Woke up to a fence on the ground? You are not alone. South East London gardens take a battering every winter, and blown-down or storm-damaged fences are one of the most common call-outs we handle across Greenwich, Lewisham, Eltham, Bromley and surrounding areas. A fence that looked fine in October can be flat by February after a week of sustained wind and rain.
This guide covers exactly what to do in the first 24 hours, who is responsible for paying for the repair, and what realistic fence replacement costs look like in SE London in 2026 - with prices that match what we actually charge, not national averages that bear no relation to London rates.
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Step One: What to Do in the First 24 Hours
Before calling anyone or spending any money, do these four things.
Take Photos Immediately
Document the damage from multiple angles before anything is moved or touched. This matters for insurance claims and for any conversation with a neighbour about responsibility. Do it even if the damage looks minor.
Make the Area Safe
A fallen fence panel with exposed nails or splintered posts is a hazard, especially if you have children or pets. Move broken sections away from foot traffic and secure them out of the way until the repair is booked.
Check Your Home Insurance Policy
Many home and contents policies include garden fence cover, though most have a limit (typically £500 to £1,000 for fence damage). Check your policy documents or call your insurer before booking a repair - you may need to get quotes before authorising any work.
Work Out Who Owns the Fence
This is the question that causes more friction between neighbours than almost anything else in a SE London terrace street, and getting it right before the phone calls start saves a lot of trouble. We cover this in detail in the next section.
Whose Fence Is It? The Honest Answer for SE London Homeowners
This is the most searched question after a storm, and the answer is not as simple as most people think.
The Left-Hand Rule Is a Myth
There is a widespread belief in the UK that you are automatically responsible for the fence on the left side of your garden as you look at it from the house. This is not law. It is an informal convention that some people follow, but it has no legal standing and does not apply to all properties.
The Real Answer Is in Your Title Deeds
Your property deeds, available from HM Land Registry, show boundary ownership using T-marks. A T-mark on a boundary line means the property on that side of the T is responsible for that fence. If both neighbours have a T-mark on the same boundary, forming an H-shape, it is a shared fence and both parties are jointly responsible.
How to check quickly:
- Search your property at HM Land Registry for £3
- Look at the title plan for T-marks along your boundaries
- If there are no marks, check the seller's property information form from when you bought the house
- If still unclear, the fence posts offer a clue - posts are typically on the owner's side of the fence
What If the Fence Belongs to Your Neighbour?
If the blown-down fence is legally your neighbour's responsibility, you cannot force them to repair it under UK law. There is no legal obligation to maintain a boundary fence even if it is in disrepair. What you can do is erect your own fence on your own land if the lack of a fence is causing a problem with privacy or security.
What If It Is Shared?
Both neighbours are jointly responsible for a party fence. Costs should be split unless there is a written agreement to the contrary. Get any cost-sharing arrangement confirmed in writing before any work is booked.
Repair vs. Replace: How to Decide
Not every blown-down fence needs a full replacement. Here is how to make the right call.
Repair is usually the right choice when:
- Only one or two panels have blown down
- The posts are still upright and solidly concreted in
- The fence is relatively new (under five years old)
- The overall structure is still sound
Full replacement is usually better when:
- Multiple panels have failed across the whole run
- The posts are rotten, leaning, or the concrete bases have cracked
- The fence is old (ten years plus for softwood panels)
- Repairing sections will leave a patchy, mismatched result
- The cost of targeted repairs approaches the cost of a full replacement
In SE London terrace gardens where fences run the full length of the garden on both sides, a partial repair to a fence that is already ageing often just delays a full replacement by a year or two. We will always give you an honest assessment on which option makes more financial sense for your specific situation during the site visit.
How Much Does Fence Replacement Cost in South East London? (2026)
Here is what we actually charge. Every garden and boundary is different, so we provide a free on-site survey before giving an exact quote - but these figures give you a reliable starting point for budgeting.
| Service | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Closeboard / feather edge fencing | £260 per panel |
| Panel fencing | £230 - £280 per panel |
| Fence post replacement | £250 per post |
| Storm damage / panel repair | £150 - £300 per section |
| Custom fencing solutions | Tailored pricing after survey |
All quotes include materials, labour, post installation and concrete setting. Waste disposal is quoted separately depending on volume, typically £30 to £220. Exact pricing depends on fence length, height, ground conditions and access. Send us photos and we'll confirm costs before any work begins.
