Stands up to weather
Posts set to depth and fixed properly are what carry a fence through a Warwickshire winter.
Fencing installationin Kenilworth and across Warwickshireset plumb, level and built to hold
Replacement fence lines and new boundaries with posts fixed properly, gravel boards where they are needed and panels running level: fixed price agreed before we start, old fencing taken away.
Free quote within 48 hours · Storm-damaged fencing prioritised
10 years in the trade
5 of them running SOS Landscaping
Checkatrade approved
CHAS accredited
Fixed price on ~95% of jobs
Written before work starts
Quotes within 48 hours
Same or next day locally
Team of two or more
Faster on site, straighter lines
Service overview
What a fencing job actually involves
A fence is only as good as its posts. The visible timber gets all the attention, but the working parts are the post depth, what the post is set in, and whether the line is straight and plumb from end to end. We set posts to depth, fix them so they stay put, run a level line along the boundary and hang or slot panels so the tops read straight even where the ground falls away.
We install replacement fencing where an existing line has failed, new boundaries where none existed, and gates, gravel boards, post caps and trellis toppers to finish them. Where a fence runs along a slope, panels are stepped or the height is graded so the line still looks deliberate rather than accidental.
The usual triggers are storm damage, rot at ground level, leaning posts, a new patio or turf that has made a tired fence look worse, or a need for privacy and security: dogs, small children, or a garden overlooked by a new development.
Bringing in a professional matters most for post fixing, line setting and dealing with the boundary sensibly: which side is yours, what happens where concrete or tree roots block a post hole, and how to keep timber out of standing soil so it lasts far longer than the last fence did.
On site
Fencing in action
Why it matters
The cost of leaving a failing fence
Rot works from the ground up. Once a post has softened at soil level, the fence is being held up by its neighbours, and a single storm can take out a long run in one go: often bringing down panels that were still perfectly serviceable and landing them on plants, glass or a car.
A leaning fence also stops doing its job. Gaps at the bottom let dogs out, and a boundary that has drifted from the true line can turn into an awkward conversation with a neighbour or a problem when a property is sold.
Piecemeal repairs are where the money goes. Replacing one panel at a time on rotten posts means paying repeatedly for labour and materials without ever fixing the cause. Replacing the failed posts and the run together, with gravel boards to keep timber out of the soil, costs less over the life of the fence than three rounds of patching.
Mistakes we are called out to fix
- Posts set too shallowAnything short of the right depth will lean the first time the wind gets behind it.
- Timber sitting in soilWithout a gravel board, panels wick moisture and rot from the bottom edge.
- No line strungA fence that snakes along the boundary is obvious from every window.
- Cheap fixingsNon-galvanised fixings bleed rust down the timber within a season.
- Ignoring the ground fallPanels forced level on a slope leave gaps a dog will find in minutes.
Our process
From first call to finished work
- Step 1
Boundary walk and measure
Guy walks the line with you, checks post positions, ground conditions and access, and confirms heights, style and where gates need to go.
- Step 2
Free fixed-price quote
A written figure covering removal of the old fence as well as the new one, usually same or next day locally and within 48 hours at the latest.
- Step 3
Old fence out, holes dug
Existing panels and posts removed and taken away, then post holes dug to depth along a strung line, working around obstructions as they appear.
- Step 4
Posts set, line and levels checked
Posts set plumb and fixed to hold, spacing checked against the panels, and gravel boards fitted so timber is kept clear of the soil.
- Step 5
Panels, gates and clear down
Panels fitted and levelled, caps and gate furniture fixed, site cleared of timber and spoil, then a walk-round with you. If anything needs attention later, call Guy and he will return.
What you get
The difference it makes in your garden
Straight, level lines
A strung line and checked levels mean the fence looks right from the house and the garden.
Longer timber life
Gravel boards and galvanised fixings keep panels out of wet soil and free of rust streaks.
Privacy and security
Consistent heights with no gaps at the bottom: for children, dogs and peace of mind.
Old fence gone
Removal and disposal is part of the job, not an extra call to arrange yourself.
One clear price
A fixed figure on around 95% of jobs, paid on completion for smaller work.
In detail
Materials, methods and where fencing apply
Fence types we install
Closeboard (feather-edge) is the strongest and most private option and the one we most often recommend for a main boundary: vertical boards fixed to arris rails, built to last. Overlap and lap panels are the budget-friendly choice for longer runs. Slatted and contemporary horizontal fencing suits modern gardens and looks superb behind a new patio, while picket and post-and-rail work better at the front of a property or as a garden division.
