How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Garden Fence UK? (2026 Prices)

Published 14 July 2026 · Last updated 14 July 2026 · ~7 min read · By a working Glasgow painter

Short answer: in 2026 a professional charges about £26–£30 to paint or stain a standard 6ft fence panel including labour (Checkatrade, HaMuch), so a typical 10-panel fence is £260–£400 and a decorator's day rate for fencing is £175–£220. Doing it yourself, a £18 tin of Cuprinol Ducksback covers around 8 panels — mostly the cost of a weekend.

This guide breaks down what painting a garden fence really costs in the UK — per panel and per job, DIY versus a pro, and paint versus stain versus preserver. If you're pricing the whole outside of the house too, see our exterior painting & render cost guide.

What it costs to paint a fence in 2026

Fence work is usually priced per panel (a standard panel is about 6ft × 6ft). Here are realistic 2026 UK figures with sources.

Those job totals assume one side, standard-height panels in reasonable condition. The single biggest swing factor is whether you paint one side or both — more on that below.

Paint vs stain vs preserver — which for a fence?

These three do different jobs, and mixing them up is the most common fence mistake:

• Paint — an opaque film that sits on the surface. Great colour choice, but it can crack and peel, and you'll need to sand or scrape before recoating. About £26–£26.50 per panel to apply.
• Stain — soaks into the timber rather than sitting on top. It fades gradually instead of peeling, so re-coating is just clean-and-reapply, no sanding. About £30 per panel — a small premium up front that usually saves hassle later.
• Preserver — protects the wood against rot and insects rather than being decorative. Basic dip-treated timber needs re-treating regularly to stay protected. It's not a substitute for a paint or stain finish.

For most garden fences exposed to UK weather, a good stain or a dedicated fence protector is the low-maintenance choice; save opaque paint for when you specifically want a bold, solid colour.

DIY vs hiring — the real cost

Fences are one of the most DIY-friendly painting jobs, so the sums are worth doing:

• Materials are cheap. A 5L tub of Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback is about £18 and covers roughly 8 panels in a coat (B&Q, 2026); Ronseal Fence Life Plus 5L is about £35 (Toolstation, 2026). Materials for a 10-panel fence come to roughly £20–£45.
• Tools are minimal. A brush set is a few pounds; a fence sprayer to speed up long runs is £20–£60.
• You're paying for time. Hiring a pro at £175–£220/day mainly buys speed and a tidy finish. For a medium fence with prep, budget a full DIY day.

If the fence is sound and you don't mind a weekend's work, DIY saves most of the labour cost. If it's a long run, needs heavy prep, or you want it done fast and neat, a pro earns their day rate.

Spray vs brush

A sprayer (£20–£60 to buy) is much quicker on long, open runs and gets into the grain of rough-sawn timber. A brush gives better control and penetration on weathered or awkward sections and creates no overspray to drift onto plants, patios or a neighbour's washing. Many people combine the two — spray the open panels, cut in edges and posts by brush. If you spray, mask carefully and pick a still, dry day.

What drives the price up

• Both sides instead of one — adds roughly 50–100% (MyJobQuote 2026); it's close to double the area plus the hassle of the far side.
• Extra coats — each additional coat adds about 20–50%. Bare or thirsty timber often needs two.
• Prep and cleaning — weathered, mossy or previously-painted timber needs washing down or scraping first, around £2–£5 per linear metre.
• Repairs first — replacing a broken panel before painting is a separate £40–£60 per panel.
• Height and access — taller panels (2m+) cost a little more per panel than 6ft, and tight or overgrown boundaries slow the job.

How long before you repaint?

Honestly, sources disagree — so treat this as a range, not a promise. Painted fences generally need refreshing every 1–3 years as the film fades, cracks or peels; some fencing manufacturers say closer to yearly for standard paint, while premium exterior products claim longer. Stained fences typically go 3–5 years and fade rather than peel, which makes the touch-up easier. South-facing and exposed fences weather fastest, so the sunniest run is usually the one that tells you it's time.

Related questions

• Cost to paint a garden fence UK? — About £26–£30 per panel inc. labour; £260–£400 for a typical 10-panel fence (2026).
• Paint or stain? — Paint is slightly cheaper to apply (£26 vs £30/panel); stain lasts longer and is easier to recoat.
• DIY cost? — Roughly £20–£45 in materials for a 10-panel fence; a £18 Ducksback tin covers ~8 panels.
• How often to repaint? — Paint every 1–3 years, stain every 3–5 years, depending on exposure.
• Both sides? — Adds about 50–100% to the cost versus one side.

Figures here are 2026 UK costs drawn from Checkatrade, HaMuch, MyJobQuote and retail prices from B&Q and Toolstation. Longevity varies with product and exposure and sources disagree, so it's given as a range. Always get a written quote for a larger fence job before committing.