There is a particular sinking feeling that comes with lodging a warranty claim and being told, politely, that your problem is not covered. Fencing warranties are one of the most misunderstood parts of a new fence, and plenty of homeowners only learn what theirs really includes at the worst possible moment. It does not have to be that way. A fence warranty comes in two parts, covers specific defects rather than everything, and stays valid only if you hold up your side. This guide explains what a fencing warranty really covers, what it does not, and how to keep yours intact.
The Two Types Of Fencing Warranty
The first thing to understand is that a fencing warranty is really two separate warranties working together. The manufacturer’s material warranty comes from whoever makes the fence, like BlueScope for Colorbond steel, and it covers the product itself against manufacturing defects. The workmanship warranty comes from your fencing contractor, and it covers the quality of the installation. The two are separate, cover different things, and run for very different lengths of time, so a good fence company explains both clearly rather than letting you find out the hard way. Knowing which warranty covers what is the key to knowing where you stand.
What The Manufacturer Warranty Covers
The manufacturer’s material warranty protects you if the fence parts themselves, the steel, aluminium, PVC or timber, fail because of a factory defect rather than anything you did. For metal fences, that means cover against rust-through and perforation, often up to 10 years, and for genuine Colorbond steel a warranty of up to 25 years against peeling, flaking and severe corrosion under normal conditions. Painted and powder-coated finishes are covered against peeling and heavy fading, and materials like PVC and aluminium against premature cracking, sometimes for 10 to 30 years. These are manufacturing defects, not everyday damage, and the exact period depends on the product and, near the coast, on a marine-grade finish.
What A Workmanship Warranty Covers
The workmanship warranty is the one that comes from us as your installer, covering the quality of how the fence is built and installed. A typical fence workmanship warranty in Australia runs one to three years, protecting you against install faults like posts working loose because they were not set properly, gates that sag, drag or will not latch from poor hanging, and rails or framing pulling apart early. If the fence fails because of how it was put up rather than a material fault, this is what covers the repair. A solid workmanship guarantee is a good sign in itself, and frankly, an operator who goes vague when you ask about theirs is telling you something too.
What Is Not Covered
Because fences live outside and cop a beating, standard warranties exclude damage that is not a defect. The big exclusions are storms and weather, so high winds, floods, falling trees, hail and fire are not covered by a warranty, that is what your home insurance is for. Accidents and misuse are out too: vehicle impacts, a stray cricket ball denting a panel, pet damage and vandalism. Lack of maintenance catches people out, since timber that rots for want of re-staining, or metal that corrodes because salt was never washed off, is on you. Ground movement that shifts or cracks a fence is generally excluded as well. Knowing these exclusions before you sign means the claims process never blindsides you.
How To Keep Your Warranty Valid
A warranty asks something of you in return, and most require basic upkeep to stay valid, so a little care protects your cover. Give the fence the occasional wash, especially near the coast where rinsing salt off metal is often a condition of the warranty, re-stain or re-seal timber on schedule, and keep soil and mulch off the base. Do not modify the fence or have another contractor alter it, since that can void the coverage. And near saltwater, insist on a marine-grade finish, because a standard one close to the coast can void the warranty entirely.
The Warranty We Offer
Because we build fences we are proud of, we back every job with a clear workmanship guarantee in plain English, and you also get the full manufacturer’s warranty on genuine materials like Colorbond steel. If something we installed ever fails within the warranty period, we come back and put it right, which is exactly what happened when a gate we hung developed a slight sag in its first year and we re-hung it at no cost. One thing many people miss: whatever a warranty document says, your rights under Australian Consumer Law always stand, and those consumer guarantees sit separate from any written warranty and can even outlast it, since by law a fence must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. A transferable workmanship warranty can also pass to the next owner if you sell.
Frequently Asked Questions
The warranty questions Perth homeowners ask us most:
What Does A Fencing Warranty Cover?
It covers two things: manufacturing defects in the fence materials, like rust-through or peeling paint, and workmanship faults in how the fence was installed, like leaning posts or a sagging gate. It does not cover storm, accident or neglect damage.
How Long Is A Fence Workmanship Warranty In Australia?
A workmanship warranty typically runs one to three years, while the manufacturer’s material warranty is much longer, often 10 to 25 years for steel like Colorbond, depending on the product.
Does A Warranty Cover Storm Damage?
No. Storm, wind, flood and fallen-tree damage are excluded from fencing warranties. That is usually covered by your home and contents insurance, so keep photos for any claim.
Can A Warranty Be Voided?
Yes. Skipping basic maintenance, letting another contractor modify the fence, or using a standard finish near saltwater can all void a warranty. Meeting the simple upkeep terms keeps it valid.
Get A Fence, And A Warranty, You Can Trust
A fencing warranty is only as good as the company behind it, and understanding the two parts, what they cover and how to keep them valid, turns a confusing document into real protection for your investment. When you choose us, you get quality materials with a full manufacturer’s warranty, a clear workmanship guarantee, and a team that actually turns up when something goes wrong. Get in touch today for honest advice, a fence built properly and a warranty explained in plain English, plus a free, no-obligation quote, and let us give you a fence you can trust for years to come.
With years of hands-on experience in the fencing industry, Niels founded FencrGatr with a mission to deliver premium fencing solutions backed by excptional service across Perth.
