Picket Fence Installation in Exeter
Professional picket fence installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£70-100/m
Typical Duration
Day+
Location
Exeter, Devon
Traditional picket fence installation for front gardens and boundaries. Classic cottage style with proper craftsmanship - posts set solid, pickets evenly spaced, finish that lasts.
Classic Fencing With Character
Picket fencing brings that traditional cottage garden look to your property. We install picket fences properly - solid posts set in concrete, rails fitted square and level, pickets evenly spaced and plumb. Choose your height, spacing, and finish for a fence that suits your property.
💡 Pro tip: Picket fence posts take the same battering as any fence, but they're often smaller because the fence is lighter. Don't skimp on post depth or concrete - shallow posts mean a wonky fence within a year.
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Posts perfectly plumb and evenly spaced | Wonky posts, irregular spacing |
| Rails level, pickets evenly gapped | Rails sagging, random gaps |
| Consistent picket heights throughout | Heights varying, looks amateur |
| Proper ground clearance (50mm+) | Pickets touching soil, rotting |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Site Survey | Measure run, discuss height/style, mark post positions accurately |
| Set Posts | Dig holes 600mm deep, set posts plumb in concrete, leave to cure |
| Fit Rails | Fix horizontal rails to posts, check level throughout |
| Install Pickets | Space pickets evenly, fix to rails, trim tops level, paint if requested |
📦 You're Left With
- Traditional picket fence properly installed
- Even spacing and consistent heights
- Solid posts that'll last years
- Site cleared and tidy
Pricing Guide
Picket fencing is quoted per metre based on:
- Height - Standard 0.9-1.2m, taller costs more
- Picket spacing - Closer spacing = more pickets = higher cost
- Finish - Pre-painted costs more than bare timber
- Run length - Longer runs = better per-metre price
Typical cost: £70-100 per metre supply and fit. Call for exact quote.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Front Garden - You want traditional cottage style for street-facing boundaries
✅ Character Property - Your older property needs fencing that suits its age and style
✅ Low Boundary - You need to mark boundaries without blocking views or light
✅ Kerb Appeal - You're improving property appearance for sale or personal pride
Why Choose Us for Picket Fence Installation in Exeter?
Classic cottage garden style
Custom height and spacing
Solid posts properly set
Paint-ready or pre-treated finish
What to Expect
Step 1: Design Discussion
We discuss height, spacing, top style (pointed, rounded, or flat), and finish (painted, stained, or natural). We measure your boundary and provide a per-metre quote.
Step 2: Post Setting
We mark post positions (typically 2.4-3m centres), dig holes, and set posts perfectly plumb in concrete. Posts need 24-48hrs to cure before rails and pickets go on.
Step 3: Rails and Pickets
Once posts are solid, we fit horizontal rails, then install pickets one by one with consistent spacing. We check alignment constantly - small errors multiply over longer runs.
Step 4: Finishing
We trim any uneven picket tops, apply finish if that's part of the job, clean up all waste, and walk you through care and maintenance.
🔧 DIY Tips
Picket fencing requires decent carpentry skills and patience for consistent results:
🔧 What you'll need
- Fence posts (75-100mm treated timber)
- Rails (2 or 3 per fence height)
- Pickets (as many as you need for your spacing)
- Post hole digger, concrete, level, string line
📐 How to do it
- Mark fence line with string pulled tight
- Mark post positions (2.4m centres is standard)
- Dig post holes 600mm deep minimum
- Set end posts first, perfectly plumb and aligned
- String line between end posts for intermediate posts
- Let posts cure 48hrs before adding rails
- Fix top rail first, check level, then bottom rail
- Make a spacing jig (block of wood cut to gap width)
- Install pickets one by one using jig for consistent gaps
- Check every 5th picket is plumb - errors accumulate
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Inconsistent picket spacing (looks terrible and unprofessional)
- Not using a jig (impossible to maintain even gaps by eye)
- Rails not level (magnifies any post irregularities)
- Pickets touching ground (rot within 2-3 years)
💡 Pro trick: Make a spacing jig from a scrap of wood cut to your desired gap width (typically 75-100mm). Hold it against the last picket while positioning the next one. Maintains perfect spacing and is much faster than measuring every gap.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 Painting takes time: If you want painted picket fence, that's extra work and cost. We can install pre-primed pickets ready for topcoat, or bare timber if you're painting yourself. Most people round Devon go for treated timber left natural - less maintenance, suits older properties.
Combine with:
- Matching picket gates
- Gravel boards for protection
- Path edging to match fence style
Related services:
- Garden gate installation
- Post and rail fencing
- Trellis installation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you only install white picket fencing?
White's traditional, but we can do any colour you want or leave it natural treated timber that weathers to grey. We can install pre-painted pickets or bare timber ready for you to paint. Pre-painted costs more but saves you a job. Your call what suits your property.
What's the difference between picket fencing and palisade fencing?
Same basic idea - vertical boards on rails - but pickets are usually shorter (0.9-1.2m), decorative, pointed or rounded tops. Palisade is taller (1.5-1.8m), closer-spaced, more for security than looks. We install both, depends what you need.
How much maintenance does picket fencing need?
Painted pickets need repainting every 3-5 years depending on exposure. Treated timber left natural needs nothing except checking fixings annually. Painted looks smarter but is more work. Most people round here go for treated timber and let it weather naturally - looks better on Devon cottages anyway.
Can picket fencing work as a boundary for keeping dogs in?
Depends on the dog. Small dogs can slip through standard picket spacing (75-100mm gaps). We can space pickets closer (adds cost), or you could consider different fencing. Pickets are really about kerb appeal and marking boundaries, not security. Be honest about what you actually need the fence to do.
Picket Fence Installation Also Available In:
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