Now that the worst of the winter weather is (probably) behind us, homeowners across the UK will be making plans for spring and summer in the garden. In many cases, a new garden fence can provide an outdoor space with a much-needed sense of refreshment.
If you’re planning on making changes to your garden fence, then there are few points that are worth bearing in mind. Let’s run through some of the more significant of them.
Planning Permission
In most cases, a garden fence is considered a permitted development – meaning that you don’t need to apply for planning permission. This isn’t always the case, however, and so making an enquiry is often the best way to be sure of where you stand.
Exceptions tend to occur when the height of the fence exceeds that of the existing one. Fences by the roadside should be less than a metre tall; fences everywhere else can be up to two metres. If you’re making changes to a fence that’s already beyond this limit, then you’ll need permission before making the switch.
You’ll also need to apply if you’re making changes to a listed property, or on a boundary with a listed property.
How much does it cost?
The price of a fence will vary according to the material and style. A wire mesh fence will be very cheap; a substantial wooden fence with concrete posts may be quite expensive. Lattice and slatted fences tend to be the most expensive varieties.
You’ll also want to think about the cost of labour. Installing a fence is something that you can entrust to a professional, or you can take care of yourself. There’s no danger associated with putting up a fence inexpertly – but if you lack experience you might end up spending more time on the project than you initially thought.
Some kinds of fences, like the ones that involve driving concrete posts deep into the earth, will tend to be a little more expensive. Getting the job right is made much easier by investing in a select few tools. A tape measure, a cordless drill, and a jigsaw can all come in extremely handy, while a green laser level can help to ensure that the entire fence is perfectly straight can help to ensure that the entire fence is perfectly straight and true.
If you’d like to get the most from your existing fence, then applying a coat of paint, or woodstain, can make all of the difference. If you do it using a sprayer, then you might find that the job takes very little time, too. For best results, this is a job that should be tackled during warm weather – so that the coats you apply have a chance to dry.
