Quick Cost Breakdown

• A standard softwood panel fence (15 metres) typically costs £1,250-£1,500.
• A premium composite or hardwood fence over the same length runs £2,500-£4,000+.
• Garden fence installation cost for labour alone averages £250-£500 per day.
• Removing an old fence adds onto the overall installation price.

Your Garden Fence Cost Guide

In this cost guide, we'll cover:

1. How Much Does a Garden Fence Cost in the UK?
2. Garden Fence Prices by Material
3. Cost of Garden Fencing by Style
4. Factors Affecting Garden Fence Costs
5. Additional Costs to Factor In
6. DIY vs Hiring a Professional to Save on Fence Costs
7. Fence Repair vs Replacement: Which Is Cheaper?
8. Find Fence Services Near You on MyBuilder
9. FAQ: Common Questions About Garden Fence Costs

How Much Does a Garden Fence Cost in the UK?

Garden fence costs in the UK are typically quoted per linear metre, which makes it simpler to estimate the cost to fence your garden once you know the length of the boundary.

The installed price per metre covers materials, posts, concrete, fixings, and labour, but it's worth confirming exactly what's included when comparing quotes, as some contractors quote for panels only.

Here's an overview of garden fence costs by boundary length:

Garden Boundary Length	Standard Timber Fence
10 metres	£850-£1,500
15 metres	£1,250-£2,250
20 metres	£1,700-£3,000
30 metres	£2,500-£4,500

These figures are based on 6ft (1.8m) tall panels, which are the most common height for rear garden boundaries in the UK and fall within the standard permitted development limit of 2 metres.

Labour accounts for a significant portion of the cost to fence a garden. A fencing contractor typically charges £250-£500 per day depending on your location with most standard domestic jobs completed in 1-2 days.

For a more detailed look at the installation process and what's involved, see our general fence installation cost guide.

Garden Fence Prices by Material

The material you choose, like wood or metal, has the biggest single impact on garden fence prices.

Timber is the most affordable option, and accounts for the majority of domestic fencing in the UK. Composite and metal sit at the premium end, with vinyl offering a mid-range low-maintenance alternative.

Garden fence prices per metre by material (installed):

Material	Cost Per Metre (Installed)
Softwood timber panels	£50-£75
Hardwood timber (cedar, larch)	£75-£110
Composite (wood-plastic)	£85-£150
Vinyl / PVC	£35-£70
Chain link	£20-£40
Metal / wrought iron	£90-£150

The material you choose shapes not just the garden fence cost on installation day, but what you'll spend maintaining it over the next decade.

Take a look at the differences between some of the most popular garden fence types:

• Softwood timber is the most widely used garden fencing material in the UK. Pressure-treated softwood - typically pine or spruce - is available from any builder's merchant and DIY store, and a competent fencer can install 10-15 metres in a day under normal conditions.

• Hardwood timber species such as western red cedar, Siberian larch, and iroko offer significantly better natural durability and a more distinctive appearance. They cost more per metre but require less maintenance and tend to hold their appearance for longer without annual treatment.

• Composite fencing is made from a blend of recycled wood fibres and plastic polymers. It's rot-proof, splinter-free, and requires virtually no maintenance beyond an occasional wipe-down. The higher upfront cost is offset by a lifespan of 20-30 years and negligible ongoing maintenance costs.

Not sure which material is right for your garden? Post your job on MyBuilder and let local fencers advise you. They can then assess your boundary, recommend the best material for your situation, and give you a clear quote, all before you commit to anything.

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Cost of Garden Fencing by Style

Once you've settled on a material, the next decision is style , and this is where gardens start to look genuinely different from each other.

Each one suits a different kind of garden, and each one comes at a different price point.

Overlap Panel Fencing

The most common and affordable style. Horizontal boards overlap each other within a prefabricated panel, which slots between posts. A standard overlap panel costs £20-£50, and installation is fast, a competent team can fit 10-15 metres in a day. Suited to straightforward, level boundaries.

Closeboard / Feather Edge Fencing

Closeboard fencing is built on site using vertical tapered boards fixed to horizontal rails.

It's stronger and more adaptable than panel fencing, particularly on sloped ground, where it can follow the contour of the land without the stepped appearance of panels. The costs are around £50-£75 per metre installed for standard softwood.

Slatted / Horizontal Fencing

A contemporary style with horizontal boards and deliberate gaps between slats. Popular for modern gardens and urban spaces. Costs range from £50-£110 per metre installed depending on the timber species and gap spacing. The wider the slat and the tighter the spacing, the more material, and cost, involved.

Picket / Palisade Fencing

Typically used for front garden boundaries, with vertical pales attached to horizontal rails. It's decorative rather than fully private. Standard timber palisade fencing costs around £30-£50 per metre installed. Steel palisade security fencing runs higher at £30-£60 per metre for materials alone.

Trellis Fencing

Trellis panels are usually installed as toppers on solid fences to add height without blocking light, or as standalone decorative dividers. Standard trellis panels cost £10-£30 each, with installation straightforward alongside a main fence project.

Factors Affecting Garden Fence Costs

Two gardens of identical size can produce very different quotes. Here's what drives the variation in the cost of garden fencing beyond the basic material and length.

Ground conditions: Hard, rocky, or root-bound ground significantly increases the time and effort needed to dig post holes. On difficult ground, a fencer may need to use a post-hole borer or hire a mini-digger, adding to the day rate. Soft or waterlogged ground may require concrete haunching around posts to ensure stability.

Slopes and uneven terrain: Sloped gardens require either a stepped panel installation where each panel is level but drops in stages, or a raked installation where the fence follows the ground line.

