How Much Does a New Garden Fence Cost in the UK?

The cost of a new garden fence can vary significantly because the phrase new fence covers several different types of project.

Replacing a few damaged panels between sound existing posts is relatively simple. Removing a complete boundary and rebuilding it with new posts, gravel boards, foundations and a gate involves considerably more materials and labour.

The panel style also affects the price, but it is rarely the only important factor. Posts, post mix, gravel boards, fixings, access, excavation and waste removal can account for a large part of the final quotation.

This guide explains the main costs involved, how fencing is measured, what should appear in a quotation and how to reduce the budget without weakening the finished fence.

What Is The Average Cost Of A New Garden Fence?

As a broad UK budgeting guide, professionally supplied and installed timber fencing commonly costs around £85 to £180 per linear metre.

A straightforward project using standard timber panels and wooden posts may fall towards the lower end. A more substantial system using decorative panels, concrete supports or difficult groundwork may fall towards the upper end or exceed it.

These categories are more useful than relying on one national average because the specification and site can change the cost substantially.

How Much Does A Fence Cost Per Metre?

Cost per metre is a useful starting point when estimating a long boundary.

For standard domestic timber fencing, allow a broad supplied-and-installed range of approximately £85 to £180 per metre.

The cost may be lower where:

• The existing supports can be reused
• The fence is low
• The run is straight
• The ground is easy to excavate
• Access is good
• No gate is required
• The old fence is easy to remove

The cost may be higher where:

• The panels have a decorative or heavy framed construction
• Concrete posts and gravel boards are selected
• Large existing foundations must be removed
• The boundary changes direction several times
• The ground slopes
• Tree roots or rubble obstruct the post positions
• Materials must be carried through the house
• The project includes one or more gates

How Much Does A Complete Garden Boundary Cost?

The following ranges provide a rough starting point for a standard professionally installed timber fence.

These figures are planning ranges rather than quotations.

A simple installation may cost less, particularly where existing components can be retained. A premium system or difficult site can exceed the upper figures.

Why Do Fencing Quotes Vary So Much?

Two contractors can quote very different amounts for what appears to be the same boundary.

The difference may be caused by:

• Different panel specifications
• Different post dimensions
• Wooden posts rather than concrete posts
• Wooden gravel boards rather than concrete boards
• Different foundation depths
• Removal being included in only one quotation
• Different gate or ironmongery specifications
• VAT being included or excluded
• Different assumptions about access and excavation

A lower quotation is not automatically better value. It may simply include fewer components or a lighter support system.

Should You Budget Per Metre Or Per Fence Bay?

Both methods can be useful.

A metre rate provides a quick overall budget. A bay calculation is more useful when preparing a materials list.

A typical panel bay includes:

• One fence panel
• A share of the supporting posts
• One gravel board where used
• Panel clips, brackets or screws
• Post mix or foundation material
• Installation labour

The final bay may need a shortened panel where the boundary is not an exact multiple of the standard panel width.

How Do You Calculate The Number Of Fence Panels?

Most standard framed fence panels are nominally 6ft, or approximately 1.83m, wide.

To estimate the number required:

1. Measure the total boundary length.
2. Break it into individual straight sections.
3. Record every corner and gate opening.
4. Divide each section by the panel width.
5. Allow for the width of the posts.
6. Plan where any shortened bay will sit.

Do not base the order solely on the number of old panels. An existing fence may have unusual spacing, custom-made sections or panels that are no longer available in the same dimensions.

How Many Fence Posts Will You Need?

A straight run normally needs one more post than the number of panels.

For example:

• Five panels normally need six posts
• Eight panels normally need nine posts
• Ten panels normally need eleven posts

The calculation changes where the run includes:

• A garden gate
• A corner
• A three-way junction
• A wall connection
• Two separate sections

Concrete systems also require the correct combination of intermediate, end, corner and three-way posts.

How Does Fence Panel Style Affect Cost?

Panel construction is one of the main material choices.

Waney Lap Panels

Waney lap is commonly one of the lowest-cost timber privacy options. It uses overlapping horizontal boards and is suitable for many sheltered domestic gardens.

