How To Build A Fence

You can build your own garden fence with materials from Screwfix. Have a look at our complete range of fencing and fencing supplies.

Here are all the tools and materials you need to build a fence.

What tools do you need to build a fence?

• Measuring tape, spirit level and string line

• Spade or post-hole digger

• Handsaw or circular saw

• Screwdriver and hammer

• Safety equipment - safety glasses, dust mask, gloves and hearing protection

What materials do you need to build a fence?

• Fence posts

• Fence panels

• Trellises, gravel boards and other fence parts

• Postmix concrete and loose gravel

• Exterior grade screws and nails

• Fence brackets

There are some things you should think about before you start that will influence your choice of fence and the way you build it: 

• What is the main purpose of your fence? Is it for privacy, to enhance the look of your property, or for another reason? This will have a strong influence on the type of fence you build. 

• How do you want your fence to look? This will also have an influence on the type of fence you build as well as the materials you use. 

• Finally, you should check if there is any steep ground to work on. If you’re on steep or undulating ground, you’ll need to know how to build a fence on a slope.

Speak to your neighbours about fencing boundaries

When you’re building a fence in the UK, it’s always a good idea to speak to your neighbours before you start. 

Most boundaries in the UK are the responsibility of only one party,, check your title deeds or the land registry plans to find out who is responsible but changes along it still affect both parties. So, it’s always a good idea to speak to your neighbours before you do any work. It might be a good idea to discuss what kind of fence you will build with them, or you might need to arrange access to their garden. 

UK fence planning regulations

You don’t normally need planning permission to build a fence in the UK if it’s under 2 m tall and it isn’t next to a public road. If it is next to a public road, you don’t normally need permission if it’s under 1 m tall. It is still a good idea, however, to check with your local authority that there aren’t any restrictions you need to know about.

The most common domestic fences in the UK are wood panelled fences (including picket fences), wire fences and metal panel fences. Trellis fences and garden screen fences are also very popular, but they are normally only used as light duty, internal fences.

Wood panel fences

The most common domestic fence in the UK is the wood panel fence. These are strong and secure but also visually appealing fences that provide good privacy. Fence panels are also affordable and relatively easy to install.

Wood panel fences are constructed by placing posts and then attaching pre-constructed panels to the posts. You can build a wood panel fence by installing concrete posts or with timber posts. With a huge variety of posts and panels you can achieve many styles with wood panel fences. 

Here are some of the different types of wood panelled fence: 

• Feather edge - tapered wooden boards are laid vertically and overlapping each other with no visible gaps to build a feather edge fence panel.

• Lap - wooden boards are laid horizontally and overlapping each other with no visible gaps. 

• Slatted - slats are laid horizontally with a small spacing to allow some light and air through while still creating privacy.

• Lattice - thin slats are laid in a grid pattern to create a decorative panel that allows plenty of light through.

• Tongue and groove - the boards in a panel interlock with each other to create a solid wooden board that gives you complete privacy. 

• Curved top - any panel can be given a curved top, but it is often a feature of lattice and slatted panels. 

Gravel boards and top trellis pieces are also common features of wood panel fences of all types. 

Picket fences

Picket fences are a type of wooden panel fence, but they are slightly different to the types above. Instead of using a large, solid wooden panel, a picket style panel is fitted between posts.

Picket fence panels are decorative panels that feature two horizontal rails and upright wooden boards attached to the rails. The vertical boards are normally curved or shaped at the top. The boards in picket fences are also spaced quite far apart to allow plenty of light and air to pass through. Picket fences are also normally shorter than other wooden panel fences. 

Picket fences are less secure and less private than panel fences, but they look very nice in certain situations such as,  in a small front garden,around a border in a rear garden, or around a vegetable patch. 

Metal panel fences

Metal panel fences come in many types, with everything from heavy-duty, security fences to lightweight, decorative fences. They can be solid corrugated metal security panels or lightweight, decorative picket style panel fences. Metal fences are usually more expensive, but they offer very good security or visual appeal.

Wire fences

To build a wire garden fence, you install posts and then attach wire along the entire line of posts. Wire fences are often constructed from rolls of mesh, rolls of netting (such as for rabbit-proof fencing) or rolls of chain link. It’s also possible to use single strands of steel wire or even panels of mesh.

In this section, we’ll explain how to build a wood panel garden fence. The process is usually the same or very similar for wood panel fences of all different types.

