Install a new fence.

Whether you are replacing a storm-damaged panel or installing a complete run of featheredge fencing, understanding the process and costs involved will help you achieve a professional finish that lasts for decades rather than seasons.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Survey & Boundary Check: Confirming ownership via property deeds and checking for underground services (water, gas, electric) using a CAT scanner.
• Clearance: Removing existing fencing, old concrete "footings," and any obstructing vegetation or debris.
• Setting the Posts: Digging holes to a minimum depth of 600mm and securing timber or concrete posts using rapid-setting concrete (Postcrete).
• Installing Gravel Boards: Fitting protective boards at the base to prevent the main fence panels from touching the damp ground.
• Fixing Panels or Rails: Attaching pre-made panels or "on-site" building featheredge (closeboard) fencing with horizontal rails and vertical slats.
• Gates and Ironmongery: Hanging matching gates with heavy-duty hinges, latches, and bolts, ensuring smooth operation and correct clearance.
• Waste Removal: Responsible disposal of old materials, often requiring a Waste Carrier Licence.

Typical Costs

Pricing for fencing is usually quoted per "bay" (one panel and one post) or per linear metre. The following 2025/26 estimates include materials, labour, and VAT.

Factors that increase the price include steep slopes (requiring "stepping"), extremely rocky ground, or limited access that requires materials to be carried through a house.

How Long Does It Take?

• Single Panel/Post Repair: 2–4 hours.
• Standard 10-Metre Run: 1 day (including removal of old fence).
• Full Garden Replacement (30m+): 2–4 days depending on ground conditions.
• Gate Installation: 2–3 hours as a standalone job.

DIY or Professional?

While a confident DIYer can replace a single panel, a full installation is physically demanding and technically precise. Digging post holes to the correct depth (at least 2 feet) is back-breaking work, and if posts aren't perfectly vertical and aligned, panels will not fit.

Professionals have the equipment to navigate underground services safely and the expertise to ensure the fence can withstand high winds. Furthermore, hiring a pro ensures your boundaries are correctly aligned, avoiding costly disputes with neighbours later.

Pro Tip: Always opt for "UC4" pressure-treated timber for any wood in contact with the ground. It is specifically treated for ground-contact use and lasts significantly longer than standard treated timber.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Credentials: Look for members of the Association of Fencing Industries (AFI) or Checked & Vetted professionals.
• Waste Licence: Ensure they hold a valid Environment Agency Waste Carrier Licence to avoid being held liable for fly-tipping.
• Insurance: Confirm they have Public Liability Insurance (minimum £2 million).
• Ask for Portfolios: A good fencer will have photos of previous work, specifically showing the "straightness" of the line and the neatness of the post-topping.

Questions to ask:

• How deep will the posts be set in the ground?
• Do you use Postcrete or a standard concrete mix?
• Is the waste removal included in the quote?
• What guarantee do you offer on the timber against rot?

UK Regulations

• Height Restrictions: In the UK, you generally don't need planning permission for a fence under 2 metres high (approx. 6ft 6in).
• Front Gardens: If the fence is adjacent to a highway or footpath used by vehicles, the height limit is usually 1 metre.
• Conservation Areas: Rules are stricter here; always check with your local council before changing the style or height.
• The "Good Side": There is no legal requirement to give your neighbour the "flat" side of the fence, but it is a common courtesy to do so.

Common Problems

• Shallow Post Holes: If posts aren't deep enough, the fence will lean or blow over in the first winter storm.
• Ground Rot: Using timber posts without gravel boards often leads to the bottom of the fence rotting within 5 years.
• Service Damage: Digging blindly can sever internet cables or water pipes; always insist on a service scan first.
• Boundary Encroachment: Installing a fence even a few inches onto a neighbour's land can lead to expensive legal battles.

Frequently Asked Questions