Security · Updated September 2026
Security Fencing Cost UK 2026
Security fencing is priced per linear metre installed: £35–£70 for chain link, £60–£120 for weldmesh, £75–£140 for palisade and £90–£160 for 358 "prison" mesh. Height and what is under the ground move it more than the panel choice does.
Security fencing cost per linear metre — 2026
Rates are supply and fit at a standard 2.0–2.4m height into normal ground. Concrete, rock and services underneath are what turn a clean run into an expensive one.
| Fence type | Cost per metre fitted | Typical height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link | £35–£70 | 1.8–2.4m | Boundaries, low risk |
| Weldmesh (358 excluded) | £60–£120 | 2.0–2.4m | Yards, schools, compounds |
| 358 "prison" mesh | £90–£160 | 2.4–3.0m | Anti-climb, anti-cut |
| Steel palisade | £75–£140 | 2.0–3.0m | Industrial estates, substations |
| Vertical bar / railing | £110–£220 | 1.8–2.4m | Where it has to look right too |
| Timber with trellis topping | £55–£110 | 1.8–2.1m | Domestic rear boundaries |
| Anti-climb topping | +£15–£45 | — | Rotating toppers, barbed or razor |
Indicative 2026 UK installed prices, compiled from published installer pricing. BestBuilders has no quote history in this category yet, so treat these as a budgeting guide and confirm against three written quotes.
What changes the cost
| Cost factor | Typical impact | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Height | +£15–£60 per metre run | Going from 2.0m to 3.0m needs longer posts, deeper foundations and often a second person |
| Ground conditions | +£20–£80 per metre run | Rock, made ground or old concrete footings turn post holes into breaking-out |
| Removing the old fence | +£10–£30 per metre run | Strip out, grub up the posts and take it away |
| Slope and stepping | +£10–£40 per metre run | Raking or stepping panels down a gradient takes longer than a flat run |
| Gates | +£400–£2,000 each | A pedestrian gate is cheap; a double vehicle gate to match 3m mesh is not |
| Access for machinery | +£150–£600 | If a post-knocker cannot reach the line, the holes are dug by hand |
Security fencing cost by UK region — 2026
Modelled from regional labour rates rather than measured in this category - the hardware costs the same everywhere, the fitting does not.
| Region | Weldmesh, per metre | vs UK average |
|---|---|---|
| London | £80–£150 / m | +25–30% |
| South East | £70–£140 / m | +15–20% |
| South West & East | £60–£130 / m | +5–10% |
| Midlands | £60–£120 / m | Baseline |
| North of England | £60–£110 / m | −5% |
| Wales & Scotland | £60–£120 / m | −5% to baseline |
Getting it priced properly
1. Measure the run, then the gates
Fencing is quoted per metre and gates are quoted each. A quote that does not separate them is hiding something.
2. Say what you are keeping out
Casual trespass, theft of tools and determined attack are three different specifications. 358 mesh is wasted on a garden boundary.
3. Ask about what is underground
Services, old footings and tree roots decide the day rate. A contractor who has walked the line will price it; one who has not will re-price it later.
Security fencing — frequently asked questions
£35–£70 for chain link, £60–£120 for weldmesh, £75–£140 for palisade and £90–£160 for 358 mesh, installed at standard height into normal ground.
A welded mesh with apertures too small to get a finger or a jack into — 76mm by 12.7mm, hence the name. It cannot practically be climbed or cut with hand tools, which is why it is the default where the fence is the security.
Under permitted development you can usually put a fence up without applying, but only to 2m — and just 1m where it runs alongside a road used by vehicles, or the footpath beside one. Most genuine security fencing is 2.4m or 3m, so it clears that threshold and needs a householder or full application. Listed buildings, conservation areas and sites under an Article 4 direction lose some or all of those rights, so assume anything tall enough to matter needs consent. Swapping a fence on the same line at the same height usually doesn't, but check the current position on the Planning Portal before you order steel.
It depends on the threat. 358 mesh (sometimes called prison mesh) is very hard to climb or cut by hand and you can see through it, so it's the usual choice where the fence itself is the security and you want a clear line of sight. Palisade — especially the triple-pointed W-section — is harder to attack with cutters and shrugs off knocks, which is why it suits yards with vehicles moving about. If you only need a boundary and a visible deterrent rather than a genuine barrier, chain link or weldmesh does the job for far less. Where insurers or a written specification are involved, look for an LPS 1175 security rating rather than judging by appearance.
A pedestrian gate to match the fence runs about £400–£900; a vehicle or double gate wide enough for a van is nearer £900–£2,000 once you allow for the heavier posts set in concrete. Automating it is a separate job again — a motor, safety edges and an intercom typically add £1,500–£4,000 on top. It's worth pricing the security gates and any automation as their own lines rather than assuming they come with the fence.
Related security guides
Bells-only, monitored and smart systems priced.
When a camera or bell box needs consent.
Security fencing — guides and detail
The detail behind the number: what changes the price, the planning position, and how to check a quote before you accept it.
Registered members: Security & Alarms
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Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team · Last updated: 2 September 2026 · Next scheduled review: December 2026 · See our editorial standards.