Choosing a Fencing Contractor in Sussex: Posts, Boundaries, Gates and Wind Exposure

If you need a fencing contractor in Sussex, agree the exact fence line, post system, materials, gate details and waste removal before comparing the final price.

A quote for “20 metres of new fencing” can hide a surprising number of differences.

Measure the job, but do not pretend the boundary is obvious if it is not

Give the contractor an approximate length and photographs.

If the fence line is clearly established and uncontested, that may be enough for quoting.

If there is uncertainty about the legal boundary, do not ask the fencing contractor to decide property ownership.

Common sayings such as:

“You always own the fence on the left”

are not reliable rules.

Check your title/deeds or obtain appropriate advice if the boundary itself is disputed.

Choose the fence system

Options may include:

• closeboard;
• featheredge;
• lap panels;
• decorative panels;
• picket;
• post-and-rail;
• trellis;
• composite systems.

Then choose the supporting system:

• timber posts;
• concrete posts;
• steel posts where suitable;
• gravel boards;
• timber or concrete gravel boards.

The best choice depends on appearance, repairability, exposure and budget.

Ask the contractor why they recommend their proposed system.

Post installation matters more than the panel brochure

The posts carry the fence.

Ask:

• how deep posts are expected to go;
• what happens in difficult ground;
• whether concrete is used;
• how old post concrete is removed;
• how corners/end posts are handled;
• what happens near walls or services.

Rocky ground, tree roots and buried concrete can change the work.

The quote should explain how unexpected excavation is handled.

Wind exposure deserves attention

Sussex includes exposed coastal and open areas.

A tall solid fence can take significant wind load.

Tell the contractor if:

• the garden is exposed;
• previous fences repeatedly fail;
• the fence sits on high ground;
• there is little shelter.

The answer may involve stronger posts, different spacing or a more wind-permeable design.

Do not simply replace a failed fence with an identical build if the same weakness caused the failure.

Gates should be specified separately

A gate is not just another fence panel.

Agree:

• width;
• height;
• frame;
• hinges;
• latch/lock;
• direction of opening;
• ground clearance;
• posts.

For side gates, think about bins, bikes and future access.

A gate that looks good but is too narrow for normal use is a permanent annoyance.

Removal of old fencing can be a large part of the job

Ask whether the quote includes:

• old panels;
• posts;
• concrete;
• gates;
• vegetation attached to the fence;
• disposal.

If climbing plants cover the fence, decide whether they are:

• removed;
• cut back;
• retained where possible.

Do not assume a fencing contractor will preserve mature plants wrapped through old panels without discussion.

Check access before materials arrive

Fence panels and posts can be awkward to move.

Tell the contractor about:

• narrow side passages;
• steps;
• terraced houses;
• no rear access;
• parking restrictions;
• neighbour access.

This affects labour and delivery.

If panels must pass through the house, plan protection and size constraints.

Neighbour communication can save hassle

Even when the fence is yours to replace, work can affect a neighbour's view, plants or access.

Tell them in advance if practical.

If access from their side would make the job safer or neater, get agreement rather than assuming.

The contractor should not be put in the middle of an unresolved neighbour dispute.

Landlords: choose repairability

Rental-property fencing gets damaged by weather, bins, pets and general use.

Think about:

• standard panel sizes;
• replaceable components;
• accessible posts;
• robust gate hardware.

A highly bespoke boundary can become unnecessarily expensive to repair after one damaged section.

Keep photographs after installation.

Fence height and local restrictions

Ordinary domestic fencing can still be subject to planning restrictions depending on height, location and context.

If you are substantially increasing fence height, working next to a highway or dealing with a listed/property-specific constraint, check the planning position rather than assuming every boundary fence is permitted.

The contractor may have experience, but the property owner should understand the requirement.

Do not guess the boundary line

A fence is not automatically the legal boundary simply because it has been there for years.

Before moving a fence line, especially where neighbours disagree, avoid asking the fencing contractor to decide property ownership.

Use title information, plans and appropriate professional/legal advice where necessary.

For a straightforward replacement along an agreed line, tell the contractor whether the old posts are being reused or removed and whether the new fence must stay exactly on the existing alignment.

The post system often matters more than the panel

Homeowners naturally focus on the visible panel.

But the posts and foundations carry the fence through wind and wet ground.

Discuss:

• timber versus concrete posts;
• post depth;
• gravel boards;
• ground conditions;
• exposed locations;
• gate-post reinforcement;
• treatment of cut timber.

A lightweight decorative fence in a sheltered garden has a different job from a six-foot boundary fence exposed to coastal winds.

The specification should reflect the location, not just the catalogue picture.

Using TradeKind

You can browse fencing contractors across Sussex or post the job.

A useful brief might say:

“Replace approx. 18m rear boundary fence in Shoreham-by-Sea. Existing lap panels/timber posts failing. Exposed site. One 900mm side gate. Good rear access via alley. Remove/dispose of old fence.”

That gives contractors a much better basis for pricing.

Before you choose

Compare:

• fence type;
• posts;
• gravel boards;
• gate specification;
• ground assumptions;
• exposure;
• access;
• old-fence removal;
• disposal;
• exclusions.

A fence is a simple structure, but the difference between a quick replacement and a durable one is usually in the posts, ground and details you cannot see in the finished photograph.