What is the work like?
Fence installers fit and repair all types of fences, 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.
As a fence installer, your tasks would typically include:
- removing old fencing if necessary
- levelling the ground
- 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 weatherproofing the finished fence.
You would need to make sure that you follow health and safety regulations in all parts of your work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any particular qualifications to be a fence installer, but you will need reading and maths skills. It will be an advantage if you have relevant experience such as woodwork or building.
What further training and development can I do?
When you start work as a fence installer, you will usually receive on-the-job training.
To become a skilled installer, you will need to work towards NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Fencing.
For work on many construction sites you will need a Fencing Industry Skills Scheme (FISS) card. The FISS is run by Lantra in partnership with the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). To receive a FISS card you will need to have attended approved health and safety training, passed a health and safety test, and enrolled on an NVQ.
When you meet the required standards you will receive a FISS card showing your category of registration. The categories are:
- green card for operatives on sites
- blue for skilled fence installers
- gold for fencing supervisors.
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- A new fence installer can earn between £11,000 and £14,000 a year.
- Experienced fence installers can earn from £18,000 to over £20,000.
Self-employed fence installers negotiate their own rates.
Figures are only intended as a guideline.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work around 40 hours a week, with overtime and weekend work as required.
You would need to be prepared to work outside in all weathers, and be able to do heavy work such as lifting and digging.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- practical skills for using hand and power tools
- the ability to use mechanical equipment such as mini-excavators and drills
- the ability to understand and work to plans
- practical ability in wood and metalwork
- basic maths skills for working out the amount of materials needed
- the ability to work as part of a team
- an awareness of health and safety issues.
What opportunities are there?
Fencing businesses range from large commercial companies to small self-employed contractors.
Look out for vacancies advertised in local newspapers and in Jobcentre Plus.
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.