Fencing near me

Fencing contractors are professionals who specialise in the installation, repair, and maintenance of fences and gates. In many cases, fencing contractors cover all of these services but specialise in particular fencing materials or types.

These experts will not only handle the practical matters of installing, treating, and repairing fences and gates, but can actually offer guidance and support in picking out fencing materials, fence paint colours, and anything else needed for you to make the most informed decision.

Crucially, fencing contractors can also provide information about relevant legislation that dictates the kind of fence installation you can have on your property. This is particularly useful since the last thing you need is to tear down your brand-new fence panels because you’re breaking the rules!

For a closer look at what fencing contractors do, check out our Fencing Contractors FAQ.

There are many different types of fences, not just in terms of material, but structural design and purpose. Speaking broadly, fences fall into one of these three categories:

• Decorative fencing acts as an attractive backdrop for your outdoor spaces, but also provides border definition, increased privacy, and a moderate level of security

• Privacy fencing is primarily concerned with creating a barrier that blocks views from the surrounding vicinity, making it a common choice for residential properties

• Security fencing is intended to deter would-be trespassers with a robust physical barrier that delays and even inhibits anyone attempting to enter your property

While these different types of fences are distinct in terms of their goal, you’ll often find there’s overlap between them. Many decorative fences provide security and privacy, while privacy fence panels can certainly be attractive. You'll likely want to choose a fence installation that excels in your priority areas.

These are the main purposes of fences, but there are different structural designs to choose between too. These include:

• Featherboard or closeboard fence panels

Made using partially overlapping vertical featheredge boards that are laid over horizontal support rails, closeboard fencing is well-liked for its versatility, affordability, and ease of installation. While closeboard fences are usually wooden, you will find this design in plastic and vinyl fencing as well.

• Lap fencing

One of the UK’s most popular fencing types, lap fences are constructed from wooden slats arranged horizontally and supported by upstanding frames. Fitting between wooden and concrete fence posts alike, lap fence panels are quietly effective, though not quite as robust as closeboard fence panels.

• Slatted fence panels

In general, slatted fence panels come in two forms: single and double slatted. Consisting of horizontal slats positioned closely with only small gaps in between, slatted fence panels provide a modern, stylish appearance but come with a higher price tag.

As you can probably guess from the name, double slatted fence panels have two layers of horizontal slats stacked on top of each other, creating a denser appearance with less visibility through the gaps between the slats. This doesn’t just boost privacy but wind resistance, too.

• Hit and miss fencing

Sometimes called alternating board or Venetian fencing, hit and miss fencing is characterised by alternating vertical wooden boards with small gaps between them. This arrangement delivers a pattern of solid and open sections along the length of the fence panel.

• Picket fencing

Most popular in the United States, a classic picket fence is comprised of spaced-out, upright wooden boards connected by two horizontal rails. Generally painted white, the wooden boards are pointed at the top, giving them their distinct style. For many, this is the most traditional type of decorative fencing.

• Combination fencing

With combination fencing, you usually take a lap or closeboard fence panel base and attach a lattice fence top. This gives you the practical performance that you need with scope for injecting a splash of visual splendour. Given the nature of combination fencing, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to mix and match your favourite styles, materials, and colours.

• Acoustic fencing

The purpose of acoustic fencing is to stop excessive noise from entering your property from the surrounding area. Most acoustic fencing is made from timber and either reflects or absorbs the noise to keep it away from your property. In busy residential areas, this can give you much-needed peace and quiet.

• Natural screening

Providing decent wind resistance and privacy, natural screening is a form of fencing where materials like reeds, willow, or bamboo are fastened together into long, rolled sheets. Reed, willow, and bamboo screens act as beautiful backdrops in your outdoor spaces, making them a popular choice for decorative fencing needs.

• Lattice fencing

A lattice fence is a framework of intersecting wood that creates a decorative display ideal for climbing plants. Lattice fencing, alone, is really only suitable for decorative purposes in your garden’s interior, but it can be combined with lap or closeboard fencing – combination fencing – if you want the best of both worlds.

If you’re not sure which of these fence types best suits your project, be sure to ask your chosen fencing contractor for guidance.

