This is a definitive guide to install fence panels, calculate post holes, deal with uneven ground, understand the correct time to apply the wood preservative and stay within the law.
Legal
What is the law regarding fence height in the UK?
A common misconception regarding fence heights in the UK is that the two-metre and one-metre rule applies here. This limit applies to fences without planning permission.
- Fences exceeding two metres on side and rear boundaries require approval from the local authority.
- For areas that front a road, a footpath, or a public highway—typically front gardens where a visibility splay is needed for safety—the maximum permitted height is one metre without planning permission.
Consideration must be given to further restrictions, Local conservation areas, Listed building restrictions, Neighbour disputes or Covenants. Do some research and make sure you do not need planning permission.
Who owns a fence between two properties?
Over the years, we have heard so many variations of a so-called rule.
- Everyone owns to the right as you walk into the garden…don`t they?
- This must be our fence; the nice side is facing away.
- That is their fence; they maintain it.
- Yes, definitely our fence; our neighbour said so.
In older houses, chain-link fences were installed with concrete posts; these are a great indication of the original boundary. In many cases, we are asked to leave the old posts in place, one at either end and possibly one in the middle. This again is not 100% true fact boundary, checking the deeds or seeking legal advise is the best route to be sure.
Quite often, a discussion with the neighbour will remove any risk. What we prefer to do is clear the existing line, get a string line up, and get both parties to agree on the line. If we are unable to bring neighbours together, we document the original line with photographs and measurements from a fixed point, for example, a tree or patio.
In the UK, there’s no general rule about who owns the fence between two houses, but you can often find out by checking the title deeds or Land Registry. On the deeds, look for a “T” symbol on the boundary plans. If the “T” is on your side, you own the fence and are responsible for maintaining it. If the “T” is on both sides, making an “H” shape, then you and your neighbour share ownership and responsibility.
If you are unable to work through the above information and agree on the true boundary, it may be time to seek advice from a solicitor. Sometimes, the smallest amount of advice or guidance can set you on the correct path. We have worked with Thomson & Banks Solicitors in the past and also refer this company to customers needing assistance.
Beware, though. Boundary disputes resolved in court can cost tens of thousands of pounds, and the result may not be favourable.
Can you force a neighbour to replace a fence?
It is essential to know that your neighbours are not legally obliged to fix or replace a fence unless it is causing a safety issue. If you find yourself in an unfortunate position where your neighbours refuse to act on their damaged fence, it’s always worth talking it over. Although not ideal, maybe you could contribute or pay to make good or replace the fence. Often, people don`t like to discuss finances; maybe they can’t afford the repair. This approach may be the quickest and simplest way to deal with the situation.
If this approach fails or you don`t wish to help your “not so good neighbour,” you could always fence your side. You have the right to build a brand new fence tight to the boundary line, in any style you like, not forgetting the legal points we mentioned in the first heading: What is the law regarding fence height in the UK?
Is the fence mine if the posts are in my garden?
Garden fences typically have a good side (the smooth side with no posts) and a bad side (the side with extra posts and rails). Back in the day, it was reasonably safe to say that if the good side faces into your garden, it’s not your fence. This is now far from the truth. We are experiencing a growing trend of, “I am paying for it; I want the good side.”
Always check the deeds, chat with your neighbour or seek legal advice from Thompson and Banks.
Can my neighbour paint his side of my fence?
In general, a neighbour needs your permission before painting or staining the side of a fence in your garden. The fence is considered yours if it’s in your garden. However, if the fence is on your neighbour’s land, was built by them, or the property deeds say it’s theirs, then you need their permission to paint it.
Fence Installation
What are the hardest parts of installing a fence?
There are many hard aspects when fencing.
- Clearing the line and dealing with the waste. It’s easy to underestimate the volume of waste from a job, especially when you’re removing a hedge, cutting back greenery or removing the existing fence. If you struggle to transport the waste away, then you could employ a contractor. It is important to check the waste carrying licence, this is available on the .GOV website, follow this link to check the business. Public Registers Online (data.gov.uk). Worcestershire Fencing Ltd takes waste seriously, recycling over 98% of our waste, 0% goes to landfill. We use a local company called Go-Greener, check them out with the next link. gogreenerltd.co.uk.
- Further waste is spoil from the dig. Fence post holes should be dug to a depth of 2`, which can generate up to 50kg of waste. If we look at a standard run of 10 bays of fence, that`s half a ton of soil. In some cases, you may be able to distribute this around the garden, but in most cases, not. This must be factored into the job. It would be a struggle to fit this into the back of your Ford Fiesta.
