Custom Garden Trellis in Fulbourn - How We Do the Job

Step one: the site visit and measure-up

No trellis job starts with timber. It starts with a look at the site. Before a single panel is built, someone needs to stand in the garden and understand what is actually there: what the fence posts are like, what the wall substrate is, whether there is a slope across the run, and what the customer is trying to achieve.

On the initial visit we check the condition of any existing fence panels or posts that the trellis will attach to. A post that looks fine above ground can be rotten at the base, and fitting new trellis to a post that is about to fail creates two jobs where there should have been one. If there are issues, we say so at this stage.

We also take the actual measurements of the run rather than relying on what the customer estimates. A boundary that looks like five metres is often 4.7 or 5.3. Custom panels are built to the real figure.

Step two: designing the panel layout

Once the measurements are confirmed, we work out how the panels divide across the run. On a straight fence line this is straightforward: panels of equal width across the available span, with the framing aligned to the post positions. On a run with a gate, a corner, or a change in height, the layout takes a bit more thought.

We agree the pattern (square or diamond lattice), the batten spacing, the height of the panel, and any shaping to the top before any timber is cut. If the customer wants a painted finish, we confirm the colour at this stage too so the panels can be prepared accordingly. Decisions made on paper save time on site.

Step three: building the panels

Panels for Fulbourn customers are built in Haverhill and brought to site ready to fit. This is not flat-pack assembly: the battens are cut to length, checked, and nailed or screwed at each intersection using a consistent spacing jig so the pattern stays true across the full panel.

The frame around the panel is built from a heavier section than the lattice itself, typically 44 x 44 mm or 50 x 50 mm, which gives the panel its rigidity and provides a bearing surface for the fixings. A trellis panel without a proper frame will rack over time, particularly once a climber puts weight on it.

End-grain cuts are treated before the panel leaves the workshop. If the customer has specified a painted finish, the base coat goes on in the workshop so the timber is sealed before it goes outside. A second coat on site after fitting picks up any marks from handling.

Step four: preparing the fixing points

How trellis is fixed depends on what it is going onto. The preparation for each situation is different, and this is where a lot of DIY trellis jobs go wrong.

• Onto existing fence posts: The panel frame sits against the post face and is fixed with structural screws, pre-drilled to avoid splitting. The top of the post should be capped if it is not already, to stop water sitting in the end grain.
• Onto masonry walls: We plug-drill into the brick (not the mortar joint) and use appropriate wall anchors for the load. Spacer blocks are fitted between the wall and the trellis frame to leave a gap of at least 25 mm. This gap is not optional: trellis fixed flush to a wall traps moisture and rots from behind.
• Onto new posts: Where there is no existing structure to attach to, we set timber posts into the ground using either a concrete mix or a post spike, depending on the ground conditions. Posts for trellis panels can be lighter section than posts for solid fence panels because the wind load is lower, but they still need to be plumb and set at the right depth.

Step five: fitting the panels

Panels go up once all the fixing points are prepared. We lift each panel into position, check it is level and plumb before the first screw goes in, then fix through the frame into the post or wall anchor. On a run of multiple panels, we check the alignment between each panel as we go rather than fixing them all and then finding the last one is out of line.

Where two panels meet at a post, there should be a consistent gap of about 5 to 10 mm between the frames. This allows for a small amount of timber movement in changing moisture conditions. Panels butted tight against each other with no gap will push against each other as they expand and can bow or twist the frame.

Any plant ties or initial training of existing climbers is done at this stage while access to the trellis is still clear. It is much easier to tie in the main stems before the panel is loaded with growth.

Step six: second coat and finishing

If a painted finish was specified, the second coat goes on after the panels are in place. This covers any handling marks and seals the joint between the trellis frame and the post or wall anchor. We use a brush rather than a spray for this coat on site, so there is no overspray onto the wall surface or onto the customer's plants.

Bare treated timber does not need a finish coat, but if the customer wants a stained finish applied on site we do that before packing up. Stain applied to dry timber on a dry day bonds well and the result is even.

Step seven: clean-up and handover

All offcuts, packaging, and fixing hardware goes with us. We leave the garden as we found it. The customer gets a look at the finished job before we leave, and if there is anything to adjust, we do it then.

We also talk through basic maintenance at handover: how often the timber needs treating or repainting, what to do if a batten splits, and how to manage climbing plants so they support the trellis rather than pulling it apart over time. A mature wisteria can exert significant force on a trellis frame. Getting the training right from the start makes a real difference to how long the installation holds up.

How long the job takes

How long a trellis fitting job takes on site depends on the number of panels and the complexity of the fixings. Larger runs or work involving new post setting will take longer. We agree the expected time on site when we confirm the booking.

Book a visit for your Fulbourn garden

If you want trellis fitted properly and want to know exactly what to expect, call Haverhill Fencers. We will arrange a site visit, walk you through the options, and give you a clear price for the job before any work is confirmed.