How much does a new fence cost in Cambridge?

A new timber close-board fence in Cambridge typically costs between £120 and £250 per metre supply and fitted, depending on height, ground conditions and the timber grade used. Concrete posts and gravel boards push the price toward the higher end, but they significantly extend the life of the run. Decorative or composite panels, hardwood close-board and bespoke gates add further cost. The best way to get an accurate figure is to have someone walk the boundary with you - we offer a free site measure and quote across Cambridge and the surrounding villages.

What drives the price of a new fence up or down?

The main cost factors are panel or board style, post material (timber versus concrete), fence height, the number of gates, and how difficult the ground is to work in. Rocky or heavily rooted ground in areas like Cherry Hinton or Trumpington can add time and therefore cost. Removing an old fence also adds to the price, as does disposing of treated timber, which cannot go to a standard skip. Telling a contractor all of this upfront means you get a quote that reflects the actual job, not an estimate that grows on the day.

How long do different types of fence last?

Pressure-treated softwood close-board panels typically last 15-25 years when fitted with concrete posts and gravel boards and kept treated. Untreated or poorly treated timber close to the ground can start to rot within 5-8 years in the damp Cambridgeshire climate. Concrete panel fences can last 40 years or more; composite panels are generally rated by manufacturers at 25 years or longer without painting or staining. Metal railings and galvanised steel fences, if the coating is maintained, can outlast all of them.

Should I choose timber or concrete fence posts?

Concrete posts are the better long-term choice for most domestic fences because they do not rot at ground level, which is the most common reason a timber run fails prematurely. Timber posts treated with a UC4-rated preservative (suitable for ground contact) will last considerably longer than untreated or UC3 timber, but they will still eventually decay in the wet, clay-heavy soils found across much of South Cambridgeshire. For a boundary that needs to last 20 years or more with minimal intervention, concrete posts paired with a gravel board are the standard recommendation. Timber posts suit applications where a more natural look is a priority and the owner is prepared to monitor and re-treat them.

What is the difference between timber, metal and composite fence panels?

Timber panels are the most affordable upfront, offer a natural look and are easy to cut to size, but they need regular treatment and will eventually rot if neglected. Metal fences - wrought iron, galvanised steel or powder-coated aluminium - suit period Cambridge properties and front boundaries where security and appearance matter; they cost more but need less maintenance once the coating is intact. Composite panels are made from a mix of recycled wood fibre and plastic; they will not rot, do not need painting, and have improved significantly in appearance over the past decade. The right choice depends on your budget, the setting, and how much upkeep you are willing to do.

How tall can my fence be without planning permission?

In England, you can erect a fence up to 2 metres tall without planning permission, provided it is not next to a highway or public footpath. If your boundary adjoins a road, pavement or public right of way, the permitted development limit drops to 1 metre. Conservation areas - and Cambridge has several, including large parts of the city centre and many village settings - may impose additional restrictions, and your title deeds or lease may contain covenants that limit height or materials further. If you are unsure, check with South Cambridgeshire District Council or Cambridge City Council before starting work, as enforcement action can require you to remove a fence at your own expense.

Which side of the fence is mine and how do I find out?

There is no universal rule in England that dictates which boundary belongs to which neighbour - it depends entirely on the title deeds for your property. The Land Registry title plan sometimes shows a 'T' mark on the boundary line; the 'T' points toward the owner responsible for that boundary. If your deeds are unclear, the next step is to look at the conveyancing documents from when you bought the house, or commission a boundary report. Assuming your neighbour owns a fence just because it faces a particular way is one of the most common causes of boundary disputes, so it is worth checking rather than guessing.

Should I repair individual panels or replace the whole run?

If fewer than a third of the panels or posts in a run are damaged and the rest of the fence is structurally sound, targeted repairs are usually better value. However, if the posts are beginning to rot at ground level, replacing panels while leaving the posts in place is a short-term fix - the whole run will need to come down within a few years anyway. A fence that is more than 15-20 years old and showing widespread deterioration is almost always cheaper to replace in full than to repair piecemeal over time. We can assess a run honestly and tell you which approach makes financial sense for your specific situation.

My fence was blown down in a storm - what should I do, and does insurance cover it?

Photograph the damage before touching anything, then check whether the downed fence is on your boundary or your neighbour's, because that determines who is responsible for the repair cost. Most standard UK home insurance buildings policies cover storm damage to fences, but many set a low sub-limit (often £500-£1,000) and some exclude fences entirely, so check your policy schedule before assuming you are covered. Temporary measures - securing a loose panel with a batten, or removing a section that is a hazard - are sensible, but do not undertake full repairs until you have spoken to your insurer, as they may want to send an assessor. Cambridge experiences significant storm events in autumn and early spring, and we can usually prioritise emergency call-outs for security or safety-critical damage.

What are gravel boards, why do I need them, and how far apart should fence posts be?

