How Much Does Fence Installation Cost in the UK? [2026 Prices]
Written by Tom Ellis · Senior Trades Editor
Last updated: August 2026
Quick Answer
A typical 15-metre closeboard garden fence costs £800-1,800 on a supply and fit basis in 2026. Labour only (customer supplies panels and posts) runs £40-80 per panel. Featheredge boarding with concrete posts on the same run costs £1,200-2,800. London adds 30-50% to these figures.
What Does Fence Installation Cost in the UK?
Fence installation is one of the most common jobs a landscape gardener or general builder gets asked to quote. It looks straightforward from the outside, but the final cost varies considerably depending on the fence type, post material, ground conditions, and whether an existing fence needs removing first.
In 2026, the cost of supply and fit fencing in the UK ranges from around £80-150 per panel for standard closeboard panels with wooden posts, through to £90-160 per metre run for featheredge boarding, all the way up to 2-3 times those figures for composite fencing that needs no ongoing maintenance. For a typical semi-detached garden with around 15 metres of fencing, you are realistically looking at £800-1,800 for timber closeboard, or £1,200-2,800 for featheredge with concrete posts.
This guide covers all the main fence types, the full range of costs, what drives prices up or down, and how to find a reliable fencer. Whether you are a homeowner budgeting a garden project or a tradesperson benchmarking your own quotes, the figures below are based on 2026 UK market rates.
Fence Installation Cost by Type (2026)
The table below shows typical supply and fit costs for the most common fence types in the UK. Figures include posts, gravel boards where applicable, and standard installation on reasonably level ground. Gate fitting and old fence removal are priced separately.
| Fence Type | Cost per Panel / Metre | Typical 15m Run |
|---|---|---|
| Closeboard panels 1.8m x 1.8m (wooden posts) | £80-150 per panel | £800-1,800 |
| Featheredge boarding (concrete posts) | £90-160 per metre | £1,200-2,800 |
| Picket fence (front garden) | £30-70 per metre | £400-900 |
| Trellis top panels (addition) | £15-30 per panel extra | Additional to above |
| Composite fencing (supply and fit) | £150-350 per metre | £2,000-5,000+ |
| Labour only (customer supplies materials) | £40-80 per panel | Variable |
Figures are for England outside London on reasonably level ground. London adds 30-50%. Sloping gardens, hard ground, or removal of an existing fence add to the total.
Additional Costs to Budget For
Beyond the fence panels and posts themselves, several additional items commonly add to the final bill. It is worth factoring these in from the outset rather than treating them as surprises mid-job.
- Gate fitting: £80-200 per gate depending on size and weight
- Old fence removal and disposal: £100-300 for a typical garden run
- Concrete post upgrade (vs wooden posts): add £10-20 per post for longer life
- Gravel boards at the base: £10-20 per panel to protect the bottom rail from damp
- Post caps: £2-5 each, significantly extends post life by keeping rain out
- Treatment and staining: £50-150 for a standard fence run if not pre-treated
What Affects the Cost of Fence Installation?
Several factors can move a fence quote significantly upward. Understanding them before you invite tradespeople to quote means fewer surprises when estimates come back.
Fence type and materials
Closeboard panel fencing is the most cost-effective option for a rear garden boundary. Featheredge boarding costs more because it is fitted board by board rather than as a pre-made panel, giving a stronger, more bespoke result. Composite fencing costs 2-3 times the price of timber but requires no annual treatment and carries warranties of 25 years or more. Metal or wrought-iron fencing for a front boundary can cost considerably more again, depending on design.
Post type: timber vs concrete
Wooden posts cost less upfront but typically need replacing every 10-15 years as they rot at ground level. Concrete posts add £10-20 per post to the install cost but last the lifetime of the fence and eliminate the most common cause of fence failure. On a 15-metre run with roughly 10 posts, upgrading to concrete adds around £100-200 but is almost always worth it for rear garden privacy fencing.
Ground conditions
Rocky or clay-heavy soil makes post-setting considerably harder. If a fencer hits rock 30cm down, they may need a post hammer or specialist equipment to set posts securely. Steep slopes require more time because each panel needs to be stepped or raked individually to follow the grade. Both of these can add a meaningful amount to a quote, sometimes 20-40% on difficult sites.
Removal of old fencing
If the existing fence needs removing, this adds labour time and disposal cost. Removing and skipping old timber panels and posts typically adds £100-300 to a job depending on the volume. Old concrete posts set deep are the most time-consuming to remove, sometimes requiring a mechanical post-puller.
Gates
Adding a gate to a fence run costs £80-200 in fitting labour per gate, plus the cost of the gate itself. A standard 1-metre timber side gate costs £80-200 to supply. A double drive gate costs considerably more and may require strengthened posts set deeper with more concrete, adding further to the labour cost.
Location and access
Fencing in London and the South East costs significantly more than the national average due to higher tradesman day rates, material delivery costs, parking charges, and the general cost of running a business in the capital. Rural areas can sometimes attract a small premium if the fencer is travelling a long distance between jobs.
