Put everything in writing
The most useful habit is simple: ask for the details of the job in writing. A short note listing the fence height, style, length, posts, panels, gravel boards and fixings is enough. Verbal promises are easy to forget and hard to prove, especially when the work spans a few visits. If a contractor is happy to write down what they will do, that tends to show a straightforward way of working.
Include payment in that note. Ask how and when payment is expected, whether a deposit for materials is needed, and what the balance depends on. Then ask how to contact the contractor afterwards, because panels can work loose and gates can drop a little as the timber settles. In Tipton, where neighbours often share fences along terraced backs, a written note also helps everyone know what was agreed.
What is taken away and what is left
Ask whether the old fence is being removed as part of the job, and if so where the waste goes. Rotten panels, snapped posts and lumps of concrete are heavy and bulky, and not every contractor includes taking them away. Ask who digs out the old posts, whether the concrete bases are removed or cut off at ground level, and whether the ground is left clear. These small details change how much work you are left with.
Older Black Country streets can have uneven ground and mixed old boundaries, so ask what happens if the old fence turns out to be in worse shape than it looks. A neighbour's shed or climbing plant may be attached to it too. A careful contractor will explain how they would deal with these things, and will tell you before starting rather than leaving you to find out halfway through.
Boundary line, posts and gravel boards
Ask how the boundary line will be agreed, and who will confirm it before work starts. On streets with a mix of older and newer homes, boundary positions can be unclear. This is general information only, so check your deeds, ask your local council or take advice if there is any doubt, and have a word with your neighbour in good time. The contractor should be willing to work to a line you are both happy with.
Then ask what posts are going in and how they are set. Concrete, timber and slotted posts all work, but the right choice depends on the ground and the fence. Ask whether gravel boards are included, because they keep the panels clear of wet soil and let you replace a rotten board without touching the panel above. A clear answer on both points is a good sign.
Quick tips
- Ask for a short written note listing height, style, posts, panels, gravel boards and fixings before any work starts.
- Agree in writing how and when payment is made, including any deposit for materials, so nobody has to guess later.
- Ask whether old posts are dug out or cut off at ground level, and whether the concrete is taken away.
- Talk to your neighbour before work begins and tell the contractor which line you have both agreed.
If you are in Tipton or the wider DY4 area, call us or send a photo of the fence and its location, and we will talk it through. We are happy to answer these questions, with no pressure to book. We also work in Dudley and Great Bridge.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I get the details of a fencing job in writing?
Spoken promises are easy to forget, especially when work spans several visits. A short note listing height, style, length, posts, panels, gravel boards, fixings and payment arrangements keeps everyone clear. A Tipton contractor who is happy to write it down is usually straightforward to deal with.
What happens to old posts and concrete when a fence comes down?
Ask who digs out the old posts, whether concrete bases are removed or cut off at ground level, and where the waste goes. Rotten panels and lumps of concrete are heavy. On older Tipton streets with uneven ground, these details change how much work you are left with.
Fencing contractors in Tipton · All advice guides