Compare Quotes for closeboard fencing installation in Morningside, City of Edinburgh

Request a contractor for closeboard fencing installation in Morningside

Closeboard is the sturdy option for a back-garden boundary, and prices swing with the post type, the board thickness and the length of the run. Give the run length, the height and which boundary it is.

One enquiry about the job in Morningside can reach up to four independent fencing contractors, depending on the job and which contractors are free. Submitting the form is free and does not book the work.

What closeboard fencing installation involves

Closeboard fencing, also called featheredge, uses tapered vertical boards that overlap each other and are nailed to horizontal arris rails between posts. It is built in place rather than delivered in panels, so it copes with uneven ground and awkward lengths, and it is the usual choice where a boundary has to be strong and private.

Signs to describe

• A boundary fence that has reached the end of its life
• A garden that is overlooked and needs more privacy
• Ground that falls away along the boundary
• Pets or children who need a stronger, gap-free barrier
• A shared boundary where both owners want the same fence

What to expect on site

Check what needs clearing before materials arrive. The visit usually covers:

1. Setting out the line, confirming the boundary with you and looking for buried pipes and cables before digging.
2. Digging post holes to the depth required for the fence height, soil and exposure and bedding each post in concrete or a post-mix.
3. Fixing two or three arris rails between the posts, checking their alignment against the planned fence line.
4. Setting a gravel board along the foot of the fence so the boards stay clear of damp soil.
5. Fitting the overlapping vertical boards, finishing with a capping rail and taking away the waste.

Posts, rails and board thickness

Compare the posts, rails and boards when two closeboard quotes differ in price. Timber posts are normally 100 x 100 mm, with concrete posts an alternative that resists rot at ground level. Two rails suit a 1.2 m fence; a 1.8 m fence usually needs three. Boards are often 100 to 150 mm wide, and thicker, pressure-treated stock stands up better over the years than thin offcuts.

Preparing for the visit

Say whether a mini digger or a barrow is the only way to reach the back garden, because carrying posts and concrete through a house adds hours. Mention the width of any side passage, and where a skip or a pile of posts can be stored.

Fencing built on a slope can be raked, so the boards follow the ground, or stepped, so each bay stays level. Ask the contractor which they propose, because raked closeboard looks tidier on a long fall but takes longer.

Comparing prices for closeboard fencing installation in Morningside

The UK guide range we use is £700–£2,500. It is a national guide, not a local tariff. A short run on timber posts sits at the lower end. A typical rear-garden boundary with gravel boards sits in the middle. Concrete posts, a capping rail, a sloping boundary or a long run push the price to the top. Taking down and disposing of the old fence is often a separate line, so check it is included.

Separate the material cost from labour and disposal when comparing prices, and confirm the VAT position. Allow 1 to 3 days on site for most gardens; a long run or wet ground adds time. Concrete needs time to set before the rails take any load, so ask how the contractor plans the days.

What to tell the contractor

Say whether an old fence is coming out first. Give the length of each run, the finished height and whether the fence stands on a slope. Say what is there now, who owns the boundary and whether the old fence is to be removed, because disposal and ground clearance take real time.

Ask each quote to state the post material and section, the number of rails, the board thickness, whether gravel boards and a capping rail are included, and what treatment the timber has had. A quote that only says closeboard fence per metre does not tell you which of those you are getting.

Rules that apply to the work

Planning rules differ across the UK. Check with the local planning authority before changing a boundary, especially beside a road or at a listed property. The linked Planning Portal guidance is for England; local restrictions and removed permitted development rights can affect what is allowed. See the Planning Portal guidance on fences, gates and garden walls.

Digging post holes can hit buried pipes and cables, so ask how the contractor checks for services; LinesearchbeforeUdig is a free place to request plans. Closeboard is a solid screen, so tall runs on exposed sites carry a wind load that the posts have to be sized for.

For questions about local planning rules, contact The City of Edinburgh Council. Ask whether the property is in a conservation area or has an Article 4 direction.

Visits and access in Morningside

Contractors covering Morningside, City of Edinburgh need the full postcode. Say where materials can be delivered and stored. A photo of the existing fence, taken square-on, helps the contractor judge height and condition. Include details of your own boundary, even if nearby homes look similar.

Looking beyond Morningside

Each postcode in City of Edinburgh is matched on its own. A nearby enquiry may reach a different set of contractors.

Send your enquiry when you are ready

The free enquiry form takes a couple of minutes. We ask contractors who join for their insurance details and references, but ask to see an in-date insurance certificate. We pass on your enquiry. You deal with the chosen business for advice, pricing and the work itself.

Before work on a shared boundary, talk to your neighbour and check who owns the fence. Title documents may help establish ownership. HM Land Registry title plans in England and Wales generally show boundaries without fixing their exact line. See the GOV.UK guidance on property boundaries. Keep people away from unstable fencing and arrange suitable help promptly; this enquiry service cannot provide emergency attendance.

Answers to common questions

A few points to check before booking the work.

How can I compare quotes for closeboard fencing installation in Morningside?

Fill in one enquiry form with your postcode and the details of the work. Up to four independent fencing contractors covering Morningside may receive the enquiry. Responses depend on the job and who is available. You choose whether to arrange a visit or accept a quotation.

Roughly how much is closeboard fencing installation in Morningside?

We use £700–£2,500 as a UK guide. Contractors in Morningside price their own work. A short timber-post run costs less than a longer boundary with concrete posts, gravel boards and capping. Slopes and old footings add to the work. Ask for materials, labour, waste removal and VAT in the written quote.

What height can a closeboard fence be?

The allowed height depends on the location, UK nation and any restrictions on the property. Ask the local planning authority about your proposed fence before ordering materials.

Who pays for a shared boundary fence?

There is no general rule that a neighbour must pay, and ownership depends on your deeds. If you want costs shared, agree it in writing before the work starts.

Do I need to treat a closeboard fence?

Pressure-treated timber has preservative driven in under pressure. A coat of fence stain every couple of years slows weathering, but it is not essential for the structure.

Can closeboard go on concrete posts?

Yes, with posts designed for the chosen construction. Site-built closeboard needs compatible rail connections; ordinary slotted panel posts do not automatically accept arris rails.

Agree how waste will be removed and how the area will be left. Keep the invoice, the guarantee and any manufacturer paperwork for the fence.