Temporary Fencing in Canterbury (CT) – Emergency Site Security & Perimeter Protection
When something happens that leaves a property exposed—vehicle impact, fire damage, storm debris, break-in, or a gate that won’t lock—securing the perimeter can be just as important as boarding up a window. Temporary fencing gives you a fast, practical way to control access, reduce risk, and show insurers and landlords that you’ve taken immediate steps to protect the site.
Boarding Up Canterbury provides temporary fencing across Canterbury and the CT postcode area (CT1–CT50) as part of our make-safe and emergency security work. If you need help out of hours or you’re dealing with an active incident, call us and we’ll talk you through options and give a realistic ETA.
Need urgent help to secure a site now? Call 01227 953 460 or email us.
For immediate assistance, see emergency boarding up.
When temporary fencing is the right call (and when it isn’t)
Temporary fencing is ideal when the issue is access to land or a building boundary, not just a broken opening. Common reasons people in Canterbury and CT call us include:
- After an accident/impact where a wall, fence line, or gate has been knocked down and the area is open to the public
- Fire damage where the structure is unsafe to enter but the site needs securing (we secure the perimeter; we don’t provide smoke/odour remediation)
- Storm damage where panels have come down and the boundary is no longer secure
- Vacant or void properties where you need to deter trespass, fly-tipping, or opportunistic theft
- Commercial premises where a loading bay, yard, or side access has become vulnerable overnight
- Ongoing repairs—builders on site, scaffolding up, glazing works booked but not yet done
Temporary fencing is not a substitute for boarding up broken glazing or a compromised door. Often the best solution is a combination: perimeter fencing plus boarding for openings. If your priority is to board up a broken window or board up a door, we’ll advise whether window boarding in Canterbury and/or door boarding should be done alongside fencing.
Not sure what you need? Call and describe what’s happened—photos by text or email can help us recommend the safest make-safe approach.
Call 01227 953 460
Emergency use-cases we see across Canterbury & the CT area
People rarely plan for temporary fencing. Most call us when something has already gone wrong and they need the site controlled quickly.
1) Impact damage: open boundaries and public safety risks
A vehicle strike can remove a section of boundary fencing, damage a wall, or leave a corner of a site open to passers-by. Your immediate concern is safety and liability—especially if there are hazards inside the boundary (debris, exposed materials, unstable areas).
In these cases, temporary fencing provides fast perimeter control while longer-term repairs are arranged. If there’s also building damage, we may recommend additional make-safe measures under accident damage support.
2) Fire damage: securing the perimeter while access is restricted
After a fire, the building might be unsafe to enter, and windows/doors may be missing or compromised. Even if the fire service has finished, the site can still attract unwanted attention.
We can help you secure property by controlling perimeter access and, where safe to do so, coordinate with boarding-up works (for example, roof boarding if skylights/openings are exposed, or window/door boarding where access is safe). See fire damage securing for what to do next.
3) Storm damage: broken gates, downed panels, exposed yards
High winds can take out fence panels and gates—particularly in more exposed coastal and rural parts of CT. Even if the building itself is intact, an open boundary can lead to theft of tools, dumped waste, or trespass.
Temporary fencing is often the quickest way to restore control while permanent fencing materials are sourced and installed.
4) Break-ins and vandalism: controlling access beyond the doorway
Sometimes a burglary or vandalism incident isn’t limited to a smashed window—the intruder may have accessed a rear alley, yard, or side entrance. If a gate has been forced or hinges ripped out, fencing can be the difference between “secured tonight” and “open again by morning”.
If you’re dealing with a break-in, keep your police reference number and see burglary repairs and securing for practical next steps.
5) Vacant properties: deterring trespass and fly-tipping
If a property is empty between tenancies, being visibly unsecured can quickly lead to opportunistic problems. Temporary fencing can help reduce risk while you decide on longer-term measures for a void site. Depending on the property, you may also want vacant property boarding alongside fencing.
How our temporary fencing service works (what to expect)
When you call, we focus on two things: safety and practical security. We’ll ask a few quick questions so we can bring the right materials and fixings.
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Initial assessment on the phone
- What’s happened (accident, fire, storm, break-in, ongoing works)?
- What needs protecting (front boundary, rear yard, car park edge, side access)?
- Any immediate hazards (unstable structures, exposed electrics, sharp debris)?
- Who has access (tenant, site manager, key holder)?
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On-site make-safe plan
- We identify the shortest line to enclose the risk area (not overcomplicating it)
- We check ground conditions and where panels can be safely stabilised
- We confirm access points you still need (e.g., for contractors the next day)
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Installation
- Set up fencing panels and stabilisers appropriate to the site
- Position access gates or controlled entry points where required
- Use anti-tamper connections where feasible (site dependent)
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Handover and documentation
- We can provide time-stamped photos, a clear work description, and an itemised invoice—often helpful for property managers and insurance claims
- If something is too unsafe to address without specialist support, we’ll tell you plainly and help you plan the next step
If you need immediate attendance out of hours, start with the emergency page: 24/7 boarding up.
Materials and methods (what we use and why)
Temporary fencing isn’t “one size fits all”. The right setup depends on exposure, duration, and how determined someone might be to enter.