- The weight of the materials. If you are considering a concrete post and gravel board installation, be prepared for some heavy lifting. If you are not used to this kind of work, it may be worth getting some additional help from friends or family. Back supports, wrist supports, and elbow supports may be a welcomed addition. If you feel any pain, it’s important to seek the correct medical attention. We are used to heavy lifting day in and day out. Some lifting techniques are developed through years of experience; they aren’t something you just have; they need to be worked on.
- Accounting for the elevation. Understanding the ground level is important before even ordering the materials. Failure to have a clear understanding may mean the wrong materials are ordered. If, for example, you are working down a hill or on a bank, you will need additional post length and a deeper hole. On a standard fence, we allow for a minimum of 2` deep holes. In very exposed areas or working down a hill, we allow for 3`. This is also true when the fence is retaining a small amount of soil (typically up to 1`). Any retaining will see an additional 1` depth, allowing 3`.When planning the fence and working on difficult terrain, we avoid rises and falls along the top when possible. This can be combated with additional gravel boards, which can usually be spotted with a keen eye and experience. We can explain this further at 01905 887005.
How to install a Panel fence? (Traditional style- Concrete fence posts, concrete gravel boards and a 5` Close-board panels).
Once you have cleared the line, have a clear understanding of the boundary and worked out the falls, you can start the build.
- String line. The string line needs to be set up to ensure the correct fence line. You need this approximately 1` off the ground; make sure the line is free from snags and follows the outer edge. You can fix the line from a fixed point (for example, a tree or existing fencing). If there is no fixed point, bang two pegs into the ground and tie the line tight. Ensure the line is where the boundary has been determined; you will be working off this line for the full job; ensure it’s well-tied and tight enough to work to. Take care to ensure the fence run is in a straight line; if there are any dog legs, add additional pegs at this point.
- Digging the hole. The fence post hole needs to be dug to a depth no less than 2` deep, the hole needs to be a minimum or 18″ wide circular in shape. Once the first hole is dug, use the tape measure to plot and mark the next hole; the centre of the hole would be 6` from the centre of the post. Get this dug at this point, it’s easier to be one hole ahead through the job, saves knocking the gravel board, and it gives you more room to work.
- Levelling the ground- gravel board. Level out the ground, ready for the concrete gravel board, this will need to be leveled with a spirit level, ideally onto solid ground, not loosely made up soil.
- Concrete/Postmix. Prepare the concrete or Postmix, along with any water required. This needs to be to hand, ready to move quickly once the post in in place.
- Determine post length. Lay your spirit level onto the ground, where the gravel board will be situated. Using a tape measure, measure the following: Panel height, gravel board height and the depth of the hole from the base of the spirit level to the bottom of the hole. When added together you have the required length of the post, check the hole is deep enough. We always bring 9` posts when we need 8`. This allows for any uncertainty throughout the job. It also allows us to spend less time digging the hole inch perfect. So, instead of making the hole deeper, we cut the post down.
- Post into the ground. Carefully pick up the fence post, ensuring the point or round top points to the sky. Place, not throw, the post into the ground. On most posts, there is a direction for installing it. This can be determined visually, with a smooth face and rough back, OR on the side of the post, one side will be smooth and the other slightly rougher. Once you have followed the directions, follow this for the full installation.
- Levelling the concrete fence posts. Using the spirit level, you can line the post up and make sure it is sitting level. Once you are happy, check the post height again. The starting post is very important. Be mindful that the face of the post needs to follow the string line, but be careful; some posts are angled on the face, so bear this in mind.
- Adding the concrete. Now that the post is level and at the correct height, you can add the concrete. It is very important to secure fence posts with adequate concrete, which is a minimum of 40kg of postmix and 20kg of traditionally mixed concrete. Postmix – Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the bag. Add the required amount of water to the hole and pour in the two bags of Postmix. Using a poker prod, stir the mix; this will speed up the curing. Hand-mixed sand & gravel, and cement– Carefully pour in the hand-mixed concrete, poking it and moving it around the post with a poker. It’s important to poke the mix, push out the air, and fill any voids. If we use postmix, we raise the finished height to that of the gravel board. It’s important to support the gravel board with concrete; otherwise, it will drop over time and look shoddy. If you are attempting the installation on your own, you may need to support the posts once they are concreted. This could be done with framing battens or timber offcuts.
