The cost of installing a garden fence in the UK typically ranges from £100 to £200 per metre including materials and labour, though the final figure depends on the type of fencing chosen, the condition of the ground, and local labour rates. For a standard timber panel fence with concrete posts and gravel boards, professionally installed, expect to pay between £100 and £130 per metre. Closeboard fencing is slightly more expensive due to the additional labour involved, typically falling between £120 and £160 per metre. Composite fencing costs more upfront — usually £130 to £200 per metre installed — but requires significantly less maintenance over its lifespan, making it more economical over a 20-year period. For a typical 30-metre back garden fence run, total costs commonly fall between £2,000 and £4,500 depending on specification. Labour alone typically accounts for £15 to £30 per metre, and additional costs such as old fence removal, gate installation, and difficult ground conditions can all affect the final price. Getting two or three quotes from local fencing contractors before committing is always advisable.

The definitive way to establish which boundary fence belongs to you is to check your property title deeds or the Land Registry title plan. On these plans, a T-mark indicates boundary responsibility — the tip of the T points toward the property that is responsible for maintaining that boundary. If both sides of a boundary show a T-mark, it is known as an H-mark and indicates a shared or party fence for which both neighbours have equal responsibility. There is a common assumption in the UK that homeowners are always responsible for the fence on the left when viewed from the road, but this is not a legal rule and is frequently incorrect. In the absence of clear documentation, boundary responsibility may be inferred from historical maintenance — if one party has always painted, repaired, or replaced the fence, that is often taken as an indicator of ownership. If title deeds are unclear or a dispute arises, a chartered surveyor can assess the boundary and provide a professional opinion. It is always preferable to agree matters with neighbours directly and in writing rather than allowing uncertainty to escalate into a formal dispute.

In England and Wales there is no legal requirement that dictates which side of a fence must face your neighbour — if you own the fence and are paying for it, the orientation is generally your choice. However, convention and good neighbourly etiquette suggest that the smooth or finished side of the fence — the side without visible posts and rails — should face outward toward your neighbour or the public. This is because the person erecting the fence typically keeps the structural elements on their own side, as they are responsible for its maintenance. Some modern fencing designs, such as hit-and-miss panels, are deliberately symmetrical so that both sides look equally attractive, removing this consideration altogether. If the fence sits on a shared boundary and both neighbours are contributing to the cost, it is courteous — and sensible — to agree the orientation before work begins. Good communication at the outset avoids resentment later, particularly given that a quality fence can last 15 to 20 years or more.

Timber and composite fencing each have distinct advantages, and the better choice depends on your budget, priorities, and how much maintenance you are willing to carry out over time. Timber fencing has a lower upfront cost — standard pressure-treated panels are widely available and straightforward to install — and offers a traditional, natural appearance that suits most garden styles. However, timber requires ongoing maintenance including staining or preservative treatment every two to three years to prevent weathering and rot. Composite fencing costs more to purchase and install initially but is made from a blend of recycled wood fibres and plastic, giving it excellent resistance to rot, moisture, fading, and insect attack. It requires no regular treatment, typically carries a manufacturer guarantee of 20 to 25 years, and maintains its appearance with little more than an occasional wash. Over a 20-year period, the total cost of ownership for composite fencing often competes favourably with timber once maintenance and replacement costs are factored in. For homeowners who want a genuinely low-maintenance boundary fence, composite is the stronger long-term investment; for those working to a tighter initial budget, quality pressure-treated timber on concrete posts remains excellent value.

Regular maintenance is the most effective way to extend the life of a timber fence and keep it looking its best. The first step each year should be a visual inspection of posts, panels, and gravel boards — checking for signs of rot, loose fixings, cracked rails, or leaning posts that may need attention before they worsen. Panels should be cleaned annually using a stiff brush with a mild fence cleaner or diluted washing-up liquid, and a pressure washer can be used for more thorough cleaning, though take care with older or thinner timber where excessive pressure can cause surface damage. Once the fence is clean and fully dry, a wood preservative, fence stain, or paint should be applied every two to three years to protect the timber from moisture penetration, UV damage, and fungal growth. These products are available in a wide range of colours, allowing homeowners to refresh the appearance of the fence at the same time as protecting it. Keeping soil and vegetation clear of the panel bottoms and ensuring good drainage around the base of the fence will significantly slow deterioration. Post caps should also be checked annually and replaced if cracked or missing, as exposed post tops allow moisture into the end grain and accelerate decay from above.

