Fencing, Gates & Screening
MCH Landscaping installs fencing, gates, screening and pergolas for homes in Lowestoft and across Norfolk and Suffolk.
Boundaries that look good and stay standing
Fencing, gates and screening define your outdoor space: they give you privacy, keep children and pets in, and shelter a seating area from the wind and from view. A good boundary also frames the garden, so it is worth choosing one that suits the house as well as doing the job.
We put up garden fencing, decorative and trellis fencing, timber gates including driveway five-bar gates, slatted privacy screens and pergolas. Screening can close off a hot tub, hide bins or a shed, or give a patio a sense of enclosure without blocking the light.
What fencing work includes
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Setting out the line
Agreeing the run, height and finish of the fence with you, and checking the boundary.
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Removing the old fence
Taking down and disposing of old panels, posts and concrete where they are being replaced.
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Posts set to last
Timber or concrete posts set firmly in the ground, with gravel boards where the design uses them.
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Panels, boards or slats
Closeboard, panel, slatted, picket or trellis fencing to suit the space.
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Gates
Side gates, garden gates and driveway five-bar gates, hung to open the way you need.
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Screens and pergolas
Slatted privacy screens and timber pergolas for seating areas and hot tubs.
What to plan before new fencing
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Who owns the boundary
Check your deeds or the title plan to see which boundaries are yours. Talk to the neighbours before a shared fence is replaced, especially if it means working from their side.
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How high it can be
Fences up to two metres high do not usually need planning permission. Next to a road used by vehicles, or the footpath beside it, the limit is one metre. Listed buildings and conservation areas have their own rules.
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Which way the gates open
Measure for the gate you need, think about which way it should swing and where it latches, and allow for any slope in the ground.
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Wind and exposure
Solid fences catch a lot of wind. In an exposed garden, a slatted design or stronger posts can make a fence last longer.
Good to know
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New timber changes colour
Pressure-treated timber often starts green or brown and weathers to silver-grey over time unless it is stained.
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Gravel boards protect the panels
A board along the bottom keeps the panels off wet soil, and can be replaced on its own if it rots.
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The good side is a courtesy
There is no law saying the smooth side of a fence must face your neighbour, but it is a common courtesy and avoids disputes.
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Birds nest in hedges and climbers
If old hedges or climbers have to come out for a new fence, check for nesting birds first. Nests in use are protected by law.
How a fencing job works
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Consultation and planning
We visit, walk the boundary with you and talk through the style, height and budget.
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Design and material selection
We agree the fence, gate or screen design and the materials and finish.
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Installation
We take down anything old, set the posts and fit the panels, boards, slats or gates.
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Finishing touches and aftercare
We clear the site and tell you how to look after the timber.
Questions customers ask
What types of fencing do you install?
Garden fencing such as closeboard and panel fencing, decorative and trellis fencing, picket fencing, slatted screens and pergolas, and gates including driveway five-bar gates.
Do I need planning permission for a fence?
Not usually, for a fence up to two metres high. Next to a road used by vehicles, or the footpath beside it, the limit is one metre, and listed buildings and conservation areas have their own rules.
Can you remove my old fence?
Yes. We can take down the old fence and posts and take the waste away before putting up the new one.
Can you build screening around a hot tub or seating area?
Yes. Slatted screens and pergolas give privacy and shelter around hot tubs, patios and seating areas.
Which side of the fence faces my neighbour?
It is a courtesy rather than a rule to put the smooth side facing out. It is worth agreeing with your neighbour before the fence goes up.
Do you fit driveway gates?
Yes. We fit timber driveway gates, including five-bar gates, as well as side and garden gates.