Post choice is a real decision, not a detail. Timber posts look natural and can be replaced individually; concrete posts with slotted panels are the pragmatic choice where rot has already claimed one fence and you want the next one to outlive it. Gravel boards, either timber or concrete, keep panels above soil level and take the wear that would otherwise destroy the panel bottoms.
- Closeboard / feather-edgeStrongest and most private; ideal for main boundaries.
- Overlap panelsCost-effective over long runs.
- Slatted / horizontalContemporary look, good with new paving.
- Picket and post-and-railFront boundaries and internal divisions.
- Gates and trellis toppersSide gates, double gates, height and privacy without bulk.
Construction detail
Post spacing is set by the panel, so holes are measured off the actual materials rather than assumed. Depth is dictated by fence height and exposure; a taller fence catches far more wind and needs more in the ground. Where a hole meets old concrete, brick footings or heavy roots, we deal with it there and then rather than moving the post and leaving a kink in the line.
Every post is checked for plumb in both directions and against the string line before it is fixed. Panels are then fitted so their tops run parallel to the line rather than the ground, with steps taken deliberately on a slope so the fall reads as a series of clean steps.
Fixings and metalwork are chosen to last outdoors, and gates are hung with hinges and latches sized for the weight of the gate rather than the size of the packet. Where a run ends against a wall or building, a wall plate or fixed post keeps the last panel supported at both edges.
Situations and variations
Storm repair is a common call: a couple of posts snapped and several panels down. Sometimes the honest answer is a partial repair, and sometimes it is that the remaining posts are rotten and you will be calling again in a year. Guy will tell you which, with a price for each option where it is a genuine choice.
Sloping and stepped gardens, boundaries shared with a neighbour, fences running behind a new sleeper wall or raised bed, and fence lines that need a gate wide enough to get a mower or wheelbarrow through are all routine. Where a fence follows a new patio or turf, the fencing is usually done first so panels are not damaged and cut-offs are not left in fresh grass.
For commercial and rental properties the priorities shift towards durability and low maintenance, which usually means concrete posts, concrete gravel boards and closeboard panels: a heavier initial spend for a much longer service life.
Where we work
Fencing across Kenilworth and Warwickshire
Based at 24 Common Lane, Kenilworth. Local work gets priced fastest: often the same day. Just outside these areas? It is still worth a call.
Related work
See all services, read about Guy Finch, our Kenilworth landscaper or check the landscaping areas covered in Warwickshire.
Common questions
Fencing: straight answers
How much does new fencing cost per metre?
It depends on the height, the fence type, the number of posts, ground conditions and access, so we price after seeing the boundary. Around 95% of jobs are quoted as a fixed price in writing, and materials are bought by you so timber costs are fully transparent.
How quickly can you replace a fence blown down in a storm?
Get in touch and Guy will price it as fast as he can: locally that is usually the same or next day, and 48 hours at the very latest. Installation dates depend on the diary, which he will be straight with you about.
How long does fencing take to install?
Most domestic fence runs are a short job measured in days, including taking the old fence away. The duration comes with the quote so you know what to expect.
Do you take the old fence away?
Yes: removal and disposal of the old panels and posts is included in the quote, and the site is cleared down before we leave.
Should I use timber or concrete posts?
Timber looks softer and lets you replace a single post later; concrete posts with slotted panels last considerably longer and are usually the better call where rot has already taken one fence. Guy will talk through both against your budget.
How long will a new fence last?
Realistically, life comes down to what the posts are and whether the timber is kept out of the soil. A closeboard fence on sound posts with gravel boards will outlast an overlap fence with panels sitting on wet ground by a long way.
Which side of the fence is mine?
That is a matter for your deeds rather than something we can decide on site, but Guy will happily talk through the practicalities and, where a boundary is shared, suggest getting your neighbour on board before work is booked.
Can you fit a gate at the same time?
Yes: side gates and wider access gates are quoted alongside the fence, hung on hinges sized for the gate rather than an afterthought.
What if a post works loose later?
We stand behind our work. If anything ever needs attention after completion, give Guy a call and he will come back and put it right.
Do you install fencing in Coventry and Knowle as well?
Yes. Kenilworth, Leamington, Warwick, Coventry, Balsall Common, Chadwick End, Knowle, Earlsdon and Leek Wootton are all areas we cover.
Free quote
Get your fence priced this week
Send Guy the rough length, the height you want and a photo if you have one. You will get a free fixed-price quote, with removal of the old fence included.
Prefer to talk it through?
07466 254430finchfinishings@gmail.com
Hours: 7:00am – 6:00pm
Free quotes · Fixed prices · Checkatrade approved · CHAS accredited