A new fence is one of the simpler outdoor jobs to price, because almost everything comes down to three numbers: how long the run is, how high it is, and which style you choose. Posts and taking the old fence away are the only other big variables.
We don't fit fences ourselves. You get an indicative range here, and we pass your enquiry to one local fencing specialist who covers your postcode. They look at your photos, measure up if needed, and confirm a fixed price.
Fence styles compared
- Featheredge (closeboard). Vertical overlapping boards nailed to horizontal rails between posts. It is built on site, so it follows slopes well and is the strongest timber option in wind. Individual boards can be replaced.
- Overlap panels. Ready-made panels slotted between posts. The cheapest way to get a 1.8m screen, quick to fit, but thinner timber and more likely to blow out in a storm.
- Slatted (contemporary). Horizontal slats with small gaps, often in smooth planed timber. It looks modern and lets some air through, but uses more timber and more labour.
- Post and rail. Two or three horizontal rails on posts. Used for marking boundaries, paddocks and open-plan fronts, not for privacy.
What it costs
Rates are per metre, supply and fit, waste included, indicative for the West Midlands.
| Style | Under 1m | About 1.2m | About 1.8m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overlap panels | £36–£54 | £48–£72 | £60–£90 |
| Featheredge / closeboard | £57–£81 | £76–£108 | £95–£135 |
| Slatted / contemporary | £78–£114 | £104–£152 | £130–£190 |
| Post and rail | £24–£39 | £32–£52 | £40–£65 |
Then add:
| Extra | Per metre |
|---|---|
| Concrete posts instead of timber | about £10 |
| Removing and taking away the old fence | £8–£15 |
The smallest jobs start at about £420, which is roughly seven metres of 1.8m overlap panels on timber posts. A typical example: 15 metres of 1.8m featheredge on concrete posts, old fence removed, comes to about £1,700–£2,400. The fence cost per metre guide has more worked examples.
What affects the price
- Height. A 1.2m fence costs about 80% of the 1.8m rate, and under 1m about 60%. Fences over 2m are priced at about 25% more, but need a site visit and usually planning permission.
- Posts. Concrete posts and gravel boards don't rot and last well beyond the timber. Timber posts are cheaper to start with and suit featheredge and slatted designs.
- The old fence. Pulling out old posts set in concrete takes time. Removal and disposal adds £8–£15 per metre.
- Ground and access. Slopes need stepped panels or a raked featheredge. No mini-digger access or a carry through the house adds 15–20%.
- Obstacles. Roots, buried rubble, old concrete footings and drains along the line all slow post-hole digging.
Concrete or timber posts
Concrete posts with concrete gravel boards are the standard choice for panel fences. The panels slide into grooves, so a blown-out panel can be replaced without touching the posts. Timber posts, set in concrete or on metal post supports, are used for featheredge and slatted fences where the look matters, and are about £10 per metre cheaper. A good specialist will tell you which suits the style you've picked.
Height limits
You can put up a fence up to 2 metres high without planning permission, measured from ground level. Next to a road used by vehicles, or the footpath of one, the limit is 1 metre. Any trellis on top counts towards the total. If your house is listed, or in a conservation area, check with the council first. Some newer estates also have covenants that keep front gardens open-plan.
A fence over 2m, or over 1m facing a road, always gets a free site visit rather than an online range. See how high can a garden fence be? and the 1m rule next to a road.
Boundaries and neighbours
Before a shared fence comes down, agree it with your neighbour. There is no left-or-right rule about ownership. Your title plan may show T marks, but many don't. Our guide to who owns the fence explains how to check. It is usual, but not a legal requirement, to face the smooth side outward and keep posts on your own land.
What to photograph for a quote
Good photos mean a closer price, and a shorter visit to measure up. How to measure.
- The whole fence line or area, end to end, standing back as far as you can
- From above if you can: an upstairs window shows the size and levels best
- The way in from the road: the drive, side gate, steps and where a lorry could park
Where we cover
We pass fencing enquiries to specialists in Sutton Coldfield, North Birmingham, Solihull, South Birmingham, Edgbaston and Harborne, Lichfield and Tamworth, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Stourbridge and Coventry. If you also want a gate in the run, see side gates; for extra height on top, see trellis and screening.
Questions about new fences
How long does a new fence take to put up?
A 15–20 metre run of panels on concrete posts is usually one to two days. Featheredge built on site takes a little longer. Post-hole concrete needs to go off before boards or panels are loaded, which some crews handle by returning the next day.
Which fence lasts longest?
Featheredge on concrete posts with concrete gravel boards, kept off the soil and treated every few years. Overlap panels are the cheapest but the thinnest, and usually the first to fail in high wind.
Do I need to tell my neighbour?
It is not a legal requirement for a fence on your own land, but it is sensible, and essential if the fence is shared or the crew needs access from their side.
Can the fence go on a slope?
Yes. Panels are stepped down the slope with gravel boards filling the gaps. Featheredge can follow the ground line. Steep or stepped gardens may need a site visit.
What should I measure before asking for a price?
The length of each run, the height you want, and whether any part faces a road. Our guide on measuring your garden for a fence quote shows how.