Request a contractor for concrete fence post installation in Midlothian
Replacing a rotten post with concrete avoids timber decay at the base. Count the posts and give their height above ground.
A single form about your fencing in Midlothian can reach up to four independent fencing contractors, depending on the type of work and local cover. There is no fee to send the enquiry, and you choose whether to hire anyone.
What a contractor checks for concrete fence post installation
Concrete fence post installation sets slotted concrete posts into the ground to carry gravel boards, rails and panels. Unlike timber, concrete does not rot at the soil line, which is where most fence posts fail. The posts are heavy, usually 2.4 m long for a 1.8 m fence, and have to be set deep and plumb in concrete.
What you might be seeing
- Posts that rock in the soil when the fence is pushed
- Soft, spongy timber at the base of a post
- A run of panels that has settled out of line
- Repeat failures in the same boundary
- Wet ground that keeps timber posts damp
From the first visit to the final check
Ask how the contractor will protect the garden while working. The visit usually covers:
- Locating each post position and looking for buried pipes and cables before digging.
- Digging out the old post and its concrete footing, or digging a new hole to the depth required for the fence and ground conditions.
- Setting the concrete post plumb, propping it and filling the hole with concrete.
- Allowing the concrete time to cure before any weight is put on the post.
- Fitting compatible gravel boards and panels into the slots and adjusting the fence line.
Removing the old post and its footing
Getting the old post out can be the slow, dusty part of the job. A timber post set in a block of concrete, sometimes 600 mm deep, can take an hour of digging and levering, and the old concrete has to be broken up and carried away. Ask each quote whether that footing is included, because it is the line most often left out and most often added at the end.
What to agree before work starts
Say whether a mini digger can reach the boundary or whether the holes will be dug by hand, because hand digging in clay or stone can add to the labour. Mention where concrete can be mixed and how far it has to be carried, and whether vehicles can get near the fence.
Concrete posts are heavy, typically 40 to 60 kg each, and need two people or a lifting aid. A narrow side passage with a wheelie bin or a step adds to the time and the price.
Comparing prices for concrete fence post installation in Midlothian
Budget around £100–£800 as a starting point. Your quotes may land above or below it. One or two posts on a repaired fence, with gravel boards, sit at the lower end. Four to six posts across a run sit in the middle. A whole boundary, or posts set in hard ground, waterlogged soil or tree roots, push the price to the top. Digging out old footings and taking away the spoil can be a separate charge.
Have the contractor itemise materials, labour and waste removal, and confirm the VAT position. Allow half a day for a few posts and a full day for a longer run. The concrete needs the curing time specified for the mix and site conditions before the fence takes any load, so ask when panels will go back on.
Information that speeds up a quote
Note whether the posts have snapped or simply gone soft at the base. Count the posts and give their height above ground. Say whether the posts are failing at the base, snapped off or just loose, and whether they are set in concrete or in soil alone.
Ask the quote to state the post length and section, the depth of the holes, the concrete mix and whether old footings are removed. Check whether gravel boards and rails or panels are re-fitted as part of the price.
Rules and permissions
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 deep holes can hit buried pipes and cables, so ask how the contractor checks for services; LinesearchbeforeUdig is a free place to request plans. Concrete dust is harmful if breathed in, so a reputable contractor will mix and cut with care.
For questions about local planning rules, contact Midlothian Council. Ask whether the property is in a conservation area or has an Article 4 direction.
Booking concrete fence post installation near you
Put the postcode and the town or village on the form for work in Midlothian. Give access instructions for a shared entrance or narrow side passage. A photo of the base of a failed post, showing the rot or the break, helps the contractor judge the footing. The age of the house does not tell the contractor what fencing is there.
Request quotes for your fencing job
The free enquiry form takes a couple of minutes. We ask contractors who join for their insurance details and references, but check insurance and recent experience of similar jobs before you hire anyone. 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.
Questions about concrete fence post installation
Use these answers to prepare for the survey.
How can I compare quotes for concrete fence post installation in Midlothian?
Fill in one enquiry form with your postcode and the details of the work. Up to four independent fencing contractors covering Midlothian 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 concrete fence post installation in Midlothian?
We use £100–£800 as a UK guide. Contractors in Midlothian price their own work. One straightforward post replacement costs less than re-posting a boundary. Old concrete footings and hard or waterlogged ground add to the labour. Ask for materials, labour, waste removal and VAT in the written quote.
How long must concrete set before the fence goes back on?
The wait depends on the concrete or post mix, weather and the load from the fence. Ask the contractor to follow the product instructions and explain when the panels can safely go back on.
Can I just replace the one broken post?
Often yes, if the fence either side is sound. A single concrete post can be added with a gravel board, but the old footing has to be removed or worked around.
Can concrete posts be used with timber panels?
Yes. Slotted concrete posts can hold compatible timber panels above gravel boards. Site-built closeboard needs suitable connections for its rails.
What about concrete repair spurs?
A concrete repair spur supports a timber post where the base has failed. Enough sound timber must remain for secure bolts; otherwise the post needs replacing.
Ask who will remove the old materials and leave the ground tidy. Keep the invoice, the guarantee and any manufacturer paperwork for the fence.