DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
What affects the cost of garden fencing
Two fencing quotes for what looks like the same garden can be miles apart, and the reason is usually in the detail. Knowing what moves the price helps you judge whether a quote is fair against the real prices below.
The quick version
- Post type, panel style and height are the three biggest drivers of a fencing quote.
- Ground conditions like slopes, tree roots or old concrete can quietly add hours of labour.
- Taking away the old fence and tipping it is often a separate line worth checking.
- Fencing is building work, so expect 20% VAT to be part of the price.
What people actually paid
Real prices, in people's own words
- £1,152“Cost £1152”
- £1,500“I paid about £1,500 for 6 overlap panels with concrete posts”
- £2,000“Cost just under £2k.”
- £2,880“We had 18 panels with concrete posts and gravel boards fitted for £160 each”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The headline is the panels, but the real cost lives underground and in the labour. Concrete posts and gravel boards cost more than timber but resist rot, so quotes using them read higher. Digging in hard, rocky or root-filled ground takes longer, and a sloping garden may need stepped panels. Then there is height, access for barrowing materials to the back garden, and whether the old fence has to come out and go to the tip. All of that sits behind a number that can look simple at first glance.
How to pay less
- Decide on post type and panel style first, so every fencer quotes the same spec.
- Get three quotes and ask each to itemise removal, posts and panels separately.
- Choose standard heights and styles, since anything custom pushes material costs up.
- Favour local fencers, as national firms usually quote above them for identical work.
Common questions
Why is one fencing quote so much higher than another?
Usually because they have priced different things. One may include concrete posts, gravel boards and old fence removal, while another assumes timber posts and no clearance. Ask each to itemise so you compare like with like against the real prices below.
Does fence height change the cost much?
Yes. Taller panels use more timber and often need stronger, deeper-set posts to stay upright. Going above two metres may also need planning permission, which adds time and cost. Most garden boundaries stick to standard heights for that reason.
Should I use a national fencing company?
You can, but national firms tend to quote above local fencers for the same job. Get three quotes and include a couple of established local trades so you can see what a fair price looks like before deciding.