Its lighter construction makes it economical, but it may not provide the best long-term value in a highly exposed location.

Standard Closeboard Panels

Closeboard panels use vertical overlapping feather edge boards within a framed structure.

They generally sit above waney lap in the cost scale because their construction is more substantial.

Ultra Heavy Duty Closeboard Panels

These panels use a heavier frame and are intended for projects where a more substantial panel is preferred.

The panel is not the only additional cost. Heavier panels may require larger posts, stronger fixings and more substantial foundations.

Picket Panels

Picket panels can provide a cost-effective low boundary for front gardens and decorative divisions.

They do not provide full privacy, but their lower height and open design can reduce both material use and wind loading.

Hit And Miss Panels

Hit and miss panels use boards on alternate faces of the frame. They allow filtered airflow and generally cost more than basic lap panels because more timber and assembly work are involved.

Double Slatted Panels

Contemporary double slatted panels use repeated narrow slats across both faces. The detailed machining, spacing and framing usually place them towards the higher end of timber panel costs.

Omega Lattice Panels

Omega lattice panels combine a solid lower section with a decorative curved top. The shaped framing and lattice construction add manufacturing complexity.

Are Wooden Posts Cheaper Than Concrete Posts?

Wooden posts normally have a lower initial purchase and installation cost.

They are:

• Lighter to carry
• Easier to cut
• Simple to drill and fix
• Compatible with a wide range of panels
• Suitable for an all-timber appearance

Concrete posts generally increase the initial cost because they are heavier and require more demanding handling.

They do not rot and can support replaceable timber panels for many years. This can make them attractive where long-term maintenance is a greater priority than the lowest purchase price.

Which Wooden Post Size Should Be Included?

Common timber post sections include 75 x 75mm and 100 x 100mm.

A smaller post may be sufficient for selected low or lightweight fencing in a sheltered location.

A 100 x 100mm post provides a more substantial option for:

• Full-height solid panels
• Heavy framed panels
• Exposed boundaries
• Trellis carrying mature plants

A quotation using small posts should not be compared directly with one using larger posts without considering the fence height and site conditions.

How Does Post Length Affect Cost?

The post must be long enough to provide the visible fence height and adequate material below ground.

The required length depends on:

• Panel height
• Gravel-board height
• Trellis height
• Ground slope
• Foundation depth

Shorter posts may cost less, but they cannot provide an adequate foundation for a tall fence if too little timber remains below ground.

How Much Do Gravel Boards Add To A Fence?

Gravel boards add a component to every panel bay, so they can make a noticeable difference across a long boundary.

Wooden Gravel Boards

Wooden gravel boards are generally the lower-cost option. They suit timber post systems, are relatively easy to handle and can be cut for shortened bays.

Concrete Gravel Boards

Concrete gravel boards have a higher material and handling cost. They do not rot and provide a durable separation between timber panels and the ground.

The choice should consider:

• Ground moisture
• Appearance
• Handling access
• Expected maintenance
• Compatibility with the posts

Are Gravel Boards Worth Paying For?

Gravel boards protect the lower panel frame from:

• Wet soil
• Grass
• Fallen leaves
• Mud splash
• Strimmer damage

Leaving them out reduces the immediate project cost, but it can expose the panel to prolonged moisture.

They are particularly useful where flower beds, lawns or raised soil sit beside the boundary.

How Much Does A Garden Gate Add?

A gate adds more than the gate leaf itself.

A complete gate opening may require:

• A framed garden gate
• A substantial hinge post
• A closing post
• Two foundations
• Tee hinges
• A latch
• A bolt
• Exterior screws or bolts
• Additional alignment and installation work

A simple timber gate fitted into an existing sound opening will usually cost less than creating a completely new opening with dedicated gate posts.

Why Do Gate Posts Increase The Cost?

A gate post carries a moving load rather than simply supporting a fixed panel.

The hinge post must resist:

• The weight of the gate
• Repeated opening and closing
• Wind pressure
• Leverage created by the gate width

Dedicated gate posts are therefore larger than many standard fence-panel posts and require substantial foundations.

