How to price fence installation jobs in the UK (2026 guide)

Fencing is one of the most consistently in-demand trades in the UK, driven by new build developments, garden renovation projects, and the ongoing replacement cycle of ageing panel fences. Demand peaks strongly in spring and early summer as homeowners turn their attention to gardens, then picks up again in autumn after summer storms bring down sections of ageing fence lines. For fencing contractors, accurate pricing is critical: ground conditions, post type, existing fence removal, access, and the sheer variety of fencing products make per-metre rates highly variable between jobs. This guide covers the key price drivers for fence installation in 2026, how to structure your quotes, and how to win more fencing contracts without racing to the bottom on price.

Fencing price per metre by type

Close-board fencing is the most common residential fencing type in the UK and commands the highest per-metre rate of standard fence types. Supply and fit of close-board fencing prices at £80 to £150 per metre in 2026, depending on height (standard 1.8m versus 2.1m or taller), post specification (concrete versus pressure-treated timber), and whether gravel boards are included. Panel fencing — the flat woven or lapped panel type common in older gardens — prices at £60 to £100 per metre supply and fit, with the lower end reflecting straightforward replacement on existing concrete posts and the upper end reflecting new concrete post installations on good ground. Post and rail fencing, used mainly for paddocks, boundaries, and rural applications, prices at £40 to £70 per metre supply and fit, with pricing depending heavily on the number of rails (two-rail versus three-rail) and post centres. These are baseline guide rates for standard ground conditions on a reasonably accessible site — adjust upward for restricted access, sloped ground, hard or stony soil, or any specification above the standard.

Gate pricing

Gates are one of the most profitable add-ons on any fencing job and should always be quoted separately from the per-metre fencing rate. A standard timber garden gate, supply and fit with appropriate hardware (hinges, latch, and bracing), prices at £400 to £1,200 depending on size, timber specification, and whether it is a single or double gate. A bespoke or large double timber gate — often required for driveways or side access — sits at the upper end of that range. Metal gates, including powder-coated steel or wrought iron driveway gates, price from £800 to £3,000 for supply and fit, depending on size, specification, and whether automation (electric opener) is included. Automated gate systems add a further £600 to £2,000 for the motor, safety sensors, and remote or keypad control, and typically require a separate electrical connection — factor this in or refer to a trusted electrician and mark up accordingly. Always use a written specification for gates so the customer understands exactly what is included in the price.

Ground and post work

Ground and post conditions are the single biggest variable in fencing pricing and the area where under-quoting most often causes a fencing job to run at a loss. Concrete posts are the industry standard for close-board and panel fencing — they are durable, will not rot at ground level, and accept standard arris rails and gravel boards directly. Pressure-treated timber posts are cheaper and acceptable for lighter applications, but require post spiking into firm ground or concreting into a dug hole. In either case, ground conditions matter enormously. Sandy or loam ground is easy to dig and firm up quickly; clay soil can be heavy and sticky; chalk, shale, or made ground (rubble, old foundations) can require a breaker and significantly increase labour time. If ground conditions are unknown at quote stage — as they typically are for a domestic garden site survey — include a conditional clause in your quote: “Price assumes standard diggable ground. Hard ground, rock, or made ground will be quoted as an additional variation.” This protects your margin without alarming the customer before work begins.

Materials markup and waste

Fencing materials — posts, arris rails, feather-edge boards, gravel boards, concrete, and hardware — should be priced at your trade account rate plus a minimum 20 to 30 per cent materials markup. This markup covers the time cost of ordering, collecting, and managing materials, your financial risk on price fluctuations between quote and purchase, and any breakage or waste on site. Timber waste allowance should be factored into your board and rail quantities: add 10 per cent to calculated quantities to cover cutting waste, splits, and any boards rejected on delivery. Concrete for post holes — typically one 25kg bag per post on standard ground — should be itemised rather than absorbed into a day rate, since post numbers vary significantly between jobs and the cost adds up quickly across a long fence run. Trade accounts with a fencing wholesaler or builder's merchant will give you better material costs than buying retail and are essential for running any volume of fencing work profitably.

Removal of old fencing

Old fence removal is almost always underpriced by fencing contractors who fold it into the main job rate without properly accounting for the time it takes. Pulling out old timber posts concreted into the ground — particularly posts that have been in for ten or more years — is a physically demanding and time-consuming task that can add significantly to the working day on longer fence runs. Price old fence removal as a separate line item at £15 to £30 per metre, depending on fence type and post condition. Concrete post removal — where the entire concrete post and base needs to be extracted or broken out — should be quoted at the higher end of that range, and in some cases a full day of breaking and extraction work may need to be scoped separately. Disposal of old fencing timber adds a skip hire or tip run cost that should be included in your removal rate or quoted separately. Never absorb removal into your per-metre supply and fit rate — it will erode your margin on every job that has existing fencing to take out.

Winning fencing contracts

Fencing is a visually compelling trade for marketing purposes — before and after photographs of a freshly installed close-board fence with clean posts and a new gate are some of the most shareable content on local Facebook groups and Instagram. Build a portfolio of your best installations and post them consistently: show the site conditions, the installation in progress, and the finished result. This builds trust and gives prospective customers a realistic expectation of the quality of your work. Fast quoting is a significant competitive advantage in fencing — most domestic customers are contacting two or three contractors and will book the first one to respond with a clear, professional quote. A written quote issued the same day as the site visit, with itemised costs for fencing, gates, removal, and any ground conditions allowance, will win more jobs than a verbal quote followed by a delayed email. A trade account with a local fencing supplier reduces material lead times and gives you confidence in availability when converting a quote to a booking quickly.

Trade2Base for fencing quotes and job management

Trade2Base helps fencing contractors quote faster and follow up more consistently. Build a library of fencing line items — close-board per metre, gate supply and fit, removal rates — and generate a professional written quote on site during the survey visit, sent to the customer before you drive away. Automated follow-up reminders chase any quote that has not been accepted after three or five days, improving your conversion rate without any manual chasing. Job tracking keeps each fencing project moving from quote to booking to completion, with materials and photos stored against each job record.