Garden fence painting in Exeter
Professional garden fence painting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£260
Typical Duration
2-5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Garden fence painted with quality outdoor fence paint. Protects the timber from weather damage and transforms tired grey wood into something that actually looks smart in your garden.
Stop Looking at Grey, Weathered Fence Panels
Know that sad grey colour garden fences turn after a few years? One coat of proper fence paint and it's transformed. Suddenly your garden looks cared for, the fence looks solid, and the whole space feels smarter.
💡 Pro tip: Dark colours (charcoal, black, dark brown) make your garden look bigger by creating depth. They also show less dirt and algae than lighter colours.
Why DIY Fence Painting is Exhausting
Here's the reality: it's physical work, there are splinters, you're bent over for hours, your arms ache, and you end up with paint everywhere except on the fence.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Fence cleaned, algae killed first | Paint over green slimy bits |
| Proper outdoor fence paint | Leftover garden paint from the shed |
| Even coverage, no missed bits | Patchy, streaky, bits missed behind posts |
| Done in a day while fresh | Months of "I'll finish it next weekend" |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Clean | Fence brushed down, algae treated if needed |
| Prep | Loose bits secured, splinters dealt with |
| Paint | One or two coats depending on condition and colour |
📦 You're Left With
- Fence protected from weather
- Garden looking instantly smarter
- Timber lasting years longer
Pricing Guide
| Fence Length | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10m (3-4 panels) | 2-3 hrs | £110-£160 |
| 10-20m (5-8 panels) | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
| 20m+ (9+ panels) | 4-5 hrs | £210-£260 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Both sides, poor condition, or intricate trellis adds time.
Perfect For...
✅ Tired grey fences - restore that fresh timber look
✅ Pre-sale smartening - massive difference for viewings
✅ New fence panels - protect them from day one
✅ Garden makeovers - fence colour sets the whole tone
Why Choose Us for Garden fence painting in Exeter?
Protects timber from Devon's wet weather
Covers old weathered grey wood completely
Improves your garden's appearance instantly
Lasts years with proper paint and prep
What to Expect
Step 1: Clear & Clean
You'll need to clear plants away from the fence base if possible. I'll brush the fence down, treat any green algae, and check for loose boards that need securing.
Step 2: First Coat
Quality fence paint goes on with a brush or sprayer depending on access. I work systematically panel by panel so nothing gets missed.
Step 3: Second Coat (If Needed)
Really weathered fences or pale colours usually need two coats for proper coverage. Dark colours over old dark paint often get away with one.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fence painting is definitely doable yourself - it's just time and effort. Here's how to get decent results:
🔧 What you'll need
- Fence paint (proper outdoor fence paint, not emulsion!)
- Large fence brush or roller
- Fence sprayer (optional but speeds things up)
- Dust sheets or cardboard for ground protection
- Scrubbing brush
- Fence cleaner or algae killer
📐 Prep work
- Clear plants away from fence base
- Brush down the whole fence - remove loose dirt and debris
- Treat green algae with fence cleaner and leave to dry
- Check for loose boards and re-fix them
- Choose a dry day with no rain forecast for 24 hours
🎨 Painting technique
- Start at the top and work down (catches drips)
- Do the edges and frame first, then fill in panels
- Don't overload the brush - multiple thinner applications beat one thick coat
- Work panel by panel, finish each one before moving on
- Paint the gravel board at the bottom too - it needs protection most
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not cleaning the fence first - paint won't stick to dirt
- Painting in full sun - paint dries too fast and shows marks
- Running out of paint halfway through (always buy more than you think)
- Forgetting about the backs of posts and edges
- Painting over wet fence after rain
💡 Pro trick: For really quick coverage on standard panel fences, use a fence sprayer or pad applicator. Ten times faster than a brush and gives even coverage. Just mask off anything you don't want painted.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Colour choice: Cuprinol, Ronseal, and Sadolin all do good fence paints. Popular colours around Exeter are charcoal/slate grey (modern), harvest gold (warm), and forest oak (traditional). Bring me a colour code or I can advise.
Both sides? If you want both sides done and your neighbour is happy with it, I can do it. Technically their side is their business, but most people are fine with their fence being painted for free!
Trellis and fancy bits? Intricate trellis takes longer - loads of edges and gaps to cover. Simple flat panels are much quicker. I'll factor that into the time estimate.
Garden furniture? Move it away from the fence or cover it well - fence paint is splashy stuff and doesn't come off easily once dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between fence paint and fence stain?
Paint gives solid colour coverage - you won't see the wood grain. Stain soaks in and lets the grain show through. Paint lasts longer and hides imperfections better. Stain looks more natural. For tired, weathered fences, paint usually gives better results.
Can you paint over existing fence paint or does it need stripping?
If the old paint is sound (not flaking off), I can paint over it - just needs cleaning and keying. If it's peeling badly, the loose stuff needs removing or the new paint will fail with it. I'll assess honestly what prep is actually needed.
How long will the paint last before I need to do it again?
Quality fence paint properly applied lasts 4-6 years in Devon's weather. South-facing fences fade faster, shaded ones last longer. The paint protection lasts even if the colour fades - you're mainly repainting for appearance.
Do you paint both sides or just the side I see?
Your call - most people just do the side facing their garden. If your neighbours are okay with it, doing both sides is better for the timber and looks smarter all round. But one side is fine if that's what you want.
What about the bits I can't reach behind plants and shrubs?
I'll paint what's accessible. If you've got massive shrubs right against the fence, we either work around them or you can trim them back before I come. I'm not a gardener, so I won't be pruning your plants!
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