Typical Total Job Costs for SE London Terrace Gardens
To give you a rough budget before we visit, here are typical total costs based on run length using standard panel fencing.
| Run Length | Panel Fencing | Closeboard |
|---|---|---|
| Short run (6-8 panels, one side) | £1,380 - £2,240 | £1,560 - £2,080 |
| Medium run (10-12 panels, one side) | £2,300 - £3,360 | £2,600 - £3,120 |
| Full terrace garden (both sides, 20+ panels) | £4,600 - £5,600+ | £5,200 - £6,240+ |
These estimates are based on our per-panel prices and do not include waste disposal (£30-£220 depending on volume) or post replacement where needed (£250 per post). Always confirm waste removal is included when comparing quotes from other contractors - some quote without it.
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What Affects the Final Cost?
Access to the Garden
The single biggest variable in SE London is access. In a terraced property with no side gate, all materials must be carried through the house and all waste must come back out the same way. This adds time and is reflected in the quote. If you have side access, your price will be lower. Always mention access when you get in touch.
Old Concrete Footings
When old posts are removed, the concrete bases often need to be broken out and taken away. Old concrete footings are heavy and time-consuming to shift, particularly in the heavy London clay soil common across Lewisham, Catford, and Eltham. If your previous fence had concrete posts, budget for this as an additional cost on top of the panel price.
Fence installation in Lewisham.
Post Condition
If the posts are still solid and the damage is panel-only, the job is faster and cheaper - storm damage repairs start from £150-£300 per section if posts are intact. If posts need replacing at £250 each alongside the panels, the total rises accordingly. We will always tell you which posts are worth keeping and which need to come out.
Ground Condition
SE London's clay soil can be a challenge. Waterlogged ground makes digging harder and slows concrete curing time. In winter months after prolonged rain, this can affect how quickly a job can be completed in a single visit.
Fence Length and Complexity
A straightforward run of standard panels along a flat garden is the most cost-efficient job. Stepped fencing on a sloped garden, return sections, or integration with an existing gate all add complexity and time to the installation.
Fence installation in Eltham.
Fence Types: Which Is Right for SE London?
Panel Fencing (Lap / Overlap)
The most common fence type across SE London terrace gardens. Horizontal overlapping boards in a timber frame. The most affordable option at £230-£280 per panel installed. Lifespan of five to ten years depending on treatment and exposure. The main weakness is wind - panels act like a sail and the full force transfers to the posts. If your lap fence keeps blowing down in the same spot, it is usually a post problem rather than a panel problem.
Closeboard / Feather Edge
Vertical overlapping boards fixed to a timber rail at £260 per panel installed. Significantly stronger than lap panels in wind because there is no solid surface for wind to push against uniformly. This is the type we recommend most often for exposed SE London gardens or gardens where the fence faces the prevailing south-westerly wind. Costs more upfront but lasts longer and fails less often in storms. Read our post on choosing fence panels for windy weather in SE London for a deeper comparison.
Contemporary / Slatted Fencing
Horizontal or vertical boards with spacing between them. Increasingly popular in SE London as part of a broader garden redesign. Allows some wind through which reduces load on posts. More expensive than standard options but very popular in Peckham, New Cross, and Brockley where modern garden aesthetics are common. Priced as a custom solution after survey.
Concrete Post Systems
Timber panels set between concrete posts with a concrete gravel board at the base. The most durable long-term option. Concrete posts do not rot and last 20+ years. The higher upfront cost is offset by significantly longer lifespan. Particularly suitable for SE London gardens with persistent damp or heavy shade at the fence line. For more detail on choosing between fence types, see our guide on choosing the right fencing for SE London gardens.
Does Home Insurance Cover a Blown-Down Fence?
Often yes, but with important limitations. Most standard home insurance policies include garden fencing under the buildings or contents section, but with a typical limit of £500 to £1,000. Storm damage is usually covered - gradual deterioration or rot is usually not.
What to do before booking a repair:
- Check your policy for fence cover and the claim limit
- Photograph the damage thoroughly before touching anything
- Get a written quote from a fencing contractor
- Call your insurer to confirm the claim process before authorising work
- Keep all invoices and receipts
Some insurers require the repair to be done before they will pay - others pay upfront. Always confirm the process with your specific insurer first. If the fence belongs to your neighbour, the claim would need to be made on their insurance, not yours.
If you need a written quote for an insurance claim, we provide detailed itemised quotations covering labour, materials and waste removal - suitable for submitting directly to your insurer. Get in touch and we'll turn it around within one business day.
