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Fence Cost Calculator

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How Much Does a Fence Cost?

Fence costs vary widely depending on the type of fence, the length of the boundary, ground conditions, and whether you install it yourself or hire a contractor. This guide breaks down every cost component so you can budget accurately before buying materials.

Cost Comparison by Fence Type

Fence Type Material Cost per Panel Material Cost per Metre Installed Cost per Metre Lifespan
Lap panel EUR 20-35 EUR 35-55 EUR 75-120 8-15 years
Closeboard EUR 40-70 EUR 50-75 EUR 100-160 15-25 years
Picket EUR 25-45 EUR 40-60 EUR 80-130 10-20 years
Hit-and-miss EUR 35-55 EUR 45-65 EUR 90-140 15-20 years
Metal railing EUR 50-120 EUR 55-130 EUR 110-200 25-40 years
Composite EUR 60-100 EUR 60-110 EUR 120-190 20-30 years

Material cost per metre includes the panel, post share, concrete, and gravel board. Installed cost adds professional labour.

Cost per Metre Breakdown

Here is what makes up the per-metre cost for a standard 1.8m-high lap panel fence:

Component Cost per Metre
Fence panel EUR 11-19
Post (share of 75mm x 75mm x 2.4m) EUR 5-10
Postcrete / concrete EUR 3-5
Gravel board EUR 4-7
Panel clips / fixings EUR 1-2
Post cap EUR 1-2
Total materials EUR 25-45
Professional labour EUR 40-80
Total installed EUR 65-125

Labour is the single largest cost. If you have basic DIY skills and can dedicate a weekend, installing the fence yourself halves the total price.

DIY vs Professional Costs

Fence Length Materials (DIY) Professional Labour Total DIY Total Professional
5m EUR 175-275 EUR 200-400 EUR 175-275 EUR 375-675
10m EUR 350-550 EUR 400-800 EUR 350-550 EUR 750-1350
20m EUR 700-1100 EUR 800-1600 EUR 700-1100 EUR 1500-2700
30m EUR 1050-1650 EUR 1200-2400 EUR 1050-1650 EUR 2250-4050

Material Quality Comparison

Feature Budget Panel Standard Panel Premium Panel
Price per panel EUR 18-25 EUR 25-40 EUR 40-70
Timber thickness 7-9mm slats 10-12mm slats 14-16mm slats
Treatment Dip-treated (golden brown) Pressure-treated (green/brown) Pressure-treated + factory stain
Expected lifespan 5-8 years 10-15 years 15-25 years
Warranty None or 1 year 5-10 years 10-15 years

Budget panels warp and split faster because the timber is thinner and only surface-treated. Pressure-treated panels have preservative forced deep into the wood, dramatically improving rot resistance. The upfront premium pays for itself within 5 years through avoided replacements.

Total Project Cost by Fence Size

Project Length Height Fence Type DIY Cost Installed Cost
Single side boundary 10m 1.8m Lap panel EUR 350-500 EUR 750-1200
Single side boundary 10m 1.8m Closeboard EUR 500-750 EUR 1000-1600
Three-sided rear garden 25m 1.8m Lap panel EUR 875-1250 EUR 1875-3000
Three-sided rear garden 25m 1.8m Closeboard EUR 1250-1875 EUR 2500-4000
Front garden picket 8m 0.9m Picket EUR 240-400 EUR 560-880
Full perimeter 40m 1.8m Lap panel EUR 1400-2000 EUR 3000-5000

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Many fence quotes cover only panels, posts, and installation. Watch for these extras:

  1. Old fence removal — EUR 5-10 per metre if the contractor removes and disposes of the old fence
  2. Concrete post bases — EUR 8-15 per post if upgrading from Postcrete to full concrete foundations
  3. Stepped panels on slopes — 10-20% premium because each panel must be individually cut and fitted
  4. Gate — A matching side gate costs EUR 60-150 plus EUR 20-40 for hinges and a latch
  5. Access difficulty — Narrow side passages or rear gardens with no vehicle access add EUR 100-300 for manual material handling
  6. Post and rail for corners — Corner posts are thicker (100mm x 100mm) and cost 30-50% more

When to Repair vs Replace

Situation Action Approximate Cost
One broken panel Replace that panel only EUR 25-50
2-3 broken panels, posts sound Replace damaged panels EUR 50-150
Rotten gravel boards Replace gravel boards only EUR 5-10 each
Leaning posts, panels intact Reset or replace posts EUR 20-40 per post
More than 30% damaged Full replacement EUR 350+ for 10m

If the posts are still solid and vertical, replacing individual panels is always cheaper than a full rebuild. Once posts start leaning or rotting at ground level, the entire run usually needs replacing because the damage indicates the concrete foundations have failed.

These calculations are estimates only. Actual requirements may vary depending on surface conditions, product specifications, and installation methods. Always consult a qualified professional for precise measurements.

Prices updated: 2026-03

Frequently Asked Questions

Fencing costs EUR 40-80 per metre for materials only (panels, posts, concrete, gravel boards). With professional installation, expect EUR 80-160 per metre depending on fence type, ground conditions, and access difficulty.
DIY saves 40-60% on labour, which typically costs EUR 40-80 per metre. A 10m fence costs around EUR 400-600 DIY vs EUR 800-1400 professionally installed. However, DIY requires tools (post hole digger, spirit level) and takes most of a weekend.
Lap panel fencing is the cheapest at EUR 20-35 per panel. A 10m lap panel fence costs EUR 300-500 in materials. Closeboard is 40-60% more expensive but lasts significantly longer, making it better value over 15+ years.
Replacing a single damaged lap panel costs EUR 25-50 (DIY). Replacing a full 10m fence costs EUR 400-1400 depending on type and whether you DIY. If more than 30% of panels or posts are damaged, full replacement is usually more cost-effective than patching.
In most European countries, the boundary fence is the responsibility of the property owner on whose deeds the boundary is marked. In practice, many neighbours split the cost. Check your property deeds and discuss costs before starting work.
Rocky or clay soil adds EUR 5-15 per post hole for extra labour and possibly a breaker bar or auger hire (EUR 30-60 per day). Sloped ground may require stepped panels, adding 10-20% to the total cost.

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