More often than not, you will not need planning permission to build, alter, or remove fencing. Still, there are specific circumstances where planning permission is required. You might need planning permission if any of these conditions apply:

• Fence panels are taller than 2 metres in height from ground level

• Highway-adjacent fence panels are taller than 1 metre in height from ground level

• Fencing falls within or forms a boundary with listed buildings

• Article 4 restrictions apply under the General Permitted Development Order

• Fencing falls within a conservation area

Providing these conditions don’t apply to your planned fence installation, you probably won’t need planning permission. With that said, there’s no harm in checking your local authority’s guidance just to make sure.

The lifespan you get from a fence varies by the local climate, the fence panel material, your maintenance practices, and the quality of the initial installation work. This makes average lifespans difficult to calculate, but here’s a quick rundown of some of the UK’s favourite fencing materials:

• Wooden fencing

Wooden gates and fences usually last between 5 and 10 years when left untreated and exposed to the elements. Properly applied stains and seals can extend the lifespan to 15 years or more, though, giving you even more bang for your buck.

• Composite fencing

With composite fence panels, you should expect a lifespan of between 20 and 30 years – and that’s without any need for significant maintenance. You might get longer from your composite fencing depending on local environmental factors.

• Metal fencing

On the whole, metal gates and fencing last for a long time, thanks to their natural durability. Of course, the average lifespan varies by the type of metal you choose, with aluminium, wrought iron, and steel all popular choices. Depending on what you go for, expect the installation to last for between 20 and 50 years.

• Chain link fences

A properly installed chain link fence could last anywhere between 15 and 30 years, and perhaps even longer in the right circumstances. The mileage you’ll get out of your chain link fencing will partly depend on the variety you have and whether it’s vinyl or zinc coated.

• Plastic fencing

You should expect plastic and vinyl fencing to last somewhere in the region of 20 to 30 years, depending on the exact variety you choose. The material’s natural resistance to damaging weather is the main reason behind its impressive longevity.

• Natural screening

The lifespan of natural screening is quite variable, thanks to the range of materials you can choose from – reed, willow, and bamboo screens are all popular choices in the UK. With that said, you should expect natural screening to last between 2 and 10 years, with manufacturers able to provide closer guidance on their specific products.

Remember, the level of maintenance and care that you give your fencing has a direct impact on its condition and the length of its lifespan.

The cost of installing a fence depends on three main factors: the size of the fence (both fence height and length), your preferred fence panel material, and the cost of hiring fencing contractors for the installation work. As such, calculating an average cost can be quite challenging.

Even so, bearing each of these factors in mind, you can expect a new fence installation to cost somewhere in the region of £1,500 to £2,000. If your fence is much smaller or larger than average, this could change considerably.

If you’re struggling to get to grips with how much your proposed fence installation will cost, seek quotes from several fencing contractors for a better idea. Remember to ask about the cost of fence panels, labour, and any other hidden fees that might apply.

For a closer look at the cost of fencing, check out our Fencing Contractors Cost Guide.

In the UK, fence panels come in various widths and even custom sizes. The standard width of a fence panel is 6ft (1.83m), though. You can use this to estimate how many fence panels you’ll need for your property’s next fence installation and the cost of completing that installation, too.

If you decide you'd prefer custom fence panel widths, that's something fencing manufacturers and suppliers can help you with. You should expect to pay more for these custom-made fencing panels, though, compared with prefabricated units.

In general, garden fences must be no taller than 2 metres in height from the ground. If the fence is in your front garden, you might be restricted to 1 metre from the ground, although moving the fence back 2 metres from any adjacent highway (road or pavement) will allow you to build a 2-metre tall fence.

If you’re planning on building a fence higher than these height restrictions, you’ll need planning permission from your local authority – and there’s certainly no guarantee they’ll agree to your request. Remember, fencing contractors can offer advice on planning your new fence installation.

The time it takes to install a fence will depend on the size of the installation and the type of fence material you’re using. Experienced fencing contractors can sometimes install a simple wooden fence in a single day, while larger, more complex fencing installations that use an array of materials will take several days or even weeks.

When you’re asking for quotes from fencing contractors, try to get a clear idea of how long the installation process is likely to take, as that factor will affect the cost of labour as well as the disruption to your property.

