Fencing is rarely the headline act in a planning submission. It’s not always the element that gets photographed for the architect’s Instagram or what dominates the value-engineering spreadsheet. But talk to any architect, cost consultant or project manager who’s done the rounds, and they’ll tell you: the fence is often where good design either comes together or falls apart.

Done right, fencing is the elegant seam between public and private, structure and street. Done wrong, it’s the thing that gets changed on site, grumbled about later, and quietly excluded from the photos.

The perimeter is part of the plan

We tend to think of fencing as something that happens at the end of a build. The walls go up, the roof goes on, and someone calls a fencing supplier to ‘sort out the boundary’. But that sequence – common as it is – misses the opportunity that fencing offers when treated as part of the design rather than just a bolt-on.

A good fence isn’t just about security or compliance. It’s a design element that can shape how a building is perceived and experienced. That means the earlier fencing specialists are brought in, the more they can contribute to a solution that’s fit for both the drawing board and the real world.

It’s all in the margins

Here’s the hard truth: most fencing changes on site. Why? Because the reality on the ground rarely matches what was drawn six months ago.

You’d be amazed how often a steel railing design doesn’t account for gradients. Or a post line cuts through a shallow service. Or a custom gate—meant to swing elegantly—clashes with a wall because someone tweaked a kerb.

These aren’t dramatic failures. They’re small, cumulative compromises. But over time, they add up to a project that feels less considered, less cohesive—and more expensive than it needed to be.

When fencing is considered early, these details are caught and addressed before they become problems. The ground levels, fixing methods, gate operations and even pedestrian flow can be incorporated into the architectural intent rather than retrofitted as best possible.

Collaboration saves money (and face)

From a cost perspective, few things are more frustrating than value-engineering a design after the tender is done. Fencing is often one of the first things put on the chopping block – not because it’s unnecessary, but because it wasn’t properly scoped in the first place.

Working with fencing specialists early on allows for design-led solutions that are costed from the start. It means you get the aesthetic you want, but built using components and fixing methods that work with standard manufacturing and installation practices.

It also makes you look good. Because a tidy fence line that aligns with the paving, matches the architectural intent, and functions as designed – well, that doesn’t happen by accident.

Fencing that supports the vision

Whether it’s a school boundary, a public realm upgrade, or a sensitive residential scheme, fencing has a role to play beyond just keeping people in or out. It defines space. It sets tone. And in the hands of the right team, it enhances the architecture it surrounds.

“Sometimes the architect gives us a brief outline. Sometimes it’s a very technical drawing. Somewhere in between is probably the norm. But when we’re brought in early, we can talk through things like blockwork, radiuses, and fixing methods — and often save money on more complicated designs.” – Terry Hobdell, Chairman & Founder

That’s the value of collaboration: real-world input that protects the design intent and the budget.

So if you’re a design team working on a project right now, here’s the takeaway: bring your fencing supplier in early. Talk through the vision. Walk the site. Challenge them to help you find that sweet spot between design and durability.