What does a new garden fence cost in 2026?
Rough, clearly approximate price ranges for budgeting a garden fence in 2026, with the factors that make quotes vary so widely.
Read this first. The figures below are our own broad budgeting estimates for 2026, based on the general level of retail prices for common materials and typical labour costs. They are not quotes, they are not survey results, and real prices vary by region, supplier, site and season. Use them to sense-check quotes, not to replace them.
What drives the price
- Fence type and height. A 1.8 m solid fence uses much more timber than a 1.2 m picket or post and rail fence.
- Posts. Concrete posts cost more than timber to buy and are heavier to handle, but usually last longer.
- Removal and disposal. Taking out an old fence and its concrete footings can add significantly to labour, and waste disposal is charged separately by many fitters.
- Access. Carrying materials through a house or down a narrow passage takes time. Rear access saves money.
- Ground. Stony or root-filled soil, old foundations and slopes all slow progress.
- Length. Very short jobs often carry a minimum charge; longer runs can be cheaper per metre.
- Location and season. Labour rates vary across the UK. Demand spikes after big storms, which can push prices and lead times up.
Approximate supplied-and-fitted costs per metre (2026)
For a typical 1.8 m high fence on reasonable ground with easy access, including posts and gravel boards but excluding removal of an old fence and VAT where charged:
| Fence type | Rough range per metre, fitted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lap panels on timber posts | £50–£90 | Cheapest common solid fence; shorter lifespan in exposed spots |
| Lap panels on concrete posts | £60–£110 | Panels easy to swap later |
| Featheredge / T&G panels on concrete posts | £80–£140 | Sturdier panels |
| Closeboard built on site | £90–£160 | More labour, stronger result |
| Hit-and-miss / slatted timber | £110–£220 | Depends heavily on timber grade and gaps |
| Picket (around 1 m) | £40–£90 | Usually front gardens |
| Post and rail (2–3 rails) | £25–£60 | Add mesh for pets |
| Composite systems | £180–£350+ | Higher upfront, less upkeep |
Approximate material costs
If you fit the fence yourself, materials often account for less than half of a fitted price on a simple panel job. Approximate 2026 retail ranges:
| Item | Rough range each |
|---|---|
| 1.83 × 1.8 m lap panel | £25–£50 |
| 1.83 × 1.8 m featheredge or T&G panel | £45–£90 |
| Slotted concrete post (2.4–2.75 m) | £25–£45 |
| UC4 timber post, 100 mm × 2.4 m | £15–£35 |
| Concrete gravel board (1.83 m) | £15–£30 |
| Rapid-set post mix (per bag) | £6–£12; typically 1–2 bags per post |
| Concrete repair spur | £15–£35 |
Gates
A ready-made timber side gate around 0.9 m wide and 1.8 m high might cost roughly £70–£250 to buy depending on construction, with hinges, bolts and a latch on top. Fitting is often priced as a fixed job. Made-to-measure timber and metal gates, and especially automated driveway gates, can run into thousands. See gates and security.
Repairs
Small storm repairs are often priced as a call-out plus materials. Fitting a concrete repair spur or replacing one panel in concrete posts is usually a short job, but minimum charges mean one panel can cost a significant fraction of a day rate. Fixing several items in one visit is better value. See repairing storm damage.
A worked example
To show how the ranges combine, take a hypothetical 20 m back boundary, 1.8 m high, with easy rear access and an old fence to remove.
- 11 slotted concrete posts, 10 concrete gravel boards and 10 featheredge panels as materials might come to roughly £900–£1,700 at the ranges above, plus post mix, fixings and caps.
- Supplied and fitted at roughly £80–£140 per metre, the fence itself might be around £1,600–£2,800.
- Removal and disposal of the old fence could add a few hundred pounds, depending on footings and waste charges.
The point of the exercise is not the exact total but the shape of it: on a straightforward site, labour and removal often cost as much as the materials. Difficult access, stony ground or a slope can push the labour share up sharply.
Doing it yourself
Fitting panels yourself saves the labour cost, but budget honestly for the extras: hiring or buying a post-hole digger or breaker for old footings, a skip or waste collection, delivery charges and a spare panel in case of a cutting mistake. Concrete posts and gravel boards are heavy enough that you will need a second person. Our installation guide shows what the job involves so you can judge whether it is realistic for you.
Lifespan and value
A cheaper fence is not always cheaper over time. Lap panels on timber posts in an exposed garden may need significant repairs within a few years, while a well-built closeboard fence on concrete posts can last much longer with routine care. Concrete posts often outlast two sets of panels, which makes later panel replacement cheaper. When comparing options, think about cost per year of useful life, not just the upfront price. Good maintenance stretches that life further.
Getting and comparing quotes
- Ask at least two or three fitters to quote for the same specification, in writing.
- Check the quote lists the fence type and height, post material and depth, gravel boards, number of gates, removal and disposal, and whether VAT is included.
- Ask about treatment class of timber: UC4 for posts and gravel boards. See treating timber.
- Be wary of very large deposits, door-to-door offers after storms and pressure to decide on the spot.
- Confirm who is responsible for checking boundaries and planning limits. Usually, that is you.
For your consumer rights when hiring a tradesperson, including what to do if work is poor, Citizens Advice publishes practical guidance, and Trading Standards deal with rogue traders.
Sharing costs with a neighbour
Neighbours often split the cost of a shared boundary. Agree in writing the design, which side the posts go, which way the face goes, how the cost splits and who maintains it. Our guide to who owns the fence explains why written agreements matter.
Spending money where it counts
If the budget is tight, spend it at ground level: good posts set deep and gravel boards that keep the timber off the soil. A modest panel on excellent posts will usually outlast a premium panel on poor ones. Compare options in fence types compared and concrete vs timber posts.