To build a wood panel fence, you need to:

1. Plan correctly

2. Measure and mark out your fence

3. Fit the first and last post and dig holes for all other posts

4. Install all posts and panels

5. Set all posts in concrete

6. Add end caps to posts

7. Seal your fence for longevity

Fence building is best done as a two-person job. The materials are often heavy, and the work can be awkward if you are working by yourself. It is possible to do it on your own, but it’s easier with two people.

Most people will build their fence with wooden posts on flat ground. We will, however, cover how to install concrete fence posts and how to fit panels into concrete posts, as well as how to build a fence on a slope.

Step 1. Plan the layout of your fence

Before you start any work, make sure you’ve planned how you will build your fence very carefully.

Before you start any work, be careful you know exactly the right position for your fence. Make sure you don’t accidentally place it over your boundary because this might mean you have to remove it. 

You should also inspect the ground you are going to build on. If the soil is soft or unstable, you might need to install longer fence posts that will be more stable. You should also look at how sloped the ground is. Flat and compact ground is normally easy to work on. If the ground is heavily sloped or undulating, you’ll need to be prepared to adapt the way you build your fence. 

General safety

Make sure you wear safety glasses, gloves and a protective hat at all times while you’re working. You should also wear a dust mask when you’re working with cement and hearing protection if you use any loud tools. 

Be careful around electrics and other hazards in your garden.

Check the weather conditions

You should not install a new fence on a windy day because it could weaken the posts, or be blown over. This would mean redoing the work, and installing a fence in high winds can be dangerous. It’s also a good idea to avoid rain because it could cause problems with setting concrete or other parts of the process. 

Treating posts

Another thing to do before you start work is treat the base of wooden fence posts (anything that will be below ground level) with wood preservative. This should also be given sufficient time to cure before the posts are fitted. 

Step 2. Measure and mark out your fence

The first practical step in building your fence is to mark the line you’re going to build it along, this can be done with a line and chalk. 

Mark the centre points of the first and last posts of your fence, being very careful to mark the exact centre point of the posts. Remove any obstructions and then run a straight length of string line along the line of where your fence will go.

Be careful about where you position the centre line of your fence. You need to take the width of the posts into account and position your fence in exactly the right place.

Measure out and mark the locations for the other fence posts

The next step is to mark out the locations for the other fence posts in the fence line. It’s important that you position all the posts correctly.  

You should aim to position your posts so that an entire panel will fit in between each pair of posts. The last panel in the fence might need to be reduced in size based on the length of your space.

How to measure and fit fence panels into wooden posts

Most panel fences are constructed with wooden fence posts, with the panels fitted to the inside of the posts. The panels sit in between the posts and are attached with either L-brackets or nails. Panels are typically 1.83 m (6 ft) wide, and posts are typically 100 mm wide. In this case, the centre of the post holes should be an entire panel plus one post width apart. This gives a distance of 1.93 m apart. 

Measure along your string line and mark the centre of each post with a peg or another marker.

How to measure and fit fence panels into concrete posts

Concrete fence posts are a good choice where extra strength is needed and where it is unlikely a fence will ever be moved. 

Most concrete posts have pre-installed slots for securing the panels in place. To fit fence panels into concrete posts, you install the post in the correct location and then slot the panel into position. If you are using concrete fence posts, you should reduce the spacing between the posts according to the depth of the slot in the posts. Normally, the slots in concrete fence posts are about 20 mm deep, but you should check yours. 

You need to reduce the width between the posts by twice the depth of the slot to account for each end of the panel.  

Measure along your string line and mark the centre of each post with a peg or another marker.

How deep should fence post holes be?

Wooden posts are normally set in holes that are 450 - 600 mm deep. If you are in soft ground, however, it’s advisable to dig down deeper than 600 mm. A typical width for a fence post hole is around 300 mm. 

You should plan ahead and order fence posts that are the correct length. You need to be able to dig down to the correct depth for each post and set it in concrete, leaving a fence post above ground that is at least the height of the panels. Specialist fencing tools can help with difficult digging. It is particularly important to order posts that are the right length and dig to the correct depth if you are installing concrete fence posts. 

Post holes for wooden posts should also have 25 mm of gravel or other free-draining material in the base to allow water to drain away. This will prolong the life of the post. You should dig an extra 25 mm in each hole to allow for this.

Step 3. Fit the first and last posts and dig all post holes

Now you should position the first and last fence posts and set them in concrete.