Common fencing types we deploy
- Steel mesh temporary fencing panels for fast perimeter setup on residential, commercial, and mixed-use sites
- Stabilisers/feet suitable for hardstanding or uneven ground (site dependent)
- Clamps and couplers to connect panels securely and reduce gaps
- Controlled access points where you need a clear route for contractors or authorised entry
What “good” temporary fencing should achieve
- Visible deterrent: makes it clear the site is controlled and monitored
- Physical barrier: prevents casual entry and reduces opportunistic crime
- Safer perimeter: helps keep the public away from hazards
- Practical access: allows planned entry for repairs without dismantling everything
How fencing integrates with boarding up
Temporary fencing is often paired with boarding because one controls the boundary and the other secures openings:
- If you have a shopfront boarded up requirement but the yard is exposed, we can combine fencing with shopfront boarding.
- If you need to make safe a damaged door and the gate is broken too, we can coordinate door boarding with perimeter control.
- For overhead openings after a storm, fencing can help protect the site while roof boarding is carried out.
If you’re not sure whether you need boarding, fencing, or both, we’ll explain the pros/cons before we proceed.
Typical scenarios (what we do on real-world call-outs)
A few examples of how temporary fencing is commonly used around Canterbury and the CT area:
- A rear boundary fails at a rented house and the garden backs onto a footpath: we fence off the vulnerable section to prevent access until a permanent fence is installed.
- A commercial side alley becomes accessible after a gate is forced: we secure the alley to reduce repeat entry while glazing/locks are arranged.
- A damaged structure after a fire: we fence the perimeter to restrict access and reduce liability while investigations and repairs take place.
- Storm damage to an outbuilding and yard: fencing helps secure the area overnight while additional boarding is scheduled.
These aren’t unusual jobs—they’re the practical problems people need solved quickly, especially when they’re stressed and trying to protect a property from getting worse.
What you can do right now (especially if it’s urgent)
If you’ve got an exposed boundary, broken gate, or unsafe area:
- If there’s immediate danger, call emergency services first. Don’t enter unstable structures.
- Keep people away from the hazard area—especially children and pets.
- Take a few photos if it’s safe (wide shot + close-ups of the breach/damage).
- Contact your insurer early if this is claim-related. Keep your claim/police reference number handy.
- Call us for a make-safe plan and a realistic ETA.
If the incident is linked to a break-in or vandalism, see vandalism repairs and burglary repairs for guidance.
Temporary fencing for commercial sites, landlords, and vacant properties
Temporary fencing is frequently used by:
- Shop owners and facilities managers who need to control access after damage, theft attempts, or during repairs
- Landlords and managing agents securing boundaries between tenancies
- Contractors and project managers who need a fast perimeter during building works (and want clear documentation)
If the building itself is also vulnerable, you may want to review:
We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and we’ve been trading 10+ years—the basics that matter when you’re handing someone responsibility for securing your site.
Insurance and reporting (what we can provide)
We’re not loss adjusters, but we can support your claim by providing the documentation insurers typically ask for:
- Itemised invoice describing the make-safe work carried out
- Time-stamped photos of installed fencing and the secured perimeter
- Notes on access limitations or safety constraints encountered on site
For more guidance, see insurance claims support.
FAQs – Temporary fencing in Canterbury & CT
How quickly can you put up temporary fencing?
We prioritise urgent situations and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours where needed. We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times because workload and travel conditions vary, but we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.
Is temporary fencing enough to secure a property after a break-in?
It depends on what’s been compromised. Fencing helps control external access, but if there’s a smashed window or forced door, you’ll usually need boarding as well. We often combine fencing with window boarding or door boarding to properly secure property.
Can you fence off just part of a site (rather than the whole boundary)?
Yes. In many cases, the safest approach is to enclose only the affected area—especially after an accident or structural damage—so you still have practical access for authorised entry and repairs.
Do you provide fencing for vacant properties in CT postcodes?
Yes. We cover Canterbury and the wider CT area (CT1–CT50) and regularly help with vacant/void sites. If you’re managing an empty building, it may be worth looking at vacant property boarding alongside perimeter fencing.
What if the ground is uneven or there’s no hardstanding?
We’ll assess on site and install the most stable setup possible for the conditions. If a location can’t be made safe with temporary fencing alone, we’ll explain why and talk through alternatives.
Will temporary fencing stop determined intruders?
Temporary fencing is a deterrent and a barrier—effective against casual access and opportunistic theft—but no temporary measure is invincible. If the risk is high (repeat attempts, isolated site, valuable contents), we’ll recommend additional steps such as boarding up vulnerable openings and improving access control.
Can you work alongside other contractors or property managers?
Yes. We’re used to liaising with facilities teams, landlords, and on-site contractors. If RAMS or site rules are in place, tell us when you call so we can plan accordingly.
Do you provide receipts and photos for insurance?
Yes. We can provide an itemised invoice and time-stamped photos of the completed make-safe work—useful for insurers and for property management records. See insurance claims support for more.
Related services that are often needed at the same time
Temporary fencing is commonly part of a wider make-safe package. Depending on what happened, you may also need:
- emergency boarding up (urgent, out-of-hours help)
- shopfront boarding for commercial glazing
- roof boarding after storm or fire exposure
- burglary repairs and securing if access was forced
If you want to understand cost drivers first, see pricing—we don’t publish fixed prices because every site and risk level is different, but we explain what affects the quote.
Ready to secure your site?
If you need temporary fencing in Canterbury or anywhere across the CT postcodes—especially after damage, a break-in, or during urgent repairs—call us and we’ll help you make safe and secure the property with a practical plan.
Need help now? Call 01227 953 460 for immediate assistance.
Or email us if you can safely send photos and details.