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 Reviews and Recommendations Matter When Choosing a Roofer

Why a Roofer's Reputation Is the Most Important Thing You Can Check

Finding a reliable roofer in Cambridge is not as straightforward as it might seem. The city has a wide mix of Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, newer estates out towards Milton and Histon, and older rural properties in villages like Grantchester. Each building type comes with its own roofing quirks, and you need a tradesperson who genuinely knows what they are doing - not someone who learned on the job at your expense.

A roofer's reputation, built through genuine customer reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations, is the clearest signal you have before any work begins. No amount of a glossy website or a bold advertisement tells you as much as a neighbour saying "they did a great job on my chimney stack and left the garden tidy."

What Good Reviews Actually Tell You

A string of positive reviews does more than confirm a roofer turns up on time. Read them carefully and you start to see patterns: did they communicate clearly about what work was needed? Did the final invoice match the quote? Did they spot problems before those problems became expensive?

Look beyond the star rating and read the actual text. A review that says "replaced our ridge tiles quickly and tidied up after themselves" gives you far more useful information than a five-star rating with no comment attached. Equally, pay attention to how a business responds to any negative feedback - a calm, professional reply shows accountability, whereas an aggressive or dismissive one is a warning sign.

Check multiple platforms - Google, Checkatrade and Trustpilot each attract different reviewers, so cross-referencing gives a fuller picture.
Look at volume and recency - a roofer with dozens of recent reviews is more reassuring than one with a handful from several years ago.
Watch for specifics - reviews that mention the actual street, the type of roof or the materials used tend to be genuine.

Personal Recommendations from Neighbours and Local Contacts

In Cambridge and the surrounding villages, word of mouth still carries enormous weight. If a roofer has completed work on a Victorian terrace in Romsey or a detached property near Great Shelford, and the homeowner is happy to point to that work and recommend the tradesperson, that is a far stronger endorsement than any online listing.

Ask around before you commit. Speak to neighbours, check local Facebook groups and community forums, and do not be shy about asking a roofer directly whether they have completed similar work nearby and whether any previous customers would be willing to speak with you. A confident, reputable contractor will not hesitate.

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors also maintains a find-a-contractor directory, which lists members who have agreed to abide by a code of professional conduct. Membership alone does not guarantee quality, but it is a reasonable baseline check to run alongside your review research.

Red Flags to Watch For When Reading Reviews

Not everything you read online should be taken at face value. A sudden cluster of generic five-star reviews posted within a short window can suggest they have been solicited in bulk rather than earned over time. Reviews with identical phrasing, or ones that do not reference any specific detail about the job, are also worth treating cautiously.

Similarly, be wary of roofers who ask for large cash deposits upfront, refuse to provide a written quote, or push you to decide on the spot. These practices are well-documented warning signs in the UK roofing trade, and no amount of positive reviews should override that instinct.

Cambridge's climate - damp winters, occasional heavy frost in exposed spots, and the flat landscape that allows wind to travel unchecked across the Fens - means roofing work done poorly will show its faults quickly. A roofer who has worked in this area for some time will understand how those conditions affect pointing, flashing and flat roof membranes in ways that a contractor travelling in from outside the region may not.

Applying the Same Thinking to All Outdoor Tradespeople

The same principles that apply to finding a good roofer apply equally well to any outdoor specialist. Whether you are looking for new fence installation to replace tired boundary panels, fence repairs after winter storm damage, or a new gate installation to improve access and security, checking reviews and asking for local recommendations will always steer you towards a better result.

Trades that work around your home and garden are not commodities. A roofer or fencing specialist who has earned genuine trust in your area has done so by completing real work to a standard that real people are happy to recommend. That is the only signal that matters.

If you are in Cambridge or the surrounding villages and would like a straightforward, honest quote for fencing or garden works, get in touch with our team for a free local quote. We are happy to discuss your project, answer questions about materials and timing, and point you towards examples of work we have completed nearby.

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More advice

Why Reviews and Recommendations Matter When Choosing a Roofer

Why a Roofer's Reputation Is the Most Important Thing You Can Check

What Good Reviews Actually Tell You

Personal Recommendations from Neighbours and Local Contacts

Red Flags to Watch For When Reading Reviews

Applying the Same Thinking to All Outdoor Tradespeople

Need a price in Cambridge?

Services in this article

New Fence Installation

Fence Repairs

Gate Installation

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