Fencing Cost Calculator
Estimate panels, posts, postcrete and labour for a garden fence, with 2026 UK prices by fence type.
How much does fencing cost per metre in the UK?
In 2026, supply-only lap panel fencing works out at around £45–£60 per metre. Installed with labour, a typical panel or closeboard fence costs £85–£180 per metre, with £110–£120 per metre a common all-in average for a 6-foot garden fence. Composite fencing starts from about £150 per metre installed. For a typical 10–15 metre garden boundary, most homeowners pay £1,200–£1,800 for a new fence supplied and fitted.
The calculator above works out how many panels and posts your run needs, adds roughly one bag of postcrete per post, and — if you switch on "supplied & fitted" — a labour rate per metre based on the fence type. Choosing a fence type pre-fills typical panel and post prices, which you can edit to match your local merchant.
Cost per metre by fence type (2026)
| Fence type | Supply only £/m | Supplied & fitted £/m |
|---|---|---|
| Lap / overlap panel | £25 – £40 | £50 – £90 |
| Closeboard / featheredge | £35 – £55 | £60 – £100 |
| Picket | £30 – £45 | £55 – £95 |
| Metal palisade | £40 – £70 | £80 – £130 |
| Composite | £90 – £130 | £150 – £220 |
How many panels and posts do I need?
Divide the total fence length by the panel width — 1.83 m (6 feet) is the UK standard — and round up, because you can't buy a fraction of a panel. The number of posts is always one more than the number of panels: every panel needs a post at each end, and neighbouring panels share the post between them. So a 20 m run needs 11 panels and 12 posts.
What the calculator excludes
- Gravel boards — around £12–£20 each, one per panel, worth fitting to keep panels off wet ground.
- Post caps and capping rail — a few pounds per post/panel for a tidier finish.
- Old fence removal and waste disposal — £100–£300 for a typical garden.
- Difficult access or ground — rocky, waterlogged or sloping ground slows post-setting and adds labour.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Concrete-post-and-gravel-board systems cost more upfront than timber posts but last far longer, so they're usually cheaper over 15–20 years.
- Standard 6-foot panels are far cheaper per metre than bespoke heights or slatted screens.
- Get three quotes — fencing labour rates vary widely by area and by how busy contractors are.
Frequently asked questions
How much does garden fencing cost per metre in the UK?
Supply-only lap panel fencing is around £45–£60 per metre in 2026. Installed, a typical panel or closeboard fence costs £85–£180 per metre including labour, with £110–£120 per metre a common average. Composite runs from about £150 per metre installed.
How many fence posts do I need?
One more than the number of panels — posts = panels + 1. Divide your run length by the panel width (usually 1.83 m) and round up to get the panel count.
How much does it cost to fence a typical garden?
For a typical 10–15 metre garden boundary, most UK homeowners pay £1,200–£1,800 for a new fence supplied and fitted in 2026.
Does the calculator include concrete for the posts?
Yes — it adds roughly one bag of postcrete per post. It excludes gravel boards, post caps, capping rail, waste removal and extra cost for hard or waterlogged ground.
What is the standard UK fence panel size?
Most UK fence panels are 1.83 m (6 feet) wide. Heights are commonly 3, 4, 5 or 6 feet, and posts for a 6-foot fence are usually 8 feet to allow for the buried section.
Is it cheaper to install a fence yourself?
Supply-only materials for a 6-foot closeboard fence with gravel boards and concrete posts cost around £50 per metre, versus £71 per metre or more with labour. DIY saves the labour but you need to set posts accurately and dispose of the old fence.
A quick note
Indicative 2026 UK prices that vary by region, merchant and access. Check current prices with your local merchant and get quotes from local fencers for an accurate total. See our full disclaimer.