A leaning post after a windy night, a couple of rotten boards, or a panel that has blown out completely – most fence problems start small. The question is whether a repair will do the job or whether the fence has reached the point where replacing it makes more sense.
Here is how to tell the difference, and what to think about if you do decide on a new fence.
Signs A Repair Is Enough
A repair is usually the right call when the damage is limited to one part of the fence and the rest is still sound. Typical examples include:
- One or two panels damaged or blown out, with the posts either side still firm.
- A few broken or split boards on a featheredge fence.
- A single post leaning or snapped at ground level.
- A cracked or rotten gravel board at the bottom of the fence.
- A gate that has dropped or no longer latches properly.
If the timber in the rest of the fence is solid when you push a screwdriver into it, a targeted repair can give it plenty more life.
Fixing A Leaning Post With A Concrete Spur
Timber posts most often fail right at ground level, where the wood stays wet. If the post is sound above ground, it does not always need to be dug out. A concrete spur is a short concrete post set into the ground beside the old one and bolted to it, which holds the timber post upright again. It is a quick and sturdy fix when the problem is limited to one or two posts. We carry out post replacement using both wood and concrete spurs.
Signs It Is Time To Replace The Fence
Replacement starts to make more sense when the problems are spread along the whole run rather than in one spot:
- Several posts leaning or rotten at the base.
- Panels or boards failing along most of the fence.
- Soft, crumbling timber in many places.
- Repeated repairs to the same fence every winter.
- You want a different style, more privacy or a stronger boundary.
Patching an old fence post by post can end up costing more over a few years than replacing it once, and it will still look patched.
Choosing A Fence If You Replace
A replacement is a chance to pick a fence that suits the garden and lasts. The main options we install are:
- Featheredge – overlapping vertical boards nailed onto rails between posts. It is solid, private and, because each board is fixed individually, damaged boards can be replaced one at a time.
- Post and panel – ready-made panels slotted between posts. Quicker to put up and easy to swap a single panel later.
- Venetian – horizontal slats with small gaps, giving a modern look and letting a little light and air through.
- Composite – made from a wood and plastic mix, so it does not need treating or painting and will not rot.
- Concrete posts and gravel boards – these do not rot at ground level, which is where timber fences usually fail first. They pair well with timber panels or featheredge.
You can see examples of featheredge, Venetian and composite fencing in our gallery.
Who Is Responsible For The Fence?
Before replacing a boundary fence, check who owns it. The title plan or deeds for your property may show which boundaries belong to you. “T” marks on a plan are often used to show ownership, but not every plan has them and there is no rule that the left or right fence is always yours. If it is unclear, it is worth talking to your neighbour before any work starts.
Do You Need Planning Permission For A New Fence?
In England, most garden fences do not need planning permission if they are no higher than 2 metres, or 1 metre where they are next to a road used by vehicles. The rules are different for listed buildings and can be tighter in conservation areas, which covers parts of Bath and some older parts of Bristol. If you are unsure, check with your local council before going higher than an existing fence.
Fence Repairs And Replacements In Bristol And Keynsham
Stone Landscapes carries out fence repairs, post replacements and full fencing replacements across Keynsham, Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire, along with gates in wood, metal or composite. For businesses, we also install and repair fencing as part of our commercial grounds maintenance service.
For a free quote, call 07891008348 or send us your site details with a few photos of the fence.
