Why a Written Contract Matters When Hiring a Fencing Contractor

The Problem with a Handshake Deal

Most fencing jobs start with a friendly conversation and a verbal agreement. That feels fine when everything goes smoothly, but if a dispute arises over the scope of work, the materials used or the final price, a handshake leaves both sides guessing. A written contract removes that uncertainty before a single post goes in the ground.

This is not about distrust. A good fencing contractor will be just as happy to sign a clear agreement as you are to receive one. It simply means everyone starts from the same page.

What a Written Contract Should Cover

A contract for a fencing job does not need to be a lengthy legal document, but it does need to cover the essentials. At a minimum it should state the full scope of work, the exact materials to be used, the agreed price, and the payment schedule.

• Scope of work: How many metres of fencing? What style - closeboard, picket, post-and-rail? Will the contractor remove and dispose of the old fence?
• Materials: Specify the timber treatment, the post depth, the panel dimensions and any fixings. Pressure-treated softwood posts buried 600mm into concrete behave very differently over time from untreated wood set directly in soil.
• Price and payment terms: The total cost, any agreed deposit, and when the final balance is due. Never pay the full amount upfront.
• Start date and estimated completion: Fencing is weather-dependent, but a realistic window should still be stated.
• Boundary and planning responsibilities: Who is responsible for checking the boundary line? Has planning permission been considered?

If the job includes gate installation or any bespoke elements, these should be itemised separately so there is no ambiguity about what the quoted price includes.

Planning Permission - Know Before You Sign

In England, a fence, wall or gate generally needs no planning permission if it is no more than 2 metres high. Where it sits next to a highway used by vehicles, or next to the footpath of such a highway, the limit drops to 1 metre. Properties in conservation areas, listed buildings or those subject to an Article 4 direction may face different rules. You can check the specifics on the Planning Portal.

Your contract should make clear who is responsible for confirming whether permission is required. Many homeowners across Cambridge and the surrounding villages assume the contractor will handle this, but unless it is written down, that assumption has no weight. Cambridge has a number of conservation areas and older properties where the rules are stricter, so it pays to check before work starts rather than after.

Protecting Yourself if Something Goes Wrong

A written contract gives you a clear basis for action if the work does not match what was agreed. If a contractor installs a different panel type from the one specified, or leaves gaps in the line of posts, you can point to the contract rather than relying on memory.

It also protects you financially. If a deposit has been paid and the contractor fails to start work, a written agreement setting out the terms makes any recovery process more straightforward. Ask to see proof of public liability insurance before signing anything - a legitimate contractor will have no hesitation in providing it.

For larger projects - such as new fence installation covering a full garden boundary, or commercial work like site hoarding installation - the contract becomes even more important because the sums involved and the complexity of the work are both higher.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

Before agreeing to any written contract, run through these questions with your contractor.

• Is VAT included in the quoted price?
• What happens if materials costs change between quote and installation?
• How will any unforeseen ground conditions - such as Cambridge's notorious clay soil or concealed tree roots - be handled, and at what cost?
• What is the process if you wish to make changes after work has started?
• Who is responsible for clearing away spoil and old materials?

A contractor who answers these questions clearly and is willing to put the answers in writing is the kind of contractor worth hiring. Anyone who resists or says it is unnecessary is someone to be cautious about.

If you are planning a fence for a property in Cambridge or the surrounding area - whether in Great Shelford, Histon or anywhere else nearby - we are happy to provide a clear, itemised written quote. Contact Cambridge Fencers for a free local quote and we will set out exactly what the work involves before anything is agreed.