Fence Installation Cost

If you’re planning to install a fence, you might be wondering how much it will cost. The cost of fence installation can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of fence, the size of your property, and the complexity of the installation.

No matter how big or small your property is, replacing old fence panels or installing a new fence can improve its value. And of course, it will give you more privacy, or keep pets from wandering off.

In this guide, we look at the average fence installation cost and some factors that can affect the price.

Different Fence Types

There are several types of garden fences, from timber fence panels, picket fence panels, plastic fences, and aluminium fencing to sturdy metal fence styles.

Depending on what “function” you need the fence to do (security, privacy, decorative etc.) will determine which type is best suited to your property. And more importantly, some of them cost more than others.

Let’s start by looking at some of the most popular fencing options. Then we will look at the average fence cost and look at how you can save money on fence installation prices.

Wooden Fence Panel

Wooden fence panels are known by various names. In the UK, it is commonly called featheredge fencing. It’s also known as close board fencing.

These terms refer to fences made of wooden planks which are tightly fitted, or lapped, together. These fences are generally either 4 ft or 6 ft tall. The wooden fence boards can be cut to any height, but 6ft satisfies the need of most people from a privacy point of view.

One of the biggest advantages of close board fencing is that it is very durable. If they are properly installed by a specialist fencing contractor, these types of fences can last for years without much maintenance.

Another helpful advantage is that closeboard fence boards are often pressure treated to save them again rot and they can come pre-stained in colours such as brown or green.

That means you do not need to worry about the effects of the weather on them. And more importantly, pre-stained boards save money in labour costs of the fence installers painting them afterwards.

This type of fencing is usually installed by concreating wooden posts into the ground at preset intervals, then wooden rails are nailed or screwed to the posts. It is onto these rails that the wooden boards are fitted to create the fence.

One downside of featheredge fencing, especially if it’s 6ft high, is that it will block light coming into lower parts of your garden.

Post and Rail Fence

Post and rail fencing refers to a simple type of fencing constructed from timber posts spaced a certain distance apart onto which wooden rails are attached. Hence the name “post and rail”.

It is common around the UK, especially in rural areas, paddock areas or large gardens. If installed nicely and painted in appealing colours, a post and rail fence can look good and have its own charm.

Post and rail fences are also a low fence cost option. The fencing costs are largely dictated by how much fencing is required i.e. the length of the fence.

Due to the simple design, fence maintenance is also very low as is fence repair.

Picket Fence

Picket fencing is one of the most common types of fencing in the UK, especially in older period-style homes. It’s also relatively cheap and easy to erect. They often come in several different designs, shapes, and sizes – but the traditional picket style fencing is easy to identify.

However, picket fences are not very secure and also do not offer a lot of privacy. On the plus side, they do allow a lot of light into your garden.

Another version of picket fencing is palisade fencing. If you’re looking to add high-security fencing to your home or commercial property, then a palisade fence is one option. These fences are typically made from galvanised metal, with the fence panels spaced closely together so intruders cannot squeeze between them and are tall (sometimes with spikes on top) to stop intruders from climbing over them.

Chain Link Fence

Chain link fencing is a simple way of fencing around a property. Since it is cheap to make and install, it is quite common to find chain link fences in bigger gardens. A chain-link wire fence is made of loosely interweaved wires (see photo) which are secured to either wooden or metal fence posts or concrete posts.

Aside from keeping the cost to install down for larger gardens, homeowners like chainlink fences if they want shrubs and climbing plants to grow up them.

However, there are several disadvantages. Chainlink fences are also not as strong as solid fence panels. They also don’t offer any privacy and don’t look as good as many wooden fence panel alternatives.

Nonetheless, they are a great option if you need a fence around your garden without spending a lot of money.

Trellis Fence Panels

Trellis fencing uses crisscrossing slats that are fixed (nailed) together to form fencing panels that act as a “trellis”.

It is a cheap and lightweight option which is ideal for growing vines and other types of climbing plants. The fence panels are available in a wide range of colours and designs.

However, trellis fences are not the best when it comes to security or longevity. Since these fences are light they are not very robust and can be easily damaged.

Barbed Wire Fence

While a barbed wire fence is not the most visually pleasing fence option to look at, it is very effective. If you are worried about intruders coming into your garden, be it humans or animals, you should consider installing barbed wire fencing. It is also a relatively cheap fencing option. However, there are some downsides to barbed wire fencing.

Firstly, it is not a good option if you have young children at home. They can hurt themselves by touching the barbed wire. It’s also not a very good option in terms of how it looks. It generally consists of timber fence posts with metal mesh wire strung between the posts with a top rung of barbed wire.

There are other options that look far better while giving the same protection.

Barbed wires can also be installed on top of other fence types, such as wooden fence panels. This is a balance between security and aesthetics that has become a popular fencing option.

What is the cost of fence installation?

Several factors dictate what the overall fence installation cost will be. The most obvious factor is size. The longer or taller the new fence is, the more you will have to pay.

