Stock fencing installation in Exeter
Professional stock fencing installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Call for quote
Typical Duration
Full day+
Location
Exeter, Devon
Stock fencing installed for fields and paddocks across rural Devon. Posts driven securely, wire properly tensioned, corners braced - livestock boundaries that actually work.
When You Need Proper Stock Barriers
DIY fence jobs on Devon farms usually last about three years before they're sagging, leaning, and letting sheep through. Proper stock fencing is driven deep, tensioned right, and built to cope with animals pushing on it.
💡 Pro tip: The quality of corner posts and straining posts makes or breaks a fence. Skimp there and the whole run sags within a year.
What Makes Stock Fencing Last
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ DIY Special |
|---|---|
| Posts driven 60cm+ into ground | Barely buried, wobbly already |
| Straining posts braced properly | Leaning after first tension |
| Wire drum-tight at correct height | Sagging in the middle |
| Gates hung level and swing freely | Dragging on the ground |
What's Involved
🔧 The Full Job
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Survey | Walk the boundary, check for obstacles, plan gate positions |
| Materials | Calculate what's needed, source quality posts and wire |
| Posts | Drive posts at 2-3m spacing, deeper for strain points |
| Straining | Tension the wire properly, brace corners and ends |
| Finish | Fit any gates, check everything's secure |
📦 You Get
- Livestock-proof boundary
- Posts driven to proper depth
- Wire tensioned correctly
- Gates hung level (if included)
- Should last 15-20 years
Pricing Reality
Stock fencing is quoted per job, not per hour:
| Scenario | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Small flat paddock (100m) | £1,500-£2,500 |
| Average field (200m) | £3,000-£5,000 |
| Large or difficult ground (500m+) | £7,500+ |
Very rough guide only - terrain, access, spec, and gates all affect price massively. I'll quote properly.
⚠️ Material costs: Stock fencing materials aren't cheap. Posts, wire, strainers, and gates make up 40-50% of the total cost.
Perfect For Your Devon Farm If...
✅ New paddock - dividing fields for rotational grazing
✅ Failed fence - old fence sagging and useless
✅ Security - properly keeping stock in (and out)
✅ Horse paddock - safe secure boundaries
Why Choose Us for Stock fencing installation in Exeter?
Posts driven deep and secure
Wire tensioned properly
Stock-proof boundaries
Built to last in Devon weather
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Visit
I walk your boundary, check the ground, work out post spacing and straining point positions. Discuss gate locations and any tricky sections.
Step 2: Quote
You'll get a detailed quote covering materials and labour. If you want to supply materials yourself (many farmers prefer their own timber merchant), that's fine too.
Step 3: Installation
I mark out post positions, drive all the posts, fit straining posts and braces, then tension the wire. Any gates get hung last.
🔧 DIY Tips
Stock fencing is hard physical work. If you're fit and determined, here's how:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Post driver or tractor-mounted post knocker
- Straining gear (wire tensioners and grips)
- Chainsaw for bracing timber
- Fencing pliers and hammer
- Spirit level
- Strong back
📐 Getting it right
- Set straining posts at corners and every 50-70m on straight runs
- Drive posts 60cm minimum into ground (more in soft ground)
- Space intermediate posts 2-3m apart (closer for sheep)
- Brace straining posts diagonally to next post
- Tension wire with proper straining gear, not a tractor
🔨 Post driving
- Hit straight down, check level frequently
- In rocky ground, use a crowbar to clear stones
- Soft ground needs deeper posts
- Don't crack the tops - use a post cap or old fence post on top
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Posts not deep enough - fence leans within months
- No proper straining posts - whole fence sags
- Wire not tight enough - animals push through
- Corners not braced - pulls out under tension
- Gates too heavy for the posts - eventually tears free
💡 Pro trick: When tensioning wire, do the top wire first, then work down. Each wire helps hold the posts straight for the next one.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Ground conditions matter: Rocky Devon ground is slow going. Soft peat needs posts going deeper. Price reflects the difficulty.
Timber treatment: Use treated posts rated for ground contact. Untreated posts rot out in 3-5 years, treated last 15-20+.
Wire choice: C8/80/15 is standard stock fence (80cm high, 15cm vertical spacing). Taller specs available for horses or cattle.
Gates: Field gates are usually extra - I'll include them in the quote if you want them hung as part of the job.
Boundaries: Make sure you're fencing the actual boundary. Disputes over fence lines are miserable - check with your neighbour first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is stock fencing?
It's the wire mesh fencing you see around fields - rectangular holes get smaller towards the bottom so it keeps everything from cattle down to lambs in. It's stretched between wooden posts and secured with straining wire top and bottom.
How much does stock fencing cost?
It varies massively based on the run length, terrain, and what height/spec you need. As a very rough guide, budget £15-25 per metre for materials and labour on straightforward ground. Steep or rocky ground costs more. I'll quote properly once I've seen your field.
Can you fence on Devon hills and slopes?
Yes - that's most of Devon isn't it? Slopes need extra posts and careful tensioning so the fence doesn't sag. Rocky ground slows things down because I'm fighting stones with every post. But it all gets done.
What height should my stock fence be?
Depends what you're keeping in. Sheep need 90cm minimum, cattle usually 1.1-1.2m, horses ideally 1.2m. If you've got mixed stock or jumpy horses, go higher. I'll advise based on what you've got.
How long does it take to fence a field?
A simple flat paddock might be a day or two. A big sloping field with awkward corners and trees in the way can be a week. Once I've walked your boundary I can give you a proper timescale.
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