Fence installer
Fence installers put up and repair fences, gates and other barriers.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a fence installer, you could:
- remove old fencing
- check fencing design plans
- measure and lay out new fence lines
- dig post holes using hand tools or a mechanical digger
- position wooden, concrete or metal posts and fix them to a base
- cut fence panels to size and fix them to posts
- apply finishes like paint, staining and weatherproofing
- repair fences and gates
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
With experience, you could:
- become a lead installer or foreperson
- move into contract management or fencing sales
- set up your own business
You could also work on vehicle barrier fencing on roads and motorways.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be flexible and open to change
- 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
For fencing on construction sites or on Highways Agency contracts, you'll need a Fencing Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (FISS/CSCS) card.
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You can do a college course to learn some of the skills you need to get a job as a trainee with a fencing company. Courses include:
- basic construction skills
- carpentry and joinery
- construction plant operations
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
You could apply to do a Fencing Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This takes up to 2 years to complete and combines training on the job with study off-site.
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
You can apply directly to employers if you have some experience in a practical job like construction or landscape gardening.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.