How Much Does Fencing Cost in 2026?
Most UK homeowners pay between £60 and £150 per metre for a new fence, fully installed. A standard 15-metre garden fence run costs around £1,200 to £2,000 depending on the type of fencing you choose.
£65–£110/m
Panel fence
£80–£130/m
Close board
£120–£200/m
Composite
1–3 days
Installation time
Prices updated April 2026 · Based on industry data and contractor submissions.
Fencing Prices per Metre by Type
Prices below include materials (panels or boards, posts, gravel boards, concrete) and installation labour. All prices are per linear metre for a standard 1.8m (6ft) high fence.
Lap panel fence (budget)
Overlap panels, timber posts, basic gravel boards
£60/m
£50 – £75/m
Close board (featherboard)
Individual boards nailed to arris rails, stronger and longer-lasting
£100/m
£80 – £130/m
Standard panel fence
Closeboard or feather-edge panels, timber or concrete posts
£85/m
£65 – £110/m
Picket fence
Open-top picket, typically 0.9m–1.2m high
£55/m
£40 – £75/m
Composite fencing
WPC composite panels, minimal maintenance, 25+ year lifespan
£150/m
£120 – £200/m
Metal railings / palisade
Steel or aluminium, powder-coated, maintenance-free
£180/m
£140 – £250/m
Garden Fence Cost by Length
What you can expect to pay for a complete fence installation at common garden sizes. Prices include removal of old fence, new posts, gravel boards, panels or featherboard, and all labour.
| Fence Run | Panel Fence | Close Board |
|---|---|---|
| 15 metres (typical small garden) | £900 – £1,300 | £1,200 – £1,950 |
| 20 metres (average garden) | £1,300 – £1,800 | £1,600 – £2,600 |
| 30 metres (large garden perimeter) | £1,950 – £2,700 | £2,400 – £3,900 |
Fence Post Costs: Concrete vs Timber
The type of post you choose affects both the upfront cost and how long the fence lasts. Concrete posts cost more initially but outlast timber by a decade or more.
| Post Type | Cost Each |
|---|---|
| Timber post (100mm x 100mm, 2.4m) | £12 – £20 |
| Concrete post (slotted, 2.4m) | £18 – £30 |
| Concrete post (intermediate) | £15 – £25 |
| Steel post (for composite fencing) | £30 – £50 |
| Postcrete / post mix (per bag) | £5 – £8 |
Garden Gate Costs
Most garden fences include at least one side gate. Driveway gates are a bigger investment. Prices below are for supply and fitting.
Timber side gate (standard)
Featherboard or matchboard, 0.9m wide
£150
£80 – £250
Metal side gate
Powder-coated steel, 0.9m wide
£250
£150 – £400
Timber driveway gates (pair)
Softwood or hardwood, manual opening
£500
£300 – £1,000
Metal driveway gates (pair)
Steel or wrought iron, manual opening
£800
£500 – £1,500
Gate installation (labour)
Hanging, fitting hardware, adjusting
£150
£100 – £250
Old Fence Removal & Disposal Costs
If you need an old fence taken down before the new one goes up, here is what to budget. Many fencing contractors include removal in their overall installation price, but always check.
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Remove and dispose of old panel fence | £30 – £50 per panel |
| Remove concrete posts | £40 – £60 per post |
| Remove old fence (per metre) | £4 – £8/m |
| Skip hire (if needed) | £200 – £350 |
Labour Rates
| Trade | Rate |
|---|---|
| Fencing contractor (day rate) | £200 – £350 |
| Fencing contractor (per panel installed) | £30 – £50 |
| Fencing contractor (per metre, labour only) | £25 – £45 |
| Groundworker (for difficult terrain) | £200 – £300 |
Most fencing contractors quote per metre or per job rather than a day rate. A day rate is more common for bespoke or unusual fencing work.
Panel Replacement vs Full New Fence
If your fence posts are still in good condition, replacing just the panels is much cheaper than a full fence installation. Here is a quick comparison for a 15-metre fence run.
| Option | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Panels only (8 panels) | £350 – £600 |
| Full fence (panels + posts + gravel boards) | £1,200 – £2,000 |
Tip: Test each post by pushing it firmly at the top. If it wobbles or feels soft at ground level, it needs replacing. If it is solid and plumb, you are safe to reuse it.
Who Owns the Fence? Boundary Rules in England & Wales
Fence ownership is one of the most common sources of neighbour disputes in the UK. Here is what you need to know before you start.
Check the title deeds
Your property title deeds (available from the Land Registry for £3) will show boundary ownership using T-marks. A T-mark on your side of the boundary means the fence is your responsibility. If the T is on both sides (an H-mark), both parties share responsibility.
