Fence installation costs approximately £900 – £1,800. This price includes materials and installation. However, the price does depend on what kind of fence you choose and various other factors.
Regarding wood fence panels, the average cost to install fence panels is around £40 – £70 per metre, but then you have to consider materials, too.
The average cost of a wooden panel is around £20 – 70 for the materials. This cost can differ depending on the type of fence panel you choose, and there are other material costs to consider, which we look into in a bit more detail.
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Installing fencing has many benefits, from providing privacy and security to boosting your property’s curb appeal and potentially increasing its value.
Usually, fence installation companies will provide the materials as well as the installation.
When speaking to a fence installer, they usually want to see the area you wish to fence before providing a quote. The type of fence, the size of the area to be fenced, the ground conditions, and the location will affect how long it takes to fence and the materials required. Hence affecting the overall fencing price.
Make sure you get a breakdown of costs in the quote.
Let’s look at it in a bit more detail.
Fence installation cost
When estimating how much fencing is going to cost, you need to take into account the following:
- Labour costs
- Material costs
The average cost to install fencing is around £900 – 1,800, including labour and material costs.
Fence installers usually charge (labour cost only) by the metre or fence panel. The price is around £20 – 50 per metre but depends on the complexity of the job and the type of material you choose.
Here is a breakdown of costs that are involved in fence installation:
| Type of fencing cost | Cost to install per metre (materials & labour) |
| Labour | £20 – 50 |
| Wooden fence panels | £70 – 250 |
| Chainlink fencing | £50 – 100 |
| Composite | £150 – 200 |
| Wrought iron | £600 – 850 |
| Old fence removal | £100 – 350 |
| Get quotes | |
How much does it cost to install fence panels?
The average cost to install fence panels is around £40 to £70 per panel for the labour, and the average price of a wooden panel is between £20 – 70. These costs can vary depending on the factors below, which we discuss in detail further on.
- Complexity of the job
- The quality and size of the panel
- Whether you need gravel boards or not
- Type of fence posts
You must also factor in the other materials associated with installing fence panels. Here is an approximate breakdown of these material costs:
| Fencing materials | Cost |
| Fence panels | £20 – 70 per panel |
| Gravel boards | £5 – 25 per board |
| Fence posts (concrete or wooden) | £10 – 35 per post |
| Get quotes | |
To give an approximate guide, for an 18 metre fence of 6ft x 6ft panels (10 panels) on concrete gravel boards, the total installation cost will be around £1,000 – 1,700, including labour and materials.
If the job is straightforward, the number of fence panels or the length of fencing you need will increase the labour cost. The type of wooden fence panel you have won’t hugely affect the labour costs, just the material cost.
Garden fence installation cost
If you want to fence your whole garden, to estimate the cost of fencing you will need to measure the perimeter of your garden. Measure (in metres) the length and width of your garden. Multiply the length by 2, then add the width of your garden.
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Factors affecting the fence installation cost
Type of fence panel
Wood panels are the most popular type of fence in the UK; they are easy to fit and cheap to install. They cost around £40 per panel. However there are different types of wood fencing you can choose from, such as:
| Type of wooden fence | Description | Cost |
| Lap fence panels | Thin horizontal slats. These are the cheapest type of panels. | £20 – 40 |
| Closeboard/ feather edge fence panels | Overlapping vertical feather edge boards nailed onto horizontal rails. These panels are more durable than lap fence panels. | £40 – 70 |
| Picket fencing | Vertical boards or pickets attached to horizontal rails. | £20 – 100 |
| Post and rail fencing | Vertical posts with horizontal rails secured to them. Often used for containing livestock in fields. | £25 – 45 |
| Get quotes | ||
Whether the fence panel is pressure-treated or dip-treated will affect the price of the panels. Pressure-treated panels are generally more expensive than dip-treated panels.
Dip-treated panels cost around £20 – 40 per panel but will need treating every 1-2 years, whereas pressure-treated panels cost around £30 – 60 per panel and have a much longer lifespan.