How Much Does Labour Add?

Labour can represent a substantial part of the complete fence cost.

A fencing contractor may quote:

• Per day
• Per panel bay
• Per metre
• For the complete project

Standard panel installation is commonly quoted at around £40 to £60 per panel for labour, but this assumes relatively straightforward conditions.

The cost increases where installers must:

• Break out old concrete
• Excavate difficult ground
• Carry heavy materials over a long distance
• Work around trees or structures
• Build fencing on a slope
• Construct traditional closeboard fencing on site

How Do Ground Conditions Affect The Quote?

Ground conditions are difficult to assess from photographs alone.

Additional work may be required where the installer encounters:

• Dense clay
• Chalk
• Compacted soil
• Buried rubble
• Old brickwork
• Concrete foundations
• Large roots
• Waterlogged ground

Weak ground may require larger foundations. Hard ground increases excavation time. Both can raise the cost for different reasons.

Why Does Removing The Old Fence Cost Extra?

Removing a fence involves more than lifting out the panels.

The work may include:

• Dismantling panels
• Removing timber or concrete posts
• Breaking foundations
• Cutting waste into manageable pieces
• Carrying it through the property
• Loading a vehicle or skip
• Paying disposal charges

Check whether the quotation includes complete disposal or only dismantling and stacking the old materials in the garden.

Can Old Fence Posts Be Reused?

Reusing existing posts can reduce the project cost substantially, but only where they remain suitable.

Check timber posts for:

• Movement at the base
• Rot around ground level
• Deep structural splits
• Severe leaning
• Unsuitable spacing

Check concrete posts for:

• Movement
• Long cracks
• Broken slots
• Exposed reinforcement
• Inconsistent bay widths

A new panel fitted between unstable posts is unlikely to remain secure.

Is Replacing Panels Only Cheaper?

Yes. Where the posts, foundations and gravel boards remain sound, replacing the panels alone can be one of the lowest-cost ways to renew a fence.

Before ordering, measure:

• The clear width between posts
• The available height
• The concrete-slot dimensions where applicable
• The panel-frame thickness

Do not assume every nominal 6ft panel will fit every existing bay.

Is Repairing The Fence Cheaper Than Replacing It?

Local repair is normally cheaper where most of the fence remains in serviceable condition.

Possible repairs include:

• Replacing one panel
• Replacing individual feather edge boards
• Renewing a wooden gravel board
• Tightening or replacing panel fixings
• Adjusting a gate
• Installing a concrete repair spur beside a failed timber post

Complete replacement may provide better value where several posts, panels and foundations are failing together.

How Does A Sloping Garden Affect Cost?

A slope requires the installer to decide how the fence will follow the changing level.

Stepped Panels

Rigid panels remain level and step up or down between posts.

This may require:

• Longer posts
• Different foundation levels
• Additional gravel-board work
• Careful treatment of gaps beneath panels

Traditional Closeboard Fencing

Individual feather edge boards can follow the slope more closely, but building the fence on site takes additional labour.

A quotation should explain how the slope will be managed rather than simply stating the total price.

How Does Access Affect Installation Cost?

Restricted access increases the time required to move materials and remove waste.

Examples include:

• No side entrance
• Materials carried through the house
• Long narrow paths
• Steps between the road and garden
• No suitable parking nearby
• Concrete products carried by hand

Heavy concrete posts and gravel boards are particularly affected by poor access.

Do Corners And Short Returns Cost More?

Yes. A straight fence is usually faster and simpler than one with several direction changes.

Corners may need:

• Specialist concrete corner posts
• Larger timber posts
• Additional fixings
• More careful alignment
• Shortened panels

A short return can also cost more per metre because it still needs end posts and foundations.

Does Fence Height Affect The Price?

Taller fencing usually costs more because it can require:

• Taller panels
• Longer posts
• Larger post sections
• More substantial foundations
• Additional handling

The completed height includes the gravel board, main panel, trellis and capping.

