Fencing & Garden Walls
Fencing & Garden Walls
in Bishop's Stortford & Hertfordshire
Closeboard fencing, brick and rendered garden walls, gates and posts set properly in concrete — built to last UK weather without the annual repair cycle.
Overview
Boundaries Built to Stay Standing
Most failed garden fences fail at one of two points: the post (rotted at ground level or knocked over by wind because it was set in soil rather than concrete), or the panel-to-post fixing (cheap clips that give way after one winter). Both are avoidable with proper materials and proper installation.
Our fencing scope covers closeboard fencing (the most durable and weatherproof panel type), feather-edge boarded fencing, decorative panels and trellis tops, and full bespoke runs. For brick boundary walls see our linked brickwork service. Gates, posts, and field gate hardware all part of the standard scope.
Why It Matters
Why Cheap Fencing Lasts Three Winters
The two visible failure modes on bad fencing are obvious in any UK garden after a few years. Posts rot at ground level and the fence leans further every winter until it goes over. Panels work loose at the clip and start flapping in wind, eventually pulling free. Both come from skipping foundation work and using cheap fixings.
Done properly, a closeboard fence with concrete-set posts and proper panel fixings lasts 15–20+ years in UK conditions. Done cheaply, it lasts 3–5 winters. The price difference at install is small — the lifetime cost difference is enormous.
Our Process
How We Deliver Fencing & Garden Walls
Survey & Materials Choice
Boundary walked, lengths measured, post centres set, panel and post specification agreed.
Strip Out
Old fence removed, broken posts dug out, ground levelled. Old materials taken away.
Posts Set in Concrete
Post holes excavated to 600mm+ depth, posts set in postcrete or wet concrete with bracing during cure.
Panel Install
Panels fixed to posts with proper galvanised brackets — not cheap clips. Trellis tops added if specified.
Final Inspection
All posts checked plumb, panels tight, gates hung and adjusted, written workmanship guarantee.
Benefits
What You Get with J&Co
Posts Set in Concrete
Every post in postcrete or wet concrete — never just rammed in soil.
Pressure-Treated Timber
All timber pressure-treated to UC4 standard — designed for ground contact.
Proper Galvanised Fixings
Galvanised brackets and screws throughout — no rust streaks down the panels in two years.
Workmanship Guarantee
Written guarantee on the install with terms confirmed on the quote.
Technical Detail
Closeboard, Feather Edge and Panel Fencing — What's Best?
Closeboard fencing (sometimes called 'feather edge') is the gold standard for residential boundary fencing in Hertfordshire. Vertical pales overlapped onto rails, fixed to concrete-set timber or concrete posts. Extremely durable, withstands UK wind well, easily 15–20+ years lifespan. The right answer for most boundary fencing.
Lap panel fencing is the cheap option — pre-made horizontal lap panels slotted into concrete posts. Faster to install, lower upfront cost, but generally lasts 5–10 years before the panels themselves degrade. Acceptable for short-term boundaries; not what we'd recommend for a permanent install.
Feature panels and trellis (decorative tops, slatted screening, contemporary horizontal-board panels) suit modern garden designs. Costs more per metre than standard closeboard but transforms the look of the boundary. Often combined with planting for a softened finish.
For brick or rendered boundary walls (more permanent, higher cost, no maintenance cycle) see our brickwork and masonry service. For gates, gateposts and field gate hardware, included as standard scope on most fencing projects.
Honest Pricing
How Much Does Fencing Cost in Hertfordshire?
Fencing typically priced per linear metre of boundary. Honest guide ranges below.
Closeboard fence
£90–£140 per m
1.8m high closeboard with concrete posts, capping rail, gravel board.
Lap panel fence
£55–£90 per m
Standard waney lap panels in concrete posts — budget option, shorter lifespan.
Brick / rendered wall
£250–£400 per m
Higher cost, much longer lifespan — see our brickwork service for full pricing.
What affects the price
- Run length
- Fence height (1.5m / 1.8m / 2.0m)
- Material specification (closeboard / lap / decorative)
- Post type (timber set in concrete vs concrete posts)
- Old fence removal and disposal
- Number and type of gates
Service Area
Areas We Cover for Fencing & Garden Walls
We deliver this service across our full Hertfordshire and Essex catchment. Regular projects in Bishop's Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Harlow, Saffron Walden, Stansted Mountfitchet, Great Dunmow, Epping, Ware, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage.
Outside this list? Call us with your postcode — we frequently work the wider London fringe and across the rest of Hertfordshire.
FAQs
Fencing & Garden Walls — Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Free Fencing or Garden Wall Quote
Owner-led survey, posts set in concrete, written workmanship guarantee. Across Hertfordshire and Essex.
Page last updated: May 2026 · J&Co Builders Ltd · 1 Ugley Hall Cottages, Bishop's Stortford CM22 6JB