How Much Does a New Fence Cost in the UK?

Whether you are replacing a blown-down panel or fencing a full garden boundary, the cost of a new fence in the UK varies widely. Fence type, height, ground conditions and your location all push the final price up or down, and most homeowners are surprised by how quickly a straightforward job can add up once posts, gravel boards, concrete and labour are included.

This guide breaks down realistic 2026 prices for every common fence type, explains what drives costs, and tells you what to expect from a professional installer so you can budget properly before anyone picks up a spade.

Fence Costs by Type

The single biggest factor in your quote is the type of fence you choose. Lap panel fencing is the cheapest and most common, while hand-crafted close board or hardwood options cost considerably more. The table below covers installed prices per metre for 2026, assuming standard ground conditions and 1.8 metre height where applicable.

What Does a Fencing Contractor Charge Per Day?

Labour is typically between 30 and 50 percent of the total cost on a standard wooden fence job. Most fencing contractors in the UK quote per metre rather than per day, but if you are asking about day rates, expect the following.

A two-person team can typically erect 15 to 25 metres of close board fencing in a day on a clear, level run. Lap panel work goes faster, often 25 to 40 metres per day for two people.

Key Factors That Affect the Final Price

Quoting a single figure for any fence job is difficult because several variables push the price up significantly. Here is what fencing contractors look at when building a quote.

• Fence length and number of posts: Posts are typically set every 1.8 metres, so a 20-metre run needs around 12 posts. Each concrete-set post adds £20 to £40 in labour alone.
• Ground conditions: Rocky, clay-heavy or root-filled ground slows digging considerably and may require a breaker hire, adding £50 to £150 to the job.
• Old fence removal: Removing existing fencing and disposing of it costs £150 to £400 depending on length, condition and whether concrete bases need to be broken out.
• Gravel boards: Concrete gravel boards along the base protect panels from ground moisture and add £10 to £20 per metre to material costs.
• Height: Fencing above 1.8 metres may need planning permission. Going to 2.1 metres increases material costs by 15 to 25 percent.
• Slope or uneven ground: Stepped or raked panel runs on sloping ground take longer to install and often waste material, adding 10 to 20 percent to labour.
• Location: London and the South East typically attract a 20 to 30 percent premium on labour compared to the Midlands or North of England.
• Timber treatment and finish: Pre-treated tanalised timber is standard, but adding a stain or paint finish on site adds £3 to £8 per metre in labour and materials.

Full Project Cost Examples

It helps to see how the costs stack up on complete jobs rather than per-metre figures in isolation. The examples below are realistic 2026 estimates for common residential scenarios, including materials, labour, concrete, post caps and removal of an existing fence.

• Small back garden (15 metres, lap panels): Expect to pay £1,200 to £2,000 fully installed, including removal of old fencing.
• Average garden boundary (25 metres, close board): Budget between £2,500 and £5,500 for a quality job with concrete gravel boards and capped posts.
• Front garden picket fence (10 metres): A neat picket fence with gate will typically cost £800 to £1,600 installed.
• Large garden or paddock (50 metres, post and rail): Post and rail across a long rural boundary runs to roughly £1,750 to £4,000.
• Composite privacy fence (20 metres): Composite panels with aluminium posts cost £3,000 to £7,000 fitted, but they are effectively maintenance-free.

Fence Posts and Concrete: What Is Included?

The posts are the most important structural element of any fence and the area where corners are most commonly cut. A properly installed fence post should be set in concrete at a depth of at least 600 mm for a 1.8-metre-high fence, and ideally 750 mm.

• Wooden fence post (100 x 100 mm tanalised, 2.4 m): £12 to £25 per post for supply.
• Concrete fence post: £15 to £30 per post for supply. Heavier to handle but longer-lasting.
• Steel or aluminium post: £30 to £80 per post. Common with composite or metal panel systems.
• Ready-mix concrete per post: £3 to £6 in materials. Labour to set each post adds £20 to £40 as noted above.
• Post spike (alternative to concrete): £8 to £20 per spike. Acceptable for lighter fences in firm ground, but not recommended for exposed positions.

Contractors who skip proper concrete setting or use undersized posts are the main reason fences fail after a couple of winters. Always ask specifically how deep the posts will be set and whether they are being concreted in.

How to Save Money on a New Fence

There are sensible ways to reduce costs without compromising on the finished result.

• Do the demolition yourself: Removing the old fence and clearing the run before the contractor arrives can save £150 to £400 and free up time on the day.
• Buy your own materials: Trade timber merchants are considerably cheaper than buying through a contractor. If you supply materials directly, you may save 15 to 25 percent on that element, though check the contractor is happy with this arrangement.
• Avoid peak season: Fencing contractors are busiest from March to September. Booking in November or January often brings a 5 to 15 percent reduction.
• Compare at least three quotes: Prices vary more on fencing than almost any other garden trade. Getting three written quotes on a 20-metre job can reveal a difference of £500 or more.
• Consider a partial DIY approach: If you are confident with post-setting and basic carpentry, you can do the groundwork yourself and pay a contractor to hang and finish the panels.

DIY Fencing Costs vs Hiring a Professional

If you are considering doing the work yourself, the material-only costs give you a useful benchmark. A DIY lap panel fence on a 20-metre run will cost roughly £600 to £1,100 in materials, compared to £1,600 to £2,600 fully installed. The saving is real, but factor in tool hire (post-hole digger hire runs to £50 to £80 per day), your own time, and the risk of posts not being set correctly.

Close board fencing is more demanding to install than panels and errors are costly to put right. Most people without fencing experience find lap panel and picket fences manageable, while close board and feather edge work is better left to a professional unless you have done it before.

Planning Permission and Boundary Rules

In England and Wales, you do not normally need planning permission for a fence up to 1 metre high if it adjoins a road used by vehicles, or up to 2 metres high elsewhere. There are exceptions for listed buildings, conservation areas and some new-build estates, so always check with your local planning authority if you are unsure.

Boundary disputes are a separate issue from planning rules. The deeds to your property should show which boundaries you are responsible for maintaining, often indicated by a T-mark. If you are replacing a shared boundary fence, it is good practice to notify your neighbour beforehand rather than present them with a bill afterwards.