Dog Pen Installation Guide
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01/10/25, 16:19
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Dog Pen Installation Guide
Scope of Works
Site survey & layout – agree enclosure size, shape and best ground position (shade, drainage, distance from boundaries).
Ground prep – rake level, lay geotextile/pea-shingle or bolt a treated-frame to an existing patio/slab.
Install panels – fix galvanised mesh/bar sections (or timber boards) to corner posts, add hinged gate with secure latch.
Roof / weather screen (if specified) – fit anti-jump mesh roof, shade cloth or corrugated shelter panel.
Finishings – add chew-proof kick plates, hang water-bowl bracket, clip netting skirts for dig prevention.
Snag & hand-over – test latches, walk perimeter for sharp edges, give care sheet and remove packaging/soil off-cuts.
Typical Cost (incl. VAT, 2025)
Charge type | Low £ | High £ | Notes |
Call-out / minimum | 60 | 120 | One-hour attendance; similar to handyman/fencer first-visit fees. |
Labour per hour | 35 | 60 | Kennel-builder day rate £100–£200 (~£35–£55 hr) |
Materials | 250 | 1 200 | 4 × 1 m mesh panels £72 each; gated panel £84 → small pen ≈£320; larger runs or timber framing push £800–£1 200 |
Disposal | 0 | 30 | Soil/turf spoil or packaging – often included. |
Extras (concrete base, roof mesh, security locks) | 80 | 400 | Concrete slab, dig-proof skirt, shade roof, padlocks, trench footings. |
TOTAL (most jobs come in here) | 480 | 1 250 | 3 × 3 m galvanised pen on existing hard-standing, fitted in one visit. |
Time on Site
2 – 4 hours for a 3 × 3 m bolt-down pen on a patio.
½ – 1 day if ground needs levelling or an anti-dig mesh skirt is trenched.
Up to 2 days where a concrete slab is poured or a full roof/shelter is added.
Questions to Ask Your Trade
What panel system and gauge are you supplying – galvanised bars or welded mesh?
Does the quote include a secure gate & chew-proof fixings, and are they rust-warrantied?
Will you anchor posts to a slab or trench and concrete them – which is best for my ground?
Are ground-prep and waste removal in the fixed price or charged hourly?
How long is the workmanship & corrosion warranty, and who handles after-sales issues?
What’s the expected lead-time from order to install?
Do you need a driveway parking space and external 240 V supply for cutting/angle-grinding?
How to Avoid Surprises
Measure the yard and mark out the pen footprint with string so you’re happy with the size before ordering.
Check local regs – side-return or front-garden pens may need planning approval or neighbour consent.
Clear the ground of toys and faeces the day before; mow grass short for easy levelling.
Reserve a parking bay near the gate for unloading 1–2 m panels.
Decide early if you want a roof or shade sail – retro-fits cost more.
Ask for panel sample photos of the exact system to avoid flimsy, DIY-store alternatives.
With this guide you know exactly what a professional dog-pen installation involves, the realistic 2025 UK cost range, and the practical steps to keep your canine enclosure project secure, tidy and on budget.
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