New Fence Installation in Glemsford - What to Do While You Wait, and What to Leave Alone

A new fence installation - what is involved

At Haverhill Fencers, based in Haverhill, we install timber panel, close-board, picket and post-and-rail fencing across Glemsford and the surrounding area. A proper installation starts with accurate measurement of the boundary, choosing the right style and materials for the situation, digging posts to the correct depth, setting them in concrete and allowing them to cure before rails, boards and panels are fixed. We use pressure-treated timber as standard because untreated timber in ground contact will not last.

Close-board fencing on pressure-treated posts in a typical residential garden is expected to last fifteen to twenty-five years. Timber panel fencing installed the same way - with proper post depths and concrete gravel boards at the base - should give you a similar working life if it is maintained. Post-and-rail fencing for a paddock or open garden edge is less intensive to maintain but needs the same sound groundwork at the start.

What to do before the installer arrives

The time between agreeing a date and the team arriving on site is worth using well. A few straightforward steps make the job run smoothly and can reduce the time needed on the day.

• Clear the fence line. Move garden furniture, plant pots, compost bins and anything else stored against the old fence. Installers working around cluttered fence lines take longer and risk damaging your belongings.
• Cut back overhanging plants. Shrubs, hedging and climbers growing over or through the fence line make removal of the old fence harder and slow down post hole digging. Trim back as far as you reasonably can - the installer needs a clear working run.
• Check with your neighbour. If the fence is on or near the shared boundary, let your neighbour know when work is planned. This avoids surprises and is a good idea even if you know the fence is entirely on your land. If there has ever been any question about who owns the boundary, check your title deeds before work starts rather than after.
• Find out where your services run. Gas, electric and water pipes do not always follow predictable routes through gardens. If you are not sure where underground services run in your garden, ask your installer before any digging starts. Dial Before You Dig is a free service that can help locate them.
• Agree what happens to the old fence. If disposal is included in your quote, make sure there is space near the site to stack the old materials ready for loading. If it is not included, arrange a skip or collection before the job date so old fence panels and posts are not left on site.

What not to do yourself

The most common mistake homeowners make while waiting for a fencing job is attempting a temporary fix that ends up creating more work for the installer - or a safety problem in the meantime.

Do not try to re-concrete a leaning post. Pouring fresh concrete around a post that has already moved does not restore its original strength. The concrete seldom bonds well to the existing mass, and if the post has rotted at the base, you are securing a failing post with a material that cannot correct the underlying problem. A post that looks temporarily steadied this way can still fail without warning.

Do not nail or screw panels to posts that are about to be removed. If the post run is coming out entirely, additional fixings add work on removal day. They also risk splitting panels you might want to reuse or donate.

Do not try to pull posts out yourself. Concreted-in posts require specific extraction techniques. Pulling at a post with a crowbar or levering it from the side often snaps the post off below ground, leaving a concrete-encased stump that has to be dug out - which takes significantly longer than extracting an intact post cleanly. Leave post removal to the team doing the installation.

Do not fill post holes with soil, rubble or loose material. If a post has been removed or has fallen, leave the hole open and unobstructed. A clean, open hole is straightforward to work with; one that has been backfilled or has collapsed sides takes more time to re-open to the right depth.

If the fence is down and you need a temporary barrier

A section of fence that has blown down completely can leave your garden open to neighbouring animals or, if children or pets are a concern, unsafe to leave unattended. A simple temporary option is to use fence panels laid flat and propped loosely against a rail or a prop - not fixed - so the installer can remove them in seconds. Do not use concrete blocks or heavy materials that take time to shift.

If you have dogs or children and the gap is a safety issue, mention this when you book. It may affect how the job is sequenced on the day so the open section is closed first.

Typical costs for new fence installation near Glemsford

Close-board fencing installed near Glemsford typically costs from around £80 to £130 per metre for supply and installation, depending on ground conditions, access and height. Timber panel fencing is in a broadly similar range. Post-and-rail fencing for a garden or paddock boundary generally costs between £30 and £60 per metre for a two- or three-rail run.

Steeper ground, difficult access, tree roots near the fence line and the need to remove old concrete bases will all add to the time and therefore the cost. A site visit before the quote is the only way to price the job accurately.

The styles we install

• Close-board fencing - overlapping feather-edge boards on arris rails between posts. The most durable and wind-resistant option for residential garden boundaries.
• Timber panel fencing - pre-made panels between concrete or timber posts. A practical choice where speed of installation matters or budget is a priority.
• Picket fencing - open pale design for front garden boundaries and decorative edges where you want to mark the line without blocking light.
• Post-and-rail - field-style fencing for paddocks, informal boundaries and rural garden edges.

We cover Glemsford and the surrounding area

If you have a fence that needs replacing or a new boundary to install, call us to arrange a visit to your property in Glemsford - we will look at the site, talk through the options and give you a clear quote before any work starts.