Fence Gravel Board Replacement in Exeter
Professional fence gravel board replacement services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Gravel board replacement - swap out rotten base boards before they take your fence panels with them. Quick job that adds years to your fence life.
Stop Rot Before It Spreads
Your fence's gravel boards are sacrificial protection - they rot so your panels don't have to. Once they're gone, your expensive panels start rotting from the bottom up. We'll swap out knackered gravel boards for new treated timber before that happens.
💡 Pro tip: Gravel boards are cheap insurance. Replacing them costs £60-85. Replacing the fence panels they protect costs £200-400. Do the maths.
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Board level and properly supported | Wonky board with gaps underneath |
| Treated timber that resists rot | Cheap untreated wood rotting fast |
| Secure fixings that hold long-term | Loose board shifting and failing |
| Clean fit with panel edges protected | Panel touching ground, still rotting |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Remove Old Board | Unscrew or lever out rotten gravel board carefully |
| Check Panel | Inspect fence panel bottom - flag any rot issues found |
| Fit New Board | Install treated gravel board, secure to posts, level properly |
| Cleanup | Remove old board, sweep up, check you're happy |
📦 You're Left With
- New treated gravel board fitted
- Fence panel protected from ground moisture
- Old board removed from site
- Job done in an hour or so
Pricing Guide
| Scope | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single gravel board | 1 hr | £60 |
| 2-3 boards in a run | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
£60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Gravel board cost included.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Visible Rot - Your gravel boards are soft, crumbling, or falling apart
✅ Preventive Replacement - Boards look dodgy and you want to protect your panels
✅ New Panels - You've had panels replaced and want to protect them properly
✅ Missed Originally - Your fence was installed without gravel boards (happens more than it should)
Why Choose Us for Fence Gravel Board Replacement in Exeter?
Protects fence panels from rot
Quick replacement - minimal disruption
Extends fence life significantly
Treated timber that lasts
What to Expect
Step 1: Assessment
We check which boards need replacing and whether your fence panels have suffered any damage from lack of protection. You get honest advice on what's urgent and what can wait.
Step 2: Removal
Old gravel board comes out. We're careful not to disturb the fence panels above, but we'll let you know if we find panel rot while we're working.
Step 3: Installation
New treated gravel board goes in, fixed securely to the posts, sitting level and protecting the panel bottoms. Quick job - usually done in under an hour per board.
Step 4: Cleanup
We remove the old board, sweep up any soil or debris, and you're done. Fence is now properly protected from ground moisture.
🔧 DIY Tips
Gravel board replacement is one of the easier fencing jobs if you're handy:
🔧 What you'll need
- Gravel board (150mm x 22mm treated timber)
- Wood saw (if cutting to length)
- Screws or nails
- Drill/driver or hammer
📐 How to do it
- Remove old gravel board carefully (pry out gently to avoid disturbing panels)
- Clean out any old fixings, debris, or rotten wood
- Measure gap between posts (boards are usually 1.8m but check)
- Cut new board to length if needed
- Position board level at base of fence (use spirit level)
- Fix to posts with screws or nails (screws better)
- Check panel sits properly on top of new board
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Using untreated timber (rots in 2-3 years)
- Board sitting in water or soil (defeats the purpose)
- Not fixing to posts properly (board moves and fails)
- Disturbing fence panels while removing old board (panels drop or lean)
💡 Pro trick: Jack the fence panel up slightly (1-2mm) before removing the old gravel board. Stops the panel dropping when the board comes out, makes fitting the new board easier. A couple of wedges either side does the job.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 Prevention is cheap: Gravel boards are meant to rot - they protect your panels. Check them every couple of years and replace when they're soft. Waiting until they've completely failed often means panel damage too.
Combine with:
- Fence panel replacement if damage found
- Post treatment or repairs
- Gate repairs while we're there
Related services:
- Fence panel replacement
- Gate post replacement
- Post and rail fencing
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a gravel board and why do I need one?
It's the board at the bottom of your fence between the posts, sitting on or near the ground. It protects your fence panels from ground moisture and rot. Without it, your panels rot from the bottom up within a few years. With it, panels last 15+ years because the cheap gravel board takes the punishment instead.
How do I know if my gravel boards need replacing?
If they're soft when you push them, visibly rotten, or breaking apart, they need replacing. Sometimes they look okay but are rotten inside - we'll check properly when we're there. Better to replace them before they fail completely and your panels start rotting.
Can you replace just one gravel board or do you need to do the whole fence?
We can do individual boards - no problem. But if one's gone, the others are probably not far behind if they're the same age. We'll check them all and let you know honestly what needs doing now and what can wait. Some people do them all at once, others spread it over time.
What's the difference between timber and concrete gravel boards?
Concrete lasts longer (20+ years vs 10-15 for timber) but costs more and is heavier to fit. Timber's cheaper, easier to cut to size, and easier to replace later. For most domestic fencing, treated timber gravel boards are fine and better value. We fit both.
Fence Gravel Board Replacement Also Available In:
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