RAPTOR ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION LTD
A leaning fence, rotten posts or a stiff gate making your garden unusable? Send photos and your postcode and we’ll set out practical options. We assess the boundary, explain whether a repair or a replacement better protects your property, and outline the materials and fixings that suit the site.
AN INTRODUCTION / 08
Has your boundary fence or timberwork caused privacy gaps, instability or a gateway that won’t close? Tell us what’s wrong and we’ll run through immediate remedies, sensible material choices and the actions required to get your boundary performing again.
Weighing repair against replacement starts with the visible faults: rotten post bases, split panels or sagging rails. We inspect the cause — drainage, shallow posts or plant growth — and explain how a repair, partial rebuild or full replacement will affect appearance, ongoing maintenance and overall cost. Send photos and your postcode and we’ll arrange a visit where needed and provide a clear written estimate.
EXPLORE THE OPTIONSOUR SERVICES / 08
Need a new boundary, repairs to an existing fence or external timber joinery? We address the on-site realities — post condition, ground type and access — and walk through material options and the practical steps from survey to handover so you can decide what to commission.
For a new boundary run we explain how the construction will resist site conditions. That includes recommended post type, panel profile and appropriate foundations; we can fit gates and tie-ins and show where concrete or gravel footings make sense, and how finish and timber treatment affect maintenance. A site check helps select the right layout and materials.
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS SERVICEFor isolated failing posts, panels or gates we identify the root cause and recommend targeted repairs that extend the existing fence’s life. Work can include replacing post sections, splicing rails, renewing fixings and adjusting gates so they close square, and we explain when a repair is a cost-effective short-term fix and when replacement is the more economical route.
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS SERVICEWidespread movement or decay usually means replacement gives better value and safety. We remove old panels and posts with care for boundary responsibilities, set new posts to suit the ground and install panels and gates built to match your chosen profile, explaining material trade-offs and how different foundations and corrosion-resistant fixings change long-term performance.
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS SERVICEExternal timber work such as gate repairs, timber frames or small timber structures uses joinery methods suited to outdoor exposure. Tasks include sash or ledge-and-brace gate repairs, framing for attached screens and simple timber frames that tie into fencing runs; where structural calculations are needed we’ll flag that and discuss next steps during the survey.
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS SERVICEBespoke timber features such as trellis, pergola repairs, timber screening and small decking repairs are made with joinery and fixings suited to external exposure. We explain which treatments and corrosion-resistant fixings reduce maintenance and how likely wear points — hinges, post bases and ground contacts — should be detailed to avoid premature failure.
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS SERVICEOUR PROCESS / FOUR STAGES
Contact us and we follow a straightforward path: review photos and site constraints, schedule a survey where necessary, provide a written estimate and agree the scope before any work starts. We keep neighbours and access needs in mind and discuss how to handle surprises such as hidden services, roots or previously buried posts.
First contact should include clear photographs showing the full boundary run, close-ups of any damage and the gate or access point, plus your postcode. We use those images to flag obvious problems and decide if a measured on-site survey is required, noting rot at ground level, signs of movement and any immediate safety concerns.
Surveys inspect post depth, ground type, drainage issues and access limitations. After the visit we set out repair and replacement options, likely materials and any preparatory work such as clearing vegetation or protecting neighbours’ property, and we list what’s included in the price and anything you will need to arrange, for example confirming boundary ownership or checking for underground services.
After we agree the scope we provide a written quote that separates materials, labour and any extra items so you can compare options objectively. We set out the agreed scope of work and how we’ll manage on-site access and waste removal. If the job reveals unexpected issues the options and costs are discussed before any extra work proceeds, so you stay in control of decisions and expenditure.
During installation we protect surrounding areas, work to the agreed specification, and use fixings chosen for the site conditions. After finishing, we clear waste and check that gates run true, panels are secure and posts are plumb. We walk you through any maintenance required and what to expect in the short term; where further monitoring is sensible we’ll point that out and note any seasonal checks to consider.
WHY CHOOSE RAPTOR / WHAT MATTERS
Want clear, practical recommendations and timberwork executed to suit the site rather than a one-size-fits-all approach? We focus on what will actually last where your fence sits, explain trade-offs and leave you able to decide which option matches your budget and how the work will affect your property.
Timber choice and fixing method change how a fence performs outdoors. We explain treated softwood, hardwood and alternative fixings in plain terms — maintenance needs, appearance changes and where stronger framing or concrete footings are sensible — so you can pick materials that suit the location for long-term performance.
