Fence installer

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Animals, land and environment
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Career outlook for fence installer

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£18,000

Experienced

£30,000


Currently employed in Scotland

9,100

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would put up and fix fences and gates to keep people protected. You could work on fences for important transport links like airports and roads, for secure buildings like prisons or around private gardens and farms.

You’d use a range of hand and power tools to build wooden and metal fences. You’d usually work as part of a team under the supervision of a lead installer or foreperson.

You might work on:

  • Boundary fencing for homes and farms
  • Vehicle crash barriers for roads and motorways
  • Sound proof barriers for places like airports
  • Parapets and bridges
  • Security fencing for prisons and airports
  • Electric fencing and gates

You’d discuss the requirements with the customer. You'd give them an estimate of the costs and the time it will take to do the work.

Once the work was agreed you would:

  • Remove the old fencing if necessary
  • Measure and lay out the lines of the new fence according to the plan
  • Level the ground
  • Use hand tools or mechanical diggers to dig foundations for fence posts
  • Position wooden, concrete or metal posts, and fix them to a concrete base
  • Cut panels to size and fix them to the posts
  • Paint and weatherproof the finished fence

You’d use different fencing materials, including timber, concrete, wire and metal. You will need to make sure that you always follow health and safety regulations in your work.

Working conditions

Hours

You will usually work around 40 hours a week. If you work for a large company, you may be expected to do overtime and weekend work when it’s busy.

Environment

You will spend most of your time working outside, so you need to be prepared to work in all weathers. You will also need to be physically fit so that you are able to do heavy work such as lifting and digging. ​

Travel

Most employers will expect you to have a driving licence as your work can be spread across a wide geographical area. You may also need to pick up materials or equipment and make deliveries.

UK employment status

Full-time

29%

Part-time

3%

Self employed

68%

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  • Cooperating
  • Listening
  • Verbal communication
  • Working with numbers
  • Observation
  • Attention to detail
  • Developing a plan
  • Time management
  • Taking responsibility

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

There are no set qualifications to entry this job, however if you are applying to a Modern Apprenticeship in Fencing, the employer may ask for National Qualifications.

Fencing Apprenticeships are available through Lantra Apprenticeship Scheme. 

Useful subjects

  • Maths
  • Practical technologies subjects, such as practical wood or metalwork 

You will also need

  • A Fencing Industry Skills Scheme (FISS) card
  • A Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site

A driving licence will be required by some employers. 

Helpful to have

Relevant work experience can be very useful or qualifications that offer work experience such as Skills for Work Construction Engineering (SCQF level 3) or Construction Crafts (SCQF level 4/5).