How to become a Fence Installer. Read through our comprehensive job guide to learn more about this career.
What does a Fence Installer do?
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.
Working Hours
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.
How much does a Fence Installer earn?
- A new fence installer can earn between £15,000 and £19,000 a year.
- Experienced fence installers can earn from £22,000 to over £27,000.
Self-employed fence installers negotiate their own rates.
Figures are only intended as a guideline.
Entry Requirements
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.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.
- Apprenticeships
Training and Development
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 the Diploma in Fencing at levels 2 and 3.
The best way to start Fence Installing job is to assist someone who has been been doing this job for a while. Apprenticeship is the best way to learn anything to do in construction and gardening services. You can’t lean fence installing with books. You can’t learn this job online videos either. It’s only right way to do is to watch someone doing it for sometimes.
Skills and Knowledge
- 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.
Job Opportunities
Fencing businesses range from large commercial companies to small self-employed contractors.
Look out for vacancies advertised in local newspapers and at Jobcentre Plus offices.
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.
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