Fencing Projects: How to Dispose of Old Fences & What Skip Size You Need

Here's what nobody tells you about fence replacement: the installation is the easy part. It's the removal and disposal that catches homeowners off guard. Twenty metres of timber fencing doesn't disappear quietly. You're looking at dozens of palings, heavy posts set in concrete, long rails, coils of wire, and all the brackets and hardware that held it together for the past 15 years. Stack it all up and you're staring at a genuine waste management problem.

Most Wollongong residents either underestimate the volume (ending up with waste everywhere and no plan) or overestimate what they can handle themselves (three exhausting trips to the tip later, the job's still not done). The smart approach? A skip bin matched to your actual project size. But "skip bin for fencing" isn't specific enough. A 20-metre Colorbond fence and a 40-metre rural wire fence need completely different solutions.

In this guide, we break down exactly what size you need based on your fence type, length, and materials, plus what can and can't go in the bin.

Types of Fence Waste & What You Need to Know

Timber Fencing

Timber is the most common fence type in Wollongong. Old timber fences include palings, posts, and rails. All of these can go in Wollongong skip bins. Treated and untreated timber are both acceptable.

Some homeowners worry about treated timber. The older CCA-treated timber is still fine for skip bin disposal. It goes to appropriate waste facilities. Timber can be heavy, especially when old or wet. Keep this in mind when choosing your skip size.

Colorbond and Metal Fencing

Metal fencing is lighter than timber but still bulky. Sheets, posts, and brackets all need disposal. These can go in skip bins without issues.

If you have large amounts of metal, consider scrap metal recycling. For most residential projects, putting metal in your skip bin is simpler.



Wire Fencing

Wire fencing is common for boundaries and rural properties. This includes barbed wire, chain mesh, and chicken wire. Wire must be coiled and bundled carefully for safety. Posts can be timber or metal. Both are acceptable in skip bins.



Brick and Masonry Fencing

Brick fences create very heavy waste. Bricks, concrete, and mortar add up fast. You'll need a skip bin that can handle the weight. Smaller bins work better for heavy materials.



Vinyl and PVC Fencing

These fences are lightweight but bulky. They're less common in older Wollongong properties. They go in skip bins without problems.



What Size Skip Bin Do You Need?

Choosing the right skip bin size saves money and prevents problems mid-project. Here's what works for different fence projects.



Small Fence Sections (Under 10 Metres)

A 2 cubic metre or 3 cubic metre skip bin handles small jobs well. This suits single fence panel replacement or gate projects. These smaller bins fit easily on driveways.



Standard Residential Fence (20-30 Metres)

Most Wollongong homes need a 4 cubic metre to 6 cubic metre skip bin for one boundary fence. This covers timber paling or Colorbond fencing along one side of your property. It includes posts, rails, and all panels.



Full Perimeter Fencing

Replacing fencing around your entire property? You'll need an 8 cubic metre to 10 cubic metre skip bin. This suits a typical suburban block in Wollongong. It accounts for all posts, rails, and palings from multiple fence lines.



Large Properties

Acreage and rural properties need bigger solutions. Consider 12 cubic metre to 15 cubic metre skip bins or larger. Commercial fencing projects also fit this category.

Heavy Masonry Fencing

Brick and concrete fencing is different. Weight matters more than volume. A 3 cubic metre to 4 cubic metre skip bin works better for heavy materials. Smaller bins prevent exceeding weight limits. Overfilling can result in extra charges.

Helpful tip: Breaking down fence sections helps. Cut timber into shorter lengths. This maximises your skip bin space.



Preparing Your Fence Waste

Proper preparation makes disposal smoother and safer.

Remove nails and screws where practical. This protects waste handlers. Break or cut timber into manageable pieces. Coil wire fencing carefully and secure it. Stack materials efficiently in your skip bin. This creates more space.

If you're removing posts yourself, separate concrete footings. Don't overfill the skip. Waste must stay below the rim for safe transport.

Consider salvaging good materials. Solid palings, gates, or hardware might be reusable. This reduces waste and could save money on your new fence.

What Can't Go in Your Skip Bin?

Most fencing waste is acceptable in our skip bins, but some items need special handling.

Asbestos fence sheets cannot go in standard skip bins. Older fibro fences may contain asbestos. These require specialised Hazibags and licensed removal. Villaboard is also prohibited unless it's certified non-asbestos. If you're unsure whether your old fence contains asbestos, get a professional assessment before removal.

Liquids aren't permitted. This includes chemicals and aerosols.

Paint cannot go in skip bins. If you're removing painted fence palings, the dried paint on timber is acceptable, but liquid paint and paint tins must be disposed of separately.

Important note about treated timber: Your waste guide shows treated timber and pine are prohibited in green waste bins but acceptable in general waste and builders' bins. For fencing projects, this means your treated timber palings and posts can go in standard skip bins.

Soil and dirt from post holes require a separate bin and can't be mixed with fencing materials. If you're digging out fence posts and dealing with significant amounts of soil, contact us about hiring a dedicated soil and dirt bin alongside your fencing waste skip.



DIY Removal vs Professional Installation

How you remove your fence affects waste management.

• DIY removal - This gives you control over timing. You can fill the skip bin at your own pace. You might combine fence waste with other yard projects.
• Professional installers - They may include waste removal in their quote. Confirm who handles the old fence before signing contracts. Some fencers have their own waste removal. This might cost more than hiring your own skip bin.

A skip bin gives you flexibility. You can dispose of other waste at the same time.

Combining Fence Waste with Other Projects

Fencing projects often happen alongside other work. Landscaping, paving, and shed cleanouts are common.

For general household fence waste mixed with other materials: Our general waste skip bins allow you to combine timber fencing, garden waste, and general household items in one bin. This works well when you're doing a fence replacement alongside yard cleanup.

For builders' waste: If you're combining fence removal with renovation or construction work, our builders' bins accept timber, metal, concrete, bricks, and building materials together.

However, some materials need separate bins:

• Heavy concrete and brick waste (if that's the majority of your load)
• Soil and dirt from post holes
• Pure green waste loads

A larger mixed-waste skip bin might be more economical than hiring multiple smaller specialised bins, but it depends on your waste types. Our team can advise on whether you need one general bin or separate bins for different materials. Plan all your disposal needs before choosing your bin size.

Book Your Fencing Project Skip Bin

Proper planning for fence waste prevents hassles mid-project. The right skip bin size means no overfill charges or emergency second bin rentals.

At Bin Master Skip Bins Wollongong, we offer sizes from 2 cubic metres to 25 cubic metres. Having been in the industry for many years, we understand projects such as fencing work like no other. Our team can recommend the right size skip bin based on your fence length and materials.

We offer same-day delivery across Wollongong and the Illawarra. Contact us for a free quote. Tell us about your fencing project. We'll make sure you have the right solution before you start removing that old fence.