Fencing Contractors Near Me

The longevity of a wooden fence depends on a number of factors, most notably the type of wood and how it is treated and maintained. Factors such as climate, sun exposure and weather conditions will also play a part. In any case, regular upkeep and repairs will significantly improve the longevity of your wooden fence.

Well-maintained hardwoods such as cedar, redwood and oak have lifespans of between 20 to 30 years, whilst softwoods such as pine and spruce can last between 15 and 20 years if they have been properly treated and maintained.

Most modern fence panels will be treated during the manufacturing process, either through dip treatment or pressure treatment.

Dip-treated panels are immersed in a preservative solution that provides protection against rot, and decay. If you’re opting for dip-treated panels, it’s recommended that you install a gravel board to avoid direct contact with wet ground and re-treat the panels once a year. On average, dip-treated fence panels last between 5 to 10 years, depending on the type of wood. If you’re using gravel boards don’t forget to add a hole for wildlife to pass through your fence.

Pressure-treated panels have an anti-rot preservative solution forced into the cellular structure of the wood at high pressure. Pressure-treated panels tend to offer enhanced resistance against rot and decay and don’t require you to keep up with annual re-treatments. On average, pressure-treated fence panels last between 10 to 15 years, depending on the type of wood.

The weakest part of any fence is the posts. In the case of wooden posts, they are highly susceptible to ground-line rot and decay and without additional protection can rot through at ground level in as little as 5-10 years depending on soil conditions. It’s worth considering rot protection products if you’re looking to use wooden posts as, with Postsaver protection applied, they are then guaranteed for 20 years.

Whilst you can find custom designs that will accommodate a range of size specifications, most manufactures tend to conform to a set of standardised heights.

These usually include 3ft, 4ft, 5ft and 6ft options. If your fence exceeds 2 metres in the back garden or 1 metre in the front garden, then you may need to request a permit from your local planning authority.

It's a good idea to conduct your own measurements, even when purchasing standard-sized panels. Remember to include the addition of gravel boards and trellising when considering the height of your fence.

Before you begin measuring your garden or field, it’s important that you understand where your property boundaries are. Most modern properties will have details of boundary ownership in their title deeds.

If your garden isn’t too large, you calculate the length of your fence using a 100-foot tape measure. Pitch stakes or posts at the corners and measure between to calculate the length of each side, and ensure that the tape is taut to get an accurate reading.

If you’re dealing with a field or large garden, there are various long-distance measuring devices that you can use, including measuring wheels and GPS measuring tools. Measuring wheels are a particularly accurate option when needing to account for slopes, hills and irregular land shapes.

Once you know the length of your garden perimeter, divide this number by the length of the fence panels you intend to buy – this will give you the number of units that you require to fence the area.

To calculate the cost of a fence, you’ll need to measure the perimeter of your garden to see how many fencing panels you require.

You can input this length along with desired post spacing into an online fence calculator to get an estimate of your fencing materials. Typically, post spacing ranges between 6 to 8 ft.

It’s also important to factor in the cost of contractors, which can cost between £150-£400 a day in the UK. Considering the cost of materials and installation, a typical budget for a new 36-foot fence in the UK can range between £700 to £1,000.

8ft equates to approximately 2.4 metres, which exceeds the standard guideline height of 2 metres in the UK.

Whilst this isn’t a universal rule, if you want to put up an 8ft fence in the UK it’s recommended that you consult with your local planning authority to ensure that your fencing is in accordance with local regulations.

As long as your fence is within your property’s boundaries and doesn’t exceed local height limitations, you shouldn’t need permission to erect a fence.

Having said this, it's considered good courtesy to consult with your adjoining neighbours before you put your fence up to inform them of the change. This will allow them to prepare for the construction period where there may be no physical barrier dividing your properties, which could pose a risk if they have small children or animals.

Whilst there is no legal limitation on how short your fence can be (or even a requirement to have one at all), it’s worth considering privacy and security concerns when deciding on the height of your fence.

However, if your property borders a footpath or other public area, then there may be regulations in place that require you to have certain fencing. If pedestrians use the bordering area, then this will also involve a duty of care that requires your fence to be safe and non-hazardous. This usually means that you can’t use theft deterrents such as barbed wire or smashed glass concrete as they may pose a risk to passers by. It's recommended that you consult with your local planning authority to receive clarification.

Whilst there is no specific legal limit set for the height of a fence shared between neighbouring properties, most local planning authorities require a permit for fences that exceed 2 metres in height.

It’s good etiquette to speak with your neighbours about your fencing plans however, as they may have personal concerns or requests regarding taller fences that may block light to their own garden.