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.

Why Local Fencing Companies in Cambridge Are Often Better Than National Firms

The Case for Choosing a Local Fencing Specialist

When homeowners in Cambridge start looking for a fencing contractor, the search often throws up a mix of national firms and local companies. The bigger names can seem appealing at first glance, with polished websites and call centres ready to take your enquiry. But for most fencing jobs around Cambridge, a local specialist will serve you better in almost every way.

This is not simply loyalty to local business. There are practical, concrete reasons why a company rooted in this area understands your needs more precisely than a regional or national outfit booking jobs across dozens of counties.

Local Knowledge That Actually Matters

Cambridge sits in one of the flatter parts of England, and that flat terrain means wind exposure is a real consideration when specifying fencing. Panels that might sit comfortably in a sheltered garden in a hillier county can behave very differently in an open Cambridgeshire plot, particularly in the villages to the south and east of the city. A contractor who works here regularly understands how to spec the right post depth, concrete fill and panel type for exposed conditions.

The housing stock around Cambridge is also varied in ways that matter for fencing. Victorian terraces close to the city centre typically have narrow rear access and shared boundary walls. Newer housing developments on the edges of town often have smaller gardens with close-boarded fencing already in place. Older village properties in places like Great Shelford or Grantchester may have more substantial boundaries and sometimes more complex party-fence conversations to navigate. A local fencer has seen all of these situations and knows how to work within them without making your project harder than it needs to be.

Faster Response and Simpler Communication

National firms often operate through a franchise or sub-contractor model. Your enquiry goes to a call centre, gets passed to a regional coordinator, and eventually lands with a tradesperson who may travel a significant distance to quote. That chain of communication adds time and creates room for details to get lost.

A local company is quicker to visit, easier to reach directly and more likely to send the same person to quote and then carry out the work. For straightforward jobs like fence repairs after storm damage, speed matters. Waiting a fortnight for a national firm to schedule a visit is frustrating when a local contractor can often get out to assess the job sooner.

Understanding Planning Rules in Context

Most residential fencing in England does not need planning permission. Under permitted development rules, a fence, wall or gate up to 2 metres high is generally allowed without a formal application. If your boundary is next to a road used by vehicles, that limit drops to 1 metre. However, if your property is a listed building, sits within a conservation area, or is subject to an Article 4 direction, the rules change. You can check the specifics on the Planning Portal.

Cambridge has a number of conservation areas and a significant number of listed properties. A local contractor is familiar with these zones in general terms and will flag potential complications before work starts, rather than leaving you to discover a problem after a fence has gone in. That kind of practical awareness is difficult for a national firm to replicate across a large territory.

Better Value for Money on Smaller Jobs

National companies often have minimum job values that make them impractical for smaller pieces of work. Replacing two or three damaged panels, fitting a new gate or adding a trellis section rarely meets the threshold that makes a large contractor interested. Local firms take these jobs seriously because they build their reputation panel by panel, garden by garden, in a community where word of mouth still travels quickly.

As a broad guide, typical UK fence installation costs vary considerably depending on fence type, panel count, post specification and ground conditions, so it is always worth getting a few quotes from contractors who have actually visited your site. A local quote will reflect the real conditions of your garden rather than a national pricing matrix.

Local fencers can advise on the best materials for Cambridge's open, windy conditions
Shorter supply chains and lower travel costs often mean more competitive pricing on mid-sized jobs
You are more likely to deal directly with the person doing the work, from first enquiry to final post
Local companies have a stronger incentive to leave every garden in good order

Get a Free Local Quote from Cambridge Fencers

If you are weighing up your options for a new fence, repairs or any other boundary work around Cambridge and the surrounding villages, Cambridge Fencers are happy to help. We cover the city and a wide area of south Cambridgeshire and beyond, including Sawston, Newmarket and Histon.

Get in touch for a free, no-obligation local quote and talk your fence through with a local specialist.

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More advice

Why Local Fencing Companies in Cambridge Are Often Better Than National Firms

The Case for Choosing a Local Fencing Specialist

Local Knowledge That Actually Matters

Faster Response and Simpler Communication

Understanding Planning Rules in Context

Better Value for Money on Smaller Jobs

Get a Free Local Quote from Cambridge Fencers

Need a price in Cambridge?

Services in this article

New Fence Installation

Fence Repairs

Gate Installation

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