Does A Fence Add Value To A House?

DOES A FENCE ADD VALUE TO A HOUSE? 

A 2016 survey undertaken by The Telegraph suggests a well maintained garden with premium fencing and sheds, when installed professionally, can increase a property’s value by approximately 20%.

Garden fencing may not necessarily be the first home renovation project you think about when it comes to priorities in the home but chances are you will want to improve the garden at some point.

We explore some of the reasons why a professionally installed garden fence could increase your chances of receiving a higher offer depending on the buyer and what appeals to them.

SECURE FENCING APPEALS TO FAMILIES AND PET OWNERS

It is important to remember boundary fencing for the home and garden serves multiple purposes not only protect the outer perimeter but also, deliver a robust boundary with enough integrity to withstand the forces of nature. Will the fence survive against a large dog jumping against it most days?

Fence panels which are broken or weak in areas not only look unattractive, but may cast doubts about how secure the overall property is. 

Traditionally, fence panels that are installed into concrete posts are risky, because there is no method to firmly fix the panel to the post. This means the panels can be lifted from the concrete posts with ease, leaving up to a 6ft wide gap in your run of fencing (depending on the width of your panels) which poses obvious risks for your pets. This poses notable risks with burglary should this happen however we have produced a help guide detailing 5 Tips to Help Reduce Burglary.  

To improve the standard of security we recommend opting for slotted timber post system when installing fencing so that the panels can be slotted into the fence posts, and then drilled into place to affix them. This method of installation is a preventative measure designed to ensure the fence panel is secure inside the posts and stops it from being lifted out in the first place though if you are unsure consider our blog Concrete vs Timber Fence Posts.

We recommend  drilling fence panels into timber posts so they cannot be lifted out.

If you're aiming to improve the security fencing for your home  consider the height of the fence panels you are installing.

The highest standard panel height is normally 6ft, this is not by chance, it is dictated by UK planning laws, which state that planning is required for any fence over 2.00 metres. This is shown in the tallest standard panels available which are most commonly available in 1.83 metres high . - that’s a 6ft panel in imperial measurements. This height still allows for a 140mm gravel board to be installed at the base of the panel to protect and stop contact with the ground.

"PRIVACY IS IMPORTANT AND TRELLIS TOPPERS CAN HELP ADD EXTRA SECURITY"

In addition, you can add height to your existing fencing with Trellis Topper Panels up to 2.00m high without planning permission. 

HOW MUCH VALUE DOES A NEWLY INSTALLED FENCE ADD?

The short answer is not very much when poorly installed.

Professional fence installation can really impact whether the fencing adds value to the overall value of the property or not. Whether you choose to hire a skilled professional or opt for the do-it-yourself approach, it is essential the fence is installed correctly by someone with the necessary skills and knowledge because it will greatly affect the lifespan.

Failure to correctly install the posts supporting the fence can jeopardise the overall stability of the fencing, after all the most common reason fencing becomes storm damaged, is low quality installation.

Contemporary or traditional fencing? Both styles add property value

A well designed garden can increase a property’s value by approximately 20%.

Fencing can be used to define the space in your garden and transform its appearance to give shape, definition and purpose to your property. If done correctly, effective use of fencing can not only attractively frame your garden but make it appear larger.

Installing a type of fencing which complements the aesthetics of the surrounding local area is  critical in finishing your property appropriately. We advise researching a varied range of both modern and traditional panels, to ensure you can find a design that perfectly encapsulates the architectural style of your local area; however, remember it's not just about designer looks, consider the function it serves too.

You may reside in a rural area therefore may want a traditional look for your garden, so you may consider timber picket fencing, also known as palisade fencing. Often seen in front gardens palisade style fencing is a timeless design that offers real kerb appeal. Updating all aspects of your garden to suit any new fencing is recommended. New fence panels often draw attention to the older worn out areas of the garden if it is not updated to a similar standard. Landscape gardeners can be costly, but one cost-effective methods to reinvigorate your garden is to include  fresh flowers with vibrant colours in raised beds to enrich your property’s exterior.

Whichever fence type fence you decide to purchase, we recommend consulting a surveyor to ensure you operate within your existing garden boundary to avoid any conflict with neighbours, which could ultimately slow down the sale of your home, if you’re involved in boundary disputes.

We believe in high quality fencing with low lifetime costs, making a contemporary garden landscape a noteworthy investment opportunity.

Tall privacy fencing appeals to prospective buyers

If you live nearby a main road or in a densely populated area then a tall fence can act as an effective method of shielding your property from prying neighbours without detracting from your gardens appearance.  Realty Times state installing tall fencing specifically for privacy purposes will likely increase the marketability for your home with prospective buyers when selling.

The average fence height in the UK is typically 4-6ft high and can be a solid boarded, slatted or trellis style (6ft = 1.83m). Each type of panel provides varying levels of privacy, so it depends on your personal preference, and what’s on the other side of the fence.

For example, those with small pets may be reluctant to purchase a property without perimeter fencing in the garden because not only does this represent a safety issue, but it’s a high future cost when you consider the cost of installation, materials and time planning a project. Prices for fencing can vary immensely depending on the material, quality of manufacture, number of meters required and the style but typically its anything between £1000 - £4000 approximately. Prospective buyers are often willing to pay a premium for the right home with fencing already installed to remove the headache.

Solid fence panels such as our Chilham panel removes any chance of visibility, while a slatted style panels like our Venetian have gaps between each pale, so they do not offer the same standard of privacy as solid fencing, but for what you trade in privacy you more than make up in contemporary design. You may consider using slatted fence panels as screens to separate areas within your garden or hide unsightly features.

SOURCE THE BEST QUALITY FENCE MATERIALS POSSIBLE (or else)

A fence can be used to define the space within a garden and truly transform its appearance to provide shape, definition and purpose to a property. If done correctly, effective use of fencing can not only attractively frame  a garden but make it appear larger. It’s not only the manufacturing process and quality of materials used that matter, but how the fence is utilised to create an intriguing outdoor space.

Sourcing the best quality fence material is paramount and, generally speaking, a chain link or vinyl fence will not prove as aesthetically pleasing as a timber one, which offers a natural appearance. 

Nevertheless, poor quality timber fencing is rife and can be unsuccessful at creating an alluring garden due to the low grade wood and automated manufacturing processes used to produce these fence panels. Often, wooden fence panels purchased at home improvement stores will be of lower quality and begin to warp after only a few years, making the garden seem worn and unappealing.

The lower grade timber will likely be susceptible to weather conditions and be prone to breaking in windy conditions. We recommend installing high quality timber fencing pressure treated, with a promise that it will complement the exterior presentation of your home for many years, such as our 25 year guaranteed timber products do.

Follow trends in your neighbourhood to add greater value

Most homeowners want their homes to fit in with others in the surrounding area, and fencing a home in an unfenced neighbourhood can draw unwanted attention, when done poorly with low grade materials, a bad paint job or a fence type that doesn’t match the nearby houses.

Take time to consider your purchase, focus on choosing the best fence type for your property because being the only home in your cul-de-sac or street with completely alternative fencing to everyone else may be detrimental to the value of your property though it may also be a selling point. Before installing any fencing consult with a variety of local reputable fencing contractors or garden landscapers. They will likely have an extensive working knowledge about the local area and what works well and what doesn't, so get multiple quotes and advice where possible. We recommend searching the nearby neighbourhoods to look for any noteworthy trends for houses which have sold for higher values that are similar to your own property.

Fence Comparison Tool

Compare all the different types of fence panels we offer using our handy comparison tool.

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