Stargate

We are another unlucky customer that have learned the "hard way" - or should I say "the hardwood post way". Between neighbours and ourselves we decided to use Stargate fencing and chose hard wood posts. In the box on their quote it is "ticked" as Iron Bark posts (which we understand is a dense/strong long lasting hardwood). However after 5 years (2017) a very long section of our fence started to lean over and by 2018 it had to be repaired for fear of imminent collapse. The fence was inspected and repaired by a qualified trades person and to our our horror most of the posts had rotted out at the bottom. We had to replace 8 new (cypress pine) posts and 31 palings, so a costly exercise. At the top or our drive the fence is angled and it was noted that this 4+ metre span did not have a supporting post in the centre (causing the fence to sag/bow and drop 50mm below the the bottom panel). Hence this also needed to be repaired and an additional post fitted in the centre. There is still another equally long section of fence along the back of our garden and we fear its only a matter of time before it will need the same attention? We wrote to Stargate explaining what had happened and gave them the opportunity to respond. We sent the letter by registered post so we know they received it on 31/3/18, but no response from them. We would expect the new fence to have lasted 15 to 20 years so want to warn others to steer clear of this company or at least don't choose hardwood posts. Unless of course you are planning to move and don't care if the fence doesn't last very long. Yes, they have nice photos on their face book page of their latest jobs but who knows what happens after 5 - 6 years? And they don't seem to care! (not getting at the installer as he was hard working and polite).

I allmost didn’t hire Stargate because of the reviews on this page, but in the end I did and would like to share my expirience. I hired Steven through homeimprovement pages which made the process very easy. We didn’t even had a phone call, all was done via messages at the end of the week and on Monday morning he was already building my fence and was gone by 12 pm. Steven was very organised, friendly and professional. He showed me how deep he was concreting the posts in (about 700 mm), gave me an invoice and said he’ll be done in about 3 hours. The fence looks good, the price was good too so I will definitely use Stargate again and will recommend this business to others.

We also got our fences done by Stargate as our neighbour chose the cheapest quote. What a terrible decision. Two years later, both the neighbours and our fence started to collapse. Over the next couple of years, most of the posts have gone and we have had to arrange to have it fixed ourselves. If you do decide to go with this company, firstly please "do not expect any customer service after completion as they were rude and hung up on us". "Secondly, be prepared to replace the fence again, well before you should have to as ours did not last".

These guys have been around a while and advertise in some of the local Leader newspapers. They are pretty much one of the cheapest around, and I now see why! Their ads are fairly distinctive, in that they are the only mob who seem to advertise their per metre rate. I guess they survive because they do a quick, cheap job.
Within 3-4 years of having a 45m long fence put up by them the whole thing has started to bow. The post footings have become loose, and basically just because my neighbours chose to go with the cheapest quote, I'm left with a fence that needs attention again! Materials used are cheap, workmanship is fairly average, with the old fence posts simply cut off above ground level (so my lawn mower catches on them!) and some dubious attention to detail in some spots.
If you need cheap and quick but not long-lasting, then sure, give them your consideration. I expect a fence to last at least 20 years. At least 10-15 would be even be reasonable right? But not 3-4! I think their attention to detail in their workmanship is poor and I certainly can't recommend them.

Approximate cost: $1800