Existing fence removal: If old fencing needs to come out before the new installation, most contractors charge £20-£30 per metre for removal and disposal. Around 75% of domestic fencing projects involve removing an existing fence, so this is a cost worth budgeting for upfront.

Location: Garden fence costs in London and the South East consistently run 15-25% higher than the national average, reflecting higher labour rates and disposal costs.

Additional Costs to Factor In

The per-metre installed price is the main cost, but a handful of additional items can affect the final bill.

Concrete and post mix: Posts need to be set in concrete to ensure stability. Most fencers include this in their quote, but it's worth confirming. Post mix bags typically cost £5–£10 each, with one bag per post for standard conditions.

Gravel boards: Horizontal boards fitted at the base of the fence between posts to protect panels from ground moisture and extending lifespan. Gravel boards add around £20–£30 per metre to the overall cost but are a worthwhile investment, particularly for timber fencing in areas with wet or heavy soil.

Fence toppers: Adding trellis or decorative toppers to bring a fence close to the 2-metre permitted development limit costs £10–£30 per panel for the topper, plus fitting time. This is a popular way to add height and privacy without requiring planning permission.

Planning permission: Most garden fencing under 2 metres doesn't require planning permission under permitted development rights. However, fences over 1 metre adjacent to a highway, fences in conservation areas, and any work on listed buildings may require a formal application. A householder planning application costs £206 in England.

Painting and staining: Untreated or freshly installed softwood should be stained or treated within the first season. A professional paint or stain job on a standard fence typically costs £150–£400 depending on length, or you can do it yourself with a tin of fence treatment from around £15–£25.

For a broader look at what garden projects might run alongside your fencing, our garden landscaping cost guide covers the most common landscaping jobs and their typical costs.

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DIY vs Hiring a Professional to Save on Fence Costs

Fitting a garden fence is one of the more accessible DIY projects for a competent homeowner, but the margin for error is real, and a poorly installed fence can fail within a few months.

Compared to a professionally installed equivalent at £1,250–£1,500, DIY saves roughly £400-£900 on a standard 15-metre job. That's a meaningful saving, but it comes with caveats.

Where DIY works well: A level boundary with good soil access, no existing fence to remove, and straightforward panel fencing. If you're comfortable with post-hole digging, setting posts in concrete, and have a free weekend, it's achievable. Where DIY causes problems: Slopes, hard or root-filled ground, and closeboard fencing built on site all require more skill and precision. Posts set at the wrong depth or without adequate concrete will lean or fail in wind. Getting the line straight across multiple posts is harder than it looks without the right tools and experience.

Worth knowing: Most fencing failures come down to inadequate post depth or insufficient concrete. Posts should be set to a minimum of 600mm depth, deeper on exposed sites.

Fence Repair vs Replacement: Which Is Cheaper?

When a fence panel blows down or a post starts leaning, the first question is always whether to repair or replace.

*A single damaged or blown-down panel, a loose post, or minor rot confined to one section are all situations where repair is more cost-effective than replacing the whole run.

Replacing one to three panels typically costs £100-£150 per bay (post, gravel board, and panel), including labour. Fencing contractors typically charge around £30 per hour for repair work.

Here's a rough guide to common fence repair costs:

Repair Type	Average Cost
Single panel replacement (lap/waney edge)	£100-£150
Single panel replacement (closeboard)	£110-£150
Post replacement	£100-£150 per post
Hit and miss panel replacement	£150-£220

If more than a third of the fence needs attention, if posts are rotting at the base across multiple bays, or if the fence is more than 10-15 years old and showing widespread wear, a full replacement will usually be more cost-effective in the long run. Or, if you think repair is more suitable, see this detailed guide on fence repair costs.

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Find Fence Services Near You on MyBuilder

Instead of ringing around for quotes, MyBuilder lets you compare local fencers side by side, profiles, customer reviews, and photos of completed jobs all in one place. Post your job once and hear from fencers who are available in your area, so you can make an informed choice with less of the back-and-forth.

All tradespeople on MyBuilder undergo checks at registration, such as ID documents, company details, certifications for regulated jobs and skill assessments, allowing you to hire with confidence.

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FAQ: Common Questions About Garden Fence Costs

What Is the Cheapest Way to Fence a Garden?

The cheapest way to fence a garden is with pressure-treated softwood overlap panels on timber posts, installed yourself. DIY costs for a 15-metre run start from around £600, compared to £1,250+ for a professional installation.

If you are hiring a professional, keeping the design simple, no gates, no slopes, standard panel heights, keeps the garden fence installation cost at the lower end.

How Much Does a 10m Fence Cost?

For a standard 10-metre wooden panel fence, expect to pay between £500 and £900 in total, including materials and labour.

The exact figure depends on the panel style, post type, and ground conditions, a sloped garden or rocky soil will add to the labour time and overall cost.

Do I Need Council Permission to Put Up a Fence?

In most cases, you don't need planning permission for a garden fence as long as it doesn't exceed 2 metres in height (or 1 metre if it borders a highway).

However, if your property is in a conservation area or is a listed building, different rules apply. It's worth checking with your local council before starting work if you're unsure.

How Long Does Garden Fence Installation Take?

An average fence installation for an average-sized garden typically takes one to two days.

Factors that can extend the timeline include uneven ground, the removal of an existing fence, and more complex designs such as close-board or featheredge panels that require careful fitting post by post. When you post your job on MyBuilder, you can ask local fencers directly about their availability and expected timelines before deciding who to hire.

Who Is Responsible for a Fence Between Two Properties?

There is no automatic legal rule that determines which neighbour owns a boundary fence - it depends on your property.

In practice, many deeds are unclear on the matter, so the simplest approach is to have a conversation with your neighbour before any work starts. If you're replacing a shared boundary, so splitting the cost is a reasonable arrangement and avoids disputes later.