When to call a pro
Storm Damage Garden Clean-Up: What to Do
7 min read · Updated August 2026
Every winter, Berkshire gets its share of named storms, and the morning after is usually the same story: fence panels flat in the garden, branches down, and bins or trampolines that have travelled further than they should have. It's tempting to get straight out there and start clearing up, but a few minutes spent assessing the situation properly first can save a lot of hassle later, both in terms of safety and insurance.
This guide covers what to check first, how to prioritise the clean-up, when to call a professional rather than deal with it yourself, and what to do about insurance if the damage is significant. We handle storm clean-ups and fence repairs across Wokingham, Earley, Arborfield, Spencers Wood, Sindlesham, Farley Hill, Bracknell and Winnersh - if you need help after a storm, call 07769315849.
Check for immediate hazards before you clear anything
Before touching anything, look for hazards that need leaving well alone: damaged power lines or cables anywhere near the garden, structural damage to the house, garage or shed, and any large tree limbs that look partially attached and could come down further. If you see anything involving power lines, don't approach it - contact your electricity network operator.
It's also worth checking gas meters, boiler flues and any external pipework for damage if debris has fallen near them, and checking that roof tiles or guttering haven't come loose, since these can fall unexpectedly even after the storm has passed.
Photograph everything before you move it
If you're likely to make an insurance claim - for a fence, shed, greenhouse or damage to plants and hard landscaping - take clear photos of the damage from multiple angles before you clear anything away. Insurers generally want evidence of the damage as it was found, and it's much harder to get compensation for something you've already tidied up and can no longer show.
This applies particularly to fencing, since most standard buildings insurance only covers fence damage caused by storms in specific circumstances, and having clear photos plus a note of the date and approximate wind conditions strengthens any claim considerably.
Fallen and damaged fence panels
Fence panels are usually the most common storm casualty, and the pattern of damage tells you a lot about the cause. If the panels themselves are intact but have blown out of the posts, it's often the fixings or the posts that have failed rather than the panels, which means a proper repair needs to address the posts, not just replace the panel. If the posts have snapped at ground level, that's usually a sign of rot that had already set in before the storm, and it's worth checking neighbouring posts for the same issue.
Concrete posts and post spikes generally cope with storms better than timber posts set in soil, so if you're replacing storm-damaged fencing it's worth considering an upgrade to concrete posts or metpost supports rather than simply putting back what was there before.
Fallen branches and tree damage
Small to medium branches down in the garden are usually straightforward to clear yourself, provided you're comfortable using loppers or a pruning saw safely. Larger limbs, or anything still attached to the tree and hanging precariously, need more caution - these are heavier and more unpredictable than they look, and cutting them without the right technique or equipment can be genuinely dangerous.
If a tree itself looks unstable - leaning further than before the storm, with exposed or lifted roots, or with a significant crack in the trunk - it's a job for a qualified tree surgeon, not general garden clearance. Don't attempt to remove or reduce a compromised tree yourself.
Sheds, greenhouses and outbuildings
Glass from a damaged greenhouse should be cleared carefully with thick gloves, ideally double-bagged before disposal, and checked thoroughly since fragments can end up scattered some distance away, especially in grass where they're hard to spot. A shed that's shifted on its base or has a damaged roof needs assessing before it's used again, as it may no longer be structurally sound even if it looks intact from a distance.
If an outbuilding has been damaged badly enough that its contents are exposed to weather, it's worth moving valuable or vulnerable items indoors as a priority, even before dealing with the structure itself.
Lawn and border damage
Waterlogging is a common after-effect of storms, particularly on heavier clay soils common in parts of Berkshire. Avoid walking on a waterlogged lawn more than necessary, as this compacts the soil further and makes recovery slower. Once it's dried out a bit, aerating compacted areas helps drainage recover.
Plants that have been battered or partially uprooted by wind can often be firmed back into the soil and staked if caught quickly, rather than assumed lost. Give it a couple of weeks before deciding whether something has genuinely died, since plants can look worse than they are immediately after a storm.
Green waste and debris disposal
Storm clean-ups generate a lot of green waste quickly - branches, torn foliage, and often a full skip's worth of damaged fencing or shed material. Most councils' garden waste collections aren't designed for a sudden large volume, so for anything beyond a normal week's worth of waste, a dedicated clearance visit or skip hire is usually more practical than trying to fit it all into your usual bin collection.
When to call a professional rather than DIY
Call a professional for anything involving a tree that looks structurally compromised, damage near power lines, roof or structural damage to buildings, or a clean-up that's simply too large to tackle in a reasonable time yourself. It's also worth calling in help if you're dealing with the aftermath while also managing an insurance claim, since a professional can often provide the kind of documented, itemised clean-up that insurers want to see.
Typical storm clean-up costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| General debris clean-up (half day) | £120 - £220 |
| Fence panel replacement (per panel, incl. labour) | £90 - £180 |
| Fence post replacement (concrete, per post) | £60 - £120 |
| Fallen branch removal (small-medium) | £60 - £150 |
Frequently asked questions
- Does home insurance cover storm damage to fences?
- Often, but many policies have specific conditions or exclusions for fencing, so it's worth checking your policy wording and taking clear photos before any clean-up.
- Should I remove fallen branches myself?
- Small, detached branches are usually fine to clear yourself. Anything large, still attached, or near power lines should be left to a professional.
- How soon after a storm should I start clearing up?
- Once it's safe to go outside and you've checked for hazards like damaged power lines or unstable structures, there's no need to rush - photograph the damage first if you plan to claim on insurance.
- My fence post snapped at the base - is that storm damage or something else?
- Posts that snap at ground level have often already rotted, with the storm simply being the final push. It's worth checking neighbouring posts for the same issue.
- Can I put storm debris in my normal garden waste bin?
- For small amounts, yes, but a significant storm usually generates more waste than a standard collection can handle in one go, so a dedicated clearance is often more practical.