How Much Does a Fence Cost to Install?

Whether you’re replacing an old fence or buying one for the very first time, installing a garden fence can be a big job – and I would know! Having lived in multiple houses over the years, I’ve renovated my fair share of gardens and that’s included getting fences replaced. But installing a fence isn’t just about the work involved, it’s about the costs as well.

I love finding a good deal as much as anyone, but when it comes to installing fences it’s important to understand where you can save money and where you should be opening your wallet. In this blog, I’ll give you a much better idea of how much installing a fence is going to set you back so that you can make the best decision for your garden.

Common Reasons to Install a New Fence

So, why install a new fence? If you’re wondering whether your next project is really necessary, take a look at some of these common reasons that people decide to install a new fence.

Replacement

If your existing fence is well beyond repair and looking more than a little shabby, it’s probably time to replace it with a newer model. Everyone has different views on when it’s time to replace a fence, but if yours is splintered, starting to lean, or is missing some of its panels, chances are it’s time to say goodbye.

Privacy

Everyone wants to feel comfortable in their own garden and nosy neighbours or passersby can make you feel overly exposed when sunbathing or playing with your kids. Fences can help you keep your home private and away from prying eyes. Just make sure your new fence isn’t over two metres tall, otherwise, you may need planning permission to install it.

Design

Have you recently wanted to spruce up your garden and pay a little more attention to its aesthetics? A new fence that’s more in line with your vision can give your garden a more put-together look, improving not only your enjoyment of it but also your home’s value. Fences are also ideal for creating different zones in your garden, so if you’ve been wanting a space for adults to relax that’s away from your kids’ paddling pool, a fence could be just the trick.

Security

Fences can actually do a lot to prevent burglaries in your home. It takes a whole lot more time and effort to climb a fence than it does to simply walk into a garden and up to your back door. Paired with cameras and motion sensor lights, you should be able to deter a lot of opportunistic crooks with a sturdy fence and locked garden gate.

What Type of Fence is Best?

You have a few different options when it comes to garden fencing, but the one that’s right for you will depend on why you’re installing your fence and your budget. It’s worth noting, however, that wooden fences are by far the most popular for domestic gardens. While they will need to be cared for to help them withstand extreme weather, they’re definitely the most versatile and customisable.

You could consider a metal fence if you’re worried about durability, but they will be a lot more expensive and may look a bit too industrial for your tastes. And if you really need a cheap fence, plastic could seem like an attractive option, but it won’t last a very long time and isn’t particularly environmentally friendly.

Now that we’ve established a wooden fence is probably going to be your best bet, here are a few types you could consider:

·        Solid fence panels: The best option for anyone wanting to make their garden more private or secure, solid fence panels provide the most coverage and tend to be stronger than other fence types. You’ll need to invest in high-quality wood though, because solid panels can be heavy and will need to be well-supported on both ends.

·        Decorative fence panels: Decorative fence panels tend to be semi-solid, meaning light can pass through them. You can choose from a wide range of designs where slats are woven together or stacked in a pleasing geometrical pattern. These fences will provide some privacy while still allowing you to be creative with your garden’s look.

·        Trellis fence: Ideal for using within your garden to create zones, trellis fences don’t offer much privacy but can be very beautiful. It’s also possible to combine them with climbing plants for a more natural, integrated feel. Trellis fences can also be installed on top of your solid fence panels to add a decorative touch to your garden’s perimeter.

How Much Does a Fence Cost?

Your total fencing cost will be the sum of the materials you bought plus the labour needed for installation. Of course, this will be different for everyone, but in this section, I’ll give you the average cost you can expect for a standard garden fence.

Typical materials you can expect to need (and their prices) include:

·        Wooden fence panels (£45 each)

·        Wooden fence posts (£25.50 each)

·        Wood stain (£10 per panel) or wood paint (£6 per panel)

The price of your fence panels can vary depending on the type of fence you choose. Some common price ranges* of different types of fences include:

·        Lattice fence – £40-£150

·        Slatted fence – £50-£200

·        Woven fence – £65-£135

·        Lap panel fence – £30-£50

* prices per panel

When it comes to installation, you will probably be billed based on the size of your fence. Professionals typically charge £400/100ft to install fence panels, so a 5ft fence would probably cost you around £2000. However, this figure can vary depending on the complexity of your installation, so always ask for a quote before any work is carried out.

Some professionals may also charge a daily rate, which can range from £150-£450. This can be a good deal for smaller fences that can be installed in a day or less, such as a short picket fence in your front garden. However, larger projects may take up to three days, so be prepared to pay more if your fence installation encounters unexpected delays.

What Can Affect the Cost of Installing Fence?

The cost of a fence is determined by a few different factors, so it’s difficult to calculate your fencing costs without considering your unique situation. When thinking about what your fence installation cost might be, keep in mind the following list:

Fence Height

In general, the higher your fence, the more it will cost to build. Most garden fences are somewhere between four and six feet, but you may be able to find fence panels that are higher or lower than this depending on your needs. Think carefully about how high you really need your fence to be, as extra inches that you don’t need could end up costing you dearly.

