Price Guide

How Much Does a Fence Builder Really Cost?

Compare prices for 12 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

12 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Fence Builder Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Panel Fence Installation (Per Panel)

Low

£100

Average

£150

High

£220

30-60 minutes per panel

More details

Supplying and installing a standard 6ft x 6ft lap or overlap fence panel with a concrete or wooden post and gravel board. Price per panel.

~60% labour, ~40% materials

What affects the price

  • Panel type (lap, overlap, featherboard)
  • Post type (concrete vs timber)
  • Whether gravel boards are included
  • Ground conditions and access

Close Board Fence Installation

Low

£90

Average

£130

High

£180

1-2 hours per metre

More details

Installing heavy-duty fencing built on site from individual overlapping boards nailed to horizontal rails. Stronger and longer-lasting than standard pre-made panels. Price per metre.

~42% labour, ~58% materials

What affects the price

  • Fence height (5ft, 6ft or taller)
  • Timber grade and treatment
  • Whether capping rail is included
  • Ground slope requiring stepped or raked panels

Picket Fence Installation

Low

£60

Average

£90

High

£130

1-1.5 hours per metre

More details

Supplying and installing a traditional picket fence per metre run. Includes posts, rails and picket pales. Popular for front gardens.

~44% labour, ~56% materials

What affects the price

  • Picket style (pointed, rounded, flat top)
  • Height (typically 3ft or 4ft)
  • Timber or composite material
  • Whether painting or staining is included

Fence Post Replacement

Low

£60

Average

£90

High

£140

45-90 minutes per post

More details

Removing a broken or rotten fence post and replacing it with a new concrete or timber post. Includes re-fixing panels to the new post.

~72% labour, ~28% materials

What affects the price

  • Post type (concrete vs timber)
  • Whether a concrete repair spur can be used instead
  • Depth of existing foundations
  • Number of posts being replaced

Garden Gate Installation

Low

£200

Average

£400

High

£700

2-4 hours

More details

Supplying and hanging a new single garden gate with posts, hinges and latch. Includes setting posts in concrete.

~46% labour, ~54% materials

What affects the price

  • Gate material (timber, metal, composite)
  • Gate size (standard side gate vs wide driveway gate)
  • Whether new posts need installing
  • Style and quality of hardware (hinges, latch, bolt)

Fence Repair (Per Panel)

Low

£50

Average

£80

High

£130

30-60 minutes per panel

More details

Repairing a damaged fence panel. May involve patching broken boards, replacing the horizontal rails behind the panel, re-fixing loose panels, or swapping out a single panel entirely.

~59% labour, ~41% materials

What affects the price

  • Extent of damage
  • Whether a full panel replacement is needed
  • Matching existing fence style
  • Access to the damaged section

Trellis Installation

Low

£40

Average

£70

High

£110

30-45 minutes per panel

More details

Fitting trellis panels on top of existing fencing or walls per panel. Includes trellis panel, fixings and any post extensions needed.

~53% labour, ~47% materials

What affects the price

  • Trellis height (1ft, 2ft or taller)
  • Whether mounted on fence or wall
  • Material (softwood, hardwood, composite)
  • Whether post extensions are required

Acoustic Noise Barrier Fence

Low

£120

Average

£175

High

£250

1.5-2.5 hours per metre

More details

Supplying and installing specialist noise-reducing fencing per metre. These are thick, heavy panels specifically designed to block out traffic or neighbourhood noise. Noticeably reduces sound levels compared to a standard fence.

~31% labour, ~69% materials

What affects the price

  • Acoustic rating required (absorption vs reflection)
  • Fence height (typically 2m minimum)
  • Panel type (timber composite, mineral fibre core)
  • Length of boundary to be treated

Concrete Post and Gravel Board Fence

Low

£120

Average

£175

High

£240

1-1.5 hours per panel

More details

Installing a fence with concrete posts and concrete bottom boards, with timber panels slotted between them. The concrete parts do not rot, so this type of fence lasts much longer than all-timber fencing. Price per panel section.

~55% labour, ~45% materials

What affects the price

  • Panel type slotted into the posts
  • Fence height
  • Ground conditions for post foundations
  • Number of corner and end posts required

Fence Removal

Low

£30

Average

£50

High

£80

15-30 minutes per panel

More details

Taking down and disposing of old fencing per panel. Includes removal of panels, posts and concrete footings where accessible. Disposal costs included.

What affects the price

  • Whether concrete posts need digging out
  • Access for waste removal
  • Total length of fencing to remove
  • Skip or van disposal method

Ranch / Post and Rail Fence

Low

£30

Average

£50

High

£80

20-40 minutes per metre

More details

Installing post and rail (ranch-style) fencing per metre run. Two or three horizontal rails fixed to round or square posts. Common for rural boundaries and paddocks.