Choosing a shorter panel may reduce the price, but it must still provide the privacy, security and containment required.

Does Wind Exposure Increase Fence Cost?

A fence beside an open field or in an exposed coastal garden may need stronger support than the same design in a sheltered urban garden.

Possible upgrades include:

• Larger timber posts
• Longer posts
• Concrete supports
• Larger foundations
• Additional panel fixings
• An open panel design

A low-cost lightweight installation can become expensive if panels and posts repeatedly fail during storms.

Does Trellis Add To The Cost?

Trellis adds the cost of the trellis panels or topper sections, fixings and installation time.

It may also require:

• Longer posts
• Stronger supports
• Additional battens
• More careful alignment

Trellis contributes to the total fence height and increases wind loading, especially when covered with mature climbing plants.

Is DIY Fence Installation Cheaper?

DIY installation can reduce labour costs, but the comparison should include:

• Tool purchase or hire
• Material delivery
• Waste disposal
• Post-hole excavation
• Concrete removal
• Protective equipment
• Help with heavy components

Fence panels, concrete posts and gravel boards are bulky and awkward. Accurate post spacing is also critical because one misplaced post can affect every following bay.

DIY is most suitable for a short, straightforward run where the installer has appropriate tools, practical experience and sufficient help.

When Is Professional Installation Better Value?

Professional installation may be the more economical option where the project includes:

• Concrete posts
• Heavy gravel boards
• Large old foundations
• A steep slope
• Restricted access
• A substantial gate
• Waterlogged or unstable ground
• A long or highly visible boundary

The installer should be able to explain the proposed materials, post dimensions, foundation method and treatment of unusual site conditions.

What Should A Fence Quotation Include?

A useful written quotation should identify:

• Total fence length
• Number of panel bays
• Panel type and height
• Post material
• Post section and length
• Gravel-board material and height
• Gate specification
• Hinges, latch and other ironmongery
• Foundation method
• Panel fixings
• Old-fence removal
• Waste disposal
• Delivery
• VAT status
• Any work that is excluded

A short description such as six-foot fence supplied and fitted is not detailed enough for a meaningful comparison.

How Should You Compare Fencing Quotes?

Ask questions where the specification is unclear rather than assuming that every contractor has priced the same work.

How Can You Reduce The Cost Without Weakening The Fence?

Reuse Sound Supports

Retain stable posts and gravel boards where they remain compatible with the new panels.

Use Standard Panel Widths

Plan the run to minimise shortened panels and custom framing.

Choose A Practical Panel Design

A standard privacy panel may provide everything required without the cost of a decorative design.

Plan Gates Before Setting Posts

Position the gate early so that the remaining fence run does not end with an awkward narrow bay.

Prepare The Access Route

Move garden furniture, pots and light obstacles before installation where it is safe to do so.

Obtain Comparable Quotes

Give each contractor the same panel, post, gravel-board and removal requirements.

Where Should You Avoid Cutting Costs?

Do not reduce the specification of:

• Post length
• Post section
• Foundation depth
• Foundation width
• Exterior fixings
• Gate posts
• Protection from wet soil

These parts determine whether the fence remains upright and serviceable.

Saving a small amount on foundations or posts can create a much larger repair cost after high winds or prolonged wet weather.

Common Hidden Fence Costs

• Breaking out old concrete
• Removing rotten post stumps
• Specialist corner posts
• Short custom bays
• Tree-root excavation
• Restricted carrying access
• Changes in ground level
• Gate posts and ironmongery
• Waste disposal
• Drainage work
• Separate retaining structures
• Additional treatment for fresh timber cuts

Common Fence Budgeting Mistakes

• Pricing the panels but forgetting the posts
• Using the wrong post count
• Forgetting end and corner posts
• Leaving gravel boards out of the estimate
• Ignoring post mix and fixings
• Assuming old foundations are easy to remove
• Forgetting the gate opening
• Comparing quotations with different VAT treatment
• Assuming waste disposal is included
• Buying panels before measuring actual bays
• Choosing posts according to visible height only
• Ignoring wind and ground conditions

New Garden Fence Budget Checklist

Before requesting quotations, record:

• The total boundary length
• The number of straight sections
• The number of corners
• The required fence height
• The preferred panel style
• The post material
• The required gravel-board type
• The number of gates
• The access route
• The ground conditions
• The existing foundation type
• Which components may be reusable
• Whether old materials must be removed
• Whether VAT is included

FAQs

How Much Does A New Garden Fence Cost Per Metre?

