Picket fencing in Margate, done to the coastal spec.

What's included

• Softwood or hardwood pickets, pointed-top or round-top, spaced to the traditional gap-equal-to-picket-width
• Timber posts (softwood pressure-treated to UC4, or hardwood on request), set in mixed post concrete
• Two rails (top and bottom) with pickets fixed vertically between
• Optional paint or stain finish in white, cream, sage green, charcoal or Old Town-appropriate colours
• Matching pedestrian gate to same picket style if wanted
• Photo record of the finished run

Timing

A standard 12-metre picket run: 1-2 working days including a coat of paint. A matching gate: half-day extra. Repaints on an existing picket run: costed per metre depending on prep required.

Margate-specific notes

Front-boundary height limit. Thanet DC permitted-development rules cap a front boundary at 1 metre where it adjoins a highway. Standard picket heights (3ft or 4ft to top of picket point) sit inside this - which is one reason picket is such a common answer on Margate cottage fronts.

Old Town conservation area. Painted white picket at 3ft is the sympathetic streetscape choice on the harbour district. Ironmongery is period-appropriate - no galvanised gate springs on visible frontages; use black-japanned or self-close hidden hinges.

Coastal exposure on painted finish. Salt spray strips paint from Cliftonville front gardens fast. Every 3-4 years on a painted picket, expect a wash-down and re-coat. Stained finishes weather more gracefully.

Pricing

Standard 3ft painted picket on UC4 posts: £65-95 per metre installed including one coat of paint. 4ft picket runs £75-105 per metre. Matching pedestrian gate £180-280 supply and fit. Hardwood picket upgrade: pricing on request depending on timber choice.