New Fence Installation in Great Shelford - How to Choose the Right Contractor

What a new fence installation actually involves

A new fence is more than posts and panels dropped into position. The work starts with checking the boundary line, measuring accurately, and deciding on the right style and height for your situation. We install timber panel, close-board, picket and post-and-rail fencing, and every run starts with posts dug to the correct depth and set in concrete or post mix so they stay upright under load.

Treated timber is not optional - it is the difference between a fence that holds up for years and one that rots at the base within three or four seasons. We use pressure-treated posts and, where specified, pressure-treated rails and boards throughout.

How to choose a fencing contractor - the questions that matter

Most fencing jobs go wrong not because the panels are bad quality, but because the contractor cut corners on groundwork, used untreated timber, or set posts too shallow. Before you agree to anything, ask these questions directly.

• How deep will the posts go? A standard 1.8-metre fence panel needs a post buried to at least 600mm, and ideally 750mm in softer ground. If a contractor cannot give you a clear answer, walk away.
• What timber treatment is used? Ask for pressure-treated posts and rails as a minimum. Dip-treated timber is not the same thing and will not last as long in ground contact.
• Will you survey the boundary before quoting? A quote given over the phone without seeing the site is not reliable. Slopes, tree roots, existing concrete and access all affect the job and the price. Any contractor worth hiring will want to see the site first.
• Who does the work - your own team or subcontractors? This matters for accountability. If something goes wrong six months later, you need to know who to call.
• How will posts be fixed? Concreted-in posts outlast spiked posts in most garden situations. Ask which method they plan to use and why.
• What happens to the old fence? Removal and disposal should be agreed upfront. Some contractors quote for installation only and leave you to deal with the old materials.

Get the specification right before you agree to anything

One of the most common problems with fencing quotes is that two quotes appear very different in price but are not comparing the same job. One price might include gravel boards; another might not. One might use 100mm x 100mm posts; another 75mm x 75mm. Before comparing prices, make sure you have a written breakdown of materials - post size, panel brand or type, rail sizes, treatment grade and what fixing method will be used.

Gravel boards are worth asking about specifically. A 150mm concrete or treated timber gravel board at the base of each panel lifts the panel timber off the ground, which significantly extends the life of close-board and panel fencing. They add cost but they are usually worth it.

Typical costs for new fence installation near Great Shelford

Supply and installation of standard 1.8-metre close-board fencing typically runs from around £80 to £130 per metre, depending on ground conditions, access and post fixing method. Panel fencing with concrete posts sits broadly in the same range. Post-and-rail fencing for a garden or paddock boundary is generally lower - often £30 to £60 per metre for a two- or three-rail run. These are honest working figures; your exact quote will depend on what is actually on your site.

Budget a little more if the ground is steeply sloping, if there are roots to work around, or if access is tight. A proper survey before the quote is the only way to get a reliable number.

Boundary questions to sort out before work starts

In most residential situations, the boundary responsibility is noted in your title deeds or shown by a "T" mark on the deeds plan. Before installation, check which side of the boundary the fence sits on and who is responsible for maintaining it. If there is any doubt, talk to your neighbour before work starts - it avoids disputes mid-job and potential legal problems later.

Planning permission is not normally needed for a fence up to 2 metres high on a rear boundary, or up to 1 metre on a front boundary next to a highway. If your garden is within a conservation area or your property is listed, check with the local planning authority before ordering materials.

The styles we install

Different situations call for different fencing. Here is a straightforward guide to what is available and where each works best.

• Close-board fencing - overlapping feather-edge boards on arris rails, fixed to posts. Strong, private and long-lasting. The best all-round choice for most garden boundaries.
• Timber panel fencing - pre-made panels, usually 1.83 metres wide. Quicker to install and often less expensive, but panels can catch the wind more than close-board.
• Picket fencing - vertical pales with gaps between. Traditional front-garden style, good for marking a boundary without blocking light or views.
• Post-and-rail - two or three horizontal rails between posts. Used for paddocks, field boundaries and informal garden edges where privacy is not needed.

We cover Great Shelford and the wider area

Haverhill Fencers are based in Haverhill and install fencing across the surrounding area, including Great Shelford and nearby villages. We also work in Clare, Kedington, Steeple Bumpstead and Linton, so if you have a contact in any of those places who needs the same job done, we can usually plan visits efficiently.

Ready to get a proper quote?

Call us to arrange a site visit in Great Shelford. We will look at the boundary, talk through the options and give you a clear, itemised quote so you know exactly what you are agreeing to before any work starts.