Treating and painting fences, sheds and outbuildings
Fence and Shed Painting
Fence and shed painting is the cleaning, preparation and application of protective paint, stain or preservative to timber fence panels, sheds and outbuildings, priced per panel or as a whole job depending on the number and condition of the surfaces.
Definition
What Fence & Shed Painting covers
Fence and shed painting protects exterior timber from weathering and rot by cleaning off moss, dirt and flaking coatings, then applying a suitable exterior paint, stain or preservative. It's a lower-cost, faster job than most other exterior decoration work and is commonly booked alongside other garden or exterior maintenance.
Suitable for
- Fence panels and posts due a repaint or re-stain
- Sheds, summerhouses and other timber outbuildings
- Gates and other garden timber structures
- Properties wanting exterior timber refreshed as part of wider garden or maintenance work
Not suitable for
- Fence panels or sheds with rotten or structurally failed timber, which need repair or replacement before painting
- Very large-scale fencing runs better scoped as a dedicated fencing project alongside our fencing service
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Assessment
Checking the condition of the timber, confirming it's sound enough to paint, and agreeing the coating.
- 02
Preparation
Cleaning off moss, dirt and any flaking coating, and allowing the timber to dry before painting.
- 03
Painting
Applying paint, stain or preservative, usually as two coats for full coverage and protection.
- 04
Finishing
A final check for coverage and clearing the site.
Typical timescale
Fence and shed painting is typically completed within a day for a domestic garden, weather permitting, as timber needs to be dry both before and between coats.
Cost guidance
Fence and shed painting typically costs £8–£20 per panel in our area, with the timber's condition and the coating specified pushing the price toward the top of that range. We provide an itemised quotation after a site visit rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Repair or replacement of rotten fence panels or shed timber is quoted separately
- Painting cannot proceed on wet timber, which can affect programme in poor weather
- Paint or stain colour is agreed in advance as some coatings are not suitable for over-coating in a different colour
Areas we cover
Fence & Shed Painting across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for fence & shed painting in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Fence & Shed Painting FAQs
How is fence painting priced — by panel or by job?
Smaller jobs are typically priced per panel, while larger runs or combined fence-and-shed jobs are quoted as a single job price. We confirm which basis applies once we've seen the extent of the work.
Can you treat a fence that's never been painted or stained before?
Yes — untreated or bare timber is cleaned and prepared in the same way, though it may need an extra coat to achieve full, even coverage compared with timber that's already had a coating.
How often does a fence or shed need repainting?
This depends heavily on the coating used, sun and weather exposure, and the timber itself, but many exterior timber coatings need reapplying every few years to keep protecting the wood effectively.
Discuss your fence & shed painting project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.