No T-mark? No obligation
If there is no T-mark on the boundary, neither party is legally obliged to maintain the fence. In practice, most neighbours work something out between them. There is no legal rule that says the left-hand fence is yours - that is a myth.
Height restrictions
Garden fences up to 2 metres (6ft 6in) high do not normally need planning permission. If the boundary is next to a highway, public footpath, or bridleway, the maximum drops to 1 metre without permission. Listed buildings and conservation areas may have stricter rules - check with your local council.
Talk to your neighbour
Even if the fence is legally your responsibility, it is good practice to tell your neighbour before replacing it. They may want to contribute to the cost, choose the style, or at least be aware of when the work is happening. A quick conversation now avoids an awkward complaint later.
What Affects the Cost of Fencing?
Fence type and material
Budget lap panels cost half the price of close board, and a quarter the price of composite. Close board is the most popular choice for a reason - it is strong, looks good, and individual boards can be replaced without taking down the whole fence. Composite fencing costs more upfront but needs virtually no maintenance for 25 years.
Ground conditions
Soft, level ground is the easiest and cheapest to work with. Rocky ground, heavy clay, tree roots, and slopes all add time and cost. If the ground is very stony, post holes may need a pneumatic breaker, which adds to the bill. Sloping gardens require stepped panels or raked panels, both of which cost more than a flat run.
Access to the site
If the fencing contractor can drive up to the fence line and unload materials directly, the job is faster and cheaper. If materials have to be carried through the house, down steps, or along a narrow alley, add 10 to 20% for the extra time involved.
Length of the run
Longer runs are cheaper per metre because the setup and travel costs are spread over more fencing. A 30-metre job will cost less per metre than a 10-metre run, even using the same materials.
Post type
Concrete posts cost more than timber (£18 to £30 vs £12 to £20 each) but last far longer. For a 15-metre fence with 9 posts, the extra cost of concrete posts is roughly £50 to £90 - a small premium for 10+ extra years of life.
Your location
Labour rates are highest in London and the South East (up to 30% above the national average) and lowest in the North East and Wales (10 to 15% below). Materials cost roughly the same everywhere in the UK.
Fencing Costs by Region
Average cost per metre for close board fencing, fully installed with concrete posts and gravel boards.
| Region | Average Cost | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| London | £130/m | +30% |
| South East | £115/m | +15% |
| South West | £108/m | +8% |
| East of England | £105/m | +5% |
| Midlands | £100/m | Average |
| North West | £92/m | -8% |
| Yorkshire | £90/m | -10% |
| North East | £85/m | -15% |
| Scotland | £90/m | -10% |
| Wales | £88/m | -12% |
Based on industry data. Prices for close board fencing with concrete posts, fully installed.
How to Get Your Fencing for Less
Fencing is one of the more straightforward outdoor jobs, and there are genuine ways to reduce the cost without cutting corners on quality.
Get three quotes from specialist fencers
Fencing prices vary significantly between contractors. A general handyman will often charge more for fencing than a specialist fencer who does it every day and buys materials in bulk. Always get at least three quotes and make sure each one covers the same specification - type of panel, post type, gravel boards, and whether old fence removal is included.
Use concrete posts instead of timber
Concrete posts cost a few pounds more per post but last 25+ years compared to 10 to 15 for timber. When you factor in the cost of replacing rotten timber posts in 10 years time, concrete posts are cheaper over the life of the fence. Slotted concrete posts also make it easy to slide new panels in when the time comes.
Remove the old fence yourself
Pulling down old panels and extracting timber posts is hard work but not complicated. If you can do the removal and take the old fence to the tip yourself, most fencing contractors will knock £100 to £300 off the installation price. Concrete posts are much harder to extract - consider leaving those to the professionals.
Replace panels only if posts are sound
If your fence posts are still solid and upright, you can replace just the panels for a fraction of the cost of a full new fence. Panel replacement costs roughly £30 to £60 per panel in materials and £15 to £25 in labour - compared to £80 to £130 per metre for a full replacement including posts and concrete.
Buy panels after storms
Fencing companies and builders merchants often run deals on fence panels in late autumn and winter when demand spikes after storm season. If your fence can wait a few weeks, you may find panels 10 to 20% cheaper. B&Q, Wickes, and independent timber merchants all run seasonal fencing sales.
Talk to your neighbour first
If the fence sits on a shared boundary, your neighbour may be willing to split the cost. Even if the fence is legally your responsibility, approaching them first avoids disputes and could halve your bill. The Fencing Contractors Association recommends agreeing on style and specification before work starts. It is much easier to agree before the fence goes up than afterwards.