Facing a repair-versus-replacement choice? We give a pragmatic recommendation based on visible defects and site causes such as drainage or vegetation, helping you budget sensibly whether you need a short-term repair or a full replacement that removes the underlying cause of failure.
Boundary ownership or neighbour access can affect what work is possible. We point out what to check, factor access for tools and materials into our planning and flag where you’ll need to confirm ownership or get consent before work begins.
INSIGHT / Insightful Guidance
Deciding whether to repair or replace fence runs, or how to detail external timberwork? Prioritise post condition, ground, access and boundary responsibility so the rest becomes easier to plan.
A drooping section or splitting panels often masks deeper faults. Check post bases where timber meets soil; decay at this point is the most common reason entire runs fail. Look for movement along the run rather than isolated panel damage — continuous leaning usually means posts have shifted or rotted and replacing panels alone will not stop recurrence. Consider whether poor drainage or nearby planting is holding moisture against timber; improving drainage and cutting back vegetation can greatly extend any repair. In constrained gardens access will dictate whether posts can be dug out mechanically or by hand; narrow side returns often require manual methods and different post choices. Photograph both sides of the boundary and note any visible services before a survey to focus the inspection on underlying causes.
Durability depends on detailing as much as timber species. Treated softwood balances cost and durability, but where posts sit directly in wet soil consider concrete or compacted gravel footings and metal post anchors for extra longevity. Hardwood posts and boards reduce maintenance but need suitable fixings to avoid accelerated corrosion. For gates and high-wear junctions choose thicker framing and corrosion-resistant hinges and bolts; small savings on fixings often lead to earlier repair bills. Decide on overlaps or close boarding where screening is the priority, or horizontal slats for a different aesthetic that sheds water differently. Where bespoke joinery is required, ensure joints and end grain are sealed and that fixings are counter-sunk and protected.
Shared boundaries are best managed when ownership is confirmed before work starts. Check title deeds or any existing neighbour agreement and, if ownership is unclear, discuss options with your neighbour and record any arrangement in writing. Fences over two metres or those next to a highway can require additional consent — check with your planning authority if in doubt. In conservation areas or on listed properties restrictions may apply and should be verified before ordering materials. Where the work affects a shared access or requires storage on a neighbour’s land, obtain written permission and set out how disturbed areas will be reinstated.
AREAS WE SERVE
Living in Cockfosters? Tell us your postcode and we’ll confirm availability and arrange a survey where required. We also cover nearby parts of North London and neighbouring towns such as Barnet, Southgate and Potters Bar.
DISCUSS YOUR LOCATIONSTART THE CONVERSATION
Send us a few photographs and your postcode using the form, or give us a call. We will come back to you, arrange a survey where one is needed, and set out in writing what we recommend and why before any work is agreed.
QUESTIONS / FENCING & CARPENTRY
Questions about permissions, who is responsible for a boundary, or whether to repair or replace? The answers below set out practical steps and the information we use when preparing a quote or recommending work.
ASK ANOTHER QUESTIONMost domestic fences don’t need planning permission. Exceptions include fences over two metres high or over one metre next to a public road or pavement, and properties in conservation areas or listed buildings where extra rules can apply. Check with Enfield Council for certainty and tell us if your property might be affected so we can note it on the survey.
We undertake both targeted repairs and full installations. If the issue is limited — a few rotten posts or panels — a repair can extend life at lower cost. Where posts are broadly decayed or the run has moved substantially, replacement is usually the more reliable option. We explain the practical trade-offs after inspecting the boundary.
Treated softwood is a common choice because it balances cost and performance; hardwoods or composite materials require less maintenance but cost more upfront. For post bases and high-wear areas use stronger framing and corrosion-resistant fixings. We talk through these trade-offs during a survey so you can match appearance, maintenance and budget.
Responsibility is usually set out in title deeds or neighbour agreements. If ownership is unclear, talk to your neighbour and check documentation before starting work to avoid disputes. Where responsibility is shared, agree the specification and cost split beforehand so there are no surprises during installation.
We can remove old fencing and clear waste as part of a replacement project; this is detailed in the written quote. If materials need special disposal due to treatment or contamination we’ll note that and include appropriate handling in the estimate so you know what’s included.
Send clear photos of the full boundary and the damaged area, your postcode, and any notes on access restrictions or known underground services. If you have deeds or a neighbour agreement that clarifies boundary ownership, include that too. These details speed up the review and help us provide a focused estimate.
