Dog fence check in Exeter
Professional dog fence check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Full garden fence check to find dog escape routes. Gaps, weak spots, dig-under areas, and dodgy gates identified - so you know what needs fixing.
Before Your Dog Goes Walkabout
New dog? Moving house? Or just want peace of mind your garden is secure? Dogs are escape artists. They'll find any weak spot in your fence and exploit it. Better to find those gaps before they do.
💡 Pro tip: Even if your dog hasn't escaped yet, they've probably been testing your fences. Check around the perimeter for nose marks, scratch marks, or started dig spots.
What Makes a Garden Dog-Proof?
It's not just about height. Dogs dig, squeeze, climb, and push. A proper check covers all of those.
| ✅ Secure Garden | ❌ Escape Waiting to Happen |
|---|---|
| No gaps under fence line | Visible space they could squeeze under |
| Panels all secure to posts | Loose boards they can push through |
| No dig-friendly soft spots | Obvious digging along fence line |
| Gates latch properly | Gate swings open when pushed |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Perimeter Walk | Check entire fence line for gaps and damage |
| Under Check | Look for dig spots and gaps at ground level |
| Strength Test | Push panels to find weak/rotten sections |
| Gate Check | Test latches, hinges, and security |
| Report | Tell you exactly what needs fixing and how urgent |
📦 You're Left With
- Clear understanding of your garden security
- List of issues found and fixes needed
- Minor repairs done on the spot (if possible)
- Peace of mind or a to-do list - either way, you know
Pricing Guide
| Garden Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small (fenced back garden) | 30-60 mins | £60 |
| Medium (full perimeter) | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Large (big gardens, multiple sections) | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Minor repairs included if I've got materials. Major repairs quoted separately.
Perfect For You If...
✅ New dog arriving - check BEFORE they find the weak spots
✅ Recently moved house - previous owners might not have had dogs
✅ Dog keeps escaping - but you can't work out how
✅ High energy breed - they WILL test your fences
Why Choose Us for Dog fence check in Exeter?
Full perimeter inspection for gaps
Check for dig-under spots
Identify weak or damaged panels
Practical advice on fixes needed
What to Expect
Step 1: Full Perimeter Walk
I'll walk your entire fence line, checking every panel, post, and join. Looking for gaps, rot, damage, or weak spots.
Step 2: Ground Level Check
Dogs dig or squeeze under. I'll check the gap between fence and ground, look for started dig spots, and test if there's space to squeeze through.
Step 3: Report & Advice
I'll tell you exactly what I found - what's urgent (dog could escape today), what's medium-term (needs fixing soon), and what's minor. Plus advice on fixing it.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to check your own garden fencing? Here's how to think like a dog:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Just your eyes and hands mostly
- Maybe a tape measure
- Camera phone to photograph issues
- Notepad to list problems
🐕 Checking like a dog thinks
- Under check: Walk the perimeter looking at ground level - is there space to dig or squeeze?
- Push test: Give every panel a firm push - rotten or loose ones will move
- Gap check: Look for spaces between panels or at corners
- Climb check: Can your dog jump on anything near the fence? (bins, logs, garden furniture)
- Gate check: Does it latch firmly? Gaps at bottom? Could they push it open?
📏 Size guidelines
- Gap width: Less than head width = too small to squeeze through
- Under gap: Less than 10cm = probably safe for most dogs
- Height: 1.2m minimum for small dogs, 1.8m+ for jumpers
- Panel strength: Should not flex more than 2-3cm when pushed
🔨 Quick fixes you can DIY
- Nail down loose boards
- Secure wobbly panels to posts with brackets
- Block under-gaps with bricks/timber along base
- Tighten gate hinges and latches
- Remove climbable items from near fence
⚠️ Issues that need professional help
- Rotten fence posts (need digging out and replacing)
- Whole panels need replacing
- Gate posts leaning badly
- Concrete repair work
- Significant height increase needed
💡 Pro trick: Get down to dog eye level and walk the perimeter. You'll see gaps and escape routes you'd miss from standing height. Also watch your dog - they'll show you exactly where they're interested in escaping.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐕 Breed matters: A Chihuahua and a Husky need very different fencing. Small dogs squeeze through tiny gaps. Working breeds jump 6-foot fences. I'll factor in your dog's size and ability when assessing.
Common problem spots:
- Corners: Often have gaps where panels meet at angles
- Gates: Biggest weakness - check latches and bottom gaps
- Behind sheds: Out of sight areas where rot goes unnoticed
- Joins to house: Awkward spaces that get bodged
Temporary vs permanent fixes: If I find issues, some are quick fixes (block gaps), some need proper repair work (replace rotten panels). I'll tell you which is which.
Prevention is cheaper than cure: Checking costs £60-ish. Catching your escaped dog from the main road after they've caused a traffic accident... considerably more stressful and expensive.
Trees and plants: Overgrown vegetation can hide fence problems. Trim it back occasionally so you can see what's happening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are you actually checking for?
Everything a dog might use to escape - gaps under or between fence panels, loose boards, holes they've started digging, weak sections they could push through, anything they could climb on to get over. Basically I walk your perimeter thinking like a determined dog.
Can you fix any problems you find?
Minor repairs I can do on the spot - nail down loose boards, fill small gaps, block obvious dig spots. Bigger repairs (whole panel replacements, major posts, etc.) I'll quote you for and come back to do properly with the right materials.
Do I need to keep my dog inside during the check?
Ideally yes, or at least supervised. If they're actually in the garden, I can watch how they interact with the fence - shows me where they're trying to escape. But for a thorough check of the whole perimeter, easier without a dog trying to help.
What about gates?
Gates get checked too - latches, hinges, gaps underneath, whether they're dog-proof. A dodgy gate is often easier to escape through than the fence itself.
Will you tell me how to fix things myself?
Absolutely. I'll show you what needs doing and explain how to fix it if you want to DIY. Some stuff is easy (chuck some bricks along the bottom to stop digging), some needs proper work (replacing rotten panels).
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Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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