Composite Fencing Cost

Composite fencing isn’t a cheap option, but it will last much longer than wood fencing and it’s therefore a popular choice with householders who want their fencing to last more than ten years.

The other benefits include that it’s easy to install, weatherproof, mould and mildew resistant, and low maintenance.

By providing average, ballpark costs for the installation of composite fencing you will have the information you need to be able to decide to go ahead with the project.

When you need quotes for fencing installation we can connect you with local fencing installers.

How Much Do Composite Fence Panels Cost?

The price for installing composite fencing comes down to how much fencing you need. Have a look at the chart below which gives you the average number of fencing panels you’ll need for a small, medium-sized, and large garden and cost of the composite fence panels.

Composite Fence Prices

On top of the cost of composite fencing and posts, you might want to add the price of gravel boards. They aren’t necessary but they do protect the fence from water damage, insects, and general debris. You’ll need one for every fence panel.

Here’s the pricing to fit composite gravel boards:

You’ll also need to buy cement to fix the posts. A bag of cement is between £5 and £10. One bag should be enough for between 1 and 4 posts.

Labour Costs and Timescales

Labour costs and timescales are also affected by the width and height of the composite garden fencing and whether or not you already have posts in place. Composite fencing isn’t difficult to install but if you are doing the work yourself it will take longer, and you’ll need someone to help you.

Additional Fencing Costs

When you are working out your budget for composite fencing you may decide to spruce up the garden and apply some additional features.

Garden Landscaping

If you have new composite garden fencing installed and your garden isn’t looking its best it will seem all the more shabby because of the shiny new fencing. So why not give your garden a makeover at the same time?

A Gardener will cost between £15 to £45 an hour and you can use our website to get quotes from at least three local gardeners. As you can see a gardener will cost between £120 and £360 a day.

The average cost of garden renovations is £400, but if you have new turf laid you can expect to pay between £700 and £800 for a 50-foot lawn. You might just want the garden tidying up you could be looking at around £30 per square metre.

Setting up Lighting for Decorative Purposes

Decorative lighting will highlight the beauty of a tree or flower bed during the evening. Garden spotlights range from between £23 and £80 depending on the quality and design.

Outdoor wall lighting to illuminate steps and doorways ranges from between £20 and £140.

If you need an electrician to install the lights, then expect to pay between £50 and £120 per hour. The average lighting installation should take about half a day, so you’ll be paying between £200 and £480 for the installation work.

Installing Security Lighting

The average cost to install security lights to the outside of a typical 3-bedroom semi will cost around £300 plus labour. You’ll need an electrician to do the job and you can expect to pay between 4 and 8 hours work at between £50 to £120 an hour.

The price you pay for lights will depend on the quality and the design. Average prices start at around £24.00 but you can pay as much as £200 buying direct from an online store.

Adding a Garden Gate

While you are installing a new fence you could also install a garden gate. The price you pay will depend on the size of the gate and the materials you use. But a composite gate will cost on average between £500 and £600. You should then expect to pay between £200 and £300 to have the gate fitted.

If you decide to install electric gates, then you will pay a lot more. For example, a 3ft high by 10ft wide metal gate will cost between £830 and £3,025 depending on the type of electric gate you choose.

Exterior Painting

If you decide to refresh the exterior of your home, then expect to pay a painter between £120 and £320 for a day’s work. On top of this, you need to budget for the amount of paint you need to buy.

On average a 3-bedroomed house will take 4 to 5 days to paint at an average cost of between £700 and £1000. Masonry paint costs between £2 and £8 per litre and then you may want paint for windows and doors at a cost between £15 and £20 per litre.

Here are some average prices of the typical tradesperson you may need:

The price you pay a tradesperson will depend on what part of the country you come from. London and the South East of England is always more expensive.

Cost Factors of Installing Composite Fencing

If you are on a budget, you may want to choose another type of fencing or do some or all of the work yourself as a DIY project. Doing the work will save you money on labour costs, but you will need the ‘know-how’ to dedicate to the fencing installation.

Labour costs for a day’s work will be in the region of £300 to £400. If you have a larger fence that takes between two and two and half days, then you will save between £750 and £875 in labour costs.

Types of Composite Fencing Finishes

Composite fencing comes in a variety of ranges and colours. The most popular ranges are:

• Smooth
• Wood Grain
• Co-extruded

Smooth

If you want a modern look with simplicity, then a smooth finished composite fence is a good choice. As they are easier to manufacture, they also tend to be more cost-effective than wood grain.

Wood Grain

Embossed wood grain patterns add a realistic ‘wood’ look to a composite fence and is popular with households who like the aesthetic appeal of real wood but with the versatility and strength of composite fencing.