Most repair requests fencing contractors receive are due to wear and tear, weather damage, or structural issues. Although the type of fencing material you use will affect the issues that pop up, they usually fall into one of those three categories. Common problems include:

• Individually damaged fence panels or pickets

• Leaning or sagging fence posts

• Misaligned gate hinges

• Rotting or decaying wooden fence panels

• Blown-over fence panels, often resulting from storms

While this isn’t an exhaustive list of the problems that can occur with your fencing installations, it should give you an idea of what's possible. You ought to consider the risks of specific fencing materials before starting an installation, too.

Yes, fencing contractors install gates as well as fences. Often, these professionals will handle the installation of both of these components as part of one package. This goes for wooden, plastic, composite, and metal fencing alike.

Of course, you can have gates added to many different parts of your property, including existing fences. Garden gates, decorative fence gates, and driveway gates are all common choices for homeowners. Most of these gates are manual, but automatic or electric gates are a premium alternative that could give your property an extra feeling of luxury.

Like most other products and materials, there’s a wide range of choices when it comes to installing electric gates. Unsurprisingly, this means the cost of electric gates varies a lot, too. Bearing that in mind, you should expect electric gates to cost somewhere between £2,500 and £8,000, including both the gate materials and installation.

Some systems might require additional installations – and further costs – as well, though. Common accompaniments include intercom systems, motors, and groundworks. Depending on what you need, this could increase your costs by hundreds or thousands of pounds.

You can learn about potential groundwork expenses by reading our guide on how much groundworks cost.

If you’re not sure whether you or your neighbours own a fence, don’t panic. Start by checking the title plans for information. Look for the T-mark that indicates who is responsible for the boundary and its upkeep. If it’s on your side of the boundary, you own the fence.

When there are T-marks on both sides of the boundary, you likely have joint responsibility with your neighbour. If you don’t have the title plans, you can get your hands on this documentation through an application to the Land Registry.

If you want to replace your fence, you might need your neighbour’s permission in specific situations. When the fence is entirely on your property, you can alter, remove, and replace the fence as you see fit. If it’s on a shared boundary, it’s probably best to speak to your neighbour about your plans.

If you remove or alter a fence that is shared with your neighbour, it could result in a legal dispute and, potentially, compensation for damage to your neighbour’s property. For this reason, it’s always best to be clear about what you’re planning and seek agreement early on.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t own a side of a fence with your neighbour owning the other side. You either own the fence, co-own the fence with your neighbour, or don’t own the fence at all. Accordingly, if your neighbour owns the fence, you must ask their permission to paint it.

If the garden fence is jointly owned, you’ll need to come to an agreement with your neighbours. Just like you’ll need their permission to make changes, they’ll need permission from you. With this in mind, it should be relatively easy to negotiate an agreement where you both get what you’d like.

If your neighbour owns a fence that has become damaged and they’re not willing to repair or replace the damaged fence panels, there isn’t anything you can do to force them into action. Your best bet is to build a fence on your own property, parallel to their installation.

This way, you still have a robust barrier between your properties and, since it’s on your land, you always retain control of the fence. Of course, the downside is that you’re going to have less room in your outdoor spaces than you had previously.

To proactively protect your wooden fence panels and extend their lifespan, you’ll need to apply fence treatments on a regular basis. If you want the highest level of protection, you should apply fence treatments annually. In some cases, applying treatments every two or three years is acceptable, though.

When purchasing your wooden fence panels, take note of the manufacturer's instructions regarding the care and maintenance of your fence. The frequency of treatments will partly depend on the variety of wooden fence panels you’ve chosen.

If you no longer have this information and you’re still not sure whether your fence needs treatment, ask a professional. Fencing contractors don’t just install, repair, and maintain fences, they provide guidance and support to make sure you get the most from your fence panels more generally.

In the UK, fencing contractors are not legally required to hold a license or go through a formal training process. Even so, most reputable fencing contractors will have taken on a training course from a respected organisation.

The most commonly held fencing installation qualifications in the UK are National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ), with many professionals also following the apprenticeship route. If a fencing contractor claims to have a formal qualification, ask for proof and check that evidence with the issuing body.