Type of Fence

As I mentioned earlier, the type of fence you choose will affect your total costs. One of the biggest factors will be material, but your fence’s design will also play a part. For instance, a solid fence panel made out of high-quality wood will likely set you back more than a flimsy rail fence. You’ll also be looking at a higher cost for any extra features, such as an integrated garden gate.

The material of your fence posts can also make a difference, with timber fence posts being cheaper than concrete posts. Concrete posts may last a lot longer, but they’ll be more costly to both buy and install, not to mention they’re also difficult to remove at a later date if you change your mind about your fence.

Length and Number of Panels

As you’d probably expect, longer fences that require more panels will be more expensive to install. Not only is this because you will have to buy more panels and posts, but it will take longer for your professional installer to do the work. If your garden is on the larger side and your fence is becoming too expensive, look for ways to reduce your costs by changing the style of the fence or the type of wood it’s made from.

Quality of Materials

Not every fence is alike, even if you think you’ve found two comparable fences made from the same type of wood and in the same style, their quality could be very different. It’s a good idea to see samples of the fence you plan to buy in person, as this will help you judge how well-made the panels are and whether the wood feels robust. However, if you’re new to fences, it can be hard to tell the difference in quality until it’s too late. Make sure you read reviews for different manufacturers and do your research into where the wood is sourced and how the fences are made.

Location

Installing a fence in a hard-to-reach area or on uneven ground is likely to take a lot longer than a simple installation. If you know your garden could be problematic for your installer, you could try to mitigate some issues ahead of time. For example, clearing unwanted brambles or rocks out of the way could save your installer a lot of time and effort.

Desired Finish

Painting and finishing your fence is a whole lot easier than installing it, so if you feel up to the job, you could give it a go yourself and save some money. While you will still need to buy paint or a wood stain, you’d be saving on labour costs. However, if you’ve never painted a fence before, it’s all too easy to make a botched job of it. I remember my first fence paint job – it wasn’t a pretty sight! And I ended up having to buy more paint to fix the mess I’d made. Now I’m much more confident and can even wield a sprayer rather than just a brush, so mistakes can definitely lead to great things in the future.

Can You Install a Fence Yourself?

I’ll admit, I’ve been tempted to install a fence or two myself. After all, how hard can it be? As it turns out, installing a fence isn’t as simple as it seems and if you want to avoid a whole lot of complications, it’s usually better to let the experts handle the job. However, if you’re a very experienced DIYer, you might have a fighting chance, but it’s certainly not a task for the vast majority of us who enjoy the odd bit of woodworking.

Some of the problems that can occur if you try to install a fence yourself include:

·        Technical Challenges: Installing a fence requires a lot more steps than most people realise, meaning you may have to familiarise yourself with gravel boards and pouring concrete. You’ll also have to dig a fair way down into the earth, which can be quite a challenge – especially when you have to do the same for every post you install.

·        Durability: Even if you do manage to install your fence on your own, there’s a chance it won’t last quite as long as a professional job. The last thing you want after slaving away in your garden is to see your panels pop out of place in a few months. And if you’re expecting any strong winds in the future, you may have an even bigger problem on your hands.

·        Injury: Most DIY carries some risk of injury, but installing a tall fence can be difficult even for someone who is relatively strong. You really don’t want a panel toppling over onto you, so if you do feel confident with the fence installation process, consider enlisting help to make sure everything goes smoothly and nobody gets hurt.

Fence Repair and Replacement Costs

Sometimes you won’t need to install a whole new fence, especially if the one you build is of great quality. However, there will come a time when old fence panels start to splinter or no longer sit nicely between posts. Luckily, your fence repair cost will typically be much lower than the amount it cost you to build in the first place, as you’ll only be focussing on certain problem areas.

Some repairs are easy to solve and can be done yourself. For example, paintwork that’s chipping or showing signs of wear can be touched up with any leftover paint you have in your shed. If you decide to repaint your whole fence, you could be spending around £220 depending on its size.

Rotting posts will need to be swapped out quickly, as your entire fence could become unstable. Each post will cost around £150 to change, which includes your material and labour costs. Fence panels are likely to come to a similar price, as while they’re easier to replace, they’re more expensive to buy. However, if you opted for a fence that has slats and one of them has broken, you’ll only need to spend a few pounds on getting a new one and then a little extra to ask someone to fit it for you.

Calculate Your Fence Costs and Transform Your Garden

Fence installation costs can be very different for each and every homeowner, so make sure you take these average figures with a pinch of salt and calculate your own costs as best you can. I’ve learnt that you always need to budget a little more than you expect to pay in case something goes wrong. I’d always rather pay the extra cash rather than end up with half a fence!

The good news is you have plenty of choices and can really customise your fencing project to suit both your budget and your needs. Mix and match styles and materials and don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best deal possible.