Cost of a New Fence
A new fence costs £800–£2,500 for a typical garden in the UK, depending on length, material, and whether you use a tradesman. Closeboard and timber panel fences are the most common choices, with labour typically doubling the materials cost.
What Affects the Cost
Fence length and number of panels. The single biggest cost driver is how much fencing you need. Most standard gardens require 10–20 metres of fencing. Each additional panel adds to both materials and post costs, so measure carefully before getting quotes.
Fence type and material. Closeboard (featherboard) is the most durable and expensive timber option. Panel fencing is cheaper upfront but less long-lasting. Trellis, post-and-rail, and picket fences sit at the lower end. Composite and metal fencing cost significantly more to buy but require less maintenance. See our Garden Guide for a broader view of garden improvement costs.
Post fixing method. Timber posts set in concrete are the most secure but involve more labour and materials cost. Bolt-down post spikes or metal post supports are faster to install and cheaper, but are not always suitable for exposed or high-fence situations.
Ground conditions. Rocky or heavily rooted ground takes longer to dig out and can add to labour costs. Sloped ground may require stepped or raked fence panels, which take more time to fit and can increase the overall price.
Removal of the old fence. If there is an existing fence to take down and dispose of, expect to add £100–£300 to the total, depending on length and the condition of old concrete spurs or posts embedded in the ground.
Access and site conditions. Narrow side passages, soft ground requiring boards to work from, or overhanging trees all slow the job down and increase labour costs. Always flag these when getting quotes.
UK Average Cost Breakdown
| Task | DIY Cost | Trade Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closeboard fence (per metre) | £30–£50 | £70–£120 | Most durable timber option; includes posts and gravel boards |
| Overlap panel fence (per metre) | £20–£35 | £55–£90 | Budget option; shorter lifespan than closeboard |
| Composite fence (per metre) | £80–£150 | £150–£250 | Long-lasting, low maintenance; higher upfront cost |
| Picket fence (per metre) | £15–£30 | £45–£75 | Front garden use; typically 900mm–1.2m tall |
| Post replacement (per post) | £10–£20 | £50–£90 | Includes concrete; see our guide to replacing a fence post |
| Old fence removal and disposal | £0–£50 (skip hire) | £100–£300 | Depends on length and concrete post extraction |
| Full 15m garden fence installed | £450–£900 | £1,200–£2,500 | Typical semi-detached rear garden; closeboard finish |
DIY vs Tradesman — Is It Worth It?
Erecting a new fence is one of the more achievable DIY garden projects. Panel fencing on flat ground with post spikes is straightforward for a confident beginner, and a standard rear garden can be done in a weekend with a helper. The saving is real: labour typically accounts for 40–60% of a trade quote, meaning DIY can save you £300–£900 on a standard job. If you are competent with a post hole digger or auger and comfortable mixing concrete, closeboard fencing is also very manageable with a bit of preparation.
However, there are cases where hiring a tradesman is the sensible call. Sloped ground, removal of old concrete spurs, very long runs of fencing, or working next to a boundary wall all add complexity that can turn a straightforward project into a frustrating one. A professional fencer will also guarantee their work, which matters if the fence is shared with a neighbour. If you are tackling the project yourself, our guide on how to build a garden fence walks through the process step by step. Equally, if you just need to address one failing post rather than a full replacement, see our guide to replacing a fence post as a standalone fix.
Regional Price Variations
Labour rates for fencing vary significantly across the UK. In London and the South East, expect trade quotes to sit at the upper end of any range — often 20–40% higher than the national midpoint, driven by higher tradesman day rates and travel costs. Outside these areas, the Midlands, North of England, Wales, and Scotland tend to be more competitive on labour, though materials costs are broadly similar nationwide. If you are in a rural area, check whether your chosen fencer charges a call-out or travel fee, which can add £50–£150 to a quote.
How to Get the Best Price
- Get at least three written quotes. Prices for the same job can vary considerably between tradespeople. Always get quotes based on the same spec — fence type, height, post fixing method, and whether old fencing removal is included.
- Buy materials yourself if going DIY. Timber merchants and builders’ merchants typically offer better pricing than general DIY sheds, particularly for bulk quantities of posts and featherboard.
- Avoid peak season. Spring and early summer are the busiest times for fencers. Booking in late autumn or winter often secures a better price and faster availability.
- Bundle the job if possible. If you also need garden wall repairs or path work, combining jobs with one tradesperson can reduce overall costs. Our guide to repairing a garden wall covers costs for that work separately.
- Apply preservative treatment yourself. If a tradesman installs bare timber, treating and preserving it yourself immediately after installation adds years to its life at very little cost. See our guide to treating and preserving a fence for the right products and method.
What a Good Quote Should Include
- Total linear metres of fencing to be installed, with panel and post quantities specified
- Fence type, height, and timber specification (e.g. pressure-treated, gravel boards included) Whether removal and disposal of the old fence is included, and how embedded concrete posts will be dealt with
- Post fixing method stated — concrete-in-ground, metal post supports, or bolt-down bases
- A clear payment schedule — avoid any contractor requesting more than a modest deposit upfront before work begins
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Concrete post extraction. Old concrete fence spurs buried half a metre into the ground take significant effort to remove. Some fencers quote for panel replacement only and charge extra when they hit concrete on site — confirm this is included before work starts.
- Permit or neighbour agreement requirements. In most cases, garden fences under 2 metres do not require planning permission in England, but fences over 1 metre adjacent to a highway do — check gov.uk planning guidance before you build. Boundary disputes with neighbours can also cause delays and additional costs.
- Skip hire or waste removal. If you are managing demolition yourself, a skip will typically cost £150–£350 depending on location and size. Some councils offer bulky waste collections at lower cost — check your local authority website.
- Ground preparation and levelling. Badly sloped or uneven ground may require additional groundwork before posts can be set, adding time and material costs that are not always obvious at the quoting stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new garden fence cost in the UK?
A new fence for a typical UK garden costs between £800 and £2,500 installed by a tradesman, depending on length, material, and ground conditions. DIY installation of the same fence typically costs £450–£900 in materials.
What is the cheapest type of fence to install?
Overlap panel fencing is the most affordable option, costing £20–£35 per metre in materials. It is easy to install on flat ground but is less durable than closeboard and may need replacing sooner.
Do I need planning permission for a new garden fence?
In England, fences up to 2 metres tall generally do not need planning permission unless they adjoin a highway, where the limit is 1 metre. Always check with your local planning authority if you are unsure, and see the gov.uk planning portal for guidance.
Who is responsible for paying for a shared boundary fence?
Responsibility depends on the title deeds of both properties — there is no automatic legal obligation for either neighbour to maintain a shared fence. Check your deeds or land registry documents, and agree any shared costs in writing with your neighbour before work begins.
How long does a timber fence last?
A pressure-treated closeboard fence typically lasts 15–25 years with proper maintenance. Panel fencing has a shorter lifespan of 10–15 years. Applying a preservative treatment every 2–3 years extends the life of any timber fence significantly.
When setting timber posts in concrete, allow the concrete to cure for at least 48 hours before hanging panels — attaching panels too early puts lateral stress on fresh concrete and leads to posts that lean within a year. In wet ground, use a concrete collar that sits 25mm proud of the soil surface to shed water away from the base of the post.
Sources
- Which? — Cost of a new fence — which.co.uk
- Checkatrade — Fence installation cost guide — checkatrade.com
- GOV.UK — When is planning permission required for fences? — gov.uk
This guide is for general information only. Always work safely and follow manufacturer instructions. DIYnut accepts no liability for injury or damage arising from DIY work.
