Planning a garden fence in the UK requires accurate calculations to ensure you buy the right quantity of materials. Whether you're replacing storm-damaged panels or installing a completely new boundary fence, getting the numbers right saves money and multiple trips to the DIY store.
This guide explains how to calculate fence panels, posts, gravel boards, and all the additional materials you need for a successful fencing project, including current UK prices and planning regulations.
Basic Calculation
Panels needed = Length ÷ 1.83m (rounded up)
Posts needed = Panels + 1
Gravel boards = Same as panels (if using)
Panels by Fence Length
| Fence Length | 6ft Panels | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 5m (16.4 ft) | 3 | 4 |
| 10m (32.8 ft) | 6 | 7 |
| 15m (49.2 ft) | 9 | 10 |
| 20m (65.6 ft) | 11 | 12 |
| 30m (98.4 ft) | 17 | 18 |
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Common Panel Heights
| Height | Use | Post Length |
|---|---|---|
| 3ft (0.9m) | Decorative, front garden | 1.5m (buried 0.6m) |
| 4ft (1.2m) | Low boundary | 1.8m (buried 0.6m) |
| 5ft (1.5m) | Standard privacy | 2.1m (buried 0.6m) |
| 6ft (1.8m) | Full privacy | 2.4m (buried 0.6m) |
Additional Materials
- Gravel boards: Protect bottom of panels, 1 per panel
- Post caps: 1 per post
- Postcrete/concrete: 1-2 bags per post
- Clips/brackets: 4 per panel (2 each side)
- U-clips: For gravel boards, 2 per board
Material Costs (Approximate)
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Lap panel 6×6ft | £25-£45 |
| Closeboard panel 6×6ft | £35-£55 |
| Concrete post 8ft | £15-£25 |
| Wooden post 8ft | £8-£15 |
| Gravel board | £8-£15 |
| Postcrete (1 bag) | £5-£7 |
Fence Panel Types Explained
- Lap panels: Overlapping horizontal boards, most common and affordable (£25-£45)
- Closeboard: Vertical feather-edge boards, stronger and longer-lasting (£35-£55)
- Hit and miss: Alternating boards with gaps, allows wind through (£40-£60)
- Trellis top: Solid base with decorative trellis upper section (£45-£65)
- Continental: Horizontal slatted design, modern appearance (£50-£80)
Wood vs Concrete Posts
| Feature | Wooden Posts | Concrete Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per post | £8-£15 | £15-£25 |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years | 25+ years |
| Installation | Easier, can be cut | Heavier, fixed lengths |
| Panel replacement | More difficult | Panels slot in/out easily |
| Appearance | Natural, traditional | Industrial look |
Installation Methods
- Postcrete/post mix: Fast-setting concrete, 1-2 bags per post, sets in 10 minutes
- Ready-mix concrete: Cheaper but needs 24-48 hours to set
- Post spikes: Metal spikes driven into ground, no concrete needed
- Bolt-down bases: For hard surfaces like patios or concrete
17 lap panels × £35 = £595
18 concrete posts × £20 = £360
17 gravel boards × £12 = £204
Postcrete (36 bags) × £6 = £216
Clips and caps: ~£80
Total materials: ~£1,455
Professional installation: add £800-£1,200
Best Time to Install Fencing
The best months for fence installation in the UK are March-May and September-October when:
- Ground isn't frozen or waterlogged
- Weather is mild for working outdoors
- Less demand means better material availability
- Concrete sets properly in moderate temperatures
UK Fencing Regulations and Planning Permission
Before installing any fence in the United Kingdom, it is essential to understand the legal requirements that govern fence heights, positions, and styles. Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), fences are classified as permitted development provided they meet specific criteria.
The maximum permitted fence height in England and Wales is 2 metres (approximately 6 feet 6 inches) for rear and side boundaries. For any boundary that fronts a highway (including a public footpath), the maximum height is reduced to 1 metre without planning permission. If you wish to exceed these heights, you must apply for planning permission from your local council, which typically costs £206 in England as of 2025.
