Costs & pricing
Fencing Cost Per Metre: A Straight Comparison
Per-metre pricing lets you compare fence types on equal terms, but the figure only means anything once you know what's inside it.
Asking 'how much per metre' is the right instinct, but the honest answer is a range that moves with the fence type, the post system underneath it, and the height you're building to. This page sets out those ranges side by side so you can see roughly where a given style sits before a surveyor ever measures your boundary.
Figures below are indicative guide ranges based on the kind of work we quote across London and Hertfordshire — they are not a quotation. Every job is priced after a free site visit, and the written price we give is the price you pay.
Per-metre bands by fence type
The table below groups the fence types we build most often into rough per-metre bands for a standard 1.8m boundary height, supplied and fitted. Treat these as a starting point for comparing styles against each other, not as a substitute for a measured quote, since ground conditions, run length and access all move the final figure up or down.
| Fence type | Typical £ per metre (supply and fit) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Featheredge panel | £70 to £100 | Budget-friendly, softwood, needs periodic treatment |
| Lap panel | £60 to £90 | Lightest option, shortest lifespan of the group |
| Closeboard (vertical board on arris rails) | £90 to £140 | Stronger, better wind performance than panel systems |
| Picket | £85 to £120 | Lower height common, more joinery per metre than it looks |
| Composite | £120 to £170 | 25 year expected lifespan, no re-staining |
| Concrete post upgrade (any style above) | add roughly £15 to £25 | Removes the most common failure point in a timber fence |
Why per-metre pricing still varies within a band
Two closeboard quotes can both sit inside the £90 to £140 band and still differ by 30% once you look closely, because the band absorbs differences in board thickness, rail spacing, and whether the price includes gravel boards as standard or as an extra. A longer, unbroken run also tends to price lower per metre than a short boundary with several corners, since setup time and post-heavy corners are spread across fewer metres on the short run.
- Board thickness and arris rail size vary between suppliers even within the same 'closeboard' description
- Gravel boards, capping rail and trellis toppers are sometimes bundled in and sometimes priced as add-ons
- Short runs with several corners carry proportionally more post cost per metre than one long straight boundary
Height and its effect on the rate
Per-metre cost rises with height because taller fencing needs stronger posts, deeper post holes and, in some cases, wider boards or an extra rail to keep the panel rigid. A 1.2m boundary and a 1.8m boundary in the same material are not simply scaled versions of the same price; the taller one carries more wind load, which is the same physics that makes post type such a critical line on an exposed plot.
Where the indicative rate stops being useful
A per-metre figure is a comparison tool, not a pricing mechanism, once your boundary has sloping ground, retained soil, a shared wall to tie into, or restricted access. Any of those turns a straightforward per-metre calculation into a bespoke job, which is why we always follow up an enquiry with a free site visit rather than quoting blind off a phone call.
Getting a like-for-like comparison from different companies
If you're gathering more than one quote, ask each company to state the fence type, post type, height and whether gravel boards and disposal of the old fence are included, then divide the total by the measured metreage yourself. That single exercise removes most of the confusion that per-metre marketing figures create, and it's the same approach we'd recommend to any homeowner comparing us against another local fencer.
Frequently asked
What is a realistic average cost per metre for garden fencing?
For a standard 1.8m timber fence, most jobs across London and Hertfordshire land somewhere between £70 and £140 per metre supplied and fitted, depending on the style and post type.
Does composite fencing cost more per metre than timber?
Yes, typically £120 to £170 per metre against £60 to £140 for timber styles, but composite carries a 25 year expected lifespan and needs no re-staining, which changes the comparison over time.
Why do concrete posts add to the per-metre rate?
Concrete posts cost more to supply and are heavier and slower to set than timber, but they remove the ground-level rot that ends most timber fences early.
Is a longer fence cheaper per metre than a short one?
Often, yes. Setup time, corner posts and gate openings are spread across more metres on a long run, which tends to bring the average rate down slightly.
Do these per-metre figures include VAT?
Ask any company to confirm this explicitly on their quote; it's one of the checklist items worth pinning down before you compare two figures.
Can I mix fence types along one boundary to control cost?
Yes, this is common where one section is more visible or more exposed than another; we quote mixed-material runs as clearly separated sections.
How do I compare quotes that use different per-metre rates?
Ask each company to state fence type, post type, height and what's included, then work out the effective rate yourself for a genuine like-for-like comparison.
Want this priced properly for your garden?
Free site visit across London and Hertfordshire, a written specification, and a fixed price. No obligation.