Fencing on Sloping Sections

The Challenges of Hilly Terrain

Many properties in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin feature significant slopes and undulating ground. Building a fence on a slope requires specialized techniques to ensure the top line of the fence looks professional while the bottom remains secure against the ground (crucial for keeping pets in).

Option 1: The Stepped Fence

Stepping a fence involves installing each panel perfectly horizontal, resulting in a stair-step appearance along the top and bottom of the fence line.

Best for: Prefabricated panels (like Colorsteel, Aluminum, or glass) and very steep gradients.
Drawback: It leaves triangular gaps at the bottom of the fence, which may need to be filled with retaining timber or plinths if you are trying to contain small dogs.

Option 2: The Raked (Contoured) Fence

A raked fence is built parallel to the ground. The posts are set vertically, but the horizontal rails and top line follow the exact slope of the land. This is achieved by custom-building the fence on-site.

Best for: Timber paling fences and properties where closing the gap at the ground level is essential for pets.
Drawback: It cannot easily be done with rigid, pre-welded metal panels; it requires piece-by-piece construction.

Our Expertise

We assess your specific terrain during our free site visit. If you have a drastic slope, we often recommend a hybrid approach: building a low retaining wall to terrace the boundary, and then installing a level fence on top of the wall. This provides the ultimate clean look and structural integrity.