Concrete fence post installation in St Albans: written prices from fencing businesses

Request a contractor for concrete fence post installation in St Albans

Concrete posts resist rot at ground level, but still need suitable footings. Count the posts and give their height above ground.

One short description of the work in St Albans can reach up to four independent fencing contractors, depending on who works in your postcode. You can compare the replies without committing to a booking.

Understanding the work: concrete fence post installation

Concrete fence post installation sets slotted concrete posts into the ground to carry gravel boards, rails and panels. Unlike timber, concrete does not rot at the soil line, which is where most fence posts fail. The posts are heavy, usually 2.4 m long for a 1.8 m fence, and have to be set deep and plumb in concrete.

Things to mention when you enquire

• Posts that rock in the soil when the fence is pushed
• Soft, spongy timber at the base of a post
• A run of panels that has settled out of line
• Repeat failures in the same boundary
• Wet ground that keeps timber posts damp

How the work is done

Agree the order of work before the old fence comes down. The visit usually covers:

1. Locating each post position and looking for buried pipes and cables before digging.
2. Digging out the old post and its concrete footing, or digging a new hole to the depth required for the fence and ground conditions.
3. Setting the concrete post plumb, propping it and filling the hole with concrete.
4. Allowing the concrete time to cure before any weight is put on the post.
5. Fitting compatible gravel boards and panels into the slots and adjusting the fence line.

Removing the old post and its footing

Getting the old post out can be the slow, dusty part of the job. A timber post set in a block of concrete, sometimes 600 mm deep, can take an hour of digging and levering, and the old concrete has to be broken up and carried away. Ask each quote whether that footing is included, because it is the line most often left out and most often added at the end.

Access and preparation

Say whether a mini digger can reach the boundary or whether the holes will be dug by hand, because hand digging in clay or stone can add to the labour. Mention where concrete can be mixed and how far it has to be carried, and whether vehicles can get near the fence.

Concrete posts are heavy, typically 40 to 60 kg each, and need two people or a lifting aid. A narrow side passage with a wheelie bin or a step adds to the time and the price.

Comparing prices for concrete fence post installation in St Albans

Our starting budget is £100–£800. Contractors here price their own work. One or two posts on a repaired fence, with gravel boards, sit at the lower end. Four to six posts across a run sit in the middle. A whole boundary, or posts set in hard ground, waterlogged soil or tree roots, push the price to the top. Digging out old footings and taking away the spoil can be a separate charge.

Request a breakdown of the materials, fitting labour and any disposal charge, and confirm the VAT position. Allow half a day for a few posts and a full day for a longer run. The concrete needs the curing time specified for the mix and site conditions before the fence takes any load, so ask when panels will go back on.

Before you send the form

Note whether the posts have snapped or simply gone soft at the base. Count the posts and give their height above ground. Say whether the posts are failing at the base, snapped off or just loose, and whether they are set in concrete or in soil alone.

Ask the quote to state the post length and section, the depth of the holes, the concrete mix and whether old footings are removed. Check whether gravel boards and rails or panels are re-fitted as part of the price.

Planning and legal points

Planning rules differ across the UK. Check with the local planning authority before changing a boundary, especially beside a road or at a listed property. The linked Planning Portal guidance is for England; local restrictions and removed permitted development rights can affect what is allowed. See the Planning Portal guidance on fences, gates and garden walls.

Digging deep holes can hit buried pipes and cables, so ask how the contractor checks for services; LinesearchbeforeUdig is a free place to request plans. Concrete dust is harmful if breathed in, so a reputable contractor will mix and cut with care.

For questions about local planning rules, contact Hertfordshire County Council. Ask whether the property is in a conservation area or has an Article 4 direction.

Getting a contractor to St Albans

Contractors covering St Albans, Hertfordshire need the full postcode. Explain where the contractor can park and unload. A photo of the base of a failed post, showing the rot or the break, helps the contractor judge the footing. Your neighbour's boundary may be quite different from yours.

Fencing enquiries near St Albans

Each postcode in Hertfordshire is matched on its own. The businesses able to reply depend on the job and their coverage.

Send your enquiry when you are ready

The free enquiry form takes a couple of minutes. We ask contractors who join for their insurance details and references, but look at their current documents yourself before you book. We pass on your enquiry. You deal with the chosen business for advice, pricing and the work itself.

Before work on a shared boundary, talk to your neighbour and check who owns the fence. Title documents may help establish ownership. HM Land Registry title plans in England and Wales generally show boundaries without fixing their exact line. See the GOV.UK guidance on property boundaries. Keep people away from unstable fencing and arrange suitable help promptly; this enquiry service cannot provide emergency attendance.

Before booking this work

These questions can help when comparing the written quotes.

How can I compare quotes for concrete fence post installation in St Albans?

Fill in one enquiry form with your postcode and the details of the work. Up to four independent fencing contractors covering St Albans may receive the enquiry. Responses depend on the job and who is available. You choose whether to arrange a visit or accept a quotation.

Roughly how much is concrete fence post installation in St Albans?

We use £100–£800 as a UK guide. Contractors in St Albans price their own work. One straightforward post replacement costs less than re-posting a boundary. Old concrete footings and hard or waterlogged ground add to the labour. Ask for materials, labour, waste removal and VAT in the written quote.

How long must concrete set before the fence goes back on?

The wait depends on the concrete or post mix, weather and the load from the fence. Ask the contractor to follow the product instructions and explain when the panels can safely go back on.

Can I just replace the one broken post?

Often yes, if the fence either side is sound. A single concrete post can be added with a gravel board, but the old footing has to be removed or worked around.

Can concrete posts be used with timber panels?

Yes. Slotted concrete posts can hold compatible timber panels above gravel boards. Site-built closeboard needs suitable connections for its rails.

What about concrete repair spurs?

A concrete repair spur supports a timber post where the base has failed. Enough sound timber must remain for secure bolts; otherwise the post needs replacing.

Agree how waste will be removed and how the area will be left. Keep the invoice, the guarantee and any manufacturer paperwork for the fence.