Co-extruded

Co-extruded composite fencing uses two or more layers of materials which are then pressed together to enhance the strength and quality of the composite fencing. Co-extruded finishes often have the benefit of being scratch and UV- resistant. They are the most expensive type of composite fencing, and you can pay up to £240 per panel.

Other Types of Fencing

To allow you to compare composite fencing with other types of fencing you can see below the other fencing you can choose and the average price of buying and installing it.

Wooden Fencing

Wooden fencing comes in a wide range of designs and styles. The average cost for installing a 36 foot by 6-foot wooden fence is between £550 and £1750 depending on the type of wood panel.

For example, a lap panel wooden fence with timber fence posts will cost between £600 and £750 to supply and fit. A more expensive option would be to choose slatted/Venetian fencing with timber fence posts. For this type of fencing, you will pay between £900 to £1,250.

Metal Fencing

Metal fencing in a residential garden is usually decorative and can be made from a material like wrought iron or steel. Cheaper metal fences found in parks, schools and farms include mesh, chain link and barbed wire.

PVC Fencing

uPVC plastic fencing is cost-effective, easy to install and is low maintenance. The panels come in four standard colours which are white, brown, green, and beige. They are popular with households who want strength and style without the composite fencing price tag. One 6ft panel by 3ft will cost between £40 and £50.

Building Regulations and Planning Permission

Planning Permission

Planning permission isn’t needed for composite fencing as long as the following conditions are met:

• If the fence is next to a highway used by vehicles, then it cannot exceed 1m in height.
• If the fence is located away from a highway, then the height must not exceed 2m.
• The fence is not on the property of a listed building or in a conservation area.
• The fence is being repaired or is replacing an existing fence.

Building Regulations

No building regulations apply to the installation of a composite fence. You must inform your neighbour you are installing a fence if you are doing so on a boundary wall. You can find out whether a fence is yours or a neighbour’s by checking your Title Plan or contacting the Land Registry. You can do this online by applying through the Gov.UK site. A property summary is free, but a Title register and Title plan are £3 each.

Repairing a Composite Fence

If you have a damaged fence panel or post, then you can easily remove it and replace it with a new one. Expect to pay between £117 and £200 for a composite fencing panel and between £22 to £35 for fencing posts, plus cement which is between £5 and £10 for a bag that will give you enough cement for between 1 and 4 posts.

Composite Fencing Prices

Fence Post Costs

Gravel Board Costs

Cleaning and Maintaining a Composite Fence

Composite fencing needs very little maintenance. A good regular clean using a sponge and hosepipe will get rid of any dirt and debris. This will keep your fencing in good condition. After a storm or particularly windy weather check that your posts and panels aren’t loose. If they are then you should have them fixed immediately.

Removing Garden Fences

Replacing an existing garden fence will mean you need to dispose of the old one. If you have the time, you can save yourself some money, by removing it yourself using a hammer and a crowbar.

A handy person can also do the job for you. The length of time the work will take will depend on the size of the fence. A small fence will take a couple of hours to remove, and a larger fence might take half a day. You should therefore expect to pay between £60 and £160.

Once the fence is removed you will have to take the old fencing to landfill and there will be a charge. If there is a lot of fencing and you don’t have the means to take the waste away yourself, you could hire a small skip for around £70 or contact a man and a van service which can cost between £35 and £60 an hour.

Hiring a Garden Fence Installer Checklist

We can help you to find a metal fence installer near you. All you need to do is fill in your postcode and then put the answers to the few questions that we ask about the job you want to do. You should then hear from three local contractors who will supply you with a quote. We recommend you have at least three quotes because that way you can easily compare each one and choose the most suitable.

Always ask the contractor the following questions when you are deciding who to use as their answers will help you to make up your mind as to whether or not they meet your requirements.

• First of all, ask if they have a website so you can have a browse. Having a website isn’t always necessary. They cost money to run, and the contractor may not need one. But if they have one have a browse, read about the jobs they have done and see if they have any feedback from satisfied customers.
• Find out how long they have been in the trade. This will tell you how much experience they have got. Don’t forget you can give a new company a chance, just make sure they know what they are doing.
• Finally, ask if they have professional insurance. If the work person has an accident whilst working in your home, it means you can claim on his or her insurance policy. Claiming on an insurance policy is safer than claiming from the contractor directly as they may not have the money to cover the costs you are claiming.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.northvalleycomposites.co.uk/light-oak-composite-fencing-board-tongue-groove-1-85m/
https://compositewarehouse.co.uk/how-do-i-install-a-composite-fence/
https://www.compositedecking.co.uk/how-long-do-composite-fences-last/