Plan the fence first, or the feature first
The easiest time to sort out a boundary is before the shed, patio or deck is built. A fence can go up cleanly, with posts in soil and a clear gap left for upkeep. Then the new feature is set out a sensible distance away from it. This order avoids digging through concrete or squeezing past a shed wall.
If you are doing it the other way round, as most people are, then take careful measurements. Note where slabs, bases and joists meet the line, and photograph the edges. In Cleobury Mortimer, where older properties may have uneven ground and newer plots are often tidy but compact, the job is much the same: find solid ground for each post.
Leaving a gap and keeping access
Behind a shed, a gap is not wasted space. It lets air move round the timber, lets you reach the fence, and gives rainwater somewhere to go. As a rough guide, leave enough to get a hand and a brush through, and a bit more if you want to tuck bins or tools there.
Around patios and decking, keep a way to clean, treat and repair. A fence panel pressed over a deck board cannot be lifted without disturbing the deck. A gravel board along the foot of the panel keeps timber away from damp, and short sections of removable panel let you reach awkward corners. Plan that in from the start, because adding access later usually means taking panels apart and starting that section again.
Post positions beside hard surfaces
Posts hold the whole fence up, so they must stand on firm ground. Beside paving, the post is usually set just off the edge, or in a hole made by cutting out one slab. Beside decking, the post sits outside the frame so that neither interferes with the other.
If neither is possible, a surface-fixed post may be the answer, though it is a second choice. Panels then stop at the last post and finish neatly. Where height or ownership questions come up, remember this is general information: check your deeds, your local council, or take advice before building. We would always rather answer a question early than rebuild a section of fence later, so ask whenever something looks unclear on your plot.
Quick tips
- Where possible, put the fence up before the shed, patio or decking, so posts go in soil and a gap is easy to leave.
- Photograph slab edges, shed bases and deck frames along the boundary before asking for advice on post positions.
- Keep a gap behind sheds wide enough for a brush so you can treat the timber from time to time.
- Use a gravel board along the foot of panels near paving or decking, to keep timber out of standing water.
If you are in Cleobury Mortimer, in the DY14 area, and want advice on fencing around a shed, patio or deck, call us or send a photo with the fence location. We also work in Bewdley and Tenbury Wells, and there is never any pressure.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to fence first or build the shed and patio first?
Fencing first is easiest. Posts go into soil, a clear gap can be left for upkeep, and the new feature is set out a sensible distance away. Most people do it the other way round, so measure carefully and photograph where slabs, bases and joists meet the line.
What if a post cannot go in the ground near my patio or deck?
Beside paving, a post is usually set just off the edge or in a hole made by cutting out one slab. Beside decking, it sits outside the frame. A surface-fixed post is a second choice. Cleobury Mortimer readers can send a photo for advice.
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