Planning Guide

New Fence and New Lawn – Which Job Should Be Done First?

Fence first. It is one of the few questions in garden work with no interesting answer.

Updated 1 September 2026 Garden Fencing · Hanham

The Short Answer

The fence, always. Fencing involves digging, spoil, concrete, heavy materials carried across the plot and repeated traffic along the boundary. New turf survives none of it.

Turf is the finishing layer, for the same reason carpet goes down after the decorating is done.

What Fencing Does to a Lawn

What happensResult on new turf
Barrow across itRuts and torn seams
Spoil heaped on itYellowing and dead patches
Cement or mortar spillPermanent — the pH change kills grass
Repeated foot trafficCompaction and poor rooting
Materials stackedDead rectangles
Turf lifted and relaidRarely knits properly the second time

Call Us Today For A Free Quote

Tell us what you need and we will arrange a free quotation.

The Practical Advantages Beyond Protection

Set the turf level below the gravel board, not against the fence timber. Soil and turf banked against a fence holds moisture permanently against the wood and shortens its life considerably — which is the commonest avoidable cause of fence failure. It is easy to get right when the fence goes in first, and awkward to correct once the lawn is down.

The Full Order

Every gardener has a story about a lawn laid the week before the fencers arrived. None of them end well.

How Long Between Them

If the Lawn Is Already Down

Garden Fencing in Hanham

See what our garden fencing service covers in Hanham, or read more about the service across the areas we work in.

Garden Fencing Hanham → Garden Fencing Bristol →

FAQs

Fence and Lawn Order in Hanham — FAQs

Should the fence or the lawn go in first?

The fence, always. Fencing involves digging, spoil, concrete and repeated traffic across the plot, none of which new turf survives.

What happens if turf is laid first?

Ruts from barrows, torn seams, dead patches under spoil, and permanent damage anywhere cement is spilled.

How long should I leave between fencing and turfing?

Long enough for post concrete to set, spoil to be cleared and the levelled ground to settle — usually days. A seasonal gap works well too.

Should turf touch the fence?

No. Set the level below the gravel board, so soil is not banked against the timber — that is the commonest avoidable cause of fence failure.

Can turf be protected during fencing?

Partly, with boards and a defined access lane, but not perfectly. Tell us in advance and expect some repair.

Is it cheaper to do both together?

Usually. One set-up, one access arrangement, and the old fence, spoil and clearance waste all leave together.

What order should the whole garden go in?

Clearance, then trees and stumps, then fencing, then levelling, then turf last.

How long should I stay off new turf?

Around a fortnight as a guide, and longer in poor establishing conditions.

Request a Free Quote

Tell Us About Your Tree or Garden Work

Need tree surgery, hedge maintenance, fencing, garden clearance, turfing or power washing? Complete the form and tell us what work you require.

Prefer to speak to us? Call 07788 912140 or 01179 110230. We use your details only to respond to this enquiry — see our privacy policy.