Start by talking to the neighbours
Before anything else, speak to the people next door. On a street of semis, a fence along the side of the house often runs between two households who share the same driveway or path. Tell them what you plan, roughly when, and whether the workers may need to reach over or step into their garden for a short while.
This is a good moment to ask about plants, sheds or wires on their side that touch the fence. It is also the time to talk about the fence itself. Ownership and responsibility vary from house to house, so check your deeds or ask your local council if you are unsure. This is general information, not legal advice, and it is worth settling before work begins, so that nobody is surprised or upset halfway through the job.
Front garden or back garden
A front boundary has different needs from a rear one. Cars parked on the drive may need moving, hedges beside the pavement may need trimming, and passers-by will walk close to open holes. Cone off or tape the area if you can, and keep bins and bikes well away from the line.
At the back, it is the long run of fence that matters. Clear furniture and pots, take down washing lines and move children's equipment. If the back garden is reached via a side path, check it is wide enough for panels and that any gate opens fully. Our crew can only work as fast as the route allows.
Plants, pots and the tidy-up
Carry small pots to the patio and tie back climbers that grow on the old fence. Larger plants in the ground may be better lifted for a short period. Front gardens often have neat borders and low shrubs close to the boundary, and these are easy to damage when posts are replaced, so point out anything you particularly want kept.
Finally, think about where old panels and posts will go. We can normally take them away if you tell us beforehand. If you would like to keep a few boards for the shed, set them aside. Leave a clear spot for the van to park, and keep pets indoors while the boundary is open. A tidy start makes for a tidy finish, and the garden will be back to normal sooner.
Quick tips
- Talk to neighbours on both sides before the day, especially if work will happen close to a shared drive or path.
- For a front fence, move parked cars off the drive and keep bins and bikes away from the boundary.
- Check your deeds or ask the local council if you are unsure who owns the fence, before any work starts.
- Set aside any old boards you want to keep, so they are not swept into the rubbish with the broken posts.
If you are in Acocks Green, in the B27 area, and would like help planning your fencing job, call us or send a photo with the fence location. We also work in Hall Green and Yardley, and we are glad to talk it through, no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
Should I speak to my neighbours before a fencing job?
Yes, speak to them first. Tell them what you plan, roughly when, and whether workers may need to reach over or step into their garden. It is also a good moment to ask about plants, sheds or wires touching the fence on their side.
Does a front fence need different preparation from a back one?
Yes. At the front, move cars off the drive, trim hedges beside the pavement and keep bins and bikes away, because passers-by will walk close to open holes. In Acocks Green back gardens, the long run needs clearing of furniture, washing lines and play equipment.
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