Marc Worner points out that when the times demand it, landscapers must be able to diversify their skill sets. Pivoting landscapers keep up the cash flow.
More and more Australian households are demanding more and more work be done by outsiders. Whether that be landscaping their property, walking their dog, building an outdoor entertaining area, extending the paved courtyard or fixing a broken gate; it’s all about the householder being freed up to do other things. A large part of the household chores get done these days by a ‘handyman’. Yet some of their bigger jobs can easily be done by landscapers.
Take a fence
For instance, in NSW, when a property with a backyard swimming pool is being sold or rented out, it needs a NSW State Government’s Compliance Certificate to be attached to the Contract for Sale or Tenancy Agreement respectively.
Now, because the law relating to swimming pools around Australia has changed over the years, many owners find themselves needing to increase the height of their boundary fences if they’re acting in part as pool fences, or replacing their pool gates if they fail to work properly. These things need to be done if the properties are to comply with the respective legislation in each state.
Enter the pivoting landscaper.
Quoting on fencing jobs which have high margins may see landscapers not only smooth out their cash flow, but utilise their business’s labour resources in slower times. It may eventually be seen as a lucrative other ‘arm’ to the business.
Most residential properties have either timber or colorbond fencing as their boundary fencing. A common practice is to sight a swimming pool in the corner of a property, so two boundary fences can be used in part as a pool barrier. The average pool is about 9m x 5m, so any quote would involve a length of at least 15 metres to 20 metres of fencing. Usually that existing fencing is about 1500mm to 1600mm high. Swimming-pool legislation in all states requires the fence height to be at least 1800mm.
One can easily purchase timber or colorbond fence extensions sourced from a myriad number of retailers. It becomes an aesthetic choice in many cases. For instance, there are 2400mm × 500mm compliant fence extensions made using 70mm treated-pine palings held tight using vertical timber straps. Colorbond fence extensions are made in a wide choice of compliant designs to suit the outdoor décor of any pool surround, usually about 2350mm x 600mm in size. Of course, all the components such as posts, rails and screws need to be costed to quote. Most distributors offer free delivery Australia-wide.
TIP: When choosing the rail profile (Lysaght, Stratco, etc) make sure it matches the existing top fence rail, otherwise it looks odd and will be more difficult to install.
Act accordingly
In NSW, the Swimming Pools Act 1992 overrides the NSW Dividing Fences Act 1991. This means if the neighbour objects to the extension of the height of that fence, your customer has an overriding right to make the pool barrier safe for children. Be aware, though, your customer must bear the full cost of your work.
TIP: Always check your state’s legislation before proceeding to quote. Tasmania still relies on its Boundary Fences Act of 1908 as its primary legislation, notwithstanding the fact only licensed builders can install pool barriers.
Wood if you could
If choosing to fit timber fence extensions, we need to ensure those extensions have no handholds children could use to climb down and into the pool from the neighbour’s side. A good guide is to check if any part of it has protrusions or indentations of more than 10mm. That could be non-compliant. Woven patterns are an example of this type of construction.
Some landscapers may choose to quote on the upmarket, 1800mm x 1800mm brushwood fencing panels. They’re labour-intensive to install but add a highly desirable aesthetic to any timber or colorbond fence and last for many years.
Quote the timber to be used according to the customer’s needs and budget. Merbau lasts the longest, while treated pine is the most economical.
Grounded
The internal pool barrier, as opposed to the boundary-fence pool barrier, can be made from different materials provided they are strong, durable and meet certain legislative criteria in each state.
The most popular internal pool barriers are glass panels (frame and frameless), tubular aluminium and steel fence panels.
Internal pool fences 1200mm high, made from toughened glass that complies with Australian Standard 1288, add a touch of luxury to any outdoor pool space. Yet, for a variety of reasons, there are occasions when they need replacement and/or adding to.
Posts and brackets vary enormously. They are easily sourced from many glass-pool-fence retailers in every state. The fittings the glass panels sit in are known as ‘spigots’ and come in a variety of shapes, colours and quality. You get what you pay for.
Fitting glass panels of between 900mm and 2000mm long and 1200mm high is simple, but be careful with the handling. Specialised carrying equipment is essential. During installation, too much pressure on fittings may cause the glass to fracture or crack. Alignment with the existing surrounding panels takes patience.
TIP: If undertaking a quote for a pool renovation that requires installing new spigots, get the advice of an electrician first. Some states require each spigot to be earthed before its installation.
Wait for it
The installation of tubular aluminium and steel internal pool fences should be a skill set employed by every landscaper. Numerous retailers around the country provide one-stop shopping for the panels of different heights and lengths according to one’s needs, and all the accompanying fittings such as posts, post caps and screws. Nearly all sellers deliver fencing kits Australia wide.
There’s a very strong, 2.5mm thick, marine-grade aluminium alloy 5052 H32 sheeting panel, with 9mm holes closely bunched together, to create a high ‘open’ percentage rate allowing amazing visibility. Each panel has more than 1600 x 9mm holes. They exceed Australian pool-fencing standards in every state of Australia. Other advantages are that they let the breeze through while slowing down strong winds and can be cut to any smaller length.
They can be paired with glass or aluminium pool fencing.
Also consider vertical-batten pool fencing for a modern industrial look.
TIP: Bespoke tubular aluminium and steel internal panelling takes about six to eight weeks to manufacture.
Style
For a touch of nature with the resilience of aluminium, a horizontal wood-grain-slat screening system is the perfect choice. These aluminium slat screens feature a wood-grain finish that mimics the natural beauty of timber without the upkeep.
For that Balinese look, suggest bamboo fencing panels in your quote. Fitting is very labour intensive because in many cases you’ll also be building the frame for the bamboo to sit against. They can look stylish if you pay for a premium bamboo, but let your customer know the life of the material is limited and the panels will require ongoing maintenance.
Never forget boundary pool-fence walls using the cladding method in different types of materials work a treat for new builds and duplexes around the country.
They’re fixed to surrounding battens and offer total privacy to both neighbours and include a level of sound deadening. They can stylishly reflect and repeat indoor décor patterns, and all without maintenance.
Open and shut
All pool gates require attention at some time in their life. Whether it be because the laws have changed and the current design is thought to be less safe for children, the springs in the hinges are failing to automatically close the gate, or parts have rusted away; it’s a common source of annoyance for owners who traditionally get a handyman to fix it. But it’s a task for landscapers looking to make quick and easy income from little to no outlay and a small impact on their time.
Gates should be self-closing and self-latching. Gates should open outward, away from the pool, and the gate latch-release mechanism should be at least 1.5m above finished ground level. Otherwise, at least 150mm below the top of the gate (or any hand-hole).
The complete gate-closing mechanism, which consists of the hinges and the magnetic latching device with striker plate, come in different colours and materials. All should be matched to the type of fencing material.
Pool-gate hinges can be climbed by children if they protrude more than 10mm so extra rules apply. They must be at least 900mm apart from the top of the lower hinge to the top of the top hinge and have a 60-degree safety cap added to the lower hinge if they are closer than 900mm apart.
There is always the possibility, once on site, to quote for other tasks needing attention, such as that water feature that no longer runs or the replacement/upgrade to the retained garden wall or the rebuild of the BBQ setting. Perhaps that timber pergola facing the pool needs renovation?
The Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly once said: “From little things, big things grow.”
