Care & longevity
Should You Repair or Replace Your Fence?
Judge the posts, not the panels. Sound posts mean repair; posts snapping at ground level mean the clock has run out.
We are asked to quote repairs weekly, and we regularly advise people to spend less than they expected. The decision comes down to three checks you can do yourself in ten minutes.
The three-check test
- Push each post at shoulder height. If more than a third move at the base, you are replacing, not repairing.
- Count failed panels. Under a third failed with sound posts is a repair job.
- Probe the timber at ground level with a screwdriver. If it sinks in easily along the run, the rot is systemic.
When repair is clearly right
Storm took out two panels and the rest is straight and solid; one post snapped and the neighbours are fine; the gravel boards have gone but the posts are sound. These are half-day jobs and it would be dishonest to sell a full replacement instead.
When replacement is the cheaper answer
If you are calling someone out every winter, the cumulative cost of repairs overtakes a proper rebuild quickly — and each repair leaves you with a fence that still looks patched. Once posts are failing along the length, the whole run is at the end of its life.
The middle path: partial replacement
Boundaries rarely fail evenly. Replacing the exposed twelve metres with closeboard on concrete posts while leaving the sheltered section for another few years is a legitimate, budget-sensible plan, and we quote it as two clearly separated sections so you can choose.
Frequently asked
Do you take on single-panel repairs?
Yes. Small repair jobs are part of what we do, including single posts and gravel boards.
Can you match my existing panels?
Usually — panel styles and heights are fairly standard. Colour will differ until the new timber weathers.
Is a concrete spur a proper repair?
Yes, when the sound upper part of the post is bolted to a correctly based spur. It buys several more years economically.
How quickly can you attend after storm damage?
We prioritise unsafe and insecure boundaries. Call and we will tell you honestly what we can do and when.
Want this priced properly for your garden?
Free site visit across London and Hertfordshire, a written specification, and a fixed price. No obligation.