Timber Survey

Fencingonline in conjunction with the Timber Industry is conducting a national survey on timber fences.
The outcome of the survey will be used to identify problems within the industry.

Preliminary Question
In what capacity are you completing this survey form?
Fencing customer  (Complete Sections A, C, & D)
Council representative  (Complete Sections A, C, & D)
Fencing contractor  (Complete Sections A, B, C, & D)
Timber fencing supplier  (Complete Sections A, B, C, & D)
Fencing contractor and timber fencing supplier  (Complete Sections A, B, C, & D)
Section A: General Questions
Q1 How do you rate the quality of timber supplied for timber fencing?
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Very poor
Q2 What are the negative features of timber quality being supplied?
distortion (bow, spring, or twist)
shrinkage (timber supplied not dried sufficiently)
large defects rendering high percentage of lengths unusable
posts or rails originating from small diameter trees (e.g. tree pith in centre and bark in corners)
material size variation (e.g. undersize)
other, please specify   
Q3 If using treated pine, do you specify the type of treatment to be used?
 Tanalith-E ACQ CCA
Yes
Sometimes
Seldom
What ever the Fencing Contractor recommends
Q4 Do any construction methods need to be improved?
Rate their priority from 1 to 10
  Hole depth in relation to soil type
  Post Foundation - wet mix, dry mix, concrete, stabilised soil
  Post spacing to ensure rails and plinth stay straight
  Post to Rail connection and fixings
  Paling overlap
  General fence details to ensure good drainage
  Paling to rail connection
  Plinth to Post connection
  Other, please specify  
Q5 How would you rate the standard of timber fencing workmanship?
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Very Poor
Q6 Are there are limitations on the erection of timber paling fences in your area?
No restriction, entirely the customers choice
Council restrictions
Developer restrictions
Fencing contractor restrictions
Other, please specify   
Section B: Fencing Contractor Questions
Q7 What is the average number of metres per week of timber fencing erected?
150m per week or less
150m/week to 300m/week
300m/week to 450m/week
450m/week to 600m/week
More than 600m/week
Q8 What type of materials do you use or supply?
(tick the appropriate boxes)
  Concrete Treated Pine Hardwood Steel Cypress Pine
Posts
Rails
Plinths
Palings
Capping
Q9 What are the main types of timber fencing erected? (% of total)
  Common Paling Fences
  Picket Fences
  Front Feature Fences
  Corral Fences
  Other (please nominate type)  
  Total
Q10 Select the most common construction method for paling fences requested by customers?
(tick all the boxes that apply)
Post to rail connection
     notched in from front notched in centre of post bolted to post other
Paling installation method
     over lapped 25mm over lapped 30mm not over lapped just butted together not over lapped space between them other
Plinth installation method
     no plinth used plinth attached below bottom rail plinth attached to bottom rail other
Capping installation method
     no capping used capping fixed to top rail other
Post footing
     cement mixed with soil concrete fast setting concrete other
Nails used for fixing
     twist shank ring shanked plain shank other
Trim palings after installation
     yes no sometimes fit metal cover other
Q11 Would a specialised "fence grade" improve your business?
No
Maybe, if the price of timber supplied does not increase
Yes, but only if it improves general timber quality
Q12 If you use Treated Pine, what type of timber treatment is supplied/used? (% of total)
  CCA
  ACQ
  Tanalith-E
  Total
Q13 When supplying Treated Pine, Does the customer demand the type of treated pine used?
Mostly
Sometimes
Seldom
What ever the Fencing Contractor recommends
Q14 When supplied Treated Pine, overall how would you classify its seasoned state?
very wet (almost dripping)
wet (to touch)
lightly seasoned
very well seasoned
very well seasoned, and only a hint of preservative treatment
Section C: Training Questions
Q15 What level of training should fencing contractors have to be proficient at their job?
no training required
on-the-job training received
all fencing contractors should attend one-off short course on fencing construction
all fencing contractors should be licensed and certified by National/State training scheme
Q16 How would the adoption of a National or State-based Timber Fencing Best Practice Manual impact the industry/customer?
Highly negative impact
Slightly negative impact
Neutral
Slightly positive impact
Highly positive impact
Section D: Your Comments
Q17 What would you suggest to improve timber paling fences?

Q18 Please indicate in which state or territory you reside.