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.
If you live in Melksham and are weighing up new fencing and gates, the starting point is a visit to measure up and talk through what you want, which costs nothing. We cover homes across SN12, and a typical project of this kind in the South West lands somewhere in the £1,200–£3,100 bracket, including VAT. The exact figure depends on size, access and the finish you choose.
- Guide price
- £1,200–£3,100 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 days for a typical garden
- Postcodes
- SN12
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Wiltshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for new fencing and gates in Melksham?
The table below shows guide prices for new fencing and gates in Melksham. They are based on rates in the South West, which run about 2% above the national guide, giving an overall range of £1,200–£3,100. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Melksham |
|---|---|---|
| Repairs or a short run | Replacing a few panels and posts, or a short run of up to about 6m. | £300–£900 |
| Typical garden boundary | About 20m of panel or closeboard fencing with concrete posts and gravel boards. | £1,200–£3,100 |
| Composite or long runs with gates | Composite or premium fencing, longer runs, or a driveway gate. | £3,100–£7,100 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Total length and height of fencing
- Fence style and material: panels, closeboard or composite
- Post type: concrete, timber or aluminium
- Number, size and type of gates
Scope of the work
- Measured survey of each fence run, levels and slopes
- Removal and disposal of the old fence and posts
- Concrete or timber gravel boards to keep panels off the soil
- Panels or boards fixed level or stepped to follow the ground
- Gates hung with hinges, latches and locks
- Site cleared and waste removed
Homes in Wiltshire
Salisbury has medieval and Georgian streets, the north-west around Corsham and Bradford on Avon uses Bath stone, and chalk and flint appear on the downland. Swindon has railway-village terraces and very large post-war and modern estates, and many Wiltshire villages have thatched cottages, some with chalk cob walls.
Cob and Bath stone walls need breathable, lime-based repairs, and thatched cottages may need careful roof work. Swindon's railway terraces suit loft rooms and rear extensions, while its large estates often add garage conversions, driveways and landscaping.
Whatever era your Melksham home dates from, we plan new fencing and gates around how it is actually built rather than a one-size-fits-all specification.
Planning and building rules in Melksham
Homes in Melksham come under the regulations for England, summarised below. We don't rely on general rules alone: we confirm the position for your address with the council before a quote goes out.
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.
From survey to handover
Survey and measure
We arrange a free site survey on a date convenient to you. We measure up, look at the existing structure and access, and discuss your plans for new fencing and gates so the price reflects your home.
Written quote
After the survey we send a quote for new fencing and gates that fixes the price for the scope we've agreed. If you want to change materials or scope, we revise it in writing before anything is booked.
Plan and prepare
With the quote agreed, we book the work in and handle preparation: permissions where needed, building control notifications, material orders and access arrangements for your Melksham property.
Build and hand over
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.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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 Melksham 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.
Are concrete posts better than timber?
Concrete posts do not rot and are the most durable choice for panel fences, especially on exposed sites. They are heavier and more utilitarian in appearance. Timber posts look more natural and suit closeboard and featheredge fences, but they eventually rot at ground level, even when treated. Aluminium posts suit composite systems. We recommend posts based on your fence style and exposure.
Is the price fixed?
Yes, for the specification we agree. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included at a fixed price. It only changes if you ask for something different, or if a problem the survey could not reasonably reveal later needs extra work. In either case we explain the change and confirm it in writing before going ahead.
Also covering areas around Melksham
We cover every part of Melksham, including SN12, and nearby Trowbridge, Chippenham and Bath. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.