You may also consider checking whether your preferred fencing contractor holds a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. This type of certification ensures that they're safe and able to work on construction sites. Ask to see their card and use CSCS Smart Check to verify its validity.

Whether a fencing contractor holds a formal qualification or not, you can also check whether they're a member of any respected industry bodies or trade associations. In the UK, these are the most well-known professional bodies:

• TrustMark

• The Association of Fencing Industries (AFI)

These trade associations and professional bodies aim to support professionals and the public by enforcing quality standards throughout the UK. You can refer to these bodies' websites to check whether fencing contractors belong to them, and what the exact standards they set include.

Make sure you get the best possible fencing installation (or repair) by sourcing the best local fencing contractors. Ask fencing contractors these questions to determine whether they're the right person for the job.

• Do you have previous experience with my preferred fencing material? Can I see examples of your previous work?

When hiring a fencing contractor, you need to feel sure they're experts with your chosen fencing material. Someone might know plenty about wooden fencing, but that might not be useful if you're looking to install a metal fence, for example.

Take a moment to ask about their previous experience with your preferred fencing material. It's perfectly fine to ask for examples of their past work, and that's the best way to quickly tell whether this is a professional that you'd seriously consider hiring.

• Do you hold any formal qualifications?

If you're looking for sturdy, well-installed fences, you're probably going to want a fencing contractor who has had formal, rigorous training. Asking whether a fencing contractor has any qualifications, and for evidence of those qualifications, is entirely normal.

Always check their details with the qualification's issuing body to make sure it's valid. When fencing contractors refuse to provide proof of their training, it's a red flag, and you might be better off finding another local fencing contractor for your project.

• Do you belong to any trade associations or professional bodies?

Speaking broadly, trade associations, professional competency schemes, and industry bodies aim to uphold high standards and build confidence in industry professionals. As such, you might prefer to hire a fencing contractor who is a member of these bodies.

Take the time to ask whether your fencing contractor is registered with either TrustMark or the Association of Fencing Industries (AFI). You should also consider reviewing the bodies' information about professional registration and quality standards.

• Do you have public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance?

You need to make sure that fencing contractors hold public liability and employers' liability insurance coverage. These types of insurance are required in case accidents or damages occur at your property as a result of the fencing contractor's fault.

If a fencing contractor is evasive about their insurance coverage or if they deny having insurance altogether, you should move ahead with your other local options. You need to know that you'll be properly compensated should an accident occur.

• What are your payment terms?

Most people pay attention to the total cost in quotes from fencing contractors, but fewer take notice of specific payment terms and conditions. You need to learn about payment dates, deposit requirements, cancellation terms and conditions, and any other additional fees that might crop up.

Bear these factors in mind when comparing quotes between fencing installers. You might prefer a professional who charges a little extra but provides more well-rounded payment terms. Make sure you get the payment terms and conditions in a detailed written contract that you can point to if there are disputes later on.

• Do you offer any warranties or guarantees?

More reputable fencing contractors tend to provide warranties or guarantees to their customers, standing behind the quality of their work. Hiring a fencing installer who supplies these means you can feel sure they're going to handle any issues or quality problems that arise either during or after the project.

Beware, though, warranty and guarantee conditions can vary in terms of the coverage period and specific conditions. Before choosing a professional, find out exactly what the warranties and guarantees cover. If a fencing contractor doesn't provide either of these, it's probably better to look elsewhere.

• How do you handle disputes during the project and after the work is complete?

It's always good when fencing contractors offer guarantees or warranties, but you still need to know what the process is when issues crop up. Take a minute to ask professionals what happens when there's a dispute or you might be left wanting at the vital moment.

The more you can find out about the dispute process, the better. If your chosen professional can't supply an adequate answer and keeps things vague, that's a bad sign. In these cases, the prudent course of action is to use a different fencing contractor instead.

For help with this, check out TrustMark's tips for what to do when a project goes wrong.

• Do you handle procuring planning permission and any required permits?

In some cases, you'll need planning permission or permits from your local authority before you can erect a fence. Many fencing contractors will obtain these on your behalf, although that isn't always the case.

Make sure to ask fencing contractors whether they deal with planning permission and permit acquisition as part of the installation process. If they don't, you'll either need to do this yourself or find a fencing contractor who is happy to handle it for you.