Handling Neighbour Disputes Without the Headache
Fence disputes are one of the most common causes of friction in SE London terrace streets. A few principles that keep things practical:
- Start with the deeds, not assumptions. Find out what the title plan actually says before any conversation with a neighbour. Facts prevent the discussion from becoming personal.
- If the fence is theirs and they won't repair it, you cannot force them legally - but you can install your own fence on your side of the boundary without their permission.
- If costs are shared, get a written agreement before any work starts confirming each party's contribution.
- If ownership is genuinely unclear, the Land Registry title plan is the starting point at £3. A boundary surveyor can resolve it if deeds are ambiguous - expensive, but cheaper than a legal dispute.
We are not lawyers and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, a solicitor specialising in property law is the right call.
Can You Combine Fencing With Other Garden Work?
Yes, and this is one of the most cost-effective ways to approach a post-storm garden tidy in SE London.
Fencing and garden clearance is the most common combination we handle after storm damage. If the fence coming down has also revealed an overgrown area or the garden needs attention generally, booking a garden clearance alongside the fencing means one team visit instead of two. The clearance prepares the space, the fencing team works in a cleared garden, and the overall project runs faster.
Fencing and turfing is another practical combination if the fallen fence has damaged the lawn or exposed bare soil along the boundary. Our turfing service can be scheduled as part of the same project week. For what that costs, see our 2026 turfing price guide for SE London.
Fencing and decking is a popular combination for homeowners using a fence replacement as the trigger for a broader garden upgrade. Our decking cost guide for SE London covers what to budget for both materials and installation in 2026.
SE London Areas We Work In
We handle fencing across SE London regularly and local conditions vary more than most people expect.
In Greenwich and Blackheath (SE10, SE3), gardens are often longer and wider than inner SE London. Closeboard is common and access is generally better here. Many period properties in Blackheath have longer boundary runs that benefit from concrete post systems for longevity.
In Lewisham, Catford and Forest Hill (SE13, SE6, SE23), high density terrace streets mean access through the house is very common and old concrete footings are frequent - both of which add to the job cost. Heavy clay soil in these areas also means more care needed with post setting and curing time.
In Eltham and Lee (SE9, SE12), larger post-war semis typically have better side access and longer fence runs on both sides. Concrete post and panel systems are popular in these areas for their long-term durability.
In Peckham, New Cross and Brockley (SE15, SE14, SE4), smaller gardens often have overgrowth at the fence line that needs clearing before installation can begin. Contemporary slatted fencing is increasingly popular here as part of garden redesigns.
In Bromley and Bexley (BR1-BR6, DA5-DA7), the largest gardens in our coverage area mean longer fence runs and bigger project costs, though per-panel costs are the same. Good access in most cases and closeboard systems are most common.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Storm damage repairs start from £150-£300 per section if the posts are sound. We will always tell you honestly whether a partial repair or full replacement is better value for your situation.
No, for a like-for-like replacement of a fence up to 2 metres high in a rear garden. Planning permission is required for fences over 2 metres, or over 1 metre adjacent to a road. Conservation areas and listed buildings may have additional restrictions. We check this as part of the site visit.
Yes. Old panels, posts and concrete are cleared and removed. Waste disposal is quoted separately at £30-£220 depending on volume - always confirm waste removal is included when comparing quotes from other contractors, as some quote without it.
A well-installed softwood fence with proper treatment lasts around 10-15 years. Closeboard lasts slightly longer than lap panels due to the way it handles wind load. Concrete posts with timber panels can last 20+ years if the panels are treated and replaced as needed.
If the fence is clearly your neighbour's, raise it with them directly first. There is no legal mechanism to force them to repair it. If it is leaning onto your property and causing damage, document it thoroughly and seek advice from a property solicitor. You can erect your own fence on your side of the boundary without their permission.
How Our Services Can Help
A blown-down fence is often the trigger for sorting out the whole garden. Here are the services SE London customers most commonly book alongside a fencing job.
- Garden fencing - installation, replacement and storm damage repair across SE London, with waste removal included
- Garden clearance - clear overgrowth and debris at the fence line before installation for a faster, cleaner job
- Turfing - repair lawn damage along the boundary caused by the fallen fence or installation work
- Decking installation - combine a new fence with a new decking area as part of a single garden upgrade
- Garden maintenance - ongoing care to keep the whole garden looking as good as the new fence
Need help deciding where to start? Get in touch and we'll recommend the right approach for your garden.
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