In conservation areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or for listed buildings, additional restrictions may apply. Some councils require specific materials or styles to maintain the character of the area. It is always worth checking with your local planning authority before beginning work, as unauthorised fences can result in enforcement action requiring you to reduce the height or remove the fence entirely.
Standard UK Fence Panel Sizes and Post Spacing
The UK fencing industry has settled on a set of standard panel sizes that are widely available from builders' merchants, garden centres, and DIY stores such as B&Q, Wickes, and Screwfix.
Standard panel widths: The most common panel width is 1.83 metres (6 feet). This dimension is virtually universal across all UK fence panel types, from lap panels to closeboard. When calculating materials, your total fence run in metres divided by 1.83 gives you the number of panels needed (round up to the nearest whole number).
Standard panel heights: Panels are available in several heights: 0.9 m (3 feet), 1.2 m (4 feet), 1.5 m (5 feet), and 1.8 m (6 feet). The 1.8 m panel is by far the most popular for garden boundaries, as it provides good privacy while remaining within permitted development limits when mounted close to ground level.
Post spacing: Fence posts must be spaced to match the panel width, meaning posts are set at 1.83 m (6-foot) centres. You always need one more post than the number of panels. For example, a run of 5 panels requires 6 posts. End posts, corner posts, and gate posts all need to be accounted for separately in your calculations.
Post dimensions: Standard UK fence posts are 75 mm x 75 mm (3 inches x 3 inches) for timber and typically 2.4 m (8 feet) long, allowing for approximately 600 mm (2 feet) to be buried below ground or set in concrete. For exposed or windy sites, 100 mm x 100 mm (4-inch) posts provide additional strength.
Concrete Foundations for Fence Posts
Properly securing fence posts in concrete is critical for a long-lasting installation, especially given the UK's frequently windy and wet conditions. Each fence post typically requires a hole approximately 300 mm x 300 mm wide and 600 mm deep (roughly 1 foot square by 2 feet deep).
This means each post hole needs approximately 0.054 cubic metres of concrete, or about one standard 20 kg bag of postcrete (fast-setting post mix). For a fence run of 10 panels (11 posts), you would need approximately 11 bags of postcrete or 0.6 cubic metres of ready-mixed concrete.
An alternative to concrete is the use of fence post supports (also called metposts or post spikes). These steel sockets are driven into the ground and the post slots into the top. They are quicker to install and make future post replacement easier, though they may not be suitable for very soft or very stony ground.
Common UK Fence Panel Types
Lap panels: The most affordable option, made from thin overlapping horizontal slats. Prices typically start from £20 to £30 per panel. They have a lifespan of approximately 5 to 10 years and are best suited for sheltered gardens.
Closeboard (featherboard): Constructed from vertical feather-edge boards nailed to horizontal arris rails, closeboard fencing is considerably more durable and can last 20 years or more with proper treatment. It is also the preferred choice for sloping ground, as individual boards can be stepped or raked to follow the gradient. Prices range from £40 to £70 per panel or equivalent run.
Hit-and-miss panels: These feature alternating boards on each side, allowing air through while still providing privacy. They are particularly useful in exposed locations where solid panels might catch the wind and blow down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the fence between two properties in the UK?
There is no universal rule that one neighbour owns the left or right fence. Boundary ownership is determined by the title deeds for each property. The Land Registry title plan may show a T-mark on the boundary, indicating which property is responsible for maintaining that fence. If no T-mark exists, the boundary may be shared (shown by an H-mark) or the ownership may simply be undetermined. In practice, it is always best to discuss fencing plans with your neighbours before starting work.
Do I need my neighbour's permission to put up a fence?
You do not legally need your neighbour's permission to erect a fence on your own land, provided it meets planning regulations. However, the Party Wall Act does not cover garden fences (it applies to walls, not fences). If you are replacing an existing shared boundary fence, it is courteous and practical to discuss the work with your neighbour, and many neighbours choose to split the cost of a replacement fence.
