Short answer
Most fence work in Chester starts from around £95 for a minor repair, from £125 in labour to replace a panel, and from £175 for fence painting or treatment. New fencing is usually priced per metre once we know the panel type, the height and how the old fence and posts come out. Materials are extra and confirmed after a quick look or a few photos.
What changes the price of a fence in Chester
Fence cost is driven by three things far more than by the panel itself: the posts, the access and the ground. A panel swap where the existing concrete posts are sound is quick and cheap. The same fence run becomes a much bigger job when rotten timber posts have to come out, or when old concrete posts have snapped at the base and need digging out and re-setting.
Chester and the wider Cheshire and Wirral area throw up a few local realities. Exposed gardens out toward the Wirral coast and open Cheshire plain take a battering from south-westerly wind, so storm-loosened and blown-down panels are common after a rough spell. Heavy clay soil around parts of Chester holds water, which rots fence posts faster at the ground line and makes digging slower. And in terraced streets in Hoole, Boughton and Handbridge, rear-only access through the house or a shared entry adds time because every post, panel and bag of postcrete is carried by hand.
Boundary fencing also has a neighbour dimension. Before replacing a shared boundary it is worth checking the deeds for who owns which side, and having a friendly word next door. It avoids disputes and sometimes means the cost is shared.
Fence repair and replacement — guide prices in Chester & Cheshire
| Job | Guide price | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Minor fence repair visit | From £95 | Refix a loose panel, secure a leaning post, sort a dropped gate |
| Replace a fence panel (labour) | From £125 | Swap a damaged panel where the posts are sound; panel cost on top |
| New close-board or panel fencing | Priced per metre | Quoted by the metre once height, panel type and post work are known |
| Replace a broken or rotten post | From £95 | Dig out, re-set in postcrete; concrete posts cost more than timber |
| Fence painting or treatment | From £175 | Clean down and treat a typical garden run to protect the timber |
These figures are a starting point for typical Chester gardens. Labour is separate from materials, and a new fence run is confirmed by the metre after a few photos or a quick visit, because height, panel type, post condition and access all change the scope.
What a fence job actually involves
- 1
Check the posts, panels and gates
We look at what is actually failing. Often it is one or two posts or a single blown panel, not the whole run, so you only pay for what genuinely needs doing.
- 2
Agree the repair or replacement route
You get a clear choice: a targeted repair to buy more years, or a full replacement where the timber is past saving. We are honest about which makes sense.
- 3
Remove the old fence and set new posts
Failed panels and posts come out, post holes are dug to a sensible depth and new posts are set plumb in postcrete so the line stays straight and solid.
- 4
Fit, then paint or treat
Panels or boards go up level, gates are hung to swing and latch properly, and where you have asked we treat or paint the timber to protect it through Cheshire winters.
Leaning posts and storm damage after high wind
If a fence has blown over or a post has snapped in a storm, keep children and pets away from it and don't try to prop a heavy panel up alone — they catch the wind and can drop. Concrete posts that have cracked at the base are also heavier and more awkward than they look. Get a leaning or damaged boundary made safe properly rather than risking a back injury or a panel landing on someone.
DIY fence panel swap vs a professional repair
| DIY panel swap | Professional fence repair | |
|---|---|---|
| When it works | One light panel, sound concrete posts, easy access | Rotten or snapped posts, leaning runs, awkward access |
| Posts | Digging out and re-setting a post is heavy, slow work | Posts dug out and re-set plumb in postcrete so the line holds |
| Tools | Spirit level, spade, postcrete, often a second pair of hands | Right tools and the kit to carry materials through tight access |
| Finish | Easy to end up with a leaning or uneven run | Straight, level and properly fixed, with timber treated if asked |
| Typical cost | Price of the panel and postcrete, plus your weekend | From £95 for a repair, insured, with the job done in one visit |
Photos that get you an accurate price fast
- A wide photo of the full fence run so we can see the length and how many panels are involved
- A close-up of the failing posts at ground level — whether they are timber, concrete, rotten or snapped
- A photo showing how we'd reach the garden: front, side gate, shared entry or only through the house
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new fence cost per metre in Chester?
It varies with panel type, height and post work, so we quote new fencing by the metre rather than guessing a flat figure. Send a photo of the run and we'll give you a realistic per-metre guide before any visit.
Can you just replace one blown-down panel?
Yes. If the posts are sound, swapping a single panel starts from £125 labour plus the panel. After a storm that is often all that's needed, so we won't push a full replacement you don't require.
Do I have to replace the whole fence if some posts have rotted?
Not always. We can often replace just the failed posts and keep good panels, which is far cheaper than a full run. We'll tell you honestly when the timber is genuinely past saving.
Who pays for a fence between two gardens?
It depends on who owns the boundary, which is usually set out in the property deeds. It's worth checking before work starts, and many neighbours agree to share the cost of a shared boundary.
Will you paint or treat the fence too?
Yes. Cleaning down and treating a typical garden run starts from £175 and helps the timber last through wet Cheshire winters. We can do it on the same visit as a repair or replacement.