Fence Repairs in Devon

Fixing the fence you’ve already got

Not every tired fence needs replacing. A leaning run is often down to one or two failed posts; a gap after a storm may just need a new panel or a few boards. We’ll look at what is actually wrong and tell you whether a repair makes sense or whether you’d be paying to patch something that is finished.

Common repairs we carry out

Replacing rotten or snapped posts and re-setting the fence upright
Storm-damaged panels taken out and new ones fitted
Broken arris rails and loose or split boards renewed
New gravel boards where the bottom of the fence is rotting
Sagging or dropped gates rehung and adjusted

At a glance

Typical job: from a couple of hours to a day, depending on the damage
Included: assessment, materials, the repair, clear-up and removal of the broken timber
Area: Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Exeter and the surrounding villages
Price: given after we’ve seen it

Repair or replace?

Our honest rule of thumb: if most of the posts are sound, repair. If the posts are going one after another, the fence has reached the end of its life and a full replacement is better value than repeated call-outs. We’ll show you what we find so you can make the call.

A proper repair, and a patch that buys a winter

Rotten posts: a post that has gone at ground level gets taken out, or properly spurred if that suits the fence. Screwing a batten up the side of it only hides the problem.
Snapped arris rails: a metal bracket is a fair repair for one rail. If several in the same bay have failed, the rest are usually close behind, and new rails make more sense.
Blown panels: refitted into sound posts and fixed so they can’t rattle. A panel nailed back to a loose post is usually down again in the next gale.
Soil against timber: wherever earth has piled up against boards, the rot will return unless it’s moved back or a gravel board goes in, so we deal with that at the same time.

Why fences give up round here

Solid fences along this stretch of coast take a beating from south-westerly gales, and a run that faces open water or sits on a ridge gets the worst of it. Damage usually starts at the same spot on each post, right where it leaves the ground and the timber stays damp. Salt air doesn’t help the fixings either, so a fence can look fine from a distance while the nails holding it together have corroded.

Sloping gardens bring their own trouble. On the hills behind Dawlish and Teignmouth it is common to find a fence quietly acting as a retaining wall, with years of soil from the higher garden pressing on the boards. That fence leans however many posts you replace, so it’s worth asking on the visit whether the soil needs dealing with too.

What happens after you contact us

Send us photos or arrange a visit so we can see the damage
We explain what needs doing and give you a quote
We fix it, matching the existing fence as closely as we can
We clear up and take the old timber away

What people ask before a repair

Can you match my existing fence?

We’ll match the style and height as closely as possible. New timber will be paler at first and weathers in over time.

My fence is shared with a neighbour. Who pays?

That depends on who owns the boundary, which is usually shown on the deeds. We’re happy to quote for whoever is arranging the work.

Do you do urgent storm repairs?

After big storms we prioritise fences that are down or unsafe. Get in touch with photos and we’ll tell you how soon we can get to you.

Will my home insurance cover a fence blown down in a storm?

It varies, and many policies treat fences differently from the house, so read your own policy or ring your insurer before work starts. We can photograph the damage and put in writing what we found, which is useful if you claim.

Is one new post ever enough?

Yes, and it is often all a fence needs. We check the posts on either side while we are there, because if they are soft too you will want to know before paying for one.

My fence is leaning but nothing looks broken. What is wrong?

Usually a post has rotted below the surface or soil is pushing against it from the higher side. A photo from the end of the run shows us a lot, and the visit confirms which it is.

Fence down or starting to lean? Send us a photo of the damage and tell us how many posts or panels look affected, and we’ll say whether it needs a visit. Live near the coast? Take a look at our Dawlish fencing and Teignmouth fencing pages as well.