How to start a fencing business

When starting a fencing business, you’ll benefit from a steady stream of work. Plus, you’ll have the added perks of choosing your working hours, clients and the overall structure of your service.

Where there’s a garden, there’s nearly always a garden fence. That’s why fencing is a successful sector to work in. It could take your career to the next level!

So, read on to find out how to start a fencing company, and then grow it.

Showing you’re qualified

Experience will give you the confidence to attract business. But formal qualifications will also be needed.

This reassures customers that you have developed the necessary skills and expertise to complete the job. Also, this can be used as proof of quality when you’re quoting for work.

Having completed any of the following will show you’re fully qualified:

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Fencing and Construction
• Fencing Installer apprenticeship
• Fencing Industry Skills Scheme (FISS)

What skills do you need?

Having the right attributes for a fencing business is important. However, you’ll need the necessary skills to run a successful business.

Here are the qualities you’ll need for both:

• Physical fitness
• Practical thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Construction and building knowledge
• Time management
• Numeracy skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Organisation
• Ability to manage and lead

Equipment for fencing work

Your equipment may vary depending on the type of fencing you provide and the clients you target. However, there are essentials for every fencing business.

Having these shows you can complete jobs efficiently, and leave customers satisfied. And it also makes things easier when carrying out the work.

Key equipment includes:

• Post drivers
• Fence stretches
• Saws
• Drills
• Spades
• Pliers
• Post levels

A valid driving licence and a van for transporting tools between jobs are also essential.

Setting up your fencing business

Organisation is key to any start-up. There are several things to think about when going through this process.

Don’t have time right now? No problem. Sign up for our ‘Become the Boss’ series mentioned above to get started in your own time.

Still with us? Just follow these simple steps.

Registration

Legally registering your business under an official name is the first step to take.

Choose a name relating to the service you’re providing. Doing this means potential customers will know what your business offers instantly.

As a part of registering your business, you’ll also have to decide whether you want to be recognised as a sole trader or a limited company.

A limited company generally offers greater legal and financial security. And this is really beneficial if you’re looking to increase your number of employees.

Whereas, it might be more beneficial to register as a sole trader if you’re creating a business built on personal expertise.

Business plan

You don’t want to go into self-employment blindly offering your services and hoping for the best.

So, you’ll need a solid business plan that establishes your area of expertise and target audience.

In the fencing industry, you’ll have plenty of scope for specialisation.

For example, you could choose to specialise in barbed wire and electrical fencing to target agricultural clients and farmers.

Or, you might prefer to specialise in working for homeowners.

Therefore, your fencing service should focus on providing security and materials that look good in their garden. Whatever your target market is, show them high-quality designs and materials relevant to their needs.

This will go a long way in attracting customers and maximising business opportunities.

Rates

The prices you charge will need to reflect the demand and expertise of your service. Once you’ve found your niche, you can charge a premium rate. As there will be less business competition and higher demand.

Charging the right price is a careful balance. If you charge too much, customers could choose other businesses charging less.

Whereas if you’re not charging enough, you might struggle with the financial upkeep.

Take a look at our fencing cost guide to get a better understanding of typical fencing contractor rates.

Finances

It’s important to manage finances accurately for your fencing company. First, make sure your filing is organised and upkept.

Also, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your revenue and compare it with outgoing costs.

This will be for things like supply purchases, employee payroll and equipment.

Remember to also document relevant taxes.

If any of this feels overwhelming, consider hiring an accountant for assistance.

Marketing strategy

Effective marketing is crucial to growing your client base.

Print marketing via leaflets, flyers and posters is a great way to increase your local presence. Especially if homeowners are your target audience.

You should also consider digital marketing. This includes social media marketing, using Facebook and Instagram to promote your services. And you should also set up a website.

Grab your free digital marketing guide below.

One easy way to boost your online presence is by signing up to Checkatrade. Take advantage of our established marketing efforts to access a huge network of new customers who use the platform.

It’s a quick and effective way to get your name out there and build trust.

Learn from other tradespeople with Become The Boss

Been thinking about starting your own business for a while, but been putting it off? Well then, you’ll love our ‘Become The Boss’ series.

It’s designed to help you set up your own business. And all of this is explained in just seven emails (plus a bonus one!)

Signing up for this series will even get you a free business strategy call. So by the end of it, you could be the owner of your very own fencing business!

Just add your email below to make the most of this free advice.

Starting a fencing business FAQs

How much does it cost to start a fencing company?

Costs can end up being anywhere between £2,000 and £7,000.

It will very much depend on the equipment and materials you need. As well as marketing and insurance costs.

How profitable is a fencing business?

The construction industry is one of the most profitable in the UK.

Sole traders in the fencing industry have the potential to earn above £44,000 per year.

When it comes to how much fencing contractors earn, Fencing Limited company owners can make £53,500+ per year.

Is fencing a good business to start?

Having so many niches to tap into is what makes fencing a great start-up business.

With the range of materials on offer and the variety of clients you can approach, there’s plenty of opportunity.

*Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021.