For common timber fencing, many UK homeowners pay about £70 to £150 per metre for supply and installation. A standard garden boundary may be 10 to 15 metres long and cost about £1,000 to £2,500. The final price depends on the fence type, height, posts, access, ground conditions, and what the quote includes.
Below you’ll find typical fencing installation costs by type and garden size, plus labour rates, common extras, and practical ways to plan the budget.
Pricing a fence by the metre makes a long boundary easier to estimate. Many current UK cost guides put a standard 1.8-metre timber fence at about £90 to £130 per metre, supplied and fitted. Simpler or more expensive designs can fall outside that range.
Keep that split in mind when you compare quotes. Two installers can give different totals for similar-looking panels. Labour, post type, disposal, access, and ground conditions may not be priced in the same way.
Materials set much of the remaining cost. Basic overlap panels on timber posts sit near the lower end, while composite and decorative metal fencing usually sit higher. The table uses aggregate budgeting ranges from several current UK cost guides.
The figures are broad supply-and-installation estimates. Check whether a quote includes VAT, posts, gravel boards, concrete, removal, waste disposal, gates, finishing, and difficult access.
| Fence Type | Typical installed cost per metre | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap (lap) panels | £60–£100 | Lower-cost privacy option |
| Closeboard panels | £70–£130 | Stronger construction and privacy |
| Feather edge (built on site) | £80–£140 | Can suit slopes and uneven ground |
| Decorative or slatted panels | £90–£150 | Contemporary look; cost varies by detail |
| Picket | £40–£90 | Low and open; often used in front gardens |
| Composite | £100–£200 | Lower repainting needs; product quality varies |
| Metal panels or railings | £100–£200+ | Bespoke wrought iron can cost much more |
The longer the run, the higher the total cost, although the per-metre rate may ease on a straightforward larger job. Short projects can cost more per metre because the installer may still charge a minimum call-out or day rate.
| Garden | Approx. length | Typical installed total |
|---|---|---|
| Small courtyard or town garden | 10 m | £900–£1,500 |
| Average semi-detached garden | 15 m | £1,350–£2,250 |
| Large detached property | 30 m | £2,700–£4,500 |
| Full perimeter (all boundaries) | 40 m+ | £3,600–£6,000+ |
These totals assume standard timber fencing and reasonable access. Restricted access, slopes, roots, rubble, buried services, or hard ground can add labour and may change the quote after a site visit.
Material is one of the biggest factors in the cost of a new fence. It also affects maintenance, appearance, and how the fence may perform over time. Below are the options homeowners are commonly quoted.
Overlap fencing is a common budget choice. Horizontal boards overlap in a light timber frame, giving privacy for around £60 to £100 per metre fitted. Lifespan varies with timber treatment, post quality, exposure, and upkeep. Check the product details rather than relying on a fixed number of years.
Closeboard fencing uses vertical feather edge boards fixed to horizontal rails. This creates a heavier, gap-free fence that can work well in exposed gardens when properly installed. Fitted costs commonly run from about £70 to £130 per metre. Individual damaged boards may be replaced. A well-maintained fence may last 15 to 20 years, although the site and post quality matter.
Feather edge fencing uses the same style of boards but is built on site rather than fitted as ready-made panels. It can follow slopes and uneven boundaries more neatly. Expect about £80 to £140 per metre fitted, with difficult ground or detailed shaping adding labour.
Slatted and contemporary designs are common in modern gardens. The gaps can let some light and air through, and the panels may be combined with trellis. Installed costs are often around £90 to £150 per metre, depending on timber quality, panel height, spacing, posts, and finish.
Low, open, and traditional, picket fencing suits front gardens and boundaries where you want to mark the line without blocking the view. Installed costs are often about £40 to £90 per metre. Painted timber will need periodic upkeep, and taller or bespoke designs can cost more.
Composite fencing costs more upfront than many timber options but usually needs less repainting or staining. Installed prices commonly range from about £100 to £200 per metre. It resists rot, but it still needs cleaning and checks on posts, fixings, and movement. Product warranties and expected lifespan vary, so compare the specification rather than assuming it will always be cheaper over time.
Steel, aluminium, and ornamental railings cover everything from simple front boundaries to bespoke decorative work. Standard metal panels or railings may cost about £100 to £200 per metre or more, while custom wrought iron can cost far more. Coatings, fixings, and joints still need checking, especially in exposed or coastal areas.
Installers often price the whole job rather than the hour. A two-person team commonly costs about £300 to £400 per day. Labour for standard panel fitting may be about £50 to £80 per panel. The actual rate depends on the location, access, post system, ground, removal work, and project size.
A straightforward garden fence of 10 to 15 metres often takes one to two days. Slopes, concrete post removal, hard ground, custom work, or carrying materials through the house can extend the schedule.
Where you live can shift the rate too. Quotes are often higher in London and the South East, but the difference varies by installer, travel, overheads, access, and local demand.
You can control the budget without cutting corners on the parts that keep the fence stable:
If you are considering borrowing, our fence financing guide explains common options and points to consider. Interest and fees usually increase the total amount repaid.
Replacing an old fence commonly costs about £90 to £180 per metre when removal and disposal are included. The total depends on the old posts, concrete, access, and whether any supports can be reused. If most of the fence is still sound, repairing a few panels or posts may cost less than full replacement.
The per-metre rate may not cover the whole job. Common extras include:
Gravel boards, paint, stain, and finishing may also cost extra. For a wider project, our garden financing guide explains common borrowing options and points to consider. Interest and fees usually increase the total amount repaid.
A useful quote sets out the fence type, height, length, posts, gravel boards, gates, finishes, labour, VAT, removal, and waste disposal. A remote estimate may change after the installer sees the access and ground. Ask whether the final price is fixed. Agree any possible extras in writing before work begins.
Installing one standard 1.8-metre fence panel may cost about £100 to £200, including the panel and labour, if the existing posts are suitable. A new post, gravel board, concrete, removal, or difficult access can increase the price. One-off jobs often cost more per panel because the installer may charge a minimum visit or part-day rate.
Composite fencing may be worth the higher upfront cost if you value lower repainting and staining needs. Installed prices commonly range from about £100 to £200 per metre, but products, warranties, colour stability, and support systems vary. Compare the full specification and upkeep rather than assuming composite will always last longer or cost less over time.
For many gardens, fence installation takes one or two days. A straightforward run of 10 to 15 metres with good access may fit within that time. Slopes, old concrete posts, hard ground, or poor access can make the job take longer.
In England, planning permission is usually not needed for a fence up to 2 metres high. The limit is usually 1 metre next to a highway used by vehicles or the footpath beside it. Listed buildings, conservation areas, planning conditions, and Article 4 directions can change the position. Rules differ elsewhere in the UK, so check with the local authority or the Planning Portal before ordering materials.
Overlap timber panels are usually among the lowest-cost choices for a standard privacy fence, at about £60 to £100 per metre installed. Chain-link or post-and-rail fencing may cost less where privacy is not needed. Compare the build quality and upkeep as well as the price.
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