Three things catch people out. All three are free to check.
How high you're allowed to go, whose fence it actually is, and whether the thing that failed is the post or the panel. Work through them here and the call afterwards is a short one.
Where is it, and how high do you want it?
The answers are general rules rather than a decision on your garden — Calderdale Council settles that part.
There's no rule about it being the one on your left.
That one gets repeated so often people plan around it. The deeds normally say, and a boundary plan usually marks the owned side with a T. If the deeds are silent, it is a conversation with the neighbour rather than a rule you can look up.
It matters because the posts and the rails traditionally face the owner's side, so the neighbour gets the flat face. If you are paying, that is a choice you get to make.
James will put it either way round. Just say which when he comes to measure.
Fences don't fail at the panel.
Nine times out of ten it's the post that gave way and the panel just went with it. Which of these is it?
- A post snapped at ground levelRot where the timber met the wet soil, which is what gravel boards and concrete posts are for. One snapped post rarely means a whole new fence.
- A post leaning, still wholeThe concrete has let go or was never deep enough. It can often be reset rather than replaced.
- A panel blown out, posts fineThe cheapest outcome there is. With concrete posts and gravel boards a single panel slides out and a new one slides in, no digging.
- The gravel board has gone softIt has done its job — it rots so the panel doesn't. Replacing it is a morning.
- The gate drops or won't latchUsually the hanging post rather than the gate. Worth saying on the phone, because it changes what he brings.
James will say which it is before he quotes for anything bigger.
Fences, gates and the bits either side.
Panel fencing
Waney lap or feather edge, dropped into concrete or timber posts.
Close board
Built on site, board by board. It takes an exposed Calderdale boundary far better.
Gates
Hung so they clear the path, latch first time and don't drop after a wet winter.
Posts and repairs
One snapped post rarely means a whole new fence.
Decking and sleepers
Sleepers earn their keep where a garden falls away, which round here is most of them.
Clearance
The old fence, the old concrete and the offcuts all go with him.
Tell James what's fallen down.
Fencing is priced by the run, so there's no figure here. He comes and measures before any price is agreed, and the quote comes in writing and covers taking the old one away.
A photo with a wheelie bin or a door in it saves a lot of guessing about scale.
Anywhere else in Calderdale, ask and he'll say yes or point you to somebody nearer.