Fencing in Basildon

Basildon was largely poor-quality farmland on heavy clay before the new town was built. Clay swells after rain and shrinks in dry spells, and that seasonal movement works at fence posts year after year. A post set shallow in loose backfill is the one that starts to lean.

We set posts to a suitable depth in concrete and use concrete gravel boards, so timber is kept off damp ground. Where an old fence has failed, we check whether the post holes have filled with water before deciding on the new positions.

Around the town centre, nearly half of homes are terraced. Rear gardens are usually long and narrow, with fences on both sides and often a back boundary onto a path or another garden. A new fence affects every neighbour along that line.

Access is the other challenge. Panels, posts and concrete often have to come through the house or along a shared alley. We plan deliveries and how the old fence leaves the site before work starts, so the job runs smoothly for you and next door.

A large share of homes near the centre are rented, from the council, a housing association or a private landlord. Boundary fences on rented homes are usually the landlord's responsibility, and changes often need written permission.

If you rent, check with your landlord before arranging a quote. If you own a former council home, your deeds or transfer plan may show which boundaries are yours.

Fitted panels cost the same in Basildon as elsewhere in our area: £75 to £120 a panel for lap, £110 to £180 for close board or feather edge and £220 to £380 for composite. Concrete posts, gravel boards and gates are priced after measuring.

What changes the total is the boundary length, how many posts need replacing, the access and removing the old fence. Our fence prices page explains each of these in more detail.

Composite fence panels suit owners who would rather not repaint or treat timber. They do not rot or split, and the colour stays consistent. They are heavier than timber, so posts and footings matter even more in clay ground.

Composite can also be used on just the most visible run, such as beside a patio, with timber elsewhere. We can price both so you can compare.

Some Basildon gardens back onto green space near Langdon Hills, Wat Tyler Country Park or the wooded edges of the neighbourhoods. A secure rear boundary matters here, and planting along the fence line is common. Tell us about hedges or trees near the fence at the visit, so post positions can avoid major roots.