~52% labour, ~48% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of rails (2 or 3)
  • Post spacing (1.8m or 3m centres)
  • Timber treatment level
  • Total length of run

Popular locations

Fencing Costs by City

London

£125–£275

Birmingham

£95–£205

Leeds

£95–£215

Glasgow

£105–£230

Sheffield

£100–£215

Manchester

£100–£215

Bradford

£90–£195

Edinburgh

£115–£250

Liverpool

£100–£215

Bristol

£110–£235

Coventry

£95–£210

Leicester

£85–£190

Local pricing

Find Fence Builder Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local fence builder pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Panel Fence Installation (Per Panel) by City

Average cost of panel fence installation (per panel) across key UK cities.

London
+24% £185
Manchester
-2% £145
Birmingham
-7% £140
Glasgow
+5% £155
Bristol
+7% £160
Leeds
-3% £145
Cardiff
-2% £145
Belfast
-13% £130

Overview

What Does a Fence Builder Do?

A fence builder provides professional services covering fence installation, repair, garden gates and boundary fencing. They handle everything from routine maintenance and inspections to full installations and emergency repairs. Whether you need a small repair or a major project, hiring a qualified fence builder ensures the work is done safely, to code, and to a professional standard.

You should hire a fence builder whenever you need work that requires specialist skills, tools, or qualifications. Many types of fence builder work are regulated and must be carried out by a certified professional. Attempting DIY on regulated work can be dangerous, void your insurance, and create costly problems down the line.

Pricing for fence builder services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a fence builder, always get at least three quotes from different tradespeople. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews. A reputable fence builder will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a fence builder.

Landscaping UK price guide £500–£1,200 Tree Surgery UK price guide £150–£550 Paving & Driveways UK price guide £3,500–£8,500 Builder UK price guide £30,000–£80,000 Carpentry UK price guide £70–£200 Painting & Decorating UK price guide £200–£650 Handyman UK price guide £40–£120 Demolition UK price guide £1,000–£3,500

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about fence builder costs in the UK.

Who is responsible for a boundary fence?
There is no legal obligation to maintain a boundary fence in England and Wales unless your property deeds say otherwise. Check your title deeds for a T mark — the side the T is on indicates responsibility. If there is no marking, it is usually a shared responsibility, though in practice the person who wants the fence often pays.
Do I need planning permission to put up a fence?
You do not need planning permission for fences up to 2 metres high (or 1 metre if adjacent to a highway). If your property is listed or in a conservation area, you may need permission regardless of height. Always check with your local planning authority before installing a new fence.
What type of fence lasts the longest?
Concrete posts with gravel boards and quality timber panels are the most durable combination, typically lasting 15-20 years. Close-board fencing built on-site is stronger and longer-lasting than pre-made panels. Pressure-treated softwood lasts 10-15 years, while untreated timber may only last 5-7 years.
When is the best time to install a fence?
Spring and early autumn are the best times — the ground is workable but not waterlogged. Winter installations are possible but frozen or saturated ground makes the work harder and may increase costs. Avoid installing new fence panels in very high winds as they act like sails until properly secured.
How long does a new fence take to install?
A typical rear garden fence (5-8 panels) takes 1-2 days to install, including removing the old fence. Larger runs, difficult access or sloping ground can extend this to 2-3 days. Close-board fencing built on-site takes longer than pre-made panels because each board is fixed individually.
Should I use concrete or wooden fence posts?
Concrete posts are more expensive upfront but last much longer — typically 25 years or more. Wooden posts are cheaper but can rot at ground level after 10-15 years, even with pressure treatment. Using concrete posts with timber panels gives the best balance of durability and appearance.
Can my neighbour attach things to my fence?
If you own the fence, your neighbour should not attach anything to it without your permission — including hanging baskets, trellis or climbing plants. Doing so could damage the fence and you would be within your rights to ask them to remove it. Always communicate with neighbours about boundary matters to avoid disputes.
What is a gravel board and do I need one?
A gravel board is a narrow board (usually 6 inches high) that sits between the ground and the bottom of the fence panel. It keeps the panel away from damp soil, preventing rot and extending the life of the fence. Concrete gravel boards are best as they never rot. They cost around £5-£10 each and are well worth including.
How do I maintain my fence to make it last?
Apply a wood preservative or fence stain every 1-2 years to protect against moisture, UV damage and fungal decay. Check for loose panels and broken posts after storms. Keep soil and vegetation away from the base of the panels. Fix small problems early — a single broken post left unfixed can bring down a whole run of panels in the next storm.
How much does a fence builder cost in the UK?
The most common fence builder job, panel fence installation (per panel), costs between £100 and £220 nationally, with an average of £150. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects fence builder prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable fence builder?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews.
Do fence builder prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some tradespeople break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a fence builder?
Demand for fence builder services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.