What is fence panel replacement?
Fence panel replacement is the removal of damaged ready-made panels from an existing fence and the fitting of new ones between the posts. It can be economical when the existing posts and gravel boards are sound. After high winds, have the supports checked before ordering panels.
The posts need to hold firm and the bay widths need checking. The contractor will often need access to both sides.
Signs you need fence panel replacement
- Panels are split, bowed or missing boards
- The bottom edge of a panel is soft or crumbling
- A panel has come away from the posts and hangs loose
- Gaps are opening between panels and posts
- Damage from a tree, vehicle or ball has broken a section
- Mismatched panels along one boundary look untidy
Fence Panel Replacement: methods and options explained
- Like-for-like swap. A new panel of the same size and style goes between the existing posts. Quickest and cheapest.
- Panel with gravel board. A concrete or timber gravel board is added at the base so the new panel stays off the soil and lasts longer.
- Panel plus post repair. Where the post is rotten or loose, it is replaced or supported with a concrete spur first.
- Full run re-hung. Where most panels have failed, the whole run is replaced, often on new posts, which is close to a fresh fence.
What to include when asking for a quote
Count the damaged panels and say how wide each bay is, because old bays are often not the standard 1.83 m. Mention whether panels are lap, closeboard or horizontal, and whether the existing posts move when pushed.
Say who can give access to both sides of the fence. If the boundary is shared, tell the contractor whether your neighbour knows about the work, since a panel often has to be moved or cut out from their side.
A written quote should list the panel size, thickness and treatment, say whether gravel boards or post repairs are included, and whether disposal of the old panels is covered. A call-out fee that is credited against the work is worth asking about.
How much does fence panel replacement cost?
| Type of job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| One or two panels, posts still sound | £90–£200 |
| Three to six panels with gravel boards or a post or two | £200–£450 |
| Whole run of panels re-hung on new posts | £450–£600+ |
These are indicative UK budgeting figures, not fixed quotes. Call-out charges on very small jobs can be a large share of the total.
Panel prices rise with thickness and treatment. A cheap panel that rots in five years is poor value for a job that costs more in labour than material.
The fence panel replacement process: what to expect
- Check. The contractor measures the bays, pushes the posts and decides whether they will carry new panels.
- Remove. Damaged panels are unscrewed or cut out and carried away.
- Prepare. Gravel boards or battens are fitted where needed, and any rotten post is replaced.
- Fit. New panels are set into the bays and fixed securely to the posts.
- Tidy. Fixings are checked, the ground is cleared and old panels are taken away.
Planning permission and building regulations
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.
No Building Regulations approval is normally needed for a panel swap. If the fence is on a shared boundary, check your deeds and tell your neighbour before access is needed.
How to choose a contractor for fence panel replacement
- Will they test the posts before quoting for panels alone?
- Are the panel size, thickness and treatment stated?
- Is a gravel board included under each new panel?
- Will they take away the old panels?
- What guarantee is given on the panels and the fixings?
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a fence panel?
Our guide range is £90–£600 depending on how many panels are needed and the condition of the posts. A single panel on sound posts is at the low end, while a whole run re-hung on new posts is at the top.
Do I need to replace the posts as well?
Not always. If the posts are firm and straight, new panels can go straight in. A rotten or loose post needs replacing first, which adds time and cost.
Will new panels match the old ones?
Rarely at first. New timber is lighter and takes a season or more to weather. A coat of stain on the whole run helps blend them.
What size are standard fence panels?
The most common panel is 1.83 m wide and between 0.9 and 1.83 m high. Non-standard bays need trimming or a made-to-measure panel.