Fencing installation is setting fence posts into the ground, usually in concrete, and fixing panels or boards between them to mark a boundary, add privacy or keep children and pets in, with gates fitted where access is needed.
In Hitchin, as anywhere in Hertfordshire, the price of new fencing and gates is driven mainly by size, materials and access. Across the East of England our guide sits at £1,250–£3,200 with VAT, but restricted parking, a narrow side passage or extra preparation can move the figure either way. That is why every price we give follows a visit to the house.
- Guide price
- £1,250–£3,200 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 days for a typical garden
- Postcodes
- SG6
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Hertfordshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much do new fencing and gates cost in Hitchin?
Prices for new fencing and gates vary from house to house, but in Hitchin most projects fall within £1,250–£3,200 including VAT. That reflects costs in the East of England, about 5% above the national guide. Treat the table as a budgeting aid; the written figure follows a survey we carry out for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Hitchin |
|---|---|---|
| Repairs or a short run | Replacing a few panels and posts, or a short run of up to about 6m. | £300–£950 |
| Typical garden boundary | About 20m of panel or closeboard fencing with concrete posts and gravel boards. | £1,250–£3,200 |
| Composite or long runs with gates | Composite or premium fencing, longer runs, or a driveway gate. | £3,200–£7,400 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- Total length and height of fencing
- Fence style and material: panels, closeboard or composite
- Ground conditions, slopes and removal of the old fence
- Number, size and type of gates
Scope of the work
- Measured survey of each fence run, levels and slopes
- Concrete or timber gravel boards to keep panels off the soil
- Panels or boards fixed level or stepped to follow the ground
- Post caps and capping rails where specified
- Gates hung with hinges, latches and locks
- Site cleared and waste removed
Building in Hitchin
Hertfordshire is home to the first garden cities, Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City, and the post-war new towns of Stevenage, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead. Watford and St Albans have Victorian terraces and Georgian streets, interwar semis line the commuter suburbs, and brick-and-flint cottages appear in Chiltern villages to the west.
Generally dry with chalk and clay soils; clay areas can move in long dry spells, and mature trees near houses need considering for foundations.
That mix of housing shapes how we approach new fencing and gates in Hitchin: the age and construction of your home affect the materials, the method and, in the end, the price.
Do you need permission in Hitchin?
Which rules apply depends on where you live. For Hitchin, the answer is England, and the points below reflect that; we verify them with the council before quoting.
In England, fences, walls and gates up to 2 m high are usually permitted development, or up to 1 m where they are next to a road used by vehicles or its footpath. Listed buildings, conservation areas and estates with planning conditions can be stricter.
Building Regulations do not apply to ordinary garden fences, but boundary lines should be agreed with your neighbour first.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
The four stages
A visit to your home
We begin by looking at the job in person. During the free survey we discuss options, materials and budget for new fencing and gates, and photograph or measure anything the quote needs to reflect.
Written quote
The quote arrives in writing, not over the phone. It covers the full scope, the finishes you've chosen, any exclusions and the payment schedule, with a fixed price tied to that specification.
Booking the work
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
The work itself
Our trades complete new fencing and gates while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
Working with SK Home Improvements
Fencing and gates in Hitchin: questions
Can you combine new fencing and gates with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan new fencing and gates alongside other work on your Hitchin home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
How do you fence a sloping garden?
On a sloping garden, fence panels are usually stepped, so each panel is level and set slightly higher or lower than the one before, with the gap below filled by a gravel board. Closeboard fences can instead follow the slope, giving a smooth top line. The choice depends on how steep the slope is and the look you want. We discuss both at the survey.
Which postcodes in Hitchin do you cover?
We cover SG6, along with the rest of Hertfordshire. If your postcode is not listed, get in touch anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, and we can usually arrange a survey wherever you live. Enter your postcode in the guide-price tool or contact form and we will confirm.
What kind of gate do I need?
The right gate depends on its job. A side gate for access to the back garden is usually timber or metal, around 0.9m to 1m wide, with a secure lock. Driveway gates are wider, often in pairs, and need strong posts. Composite and metal gates resist warping. We measure the opening, check posts and suggest hinges, latches and locks for security.
Who owns the fence between me and my neighbour?
Fence ownership is usually shown on the title plan or deeds, sometimes with a T mark on the side of the owner. If it is unclear, it may be shared. Even on your own boundary, it is sensible to talk to neighbours before replacing a fence, agree access and confirm the line. We fit the fence on the line you confirm and can face the good side outwards if you wish.
Also covering areas around Hitchin
Addresses in SG6 are all covered for Hitchin, along with Letchworth Garden City, Stevenage and Luton close by. Give us your postcode when you get in touch and we will confirm the details.