Fencing in Dunstablebuilt straight, set solid,guaranteed to stand.
New fences and storm repairs fitted by Francis himself. Send a photo of the damage or the boundary today and get a free, clear quote; no salesman, no subcontractors.
£100k Insured
Public liability cover
Licensed Waste Carrier
EA licence CBDU430346
Guaranteed Work
Fencing workmanship guaranteed
Free Photo Quotes
No site visit needed
Fencing overview
Fencing that does its job for years, not one winter
A fence has three jobs: mark your boundary, keep children, pets and visitors where they should be, and give you privacy in your own garden. When a panel blows out or a post starts leaning, it stops doing all three at once. Crown Property Services installs new fencing and repairs existing runs for homeowners in Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Toddington, Leighton Buzzard and across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
This service is for homeowners replacing a tired boundary, landlords tidying a rental between tenants, and anyone who has woken up after a windy night to a panel lying on the lawn. It also suits people who simply want a better-looking garden, with a fence that sits level and lines up properly.
Fencing is usually needed after storm damage, when posts have rotted at ground level, when you move into a new home with a patchy boundary, or when you want more privacy or security. The longer a damaged section is left, the more strain it puts on the panels either side.
Professional installation matters because the visible panels are only part of the job. The strength of a fence comes from the posts, how deep they are set, what they are set in, and whether the run is properly aligned. Francis sets every post with care, because a fence that is plumb and solid on day one is the one that is still standing after the next storm.
The cost of waiting
What happens when a damaged fence is left
A broken fence rarely stays a small problem. Each gap or lean adds load to the sections that are still standing.
The damage spreads
One loose panel catches the wind like a sail and pulls on the posts either side. A single panel repair can quickly become three or four panels and posts.
Security and privacy disappear
A gap in the boundary gives easy access to your garden and lets dogs or children out. Neighbours and passers-by can see straight in.
Rot reaches the posts
Timber left sitting on wet soil or touching the ground soaks up water. Once rot gets into a post at ground level, it has to be replaced rather than patched.
Disputes with neighbours
A leaning fence can push into a neighbour's garden or damage their plants and property. Fixing it early avoids an awkward conversation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Screwing a new panel onto a rotten post; it looks fixed until the next strong wind.
- Setting posts too shallow to save time, so the run leans within months.
- Letting panels sit directly on the soil with no gravel board, which speeds up rot.
- Buying the cheapest panels for an exposed garden where they will not cope with the wind.
How it works
The fencing process, step by step
- 1
Photos or site visit
Send photos of the fence and the area, or ask Francis to come and look. He checks the length, the ground, access and the condition of the existing posts.
- 2
Clear, free quote
You get a straightforward price covering materials, labour and removal of the old fence. No obligation.
- 3
Old fence removed
Damaged panels and posts are taken down and the old material is taken away legally under Francis's Environment Agency waste carrier licence.
- 4
Posts set and panels fitted
Posts are set level and in line, gravel boards fitted where needed, then panels or boards go in and the run is checked for straightness.
- 5
Tidy finish and guarantee
The area is cleared, you walk the fence with Francis, and the workmanship is guaranteed.
What you get
The benefits of doing it properly
One person from quote to finish
The person who measures your fence is the person who builds it, so nothing gets lost between a salesman and a fitter.
Built to stay upright
Attention goes into the posts and alignment, which is where most fences fail.
Guaranteed workmanship
Fencing is one of the services where Francis's workmanship is guaranteed.
Old fence taken away
No skip to hire and no trips to the tip. Waste is removed by a registered waste carrier.
Insured work
£100,000 public liability insurance covers the job.
Quote from a photo
Often you can get a price without waiting in for a site visit.
Pricing explained
What affects the cost of fencing
Every job is priced on what it actually needs, so there is no fixed price list. These are the things that make the biggest difference. Send photos and you will get a clear, free quote before any work starts.
Get a Free Price- Length and height of the run
- Most of the cost is driven by how many metres of fencing are needed and how tall it is. Taller fences need longer posts set deeper, which uses more material and time.
- Type of fence
- Pre-made panels are usually quicker to fit than closeboard built on site. Decorative slatted styles and hardwood cost more than standard softwood panels.
- Posts
- Timber and concrete posts are priced differently, and the number of posts depends on panel width and the shape of the boundary.
- Ground and access
- Hard, stony or root-filled ground takes longer to dig. Gardens with no side access mean materials have to be carried through the house.
