Find Trusted Fencing Contractors in Chelmsford

Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and one of the faster-growing cities in the east of England, having received city status in 2012. The housing stock reflects decades of suburban growth: Victorian and Edwardian terraces in the older parts of town, large estates of 1960s and 70s detached and semi-detached properties in areas like Writtle and Springfield, and extensive newer private developments along the Beaulieu Park corridor and beyond. Fencing contractors in Chelmsford serve a broad range of residential customers across the city and surrounding villages. Fencing contractors in Chelmsford install and replace all common types of domestic fencing: close-board panel fencing, featherboard fencing, lap and arched panel fencing, post-and-rail and post-and-wire agricultural fencing, timber picket fences, trellis, and metal or concrete fencing for commercial applications. They also carry out fence repairs, including replacing broken posts, individual panels, and gravel boards, and fitting new fence posts into existing concrete post holes. Essex's relatively flat terrain and the large number of open-aspect suburban gardens in Chelmsford mean that fences are exposed to wind more than in many other parts of the country. Standard lap panel fencing, which is lightweight and has a large surface area, is vulnerable in exposed positions. Close-board featherboard fencing, which uses overlapping vertical boards on horizontal rails with timber or concrete posts, is considerably more robust and is the better long-term choice for boundaries exposed to prevailing winds. For close-board panel fencing with concrete posts and gravel boards in the Chelmsford area, expect to pay between £80 and £120 per metre installed, including removal and disposal of old fencing. A typical rear garden run of 20 metres would therefore cost in the region of £1,600 to £2,400. Lap panel fencing with timber posts is cheaper to install — typically £50 to £80 per metre — but has a shorter lifespan and is less suitable for exposed positions. When getting quotes from fencing contractors, ask specifically about the post specification: whether concrete or timber posts are used, the post size, and the depth to which they will be set. A close-board fence requires posts set to a minimum depth of 600mm for a 1.8m fence height. Contractors who quote a lower price by setting posts shallowly or using undersized timber will produce a fence that fails sooner. Check that the contractor you hire carries public liability insurance and ask whether they will handle any interactions with neighbours regarding shared boundaries. Most long-standing local fencing contractors are experienced at managing this diplomatically.