Fence project - help and advice please

olibrofiz

Sorry, bit long but bear with me, would really appreciate ideas and advice

Along one side of my front garden is a dilapidated wire fence about 3ft high. The fence is held up by metal posts which are L shaped, if that makes sense, and the wire at the top of the fence threads through holes in the posts.

Now, my neighbour hates the fence, it was there when we both bought our houses, and I agree with him that it's an eyesore. He's decided to sell and asked me the other day how I'd feel if he took the fence down and draped ropes decoratively along it. I said I wasn;t keen on the idea as it did keep my dogs in. We both know it's my fence.

We've talked of putting a picket fence there and I'm trying to think of the best, easiest and most cost effective way of doing it as we'll be doing it.

I'd thought of attaching the support wood for the pickets to the metal posts.

Any ideas?

jimexbox

Mmm, best, easiest and most cost effective is a tall order as best and most cost effective don't usually go together. Your neighbour is selling his house, he obviously want to make a good impression to get a sale. Myself I would put the ball in his court, tell him you want a secure fence for your dogs and you want to split the costs, its his loss if he says no.

I certainly wouldn't have a bodge job using the existing metal fence posts.

jane130

i agree , the fence may not look nice but it meets your needs , if he wants it changed he should be willing to share the costs .

olibrofiz

Thanks jimexbox & Jane 130. Not in the position financially to take the old metal posts up, at least not for a couple of years, it'd mean taking the whole 38ft of concrete path up as well. So need help and advice to utilise what is already there really.

As you said, neighbour wants to improve his chances of selling so, even though it's my fence we're sharing the cost. Get on fine with him, we'll be doing the fence together, with help from other neighbours.

Had thought of attaching the supports for the upright pickets to the metal posts. As they're not evenly spaced tho I'm not sure what lengths wood comes in - might need to buy something that'll join them? Is there such a thing?

jimexbox

If you could attach the wooden fence post to the metal one by way of coach bolts to firmly secure them together could be one option. Then you could put up a small feather edge fence maybe, I built a full size one last year (2m), but someone along the road had a small one built out the front (height must be within regs).

I found the help of a good timber merchants invaluable, all the trade went to the one I bought mine wood from. Not only were they great at giving me tips, their prices were far better than the local DIY store.

olibrofiz

Thanks jimexbox, got a timber merchants down the road which I intend popping into rather than go to B&Q etc. I'll have a chat with them.

Didn't know whether it would be better to attach an upright wooden post to the metal post then attach the supports to that, or just build the fence by attaching the supports to the metal posts iyswim.

Auntie-Dolly

How about a roll of that bamboo type fencing? Perhaps you could attach it to the existing fence with wire.