Fence installer

Fencer, fencing worker

Fence installers fit and repair fences and gates.

Salary Range: £15,000 to £40,000

How to become a fence installer

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You can start by doing a college course, for example:

• Level 1 Award in Construction Skills
• Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery

This would teach you some of the skills needed for the job. You could then look for a trainee job with a fencing company.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can do a fencing installer intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Direct application

You can apply directly to employers if you have some experience in a practical job like landscape gardening or construction.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about working in the fencing industry from the Association of Fencing Industries.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• knowledge of building and construction
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• customer service skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and requirements

You’ll need to:

• have a good level of fitness

You’ll need a Fencing Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (FISS/CSCS) card before you can work on construction sites or Highways Agency contracts.

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• removing old fencing
• reading fence drawings and plans
• measuring and laying out new fence lines
• levelling the ground
• using hand tools or mechanical diggers
• positioning wooden, concrete or metal posts, and fixing them to a base
• cutting panels to size and fixing them to the posts
• painting and weatherproofing fences

Working environment

You could work on a construction site, in the countryside or at a client’s business.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

You could become a lead installer, foreperson, or move into contract management, quantity surveying, health and safety or fencing sales.

You could also set up your own business.