- Install the gravel board. The post is in position and now firm. We have installed the gravel board. We use plain faced gravel boards, locally you can get recessed gravel boards also. Check the direction of the gravel board, smooth face or rough, decide which side you want, then carefully put it into position. The board is laid horizontally, sliding into the groove on the post. Double check the gravel board is level, it may need a slight adjustment, if it does lightly tap it into place. As noted above, we support the boards on the concrete from the fence post, so it’s important not to rely on soft ground to support the board.
- Fitting the fence panel. Carefully pick up the fence panel and gently place it onto the board, sliding it into the groove on the post. Ensure you position the panel flush to the gravel board. Be careful not to be to heavy handed, its easy to push the post and gravel board out of level.
How to install a wooden post fence?
Following the same procedure outlined above set the string line, dig the hole, level the ground for the gravel board or panel, prepare the concrete, determine the post length, insert and level the post, and add the concrete. Once the first post is in place, you would screw the gravel board to the fence post.
The fence panels are then added and screwed to the post, we strongly suggest drilling pilot holes before screwing into place, this will reduce the risk of splitting. Per gravel board, we would look to use two screws per post; the panel would benefit from 4 screws. Top tip, screw through the base of the panel, connecting it to the gravel board; we would look to add three connecting screws.
When handling the materials after delivery, take care not to knock the fencing panels out of the square. The panels are a little delicate until installed, especially the decorative fence panels.
When fitting an all-timber fence, all the fence posts would be fitted with fence post caps. The post cap helps to prolong the life of the fence posts.
What is the easiest new fence to install?
This would be 3×3″ timber fence posts and overlap/ Waney edge fence panels. The wooden fence posts can be supported using metal spikes hammered into the ground.
This works out cheap because it’s not great, it won’t last long, and it’s usually a false economy. That said, it would suit some needs: lack of budget, moving house, immediate problem which needs addressing.
This style of fencing is fairly easy to install, and all the materials can be sourced locally.
How far apart should posts be for a garden fence?
As a rule, you should set fence posts about 6′ to 8′ apart. The spacing of the fence posts depends on the type of fence you build, the terrain, the purpose of the fence, and other such factors.
What are gravel boards, and how do they fit them?
Gravel boards are panels made of wood, concrete, or composite materials placed under fence panels to protect them from the ground. The boards support the fence panel, which is ideal for standard fence panels and decorative fencing. They can help extend the life of a fence by keeping it off the ground and away from moisture, debris, insects, and plants. Gravel boards can also provide a sturdier base for wooden panel fencing, which can help prevent rot.
When installing timber or composite gravel boards, it’s important to drill pilot holes. This will reduce the risk of splitting and cracking. When fixing the fence panel to the board, again, drill pilot holes to stop splitting.
Fence Maintenance
What is the best treatment for garden fencing?
Using wood oil on your garden fencing is a great way to prolong the life of fence panels and posts. Decking oils are perfect for use on fence panels and wooden posts as they help protect the timber from cracking, splitting, and warping.
Oil-based products offer greater protection for hard wood, such as Oak or Redwood. The most popular type of oil is Sadolin, which is available from local stockists. Failure to treat the timber will result in a change of colour, turning black over time. A hardwood fence panel or post can be a costly investment, but maintaining the timber is important for longevity.
We use pressure-treated panels; it’s best to avoid the dip-treated option. Dip-treated panels are lowered into a tank of water-based stain, which shortens their life.
The best time to apply such treatment is early spring or late autumn.
The right colour selection can be key for enhancing your outdoor space.
Should I spray or brush my fence?
Which one you choose depends on how much paint you have, the surface area you are painting, and the tool you use best. A spray gun will help you work quickly and efficiently for larger fences. A paintbrush is recommended to give you more control when painting a picket fence or decorative fence panels.
How often should I treat my garden fence?
There is no strict time frame on how often you must stain and reseal your fence, as this will significantly depend on the weather and the wood. However, as a general rule, when water no longer beads up on the wooden fence but instead soaks in, it is time to reseal – this is usually every couple of years.
If you are looking to UV-protect a hard wood fence panel or post, again, we advise a coat every other year.
Is it better to paint or oil a fence?
Fence oils keep garden fences looking better for longer and nourish and feed the wood to keep it supple and water-resistant. This helps prevent the fence panel from drying out, which in turn helps prevent panels from shrinking, cracking, splitting, and warping.
