How it's done
How Long Will My Fence Take to Fit?
A straightforward garden boundary is usually a day or two on site. What stretches it is what comes out of the ground, not what goes into it.
Timing questions are usually really access questions: how long will there be a van outside, when can the garden be used again, and will the dog be able to go out. Fair questions, and easy to answer once the boundary has been seen.
Below are honest indications and the things that genuinely add time.
Typical timings
These assume reasonable access and no surprises underground, which is the case in most gardens.
| Job | Usual time on site |
|---|---|
| Replacing a few panels or a post | A few hours |
| A single garden boundary, straightforward run | One to two days |
| Full garden, three sides | Two to four days |
| A made to measure gate, fitted | Half a day to a day |
| Decking of a typical patio size | Several days including the frame |
What actually slows a job down
Almost every overrun we see comes from one of four things, and three of them are underground.
- Old concrete footings, spurs and post stubs that have to be broken out
- No vehicle access, so every post and board is carried by hand
- Tree roots along the line forcing post positions to be reworked
- Weather severe enough to make setting posts or working safely impractical
The order of work
Removal and clearing first, then posts set and left to gain strength, then rails and boarding, then gravel boards, capping and gates, then a final clear up. That sequence is why a two day job is often not one long day: posts need to be properly set before the boarding loads them.
Can the garden be used while work is on?
Partly. The boundary being worked on will be open for part of the day, which matters if you have a dog or small children. Say so before the job starts and it can be sequenced so the garden is secure overnight.
Getting a date
Once we have seen the boundary we can give you both a duration and a realistic start, and we would rather give you a date we can keep than the earliest one that sounds good. Get in touch and we will book a look.
Frequently asked
How long does a typical garden fence take to install?
One to two days for a straightforward single boundary with reasonable access, including taking the old fence away.
Does removing the old fence add much time?
It can, particularly where old concrete spurs or footings have to be broken out of the ground rather than simply lifted.
Do posts need to set before boarding goes on?
Yes, they need to be properly set before they take the load of rails and boarding, which is why the work is often spread across two days.
Will my garden be secure overnight during the work?
Tell us if that matters and the sequence can be planned around it, which is common where there is a dog or young children.
Does bad weather stop fencing work?
Only when it is severe enough to make setting posts or working safely impractical. Ordinary British rain does not usually stop a fencing job.
Want a duration and a date?
Once we have seen the boundary we will give you both, and we would rather give you a date we can keep than the earliest one available.