Regional Fence Installation Costs Across the UK
The table below shows typical supply and fit costs for a 15-metre closeboard fence with wooden posts (standard specification) by region. All figures are for 2026.
| Region | Typical Cost (15m closeboard, supply and fit) |
|---|---|
| London | £1,400-2,500 |
| South East | £1,200-2,200 |
| South West | £1,000-1,900 |
| Midlands | £900-1,700 |
| North West | £850-1,600 |
| North East | £800-1,500 |
| Yorkshire | £850-1,600 |
| Wales | £800-1,500 |
| Scotland | £900-1,700 |
| Northern Ireland | £750-1,400 |
Figures assume reasonably level ground and no removal of old fencing. Concrete posts, gates, removal, and sloping ground all add to the total.
Planning Permission for Garden Fences
For most domestic fence projects in England and Wales, planning permission is not required. The key rules under permitted development are:
- Fences up to 2 metres high are permitted development in rear gardens
- Fences adjacent to a highway (including a road, footpath, or public right of way) are limited to 1 metre without planning permission
- Listed buildings require listed building consent for any fence work
- Conservation areas may have additional restrictions on front boundary treatments
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own versions of permitted development rules, which differ in detail. If you are in any doubt, a quick call to your local planning authority costs nothing and avoids the headache of having to remove work retrospectively. For more detail, see the tradesman day rates guide for context on labour costs across trades.
Is It Worth Getting a Professional to Install Your Fence?
A DIY fence is possible if you are reasonably practical, have the right tools, and are working on level ground with easy post-setting conditions. However, professional installation is worth the cost for most homeowners for several reasons.
First, post setting is the part that most DIY fences get wrong. Posts set too shallow or without adequate concrete lean within a year. An experienced fencer knows how deep to set posts for the soil type and panel size in question, and will set them in the right mix of concrete to ensure they stay plumb for years.
Second, a professional can work significantly faster than a first-time DIYer, particularly on longer runs. A day's labour that costs £150-250 can save you two or three weekends of slow progress, wasted materials, and a result that is not quite level.
How to save money on fence installation
- Supply your own materials: buying panels and posts yourself and paying labour only saves the fencer markup, typically 15-25%
- Get multiple quotes: prices vary significantly between local fencers, particularly for larger jobs
- Do the removal yourself: removing old panels before the fencer arrives saves £50-150 in labour
- Combine work: if a neighbour also needs fencing, sharing the job keeps the fencer on site longer and can reduce the per-panel price
- Avoid the summer peak: most fence enquiries come after storms in autumn and winter, or in spring. Booking in February or March may attract a better rate than July
How to Find a Reliable Fencer
Fence installation does not require a statutory trade qualification in the same way that gas or electrical work does, so the market is wide open. That makes it all the more important to do your homework before handing over a deposit.
- Ask for at least three written quotes on the same specification so you can compare like for like
- Ask to see examples of previous work, ideally fences that have been in for at least a year so you can see how they have held up
- Check whether the quote includes VAT, and whether the fencer is VAT-registered
- Do not pay more than a 25-30% deposit before work starts, and do not pay the balance until you are satisfied with the result
- Check they have public liability insurance: fence posts and materials falling on a neighbour's property is a real risk on any job
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install a single fence panel?
Labour only runs £40-80 per panel when the customer supplies the materials. On a supply and fit basis, a standard 1.8m x 1.8m closeboard panel with a wooden post costs £80-150 installed. Upgrading to a concrete post adds around £10-20 per post.
Do I need planning permission to erect a garden fence?
Not for most domestic fencing. Fences up to 2 metres high in rear gardens are permitted development in England and Wales. Fences adjacent to a highway are limited to 1 metre. Listed buildings and conservation areas have extra rules, so check with your local authority if either applies to your property.
How long does fence installation take?
A typical 15-metre rear garden fence takes 1-2 days for an experienced fencer. Removing old fencing, difficult ground conditions, gates, and sloping gardens all add time. Very large or complex jobs may take 2-3 days.
Which lasts longer: timber or composite fencing?
Treated timber closeboard fencing typically lasts 10-15 years with annual treatment. Composite fencing (wood fibre and plastic) is warranted for 25 years or more and requires no treatment. The upfront cost is 2-3 times higher, but over a 25-year period the total cost of ownership for composite is often comparable once you factor in the cost of replacing timber panels and ongoing treatment.
Who is legally responsible for a boundary fence?
Responsibility is shown in your title deeds by a T-mark on the boundary in question. Where the T is on your side of the line, you own and are responsible for that fence. Where there is no marking, there is no automatic shared responsibility: you will need to check your deeds or reach an agreement with your neighbour. It is always worth having a conversation with your neighbour before starting any boundary work, regardless of whose legal responsibility it is.
How much does it cost to add a gate to a fence?
Gate fitting costs £80-200 per gate in additional labour. The cost of the gate itself varies widely: a standard 1-metre timber side gate costs £80-200 to supply, while a larger double drive gate can cost £300-800 or more. Heavier gates may require stronger, deeper-set posts, adding a small amount to the post-setting cost.
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