How to: Erect a fence in 7 easy steps.

1. Choosing the right fence:

Take a look at the size and design of fencing that suits your garden and your needs.

There’s a wide range to choose from.

Depending on your budget you will need to decide if you prefer ‘Sawn’ or ‘Deluxe’ or Contemporary panels.

Helpful hint…

One of the things neighbours argue about most is the boundary between their properties – where it lies and who’s responsible for its upkeep.

If you’re unsure, check your title deeds.

You can get a copy from the Land Registry.

‘T marks’ on the plan point in the direction of the owner who has to maintain the wall, fence or hedge.

2. Choosing the right posts

• Decide if you want wooden or concrete posts – there are pros and cons for both.
• Concrete posts ensure you have a good strong fence, but they do need a fair bit of work to put up and they are quite heavy.
• Wooden posts are easier to handle. But as they’re buried in the ground, there’s a slightly higher risk that they’ll rot. However, if you choose decent timber that has been pressure treated then the risk of rot is low.

Helpful hint…

Check your fence complies with planning rules – ring your local council for advice.

You need planning permission for fences over 2m high.

3. Calculate the post lengths

• Decide on the height of your fence and you can work out the length of the posts to buy.
• If you’re setting wooden or concrete posts in concrete you’ll need 8ft (2.4m) posts for a 6ft (1.828m) fence – i.e. your posts are 2ft (0.6m) longer than the fence height.
• Use 4in x 4in posts for fences of 5ft and over and 3in x 3in posts for anything under 5ft.

4. Calculating the number of panels

• Fence panels are nearly always 6ft (1.828m) wide but we can make any size panel.
• Measure the length of the area being fenced. Divide the length by the width of the panel – example: for a 36ft fence, 36ft ÷ 6ft = 6 panels.
• You’ll also need the same number of gravel boards to place at the bottom of each panel.
• Add one more fence post to the number of panels needed so you have enough posts to support both ends of the fence.

5. Preparing for the job

• Before you start, clear away vegetation and treat the area with weedkiller.
• Most fence panels and wooden posts are pre-treated to prevent rot and insect attack. But it’s a good idea to treat any sawn end with an all-purpose wood preservative.
• Use a string line and pegs to mark out where the fence is going. Mark the position of the first post.

6. Fixing Posts in concrete

• The holes for your posts should be three times as wide as the post. So for a 4in post, the hole will be at least 12in wide.
• The holes should be 2ft deep.
• Following your string line, dig a hole for each post with a post spade or a post-hole borer (which can be hired).
• So you don’t have to lift a heavy panel into position when you move to the next post, use a wooden batten cut to 6ft as a guide.
• With the post in place, ram broken brick or stone hardcore into the base of the hole to support the end of the post.
• You can mix your concrete fresh but it’s easier to use a bespoke concrete mix such as Post mix which we sell.
• Normally you half-fill the hole with post-mix and pour the water on top, but check the bag instructions.
• The concrete should be just above ground level. Trowel the surface smooth, sloping the concrete away from the post to let the water run off
• Check the post is vertical on two adjacent sides with a spirit level. Then prop it up with one or two timber battens to hold it in position while the concrete sets (
• Premixed concrete sets in a few minutes, so work quickly! Go along the fence line, making sure the posts are aligned with each other as well as being upright.
• Leave the concrete to harden for at least an hour before attaching the fencing panels.

7. Fixing the panels

• You’ll want to keep the fencing panels off the ground to prevent them rotting. Do this by adding treated gravel boards along the bottom or leaving a gap of at least 100mm under each panel.
• Screw the panels to the posts using two or three U-shaped post clips per post
• Use stainless steel screws to prevent rusting.
• If you’re using wooden posts, when the panels are all in place trim the tops of each post so they’re all the same height. Then screw on a post cap (drill a hole in the cap first to prevent splitting)

Helpful Hint…Fencing on a slope

• If your fence is on a sloping area, still keep the panels horizontal. Fill the angled gap under each panel by cutting a gravel board to fit it or building a low retaining wall directly under the fence.
• This will make your fence look ‘natural’ and level, especially if it runs alongside your house, garage or an outbuilding.