Fencing and boundaries
Fence cost per metre in the North East: materials and fitting
Fence prices are usually quoted per metre, but the number hides a lot of choices. The style of fence, the type of post, the ground it goes into and how easy it is to get materials to the garden all change the figure. Here is how to work out what you need and compare quotes fairly.
By the Gardens North East teamPublished , 3 min read
Start with the length and height
Measure each run of fence separately, and note where gates, changes in level and corners fall. Check the height you are allowed to build to first; our fence height guide explains the one and two metre limits.
Timber prices move through the year, and delivery and fitting depend on where you live, so we do not print a price list. The suppliers at the end of this guide show or quote current prices.
What changes the cost per metre
| Choice | Lower cost end | Higher cost end |
|---|---|---|
| Fence style | Lap or overlap panels | Closeboard, slatted or bespoke designs |
| Posts | Timber posts set in post mix | Concrete posts, or heavier timber sections |
| Base | Panel sits just above the soil | Concrete or timber gravel boards along the bottom |
| Ground | Open soil that digs easily | Heavy clay, buried rubble, tree roots or old concrete footings |
| Access | Driveway or side gate straight into the garden | Everything carried through the house or along a back lane |
| Old fence | Nothing to remove | An old fence and posts to take down and dispose of |
Working out a materials list
For a panel fence, standard panels are 1.83 m wide. Take the length of the run, divide it by 1.83 and round up to get the number of panels, then add one post for every panel plus one more to finish the run. A straight 20 m run needs 11 panels and 12 posts.
Posts need to go well into the ground. As a guide, about a quarter of the post's length should be buried, so a fence 1.8 m high usually uses posts around 2.4 m long. Allow one or two bags of post mix for each post, gravel boards if you want them, and the fixings.
Closeboard and featheredge fences are built in place from posts, rails and overlapping boards. They take longer to put up but can follow slopes and odd shapes more easily than panels.
To price your list, Newcastle Fencing Suppliers sells fencing materials for Newcastle gardens; for a fitted price, Tyne Fencing quotes for fence fitting around the Tyne.
North East conditions that affect the price
Winter gales are the main enemy of garden fences in this region, especially on the coast and on exposed new estates. A fence built cheaply in a sheltered spot may be fine for years; the same fence on an open corner plot can lose panels in the first storm. Concrete posts and gravel boards cost more at the start but stand up better to wind and to wet ground at the base, where timber rots first.
Heavy clay makes digging slower and holds water around posts. Back lanes behind terraces can make deliveries and access awkward. Mention both when you get quotes, so nobody is caught out on the day.
What to ask when comparing fitted quotes
- Is removing and disposing of the old fence included?
- Timber or concrete posts, and how deep are they set?
- Are gravel boards included along the whole run?
- What grade and treatment is the timber?
- Are gates, hinges and latches included and priced separately?
- Who is responsible if buried pipes, cables or footings are found?
Before you build
Talk to your neighbour, check the deeds for who owns which boundary, and think about a gap at the base for hedgehogs. If trees or overgrown hedges along the line need cutting back first, a tree surgeon should do that before the fencer arrives.
Questions readers ask
Are concrete posts worth it?
On exposed or wet sites they often are. They do not rot at ground level, and panels can be slid out and replaced after storm damage without disturbing the posts.
Why is fence fitting priced per metre?
Because most of the work scales with length: digging holes, setting posts and fixing panels or boards. Gates, slopes and difficult ground are usually priced on top.
Do I need my neighbour's permission?
Not for a fence on your own land within the height limits, but talking to them first avoids disputes, especially if the old fence is shared.
Price your fence
If you are buying materials, a local supplier can price your list; if you want it fitted, ask for a quote that spells out the points above. Two North East options:
Fencing materials for Newcastle gardens, and fitting if you would rather not do it yourself.
Quotes for fence fitting in gardens around the Tyne.
Some listings may be sponsored. How we list businesses
Local help
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Arbor Division Ltd
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The Tree Fella NE Ltd
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Northumbrian Hedgehog Rescue Trust
