Ah, fences. Simple in theory, absolute chaos in practice.
We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve turned up to fix “a little wobble” that turned out to be a full-on fence disaster. From panels installed backwards to posts set in actual mud, we’ve seen it all — and we’re not judging (much).

So, grab a brew and let’s talk about the five biggest fencing fails we see across Worcestershire — and how to make sure you don’t end up with one of them.

⚒️ Posts Set Like Toothpicks.

Let’s start with the classic. Fence posts that aren’t deep enough. If your post can be wobbled by a gentle breeze (or your dog leaning on it), it’s not going to last.

👉 Posts should be at least 600mm (2ft) deep in the ground — and properly concreted, not just plonked in soil and hoped for the best.
👉 Wooden posts rot quicker if water pools around them. Gravel at the base helps drainage and stops the rot from creeping in.

💡 Pro tip: Concrete posts might not sound sexy, but they’ll still be standing when your grandkids inherit the house.

🌪️ Panels That Can’t Handle the Wind.

Worcestershire weather doesn’t mess around.
A solid fence panel acts like a sail — great if you’re trying to fly to France, not so great if you’re trying to keep your garden private.

👉 In exposed gardens, go for slatted or hit-and-miss panels that let the wind flow through.
👉 If you’re near open fields or hills, concrete posts and proper fixings are your best friends.

💨 Bonus tip: Don’t buy bargain panels so thin you can see daylight through them. They’ll last about one winter (if that).

🧱 Not Checking the Neighbour’s Side (Awkward…).

We’ve all been there — you pop up a new fence and suddenly you’ve triggered a neighbourhood feud worthy of Channel 5.

👉 Always check who actually owns the fence before replacing it.
👉 Stay on your side of the boundary — or better yet, have a quick chat with next door before you start.
👉 And yes, the “nice side” of the fence (the one without posts showing) should face your neighbour. It’s the unspoken rule of British gardens.

💡 Remember: good fences make good neighbours… as long as you put them on the right line.

🌧️ Forgetting About Drainage.

We get it — concreting posts sounds easy enough. But if you don’t leave room for water to drain away, you’re basically creating a fence post swimming pool.

👉 Always slope the top of the concrete away from the post so rain runs off.
👉 Avoid setting posts in soggy, low areas of your garden if possible.

💡 Little things like this add years to your fence’s life — and keep it from rotting before its time.

🔩 DIY Done Wrong.

We love a bit of DIY spirit. But if your “straight” fence line looks like it’s been installed during an earthquake, it might be time to call in the pros.

👉 Gaps, uneven heights, wobbly posts — they all add up to a fence that won’t last.
👉 And don’t even get us started on people screwing panels directly into posts with one rusty nail.

💡 Save yourself the frustration (and the swearing). Get it done right the first time.