Fence installers fit and repair all types of fences  of all kinds, from wooden garden fences to security fences around prisons, factories and industrial storage premises and crash barriers on motorways. They use a range of materials, including timber, concrete, wire and metal.

The work typically involves:

• removing old fencing if necessary
• levelling the ground and using hand tools or mechanical diggers to dig foundations for fence posts 
• positioning wooden, concrete or metal posts, often fixing them to a concrete base
• cutting panels to size and fixing them to posts
• painting and wetherproofing the finished fence. 

Fence installers need to make sure that health and safety regulations are observed.

Hours and Environment

As a fence installer you will usually work around 40 hours a week, with overtime and weekend work as required. 

You will need to be prepared to work outside in all weathers, and be able to do heavy work such as lifting and digging.

A driving licence is essential, as you will need to travel to different sites.

Skills and Interests

To be a fence installer you need:

• practical skills for using hand and power tools
• the ability to use mechanical plant such as mini-excavators and drills
• the ability to understand and work to plans
• practical ability in wood and metalwork
• the ability to calculate material requirements
• the ability to work as part of a team
• an awareness of health and safety issues.

Entry

You do not need any particular educational qualifications to be a fence installer, but you will need reading and number skills. It will be an advantage if you have relevant experience such as woodwork or building.

You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Training

When you start work as a fence installer you will usually receive on-the-job training.

The Fencing Industry Skills Scheme (FISS) is run by Lantra in partnership with the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). The scheme:

• ensures that all fencing operatives have, as a minimum, received approved health and safety training and passed a health and safety test
• provides a framework to encourage fencing operatives to develop their skills and achieve recognised levels of competence.

When you meet the standards of the FISS you will receive a FISS card showing your category of registration. The categories are:

• green cards for operatives on sites
• blue cards for skilled fence installers
• gold card for fencing supervisors.

To become a skilled fence installer, you will need to work towards NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 in Fencing.

See the Lantra and Lantra Awards websites (in Further Information below) for details of NVQs/SVQs and the FISS scheme.

Opportunities

About 47,500 people are employed in fencing businesses in the UK. Businesses range from large commercial companies to small self-employed contractors.

If you work for a large organisation you may be able to progress to supervisor or estimator. You could also move into sales with a fencing supplier or building merchant.

Annual Income

Figures are only intended as a guideline. Wages vary depending on the type of job and the size of the project.

A new fence installer can earn between £10,000 to £14,000 a year.
Experienced fence installers can earn around £17,500 a year.

Fence installers who are self-employed negotiate their own rates.

Further information

Lantra House
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007