Another factor that plays a role in the fencing cost is the type of fencing you choose. Some garden fence options are much cheaper than others.

But the price per metre square is not the only cost you will have to budget for. Other items such as:

• Will the fencing contractor need to remove old fence panels?
• Do you want garden gate installation costs as well?
• Do they need to include gravel boards to protect the bottom of the new fence?
• Do they need to factor in skip hire for any waste removal?

All of these factors add to the labour costs which ultimately increases the overall fence cost.

We will talk more about those additional costs later, but for now, let’s explore the average cost of the different types of fencing.

Chain Link Fence Installation Cost

Chain-link fencing is among the cheapest available options. A 6 ft by 3 ft chain-link section will cost between £5 – £10. A 6 ft by 4 ft section will cost around £10 – £15, and you can expect to pay up to £20 for a 6 ft by 6ft section.

Post & Rail Fence Installation Cost

A post and rail fence is a classic fencing option that can give your property a traditional look. This type of fence is also one of the more affordable fencing options, making it a great choice for budget-minded homeowners.

On average, you can expect to pay between £18 and £28 per metre for materials and installation.

Wooden Panel Installation Cost

Wooden panels are among the most versatile fencing options. It gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of budget.

Depending on the quality of the panel, a 6 ft by 6ft wooden panel can cost up to £65, but you will also find panels at around £30. Smaller panels cost less, with a 6 ft by 3 ft panel costing between £15 – £20.

Picket Fence Installation Cost

Picket fences are a classic choice for many homeowners. The price will vary depending on the size and style of the fence.

For a basic picket fence, you can expect to pay about £20 per metre. For a more elaborate fence, the price can go up to £50 per metre.

Barbed Wire Fence Installation Cost

For barbed wire fencing, you will have to pay around £3-£4 per metre. For an average garden size of a UK house, this would cost around £175. Which for a house garden is relatively cheap.

However, it is more likely that barbed wire fencing would be installed in rural or agricultural settings which would cover a much larger area (i.e. length of the fence).

Additional Fence Installation Costs

The cost per metre of the fencing material is not the only cost you have to bear.

Additional costs include the cost of removing old fencing, installing new fence posts (concrete posts, timber posts etc.), painting new fence panels and installing gravel boards. Each of these tasks adds to the labour costs.

Removing Old Fence

If you have an old fence which is beyond repair or you simply want to replace old fencing with something more modern or secure, then you will have to factor in the price for removal.

The removal of old rotten timber posts can be time-consuming, especially if they have been concreted in, so expect to incur costs around £400 plus disposal expenses (approx. £50) to get rid of old fence panels.

You can save money by removing an existing fence yourself. This will give the contractor a clear space in which to begin erecting the new fencing.

Painting New Fence Panels & Timber Fence Posts

Painting your new fence (and fence posts) can add your own touch to your garden. It also protects the timber from rain and rot, with many of the paint manufacturers offering 5-year guarantees.

In most cases, it will cost around £150 to £250 to paint the fence – with the final price depending on how many fence panels have to be painted.

It also depends on the type of fencing material and the quality of the paint used. Typically, you will have a separate contract with the fence installer for painting the fence. You can always ask exterior painters to do this for you.

Gravel Boards

Gravel boards are an important part of any fence. They provide a barrier between the ground and the fence, keeping your fence looking new for longer. They also help to drain water away from the fence, preventing rot and decay.

Gravel boards come in a variety of sizes and materials. The most common material is concrete, but you can also find them made from plastic, wood, or metal. The size you need will depend on the height of your fence.

Be sure to speak to the fence installer so they pick ones that match the style of your fence. The price of gravel boards ranges from £8 to £25. Concrete gravel boards are typically more expensive as they are more durable.

Fence Posts

Without fence posts, you won’t have a fence! The average cost of a 6ft concrete fence post is £15-£20, while that of a wooden fence post is £10-£15.

Square fence posts tend to be either 3″ x 3″ or 4″ x 4″ in width – and as you would expect as they increase in size (and height), the fence post price increases. Again, concrete posts are typically more expensive than wooden posts.

Garden Fencing Planning Permission & Law

If you are planning on erecting a fence around your garden, it’s important to be aware of the relevant planning permission and law. In most cases, you won’t need planning permission for your fence as long as it’s not more than 2 metres high.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

For example, if the fence is going to be adjacent to a roadway, it should not be higher than one metre. So it is always best to check with your local authority before starting any work.

And if your property is listed or in a conservation area, you may need planning permission for your fence. You should also check with your neighbours before putting up a fence, as they may have objections.

Get Fencing Quotes

Once you’ve got the go-ahead for your fence, it is time to start getting fence installation quotes from multiple contractors.

You will be surprised at the differences in fencing costs.

At the very least, we recommend getting three quotes, that way you will be able to calculate the average cost – and know if you are getting a good deal or not.

Garden Fence FAQs