When is the best time to install fencing in the UK?
The ideal time for fence installation in the UK is during dry spells in late spring (April to May) or early autumn (September to October). These periods typically offer firm ground conditions for digging post holes and setting concrete, without the frozen or waterlogged soil common in winter. Avoid installing fences during periods of heavy rain, as the post holes will fill with water and the concrete will not set properly. Summer can also work well, though very dry ground in extended hot spells can make digging difficult.
Garden Fencing in the UK: Rules, Regulations, and Costs
Garden fencing is one of the most common home improvement projects undertaken by UK homeowners, with an estimated 3.5 million fence panels sold annually across the country. The UK fencing market is worth approximately 800 million pounds per year, with major suppliers including Wickes, B&Q, Jewson, Travis Perkins, and specialist fencing companies operating nationwide.
UK planning regulations set specific rules for garden fencing. Under permitted development rights in England, you can erect a fence up to 2 metres (approximately 6 feet 6 inches) high without planning permission, provided the fence is not adjacent to a highway. If your fence borders a road, public footpath, or bridleway, the maximum height without planning permission is 1 metre (approximately 3 feet 3 inches). Any fence exceeding these heights requires a planning application to your local council. In conservation areas, additional restrictions may apply, and you should check with your local planning authority before erecting any new fencing.
Boundary ownership is a frequent source of disputes between UK neighbours. The "left-hand rule" (the idea that you own the fence on the left side of your garden when standing at the back door looking out) is a common misconception with no legal basis. Boundary ownership is determined by the title deeds, which can be obtained from HM Land Registry for a fee of 3 pounds per document. If the deeds are inconclusive, the fence is likely to be on the boundary and both neighbours share responsibility for its maintenance. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 does not apply to garden fences; it only covers party walls, floor/ceiling structures, and excavation near neighbouring buildings.
The cost of garden fencing in the UK varies depending on the material, height, and whether you install it yourself or hire a professional. Standard 6-foot closeboard fence panels cost 25 to 50 pounds each, while featherboard fencing (constructed in situ from individual boards) costs slightly more but is more robust and wind-resistant. Concrete posts and gravel boards add 15 to 25 pounds per section. Professional installation typically costs 30 to 60 pounds per metre, meaning a 20-metre garden boundary could cost 1,500 to 3,000 pounds for a fully installed fence.
Practical Fencing Tips for UK Homeowners
- Check boundary ownership before replacing a fence: Before removing or replacing a boundary fence, verify who owns it using the title deeds from HM Land Registry. Removing a neighbour's fence without permission can constitute criminal damage. If the fence belongs to your neighbour, you can offer to share the cost of replacement but cannot insist on it.
- Choose the right timber treatment: UK weather demands properly treated fencing timber. Look for timber that has been pressure-treated with a preservative rated for outdoor ground contact (Use Class 4 under BS EN 335). Dip-treated panels require additional annual treatment with a fence preserver to maintain their protection against rot and insect damage.
- Consider wind loading: The UK experiences high winds, particularly in coastal and elevated areas. Close-boarded panels act as solid sails in strong winds. For exposed locations, consider slatted or hit-and-miss fence panels that allow wind to pass through, reducing the risk of panels blowing over in storms.
- Use concrete posts and gravel boards: Concrete fence posts last significantly longer than timber posts in UK soil conditions, where ground contact with damp soil causes even treated timber to rot within 5 to 10 years. Concrete gravel boards at the base prevent the fence panel from direct soil contact, extending panel life by several years.
Fencing Project Questions
How high can I build a garden fence without planning permission in the UK?
How long does a standard wooden fence last in UK weather?
Who is responsible for the boundary fence between UK properties?
James Mitchell, ACCA
Chartered Accountant & Former HMRC Advisor
James is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) specialising in UK personal taxation and financial planning. With over 12 years in practice and a background as a former HMRC compliance officer, he brings authoritative insight to complex tax topics.