16 July 2026 · 4 min read
Garden Fencing in Leeds: An Honest Guide
A new fence is one of those jobs that looks simple until you start pricing it up. Quotes vary wildly across Leeds, and it's not always obvious why one company charges £1,200 for a run of fencing and another quotes £2,500 for what sounds like the same thing.
This guide explains the different fence types we fit, what really drives the cost, and how long you should expect a good fence to last. It's written from years of putting fences up across Leeds gardens, not copied from a merchant's catalogue.
The Main Fence Types
Panel fencing is the most common choice. Pre-made panels (usually 6ft wide) drop between posts, so it goes up quickly and keeps costs down. Standard waney-edge or overlap panels are the cheapest option, but they're also the first to sag or blow out in a Yorkshire gale. Better-quality framed panels last considerably longer.
Closeboard fencing is built board by board on site. It's stronger, heavier and far more durable than panels, the vertical boards overlap onto horizontal rails fixed to sturdy posts. It costs more because it takes longer to build, but for a permanent boundary it's worth it.
Feather edge fencing is really a form of closeboard. Tapered boards are overlapped and nailed to give a solid, gap-free finish. It suits sloping gardens well because it can follow the ground rather than stepping in fixed panel widths. This is our usual recommendation for exposed or long boundaries.
What Actually Determines the Price
Here's where the honesty matters. The visible timber is only part of the story.
Post depth and concrete. A fence lives or dies at ground level. Posts should go roughly 600mm into the ground (deeper for taller fences) and be set in postmix or concrete. Cheap quotes often cut corners here, shallow posts or no concrete, and the fence leans within a couple of winters. Proper post-setting is labour and materials you can't see, but it's the single biggest factor in how long the fence lasts.
Timber quality. Pressure-treated softwood is standard, but treatment grades vary. Posts in particular should be well treated, as they're the part that rots first. Concrete posts cost more upfront but outlast timber and don't rot at all, often the sensible choice for a long run.
Height. A 6ft fence uses more material and needs deeper, stronger posts than a 4ft one. Anything over 2m usually needs planning permission, so most garden boundaries stay at 1.8m.
Boundary length. Longer runs need more posts, more panels and more digging. Ground conditions matter too, clay, tree roots and old concrete footings all slow the job down and add cost.
Access and disposal. Removing an old fence and getting rid of the waste takes time. Awkward rear access, where everything is carried through the house, adds labour as well.
Rough Costs in Leeds
Prices change with timber costs, but as a realistic guide:
- Basic panel fencing: from around £70, £100 per linear metre supplied and fitted
- Good framed panels or feather edge: £100, £140 per metre
- Closeboard with concrete posts: £130, £180 per metre
These include posts, concrete, fixings and labour. Beware of quotes far below these figures, the saving usually comes out of post depth or timber grade, and you'll be paying again in a few years.
How Long Should a Fence Last?
A cheap overlap panel fence with shallow posts might give you five to seven years before it starts leaning or the panels break up. A properly built feather edge or closeboard fence on well-set concrete or treated timber posts should comfortably last 15 to 20 years, often more with occasional maintenance.
The boards will weather and may need re-treating, but the structure stays sound. That's the difference proper installation makes.
Getting It Right First Time
Before any work, it's worth agreeing the boundary line with your neighbour and being clear about which side the posts and rails face. Small details, but they save disputes later.
If you're planning new garden fencing in Leeds and want a straight answer on costs and the best option for your garden, get in touch with CLM Projects. We'll come out, measure up and give you an honest quote based on what will actually last.