What to Expect: The Fence Installation Process
A standard garden fence takes 1 to 3 days depending on the length and ground conditions. Here is the typical sequence.
- 1
Site visit and quote
The fencing contractor measures the run, checks the ground conditions (soft soil, rocky ground, tree roots), identifies any slopes, and discusses post type and panel style. They should also confirm whether old fence removal is included in the quote.
- 2
Remove old fence
Old panels are taken down and posts are extracted. Timber posts can usually be pulled or dug out. Concrete posts are heavier and may need to be broken out. All old materials are loaded for disposal.
- 3
Set posts in concrete
Post holes are dug (typically 600mm deep), posts are set plumb using a spirit level, and concrete or postcrete is poured around the base. The concrete needs at least 24 hours to cure before panels are hung - a good contractor will not rush this step.
- 4
Fit gravel boards and panels
Gravel boards go at the base between posts to protect the bottom of the fence from ground contact and moisture. Panels or featherboards are then fixed between the posts. On sloped ground, panels may need to be stepped or raked to follow the gradient.
- 5
Gates, post caps, and finishing
Any gates are hung and adjusted so they swing freely and latch properly. Post caps are fitted to the top of each post to prevent water sitting on the end grain. The fence line is checked for alignment and any loose fixings are tightened.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does fencing cost per metre in the UK?
Fencing costs between £60 and £150 per metre fully installed, depending on the type. Budget lap panel fencing costs £50 to £70 per metre. Standard close board fencing runs £80 to £120 per metre. Composite fencing costs £120 to £200 per metre. These prices include materials, concrete for the posts, and installation labour.
How much does it cost to fence a standard garden?
A standard garden fence of 15 metres using close board panels costs roughly £1,500 to £2,100. A 20-metre run costs £2,000 to £2,800, and a 30-metre perimeter costs £3,000 to £4,200. These prices include posts, gravel boards, panels or featherboard, concrete, and labour.
Who is responsible for the fence between two properties?
There is no law in England and Wales that says a specific neighbour must maintain a boundary fence. Check the title deeds - a T-mark on the boundary line shows whose responsibility the fence is. If there is no T-mark, neither party is legally obliged to maintain the fence. In practice, most neighbours agree to split the cost or take turns replacing it. Talk to your neighbour before doing anything - replacing a fence without discussion can cause disputes.
Do I need planning permission for a garden fence?
Generally, no - as long as the fence is no taller than 2 metres (6 feet 6 inches). If the fence borders a highway, public footpath, or bridleway, the maximum height without planning permission drops to 1 metre. If your property is listed or in a conservation area, you may need consent regardless of height. Check with your local council if in doubt.
How long does a fence last?
A standard pressure-treated softwood panel fence lasts 10 to 15 years with occasional maintenance. Close board fencing lasts 15 to 20 years because individual boards can be replaced without removing the whole fence. Composite fencing can last 25 years or more with very little maintenance. Concrete posts outlast timber posts by a significant margin - expect 25+ years from a concrete post versus 10 to 15 years from a timber one.
Is close board or panel fencing better?
Close board (featherboard) fencing is stronger and lasts longer because individual boards overlap and can be replaced individually. It also handles wind better because it flexes rather than catching the wind like a solid panel. Panel fencing is cheaper and faster to install. For exposed or windy sites, close board is the better choice. For sheltered gardens where budget matters, panel fencing does the job.
How much does a garden gate cost?
A standard timber side gate costs £80 to £200 for the gate itself, plus £100 to £200 for installation including the gate post and hardware. A pair of driveway gates starts from around £300 for basic timber and runs to £2,000 or more for bespoke hardwood or metal gates. Automated driveway gates with an electric opener start at around £2,500 fully installed.
Can I replace just the fence panels without changing the posts?
Yes, if the posts are still solid and upright. This is one of the cheapest ways to refresh a tired fence. Replacing panels only costs roughly £30 to £60 per panel for materials, plus £15 to £25 per panel for labour. Check the posts by pushing them firmly - if they wobble or feel soft at the base, they need replacing too. Concrete posts rarely need replacing; timber posts rot at ground level over time.
How much does it cost to remove an old fence?
Removing and disposing of an old fence costs roughly £4 to £8 per metre, or £30 to £50 per panel including the post. Most fencing contractors include removal in their installation quote, but always check - some charge it as an extra. Old concrete posts are harder to remove than timber and may cost more. If you are happy to pull the old fence out yourself and take it to the tip, most installers will reduce their quote.
Related cost guides
Written by Sarah Mitchell, Less.co.uk home improvement specialist
Last updated: · Pricing based on industry data and verified contractor submissions · Methodology
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