Positioning and setting a fence post:

1. Dig a hole to the correct width and depth.

2. Put 25 mm of gravel in the bottom of the hole.

3. Position the post in the hole. The centre of the post should be in exactly the right place and it should have a flat side facing forward rather than a corner.

4. Screw two sturdy, temporary struts to the post to help position it. 

5. Use a spirit level to position the post so it is exactly upright. It’s important to make sure it is both perfectly upright and in the right position.

6. Fill the hole with postmix concrete or normal concrete. Add the correct amount of water and mix if needed.

7. Finally, trowel the surface of the concrete so it slopes away from the post.  

After you’ve finished and the posts are secure, attach your string line to the posts. Make sure it runs along the front of both posts.

Step 4. Install the rest of the posts and panels

Next, fit all of the posts and panels of your fence.

In this guide, we’re focusing on building a garden fence that is only built with wooden fence panels. Some fences feature other parts, such as a gravel board or a top trellis section. If you plan to have gravel boards or top trellises, you need to fit them at this stage. Luckily, it is usually a case of installing the additional piece in the same way as the panel.

To install a panel onto a wooden post with fence post brackets: 

1. Aim to position your panel with 50 mm height clearance from the ground.

2. Position two fence post brackets on the inside of the post, and screw them in place. One should eventually sit 150 mm up from the bottom of the panel, and the other should be 150 mm below the top.

3. Fit the panel to the fence post brackets, being careful to use props to make sure the weight of the panel does not pull the post out of position.

4. Position the next post in the hole.

5. Check the depth is correct and then lean the post back and attach two more brackets at the correct location on the post.

6. Roughly reposition the post in the hole, and attach struts to it

7. Use your spirit level to accurately position the post in the hole. The post should be exactly vertical and the front of it should be almost touching the string line marking the front of the fence. Be careful not to move the string line.

8. Attach the panel to the post.

9. Make sure the post is secure.

You can then repeat this process for the rest of your fence.

While you are working, stop frequently to check the position of the fence posts to make sure they haven’t moved. Reposition the posts and use additional supports if necessary.

If you are fitting fence panels into concrete posts, these will normally fit into pre-prepared slots on the posts. With these posts, you should slot the panels into position every time you put a post into place.    

How to cut a fence panel to size

If you have posts that are positioned closer together than the entire width of a panel, you’ll need to cut a panel to size. Usually, this is at the end of a fence line.

To do this:

1. Lay the panel on the floor.

2. Remove the framing batten at one end of the panel.

3. Reposition it at the correct width for the panel. Cut any horizontal battens if you need to for correct fitting. 

4. Secure it in place with nails.

5. Use a saw to cut down the outside of the batten.

You can also move any battens that are in the centre of the panel for even spacing.

How to build a fence on a slope

Building a panel fence on sloping ground is more difficult than on flat ground. 

It’s best to install the posts vertically and then step the panels down on sloped ground. This will leave a gap at the bottom at one end of the panel, but there are some ways to deal with this: 

• On gently sloping ground, you might simply be able to move soil along the fence to cover the gap. 

• You can dig a trench between the posts to level the ground and then fit a treated gravel board flat in the trench. One end will be below ground level, but it will fill the gap beneath the fence at the other end. 

• You might be able to cut across the entire panel at the bottom at an angle that matches the slope of the ground. 

• Some panels can be adapted so they fit in an angle between the posts. If you are building a feather edge fence, this might work for you. 

Step 5. Set all your posts in concrete

After you’ve fitted all your posts and panels, the next step is to set your entire fence in place with concrete.

To do this:

1. Check your posts are still positioned correctly before you start.

2. Pour the correct amount of concrete or postmix concrete into each hole. Add water and stir, if necessary.

3. Trowel the surface of each section of concrete, so it slopes away from the post. 

Step 6. Add end caps

Next, add end caps to the top of each post. End caps make the whole fence look more aesthetically pleasing, and they serve as a protective barrier against the elements. You can also buy them ready made, making this part easy. 

To do this:

1. Drill a pilot hole in the centre of each cap to stop it splitting when you nail it to the post.

2. Position an end cap on top of a post, making sure it is centralised and facing in the right direction.

3. Nail it in place.

Be careful not to move your fence while you’re fitting the end caps.

Step 7. Seal your fence

Fencing timber is normally dip or pressure treated by the manufacturer. It’s a good idea, however, to add another treatment to your fence after you’ve built it so it’s well protected from the elements. Fences should also be periodically retreated with wood stain or fence paint to keep them in good condition.

There are a variety of types of exterior paint and woodcare products available.