No — if you own the fence, your neighbour does not have the right to attach anything to it without your permission. This includes nailing, screwing, or fixing trellis, brackets, planters, climbing plant supports, or any other items to the structure. The fence is your property and your neighbour has no legal entitlement to use it as a support for their own garden features. If your neighbour has already attached items without asking, the first course of action is always to approach the matter calmly and politely, as many such situations are resolved through simple conversation. If the attachment is causing damage to the fence panels or posts, you are entitled to request that it be removed and any damage made good. Before taking any formal steps, always confirm that you do actually own the fence by checking your title deeds, as acting on an incorrect assumption about ownership could complicate matters unnecessarily. If the fence is jointly owned or on a shared boundary, both parties should agree before any alterations or attachments are made.

The most effective way to increase garden privacy with fencing is to install a full-height solid panel or closeboard fence up to the maximum permitted height of 2 metres. Closeboard and tongue-and-groove panel fencing offer complete coverage with no gaps between boards, making them the best choice where total privacy from neighbours or passers-by is the primary objective. If your existing fence is already at 2 metres, adding trellis on top is not permitted under standard permitted development rules as the total height would exceed the limit — however, fitting trellis within the existing fence height or using it as a separate freestanding structure inside your boundary is a practical alternative. Growing climbing plants against the fence adds a further visual screen and softens the appearance of the boundary. For gardens where the fence height alone is insufficient due to elevated neighbouring ground levels or overlooking from upper-floor windows, strategically positioned planting such as bamboo, tall grasses, or columnar evergreen shrubs can provide a complementary natural screen. Any work that would take the boundary above 2 metres requires planning permission, so always check with your local planning authority before proceeding with any height increase.

Lap panel fencing — also known as waney edge or overlap panel fencing — is the most affordable and widely available type of garden fencing in the UK. Standard pressure-treated lap panels are stocked by most builders merchants and DIY retailers, typically available from around £40 to £55 per 6ft x 6ft panel, making them the go-to choice for cost-conscious homeowners. For very low-budget projects or temporary applications, post and wire fencing and basic palisade picket fencing offer even lower material costs, though with less privacy and visual impact. To keep total project costs as low as possible, a DIY installation rather than professional fitting can save a significant amount on labour. It is worth remembering that the cheapest fence upfront is not always the most cost-effective over time — a basic lap panel fence may need replacing within 10 years, whereas a slightly higher investment in pressure-treated closeboard fencing on concrete posts with gravel boards can deliver twice the service life with relatively modest ongoing maintenance. Balancing initial budget against expected lifespan and maintenance cost is the most practical approach when planning any fencing project.

If a fence belonging to your neighbour is damaged, leaning, or falling down, the first step is to confirm that it is indeed their fence rather than yours by checking your property title deeds. If the fence is clearly their responsibility, you have no legal obligation to repair or pay for it, and equally your neighbour cannot be forced to repair it if it is simply unsightly — though if it poses a safety risk or is encroaching onto your land, you have stronger grounds for asking them to act. The recommended approach is always to speak to your neighbour politely first, raising your concerns calmly and ideally following up in writing. If the fence is a shared boundary, both parties have equal responsibility for maintenance and repairs, and costs are typically split. Where a neighbour refuses to engage and the situation cannot be resolved informally, a mediation service can help both parties reach a fair agreement without the need for legal action. As a last resort, you may choose to erect your own fence inside your boundary line alongside the damaged one — this is entirely within your rights and requires no permission from your neighbour, provided your new fence does not exceed permitted development height limits.

Installing a fence on a slope requires one of two approaches depending on the degree of the gradient and the style of fencing being used. The most common method for panel fencing is stepping, where each panel is installed level but at a progressively lower or higher height than the previous one, creating a staircase effect along the fence line. The step size between each panel is determined by the slope gradient divided by the number of bays in the run. This works well for standard pre-made fence panels, which cannot be raked, and creates a neat, structured appearance. The alternative method is raking or gravel-boarding to grade, where the fence line follows the contour of the slope more gradually. This is more commonly used with closeboard or feather edge fencing where individual boards are fixed to horizontal rails, as the boards can be cut to different lengths to follow the ground without leaving gaps. For stepped panel fencing on steeper slopes, the triangular gap beneath each stepped panel at ground level is typically filled with a shaped gravel board or timber infill to prevent animals getting under and to maintain a clean finish. In either case, post depth should be increased on sloping ground compared to level installations, as the ground is often less stable on gradients and the posts need to work harder against lateral forces.