Electric fence setup in Exeter
Professional electric fence setup services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
POA
Typical Duration
Half day - Full day+
Location
Exeter, Devon
Electric fence set up to actually work - correct energiser, proper earthing, wire tensioned right, posts positioned sensibly. Flexible grazing management without the cost of permanent stock fencing.
Fencing That Pays for Itself
Electric fencing is brilliant when it works - cheap to install, easy to move, lets you rotation graze for better pasture management. When it doesn't work, it's a nightmare of stock escapes and constant maintenance. The difference is knowing what you're doing.
💡 Pro tip: A well-installed electric fence system actually improves grazing quality - you can do strip grazing and paddock rotation which rests pasture properly and controls worms better.
Why Professional Setup Matters
Anyone can bang in a few posts and run wire between them. Getting stock to actually respect it? That takes proper setup.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Energiser sized for the job | Weak pulse, stock ignore it |
| Multiple earth rods, good soil contact | Circuit doesn't complete properly |
| Wire tensioned correctly | Sags and touches ground (shorts out) |
| Insulators rated for the voltage | Leaks power all along the fence |
| Gates and break points positioned sensibly | Can't move stock without switching off |
What You Get
🔧 Complete Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Planning | Layout designed for grazing pattern and stock type |
| Posts & strainers | Corner posts set solid, line posts positioned |
| Wiring | Tape/wire run and tensioned properly |
| Energiser & earth | Unit mounted, earth system installed correctly |
| Testing | Voltage checked along whole run, adjustments made |
📦 Ready to Use
- Stock-proof fence they respect
- Easy to maintain or move sections
- Proper earth system that works
- Energiser specs to suit your needs
Typical Installations
| Type | What's Involved | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| Simple paddock (small area, temporary) | Tread-in posts, tape, basic energiser | Half day |
| Permanent perimeter (strainers, wire, earth) | Dig posts, run wire, full earth system | Full day |
| Strip grazing system (outer fence + divisions) | Permanent plus moveable sections | 1-2 days |
| Large site (multiple fields, complex) | Quote needed - too variable |
I'll quote properly once I see what you're working with and what stock you're running.
Perfect For Your Property If...
✅ Rotation grazing - better pasture management, less worm burden
✅ Temporary containment - events, extra stock, winter grazing
✅ Dividing fields - cheaper than post-and-rail or stock fencing
✅ Difficult ground - boggy areas or steep slopes where permanent fencing struggles
Why Choose Us for Electric fence setup in Exeter?
Energiser sized correctly for your run
Posts positioned for good tension
Earth stakes installed properly
Gates and break points where you need them
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Visit & Quote
I'll visit your property, check what you're fencing, what stock you're running, and what terrain we're dealing with. We'll discuss permanent vs temporary, work out energiser requirements, and I'll give you a proper quote.
Step 2: Installation
Posts set (strainer posts concreted if permanent, tread-in if temporary), wire or tape run and tensioned, insulators fitted. Energiser mounted somewhere protected with mains or solar power sorted.
Step 3: Earth System & Testing
Earth stakes driven into good soil (usually need 3-4 for decent punch), system connected and tested. I'll show you how to check voltage and what to watch for.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to install your own electric fencing? Here's what you need to know:
🔧 Materials you'll need
- Fence energiser (sized for your perimeter length)
- Posts (strainer posts for corners, line posts every 3-4m)
- Wire/tape/rope (insulated conductor)
- Insulators (rated for your energiser voltage)
- Earth stakes (3-4 rods minimum)
- Gate handles/break points
- Fence tester
📐 Planning layout
- Mark corner positions and gate locations first
- Work out total perimeter (determines energiser size)
- Plan for good earth stake location (moist soil, away from building earths)
- Consider future divisions for rotation grazing
- Check where power supply will come from
✂️ Installation tips
- Corner posts need to be SOLID - they take all the tension
- Run wire/tape at correct height for your stock (depends on animal size)
- Keep vegetation clear underneath (shorts out the fence)
- Test voltage regularly - should be 5000V minimum for cattle, higher for sheep
- Mark fencing clearly - people get zapped and complain
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Energiser undersized for fence length (weak shock)
- Only one earth stake (not enough circuit completion)
- Wire too tight (snaps in cold weather) or too slack (sags and shorts)
- Using steel posts as earth (doesn't work - need dedicated earth system)
- Forgetting to allow for thermal expansion/contraction
💡 Pro trick: Use polywire for temporary sections instead of tape - easier to handle, less wind resistance, doesn't flap and scare stock. Save the highly visible tape for permanent boundaries where you want stock to see it clearly.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚡ Mains or solar energiser? Mains gives more reliable power for large systems, solar works anywhere but needs good sun exposure and larger panel for winter reliability. I'll advise which suits your setup.
Existing fencing? Can often run electric wire/tape on existing post-and-rail or stock fencing - adds a hot line that trains stock not to push and extends fence life.
Difficult stock? Some animals learn to challenge fencing - pigs especially. These need more powerful energisers and lower wire positions. Tell me what you're keeping and I'll spec accordingly.
Planning consent? Not usually needed for agricultural fencing on farmland, but worth checking if you're on the edge of a settlement or in a conservation area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's involved in setting up electric fencing?
Depends if it's permanent or temporary. Permanent systems need proper strainer posts, wire tensioned correctly, and a good earth system. Temporary setups use lighter posts (often tread-in or step-in types) and can be moved for strip grazing. Both need the right energiser and proper earthing to work reliably.
How do you work out what energiser I need?
Based on the length of fence you're powering and what stock you're containing. Sheep need more punch than cattle. I'll check the specs and recommend one that'll do the job - undersized energisers are worse than useless.
Can you set up strip grazing fencing?
Yes - that's where electric fencing really shines. Set up a semi-permanent outer fence, then use temporary divisions for rotation. I can show you the system and set up the first layout, then you can move the temporary sections yourself as needed.
What about earthing - is it really that important?
Absolutely critical and where most DIY setups fail. An electric fence works by completing a circuit through the animal to ground - if your earth system is poor, you get weak shocks and stock learn to push through. Proper earth stakes in the right soil make all the difference.
How long will it take to fence my field?
Every site is different - depends on perimeter length, terrain, whether you want permanent or temporary, and what posts already exist. I'll quote properly once I've seen your setup and know what you're after.
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