why do fencing jobs get held up? Here’s what causes most fencing supply delays and how to avoid them on your next job.
1. Vague or Incomplete Orders
Some of the biggest delays happen before the order is even processed.
Think of it from the suppliers point of view. How do they give you what you need if you don’t provide sufficient detail about what specific sizes and items that you want. If we were to receive requests like the following, how would we fulfil them?
“Need some slats and posts for a front fence” or
“Can I get some steel sheets for a job?”
If a landscaper requested a quote for "55m of fencing for permitter of a 700m2 property", this is not enough information to determine what needs to be supplied and how much it will cost. No height or specific fencing type has been given. In these cases jobs may be delayed for up to two days waiting for clarification and re-quoting.
Without specs, quantities, colours, and clear dimensions, your order can't move forward. And every back-and-forth to clarify details burns more time. This can add up when quoting across multiple sites or handing info between crews.
What this delays:
- Picking and packing
- Stock allocation
- Delivery scheduling
What to do instead:
- Always confirm: material type, length, colour, quantity, any accessories
- Include whether gates, caps, rails or fasteners are needed
- Use a standard job sheet if you’re managing multiple jobs
2. Out-of-Stock or Made-to-Order Items
Not everything is sitting on a shelf especially if you’re ordering custom cuts, less common colours, or full job packs.
If you're expecting to pick up a full boundary run of Colorbond sheets the same day, it's only possible if the right colour and profile are in stock. Otherwise, it’s a delay.
What this delays:
- Job starts
- Concrete pours
- Site handover
What to do instead:
- Ask upfront if the material is stocked or made to order – feel free to call ahead if you wish to use our one hour fencing pickup service.
- Avoid quoting on products you haven’t confirmed supply for
- Pre-order for regular or repeat jobs — we can stage delivery in batches
3. Site Delivery Issues
We deliver fencing materials across Melbourne every day. When things go wrong, it’s usually not the truck, it’s the site.
If a driver arrives at gated site and the builder is offsite, what can be done? If there’s no contact answered then the materials must be returned to the warehouse and delivery rescheduled for the next business day.
What this delays:
- Install start
- Subbie schedules
- Project timelines
What to do instead:
- Provide clear delivery notes: site contact, access point, any restrictions
- Make sure someone is on site to unload and confirm
- For multi-lot deliveries, label packs clearly and provide a handover list
4. Incorrect Materials or Compatibility Problems
Getting the wrong parts isn’t just frustrating. It can stall an entire day’s work. We’ve seen it with mismatched caps, incompatible screws, or post heights that don’t suit sloping blocks.
The most common issue? Ordering a mix of components from different systems without checking compatibility. For instance, ordering 1.8m flat fence on a rear sloping block. In cases like this the two panels couldn’t be installed, and the job will run at least a day over.
What this delays:
- Onsite assembly
- Gate or screen installation
- Finishing and handover
What to do instead:
- Stick to one supplier’s system where possible
- Confirm that all caps, rails, brackets and fixings are correct for your post and sheet type
- For slopes or unusual ground conditions, measure the actual required post heights, not assumptions
5. Poor Communication Between Builder and Supplier
You’d be surprised how many delays come from mixed messages. We’ve seen multiple versions of orders come through from the same job, or emails with conflicting delivery addresses.
When communication breaks down between site crew, admin staff and suppliers, it costs time.
For example if two foremen submitted variations of a site pack and one had posts cut shorter, it’s quite possible that the wrong type will get ordered and delivered. If the incorrect version goes out, the two panels were unusable.
What this delays:
- Quote accuracy
- Picking the correct order
- Delivery execution
What to do instead:
- Nominate one person to send final orders and delivery info
- Confirm everything in writing: quantities, colour, job name, site contact
- Ask for an order confirmation summary to double-check before it leaves the yard
How to Avoid Delays That Cost You Time
They’re preventable, and your fencing supplier can help. But only if you give them the right info upfront.
Here's the checklist we recommend:
- Confirm specs, quantities, finish and accessories
- Check if the item is stocked or made-to-order
- Provide site access instructions and contact
- Stick with a single system for compatibility
- Keep orders clear, final, and from one contact