A professionally supplied and installed timber garden fence commonly costs around £85 to £180 per metre. The actual figure depends on materials, labour and site conditions.

How Much Does A 10m Garden Fence Cost?

A broad professionally installed budget is approximately £850 to £1,800.

How Much Does A 15m Garden Fence Cost?

A broad professionally installed budget is approximately £1,250 to £2,700.

How Much Does A 20m Garden Fence Cost?

A broad professionally installed budget is approximately £1,700 to £3,600.

What Is The Cheapest Timber Privacy Fence?

Waney lap panels with suitable pressure-treated wooden posts are commonly one of the lowest-cost purpose-made privacy systems.

Are Closeboard Panels More Expensive?

They generally cost more than basic waney lap because they have a more substantial frame and overlapping feather edge boards.

Are Wooden Posts Cheaper Than Concrete?

Wooden posts usually provide the lower initial cost. Concrete posts require heavier handling but do not rot.

Are Concrete Gravel Boards More Expensive?

Yes. They usually cost more than wooden boards and require additional handling, but they provide greater resistance to ground-level decay.

Do Gravel Boards Save Money Long Term?

They can help prevent early deterioration by separating timber panels from wet soil and garden debris.

How Much Does Labour Cost Per Fence Panel?

Standard installation labour is commonly estimated at around £40 to £60 per panel, although difficult sites and small jobs may cost more.

Is It Cheaper To Replace Fence Panels Only?

Yes, if the existing posts, foundations and gravel boards remain secure and compatible.

Can Existing Concrete Posts Be Reused?

Yes, provided they are stable, upright, undamaged and correctly spaced for the new panels.

Can Existing Wooden Posts Be Reused?

Yes, where they remain structurally sound at ground level and are suitable for the panel height and weight.

Is Repairing A Fence Cheaper Than Replacing It?

Usually, where the damage is limited to one or two components. Full replacement may be better value where several posts and panels are failing.

Does Fence Removal Cost Extra?

Often. Confirm whether the quotation includes dismantling, concrete removal, carrying, loading and disposal.

Does A Garden Gate Add Much To The Cost?

A gate requires dedicated posts, foundations, hinges, a latch and additional installation work, so it can add a noticeable amount.

Does A Sloping Garden Cost More To Fence?

It can. Slopes may require longer posts, stepped panels, additional gravel-board work or on-site closeboard construction.

Why Is My Fence Quote Higher Than Expected?

Common causes include concrete removal, restricted access, difficult ground, premium panels, substantial posts and gate installation.

Is DIY Fence Installation Cheaper?

It can reduce labour costs, but tools, delivery, excavation, waste disposal and potential installation errors must be considered.

Should I Accept The Cheapest Fence Quote?

Only after comparing panel construction, post dimensions, foundations, gravel boards, removal work and VAT on a like-for-like basis.

Budget For The Complete Fence System

A new garden fence commonly costs around £85 to £180 per metre when professionally supplied and installed, but no single figure suits every garden.

Begin with an accurate measurement of the boundary. Record every corner, gate, slope and access restriction, then assess whether any existing posts or gravel boards can be retained.

Compare complete systems rather than panel prices. The budget should include suitable posts, adequate foundations, gravel boards, exterior fixings, gates, delivery, removal and installation labour.

Waney lap panels and wooden posts can provide an economical solution for a sheltered garden. Closeboard panels offer a more substantial privacy boundary, while concrete posts and gravel boards can reduce the amount of timber exposed at ground level.

The best-value choice is not necessarily the lowest initial quotation. It is the compatible combination of panels, supports and foundations that suits the ground, exposure and intended use without creating predictable repair costs.