Size of fences
Fence panels come in a standard width of 6 feet but in different heights, usually 3ft, 4ft, 5ft and 6ft. The height you will want will depend on your objective; if it is privacy and security you’re after, then go for a 5ft or 6ft fence. The height will affect the cost of the panels.
Number of fence panels you need & layout
The size of the area to be fenced will affect the price. Typically, the larger the area, the higher the price. The fence installer will need to measure the length and width of the area and consider any corners, curved areas or slopes.
Any of the latter will make the job more difficult, increasing the labour time and cost. If the job is challenging, it might require more than one fence installer, raising the price further.
Ground conditions
Before quoting you, the fence installer will want to check the ground and soil on which they will be installing. If it is particularly hard soil or a patio, the labour will be more complex and, therefore, cost more, as the fence installer will need to do more digging and potentially need other equipment.
If there are any existing obstacles, such as trees, hedges, or old fences, in the way, they will need to remove these, which will substantially increase the cost, or it might be something they cannot do. For instance, for tree removal, you may need a tree surgeon and the cost to remove a small to medium tree will cost around £400 – 700.
Your ground may also need levelling before any fence installation if the ground slopes or is uneven.
Gravel boards
Gravel boards sit between the fence panel and the ground to prevent the panels from rotting or help level the bottom of a fence on uneven ground. They aren’t usually necessary when installing metal or composite fencing or in dry areas.
The cost of gravel boards can range from £5 – 25 depending on their material: concrete, composite or timber. Concrete is the most expensive but is durable and low maintenance.
Type of fence posts
You will need fence posts to fit the panels, and you can have concrete or wooden fence posts.
Wooden fence posts are cheaper at around £10 – 25, depending on the height you need. However, you risk them rotting over time and will require regular maintenance. They also cost more if they are treated as opposed to untreated.
Concrete fence posts cost around £20 – 35, so they are more expensive but durable and require less maintenance.
Your location
Labour costs are usually higher in cities such as London and Manchester than in rural areas.
Ease of access
If the garden or area to be fenced is difficult to access or the fence installer can’t park right outside, they may charge a higher price for the installation.
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Fence installation additional costs
In addition to the materials and labour costs involved in fencing installation costs, you might want to consider the following:
Removal and disposal of old fences
Taking down and disposing of old fences will add labour costs, which can vary depending on the installer’s capacity. Old fence removal can add £100 – 350 to the quote.
You can take down old fencing or clear the garden yourself to save money, or if you’d like to hire someone to clear the garden before installing the fence, garden clearance costs between £35 – 70 per hour, depending on the scope of the job.
Gates & custom features
Adding gates or decorative elements to your fencing will increase time and cost. The average cost to install a gate ranges from £150 to £2,000 and above, depending on the type of gate you wish to install.
Staining or painting the fences
If you want your fences painted or stained, this will be an additional cost. Some fence installers will paint or stain fences and have the equipment to do this, but check before assuming.
The cost of painting a fence will depend on the size of your fence and the paint or stain you choose. You must factor in materials and labour costs to hire a painter.
The approximate cost of painting a fence in the UK is around £20 – 30 per panel, including labour and materials.
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Fence installation FAQ
Do I need planning permission to install a fence?
You may need planning permission if:
- You would like your fences to be higher than 1 metre if it is next to a public road or footpath or higher than 2 metres for rear/side garden fences.
- You live in a conservation area.
- The fence is near a listed building.
- You are installing a fence around a listed property.
If you share a fence with your neighbour, you may need to check your property title deeds to determine who owns and should maintain the fence. There might be a party fence agreement where both parties must agree before making any changes. No general law states who must build or maintain a boundary fence but checks the property documents first.
Something to consider – if you do share a fence with a neighbour, you may be able to share costs!
Hopefully, this has given you some food for thought. Proper installation is essential to maximise the lifespan of your fence, fence posts and gravel boards, so hire someone who knows what they are doing.
Next, to kick off your project, post a job to get quotes from local fence installers.