Close board fencing is the most common choice for back gardens across Winchester and the wider Hampshire area, and for good reason: it is solid, private and lasts decades when built properly. The trouble is that quoted prices vary wildly, so here is what actually drives the figure and what a fair installed cost looks like.
As a rough guide for 2026, a supplied and installed close board fence sits somewhere between £90 and £160 per linear metre for a standard 1.8m high run. That figure assumes timber posts, gravel boards, a capping rail and feather edge boards fitted to a tidy, accessible garden.
Concrete posts and gravel boards push you toward the upper end and often a little beyond, but they remove the single biggest cause of fence failure: rotten timber at ground level. For most customers the extra spend pays for itself over the life of the fence.
The headline rate only tells half the story. A long, straight, level run with easy rear access is quick to build, so the per metre cost falls. A short fence with awkward corners, a steep slope or a garden you can only reach by carrying everything through the house will cost more per metre because the labour per panel goes up.
Removing and disposing of an old fence is a separate line that people often forget. Old concrete-set posts in particular are slow to dig out, and tip charges for timber and concrete are not trivial.
Ground conditions matter here. Plenty of gardens around Winchester, Alresford and the Meon Valley sit on chalk, which can be quick to dig in some spots and full of flint in others, slowing post holes right down. Heavy clay nearer the river holds water and makes timber post rot more likely, which is a genuine argument for concrete.
If your property is in a conservation area or you want a fence over 2m, or over 1m alongside a road, you may need planning permission. It is worth a quick check with Winchester City Council before committing, as it can change both the design and the cost.
A reliable quote should be itemised, not a single round number. Ask what post material is included, the board thickness, how posts are set, and whether removal and waste are part of the price. If one quote looks far cheaper, it usually means thinner boards, fewer fixings or no gravel board.
Be wary of anyone quoting confidently over the phone without seeing the site. Slope, access and the state of the existing boundary genuinely change the job, so a proper measure up on site is the only way to give you an accurate figure.
Built well with treated timber, expect 15 to 20 years from the boards. Concrete posts and gravel boards comfortably outlast that, as the vulnerable timber never touches the wet ground.
Panels are usually cheaper to install and quicker to fit, but close board is stronger and easier to repair board by board. Over the long term close board often works out better value despite the higher upfront cost.
Your title deeds should show which boundary is yours, often marked with a T pointing into your land. If it is genuinely shared, it is worth agreeing the work and cost with your neighbour before starting.
Tell us about your fencing or gate job and we’ll get straight back to you with a clear, no-obligation quote.