A gravel board is a horizontal board or concrete slab fitted at the base of the fence, between the posts, to sit on or just above the ground - it takes the brunt of soil moisture and grass contact, protecting the more expensive panels above it. Without a gravel board, the bottom of a timber panel sits directly on damp soil and will typically begin to rot within a few years, particularly in the heavier soils of the Cambridge area. Standard fence post spacing in the UK is 1.83 metres (6 feet) centre to centre, matching the width of a standard fence panel. Posts decay fastest at the point where they enter the ground, because that zone cycles between wet and dry; concrete posts or a concrete spur repair system eliminate this problem entirely.

How to Compare Fencing Quotes Without Getting Confused

Why Comparing Fencing Quotes Is Harder Than It Looks

Getting three quotes for a new fence sounds straightforward. In practice, homeowners across Cambridge regularly find themselves staring at figures that bear no relation to each other and have no idea why. One contractor quotes £800, another £2,200, and a third somewhere in between. Without knowing what each quote actually covers, the cheapest option can easily become the most expensive once the job is done.

This guide explains what to look for so you can compare like with like, ask the right questions, and choose a fencing contractor with confidence.

What a Proper Quote Should Include

A detailed, written quote should break down materials, labour and any groundwork separately. If a quote is just a single lump sum with no breakdown, that is a warning sign. You have no way of knowing whether the contractor has accounted for concrete postcrete, post caps, gravel boards or any other component that affects how long your fence will actually last.

Key items to check for in every quote:

Post material and treatment - pressure-treated timber posts last considerably longer than untreated ones. Ask specifically what treatment standard the posts meet.
Gravel boards - these sit at the base of a panel fence and protect it from damp ground. Not every contractor includes them as standard, but in Cambridge's clay-heavy soils they make a real difference to longevity.
Concrete or spur posts - concrete spurs are used to repair or reinforce rotting wooden posts. If a contractor is quoting for fence repairs that involve post replacement, check whether spurs or full posts are being used and why.
Panel or board specification - a closeboard fence built from feather-edge boards is a different product from a flat panel fence. Make sure each quote specifies the same style and height.
Disposal of old materials - if you are replacing an existing fence, who removes and disposes of the old panels and posts? Skip hire is not cheap, and some contractors leave this cost unstated.

Understanding Price Differences

Across the UK, the cost of a new timber fence typically ranges from around £80 to £200 per metre, fully installed, depending on the style and ground conditions. Metal and composite options sit at the higher end. These are broad UK ranges and actual prices vary with material costs, access, and the complexity of the site.

If one quote is dramatically lower than the others, it often means one of three things: cheaper materials have been specified, certain tasks (disposal, groundwork, post concrete) have been left out, or the contractor is significantly underestimating the job. None of these lead to a happy outcome. If a quote is unusually high with no clear reason, ask the contractor to walk you through the breakdown line by line.

Cambridge gardens vary enormously. Terraced homes in older parts of the city often have compact, awkward plots where access is tight and setting posts requires more care. New-build estates on the edge of the city sometimes have boundary disputes or restrictive covenants that affect what you can install. Properties in villages like Great Shelford or Grantchester may fall within conservation areas where permitted development rules differ.

Planning Permission - What You Need to Know

Most residential fences do not need planning permission. In England, a fence, wall or gate requires no planning permission if it is no more than 2 metres high, or no more than 1 metre high where it sits next to a highway used by vehicles (including the footpath alongside it). However, listed buildings, conservation areas, and Article 4 directions can change these limits, so it is always worth checking before you commission work. The Planning Portal covers this clearly and is a reliable first stop.

A reputable fencing contractor will flag any potential planning issues before starting work, not after. If a contractor does not raise the question at all on a boundary adjacent to the road, that is worth querying.

Comparing Quotes for Gates and Combined Projects

If your project includes a gate alongside your fence, make sure the gate is quoted separately and in detail. Gate posts need to be set deeper and in more substantial concrete than fence posts, particularly for heavier timber or metal gates. Hardware - hinges, latches, drop bolts - varies considerably in quality and cost. A quote that bundles gate installation into a per-metre fence price without specifics is worth querying.

For a combined fence and gate installation, ask each contractor to give you the gate element as a separate line. That way you can spot immediately if one contractor has priced a basic latch where another has included a heavier-duty bolt and hinge set.

Get a Quote From Cambridge Fencers

If you are ready to gather quotes for fencing work in Cambridge or the surrounding area, we would be glad to help. Contact us for a free local quote and we will come out, assess your site, and give you a clear written breakdown so you have something solid to compare against.

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More advice

How to Compare Fencing Quotes Without Getting Confused

Why Comparing Fencing Quotes Is Harder Than It Looks

What a Proper Quote Should Include

Understanding Price Differences

Planning Permission - What You Need to Know

Comparing Quotes for Gates and Combined Projects

Get a Quote From Cambridge Fencers

Need a price in Cambridge?

Services in this article

New Fence Installation

Fence Repairs

Gate Installation

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