Start with the length of the run
The simplest factor is how much fence there is. A short side boundary between two gardens is a very different job from a full rear and side enclosure. Every extra panel means another post to dig, set and fix, and the work builds up one bay at a time. That is why we ask for a photo of each side before we say anything about the work involved.
In Oldbury you will often find narrow plots in older terraces, where the run is short but the neighbours are close. Later semi-detached estates tend to have longer, more regular boundaries. Tell us roughly how many sides need doing and we can describe the scale of the work without guessing. If the old fence is shared or leaning on a neighbour's side, a quick chat beforehand can save a lot of stopping and starting.
Taking the old fence out
Removal is the part people forget. A tired fence may come away easily, or it may be held up by rotten posts that still sit in solid concrete. Those footings have to be broken out or worked around, and that takes real effort before any new post goes in. A little preparation on your side, such as clearing a path, makes more difference to the pace than most people expect.
Climbers, ivy and shrubs growing through the old panels also slow things down, because they have to be cut back before the fence can be released. Photos of the existing fence help us judge how stubborn it is likely to be, and whether the waste needs extra loading space. Where access is awkward we simply make more trips with smaller loads, which is slower but keeps your house and paths safe.
Concrete, ground and getting to the fence
Posts set in concrete need time to firm up before panels take any strain. We cannot rush that, and wet or cold conditions make it longer. Heavy clay, buried rubble or old foundations can also make digging slower than the surface suggests. Being upfront about all of this is better than a promise that falls apart when the first post hole goes in.
Access matters too. Many Oldbury homes have no side gate wide enough for a barrow, so timber and concrete may have to come through the house or along a shared entry. Smethwick and Rowley Regis have similar layouts, and we also work in West Bromwich and Cradley Heath, so this is familiar ground. Walls, steps and outhouses close to the line can also limit where we can dig, so we mark everything out first.
Quick tips
- Clear the area along the fence line before we arrive, including plant pots, bins and anything stacked against the old panels.
- Tell us early if materials will need to be carried through the house, so we can plan how to move them.
- Ask your neighbour whether they are happy for us to work from their side if the access is tight.
- Expect weather to move the plan around; a dry spell helps concrete set and keeps the ground workable.
If you are in Oldbury and want a sense of what your own fence job involves, call us or send a photo with the location of the fence. We cover the B68 and B69 area and will talk through the likely steps with no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What slows a job down once the old fence is coming out?
Rotten posts often still sit in solid concrete, and those footings have to be broken out or worked around. Climbers and ivy growing through the panels must be cut back first. Photos of your Oldbury fence help us judge how stubborn it may be.
What if there is no side gate for materials?
Many Oldbury homes have no gate wide enough for a barrow, so timber and concrete may come through the house or along a shared entry. That means more trips with smaller loads, which is slower but keeps your house and paths safe.
Fencing contractors in Oldbury · All advice guides