When you're planning an electric fence, the question is rarely just "How much does a post cost?" More often it's "What's it going to cost me to fence an acre properly?" Whether you're keeping sheep, cattle, horses, or poultry, it's the overall budget that matters.
In this guide, we'll break down the real cost of fencing an acre with electric fencing in the UK. We'll look at the price of posts, energisers, conductors, insulators, and accessories. We'll also compare budget options with quality brands like Gallagher and Hotline, to show you why the cheapest solution is rarely the best value over time.
How Big Is an Acre in Fencing Terms?
One acre is around 250 metres of fencing if it's a perfect square. In reality, paddocks are rarely perfect, so plan for 270–300 metres of fencing per acre to allow for gateways, corners, and uneven boundaries.
Core Components of an Electric Fence
Fencing an acre requires more than just posts. Here's what you'll need:
- Posts – plastic, wooden, steel, or fibreglass uprights.
- Conductors – polywire, tape, or rope.
- Energiser – battery, mains, or solar unit to power the fence.
- Insulators – needed if you use wooden or steel posts.
- Gateways and connectors – clips, handles, and joints.
- Warning signs – legally required if the fence borders a right of way.
Cost of Posts Per Acre
Posts are the backbone of the system. With spacing at 3–4m apart, you'll need around 70–90 posts for a one-acre paddock.
- Plastic posts: £120–£450 per acre
- Wooden posts: £350–£800 per acre
- Steel posts: £400–£1,000 per acre
- Fibreglass posts: £420–£750 per acre
Gallagher and Hotline posts sit at the upper-middle end of these ranges, but with a much longer lifespan than bargain-basement posts. That makes them the better buy over 10 years.
If you want to know more then read our complete UK guide to electric fence posts
Cost of Conductors Per Acre
The choice of wire, tape, or rope depends on your animals.
- Polywire: £20–£40 per 200m reel (suitable for sheep and cattle).
- Polytape (20–40mm): £30–£60 per 200m reel (best for horses for visibility).
- Polyrope: £40–£70 per 200m reel (good for mixed livestock, highly durable).
For an acre, you'll typically need 2–3 strands. That means 600–900 metres of conductor. Expect to spend:
- Sheep/cattle (polywire): £60–£120
- Horses (polytape): £90–£180
- Mixed livestock (polyrope): £120–£210
Gallagher's TurboLine conductors cost a little more but carry current more effectively, especially over longer runs. Hotline tape is also excellent value for horse paddocks, offering good visibility without fraying as quickly as cheaper tape.
Cost of an Energiser
The energiser is the beating heart of the fence. Choose wisely:
- Battery-powered energiser: £80–£200
- Mains energiser: £100–£250
- Solar energiser: £150–£400
For a one-acre fence, a mid-range 12v battery energiser is plenty. Gallagher's B40 or Hotline Gemini range are both reliable, UK-favoured options that balance power and efficiency.
Cost of Insulators, Connectors, and Signs
- Insulators: £10–£30 per 100-pack (needed for wood/steel posts).
- Gate handles and connectors: £20–£40 for a set.
- Warning signs: £10–£15 each (required every 50–100m along public rights of way).
These are often overlooked, but cutting corners here can lead to grounding problems or even legal trouble. Gallagher and Hotline insulators are made of UV-stabilised plastic that resists cracking — a big step up from budget ones that split after a couple of frosty nights.
Total Cost Per Acre (2025 Estimate)
Here's what you can expect to spend to fence one acre:
- Budget build (all cheap posts and tape): £300–£500
- Mid-range build (mix of wooden corners, plastic runs, budget energiser): £600–£900
- Premium build (Gallagher or Hotline posts, quality tape/rope, branded energiser): £1,000–£1,400
At first glance, the budget build looks appealing. But in reality, many of those posts and tapes will need replacing in 2–3 years. A premium build with Gallagher or Hotline gear will often run for 7–10 years with minimal replacement, saving time and hassle.
Why Gallagher and Hotline Are Worth the Spend
Plenty of people try cheap posts once. The usual story? They snap at the base, lean after heavy rain, or turn brittle in the frost. The result is a fence that's constantly failing.
Gallagher and Hotline posts are thicker, UV-stabilised, and reinforced where it matters. They're designed for British conditions, from wet clay fields to exposed upland paddocks. Their energisers are also consistently reliable, delivering steady voltage without draining batteries too fast.
Yes, you'll pay a little more up front. But over ten years, Gallagher and Hotline systems work out cheaper than replacing bargain-bin posts and conductors every few seasons. More importantly, they save you from the headache of chasing loose animals down the lane.
Final Word: Think Long-Term, Not Just Price Tag
When budgeting for an acre of fencing, don't just calculate the cost of materials today. Think about how long those materials will last, and how much time you'll spend repairing or replacing them.
A budget fence might look like a £500 job, but after two rounds of replacements, you've spent £1,000 anyway. A quality Gallagher or Hotline system might cost £1,200 to set up — but it will still be standing strong in a decade.
For UK farmers, horse owners, and smallholders, that peace of mind is worth every penny.