Homeowners often ask what a fence should cost per metre. The honest answer is that it depends on panel type, height, posts and access. However, published guides give a useful starting range for a supplied-and-installed fence.
Average fencing cost per metre (2026)
Each column below is one guide, checked on 29 October 2026. We have not averaged them, because each guide assumes a different post, height and region.
| Fence type | Best Builders | Book A Builder | Less.co.uk | Trade2Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lap / overlap panel (timber) | £60 – £85 | £90 – £110 | £50 – £75 | £40 – £70 |
| Feather edge / closeboard (timber) | £90 – £130 | £110 – £140 | £80 – £130 | £60 – £100 |
| Slatted / decorative (timber) | Not listed | £120 – £180 | Not listed | £80 – £140 |
| Picket fencing | £55 – £95 | Not listed | £40 – £75 | Not listed |
| Composite fencing | £130 – £220 | Not listed | £120 – £200 | £70 – £160 |
As a rule of thumb, closeboard costs about £90 to £160 per metre; Book A Builder's £130 to £160 is with concrete posts and gravel boards. Best Builders puts closeboard at £90 to £130. Use our fence cost calculator for a tailored ballpark.
The guides disagree because they make different assumptions. One may include concrete posts and gravel boards, while another prices a basic timber post. Regions and the date of the data also differ. As a result, treat the table as a range, not a price.
What affects the cost of fencing?
- Length and height matter because taller panels use more material and more labour.
- Panel type changes the price, since closeboard and slatted designs cost more than lap panels.
- Posts are another choice. Trade2Base puts the supply cost of concrete posts at £15 to £35 each.
- Removing the old fence costs extra. The guides give £8 to £30 per metre for removal.
- Ground and access count too. Rocky soil, slopes and tight rear access all push the price up.
Height deserves a second look. A 1.8m fence uses more board and more post than a 1.2m one, so the same run costs more. For example, Trade2Base says going to 2.0m or higher can add 15 to 25 percent to the per-metre price of composite.
Labour vs materials
Labour usually accounts for 40 to 55 percent of a fencing bill, according to Best Builders. Book A Builder shows a similar pattern, since its 10 metre example has materials of £400 to £800 and labour of £300 to £600.
Output varies with the job. Trade2Base quotes 4 to 6 metres of closeboard a day on flat ground, while Book A Builder gives 8 to 12 metres a day for a skilled team. Day rates also run higher in London and the South East.
Gates and extras
Per-metre prices cover the fence run only. Gates cost extra: Trade2Base gives £200 to £600 for a single timber pedestrian gate, and Best Builders gives £150 to £450. Therefore, add the gate separately when you budget.
Composite sits at the top of the table. In every guide that lists both, it costs more per metre than closeboard. However, it needs no painting or staining, so some buyers accept the higher price.
How to read a quote
Ask three questions before you compare prices. Does the quote include removing the old fence? Are the posts concrete or timber, and is the gravel board included? A low quote that leaves these out can end up costing more, because you then pay for the missing items yourself.
Ask for the price per metre as well as the total. That lets you compare quotes fairly, even when the runs differ in length. Still, a good installer will also check the height and the ground before they quote.
How to get an accurate price
Online averages only get you so far, because they cannot see your garden. The best way to know your real price is to compare two or three quotes from local installers who have seen the job. Get free quotes and we will match you with vetted fencers covering your postcode.