Ask what is actually included
Start with the basics: what exactly will be built, and what is left for you to sort out? On a sloping Cradley Heath plot the answer matters more than usual, because stepping panels down a slope takes extra posts, careful setting out and sometimes different panel sizes. Ask whether the price covers posts, panels, gravel boards, fixings, post caps and any concrete. Ask who supplies the materials and who brings them to site. Get the answers written down in plain words, not just said on the doorstep.
Then ask about the awkward extras. Is there any tidying of the ground along the fence line? What happens if a post hole hits old brick, buried rubble or a stubborn root, which is common behind older Black Country houses? A sensible contractor will explain how they deal with surprises and whether anything would change before it happens, not after. If an answer is vague, ask again until it is clear.
Old fence removal, posts and gravel boards
Ask whether the old fence is being taken down and whether the waste is taken away. Some fencers include both, some only fit the new run and leave old panels stacked in your garden. Then ask what type of post is going in and why. Timber, concrete and slotted posts all have their place, and a good fencer can explain the choice for your ground rather than saying it is what they always use. On a slope, post depth and spacing matter a great deal.
Ask about gravel boards too. They run along the bottom of the fence so the panels are kept off wet soil, and on a sloping garden they usually need to step with the ground. Ask whether they are included, what they are made of, and how the gap beneath each panel will be dealt with where the land drops. A fence that looks fine at first can start to rot at the base if this detail is skipped.
Boundary, payment and afterwards
Ask how the boundary line will be agreed before any post goes in. Who owns which fence is often unclear, and in older Cradley Heath streets the deeds may say little. This is general information only, so check your deeds, ask your local council or take advice if there is any doubt. A good contractor will want the line settled with you, and ideally your neighbour, before digging starts rather than after the posts are set.
Finally, ask how and when payment is handled, and whether any deposit is needed for materials. Agree this in writing so both sides know where they stand. Then ask how to contact the contractor once the job is finished, in case a panel works loose or a gate catches. Knowing who to ring and how to reach them matters more than most people think when the work is done.
Quick tips
- Ask for the post type, post depth and gravel board material in writing before you agree to any start.
- On a sloping plot, ask how the panels will step down and how the gap at the bottom will be dealt with.
- Ask whether old posts and concrete will be dug out, and where the waste from the old fence will go.
- Keep a photo of the old fence and the boundary before work begins, so everyone remembers where things stood.
If you are in Cradley Heath or anywhere in the B64 area and want to talk through these questions, give us a call or send a photo of the fence and where it is. We are happy to answer them, with no pressure at all. We also work in Old Hill and Halesowen.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a sloping plot change what I should ask a fencer?
Stepping panels down a slope takes extra posts, careful setting out and sometimes different panel sizes. On a sloping Cradley Heath plot, ask what is included, how gravel boards will step with the ground, and what happens if a post hole hits old brick or rubble.
Should I ask about the old fence before work starts?
Yes. Ask whether the old fence is taken down and the waste carried away, or whether panels are left stacked in your garden. Also ask about old posts and concrete. In Cradley Heath, getting this settled beforehand avoids being left with heavy rubbish to clear yourself.
Fencing contractors in Cradley Heath · All advice guides