- Removal of the old fence
- Taking down and disposing of an old fence is part of the job. Because Francis is a registered waste carrier, it goes in one price rather than a separate skip.
In detail
Fencing types, materials and when each one fits
There is no single right fence. The best choice depends on how exposed your garden is, how much privacy you want, your budget and the look you are after.
Closeboard fencing
Vertical overlapping boards fixed to horizontal rails between posts. Closeboard is built in place rather than bought as a panel, so it is strong and works well on gardens that slope or are exposed to the wind. It is a popular choice for rear boundaries where privacy and strength both matter.
Panel fencing
Pre-made panels such as lap, featheredge or slatted designs fitted between posts. Panels are quick to install and easy to replace one at a time if a section is damaged. They suit sheltered gardens and straight boundaries.
Timber and concrete posts
Timber posts give a natural look throughout. Concrete posts with slotted sides do not rot and make replacing panels in the future simple, which is useful in gardens that catch a lot of wind. Francis can talk you through which suits your boundary.
Gravel boards
A board fitted along the bottom of the fence lifts the timber panels off the soil. It is an inexpensive way to slow down rot and means the bottom board can be replaced without replacing the whole panel.
Gates
Side and garden gates take more wear than any other part of a boundary. A gate needs a strong post, properly fitted hinges and a latch that lines up so it closes every time.
Repairs versus replacement
If posts are sound, replacing a few damaged panels can be the sensible option. If posts are rotten at the base or the run is leaning badly, replacing the section saves money in the long run. Francis will tell you honestly which applies to your fence.
Front gardens, rear gardens and rentals
Front boundaries are often lower and more decorative. Rear boundaries usually need height and privacy. For landlords, a solid, low-maintenance fence helps keep a property in good order between tenancies.
Related services
Fencing across Beds & Herts
When you book fencing with Crown Property Services, you are not booking a company with an office, a sales team and a rota of subcontractors. You are booking Francis McDonagh. He is the person who answers the phone, looks at your photos, gives you the price and turns up to do the work. If you have a question halfway through the job, the person who knows the answer is standing in your garden.
Francis spent many years as an HGV driver before setting up the business. Throughout that time he was renovating and maintaining his own properties and helping family and friends with their repairs. That practical, hands-on experience is what Crown Property Services is built on: real work on real homes, not theory.
Every job is covered by £100,000 public liability insurance. Francis is a registered waste carrier with the Environment Agency (licence CBDU430346), which means old materials and waste from your job are removed and disposed of legally; you will not find them dumped down a country lane with your address on them. Workmanship on roofing, fencing and brickwork is guaranteed.
Quotes are free and can be given from photos or a site visit. Francis works Monday to Saturday, 08:30 to 18:30, across Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Leighton Buzzard, Toddington, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, St Albans, Harpenden and Redbourn. Payment is by bank transfer (BACS) or cash; card payments are not accepted.
Questions answered
Fencing FAQs
How much does a new fence cost in Dunstable?
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It depends on the length of the run, the type of fence, the posts and whether old fencing needs removing. Send photos and a rough length and Francis will give you a free, clear price.
How long does fence installation take?
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Most domestic fencing jobs are measured in days rather than weeks. Francis will tell you the expected timescale with your quote.
Is your fencing work guaranteed?
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Yes. Workmanship is guaranteed on all fencing projects.
Can you just replace a few broken panels?
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Yes, as long as the posts are sound. If the posts are rotten, Francis will explain why replacing them is the better option.
Do you take the old fence away?
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Yes. Francis is a registered waste carrier with the Environment Agency (licence CBDU430346), so old panels and posts are removed and disposed of legally.
How long will a new fence last?
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Lifespan depends on the materials, how exposed the garden is and how the fence is maintained. Using sound posts and gravel boards helps a fence last much longer.
Can you repair storm-damaged fencing?
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Yes. Send photos of the damage and Francis will get back to you about the next available slot. Francis works Monday to Saturday, 08:30 to 18:30.
Do you cover Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard?
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Yes. Francis covers Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Leighton Buzzard, Toddington, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, St Albans, Harpenden and Redbourn.
How do I pay?
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Payment is by bank transfer (BACS) or cash. Card payments are not accepted.
Get your fencing sortedby the person who quotes it.
Send a photo today for a free, no-obligation quote. Insured with £100,000 public liability cover, with guaranteed workmanship, and you deal with Francis from start to finish.