outdoor
Timber fencing and gates
Timber fencing and gates are the outdoor end of carpentry: posts, panels, feather-edge runs and side gates. Panel fencing usually costs £100 to £200 per panel supplied and fitted, with the ground conditions and access making most of the difference.
What it costs. Fence panels cost £100 to £200 each supplied and fitted. Full cost breakdown for fencing and gates.
What the job covers
- Fence panels, posts and gravel boards
- Close-board and feather-edge fencing
- Side and driveway gates
- Gate hanging and re-hanging
- Trellis and screening
What is involved
Almost every fence failure is a post failure. A post set in concrete with its end grain sitting in a puddle at the bottom of the hole will rot at ground level regardless of how good the timber above it is, so posts want a free-draining base, concrete brought above ground and sloped away, or a metal post spur. Concrete posts and gravel boards last longer than timber and are what most fitters recommend where the ground is wet.
Gates carry their own problems. A side gate hangs off one post that takes the whole load, so that post is bigger, set deeper, and often braced. A gate that drops within a year is nearly always a post problem rather than a gate problem. Driveway gates over about 2.4 metres wide need a proper diagonal brace running from the bottom hinge corner upward, and hardware sized for the weight.
Choosing someone for the job
Ask what the posts are and how deep they go. Ask which side the good face goes, because it is conventionally the neighbour's and it is worth agreeing before the job. Ask what they do with the old fence and whether disposal is in the price.
Common questions
Who owns the fence between two houses?
There is no universal rule. The deeds or the title plan sometimes mark it with a T; otherwise it is a matter for agreement with the neighbour. Nobody should assume the left-hand fence is theirs.
How long should a timber fence last?
Fifteen to twenty years for the panels if the posts hold. Timber posts in wet ground often fail first, at around ten years, which is why concrete posts are common.
Do I need permission for a fence?
Generally not up to two metres, or one metre where it borders a road used by vehicles. Listed buildings and conservation areas have their own rules.
Can a fence be repaired rather than replaced?
Often. Replacing failed posts and reusing sound panels is a common and much cheaper job than a full run.