Fence repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What fence repair is

Fence repair replaces broken posts, rails, boards or pickets, straightens leaning sections, fixes gates and latches, and treats the wood so the fence stays upright and secure. Most fences fail at the posts first, so a good repair checks the posts and their footings before it replaces the parts that look broken.

Signs you need it

  • A section of fence leans, sags or has pulled away from its posts after a storm or a season of wind
  • Boards are split, missing or loose, and the gaps let pets or children through
  • A post has rotted at the ground line or has moved, and the rails no longer line up
  • A gate drags, will not latch, sags or has bent hinges
  • Rails have cracked or pulled out of the posts, and the panels are hanging loose
  • The wood is grey, soft or flaking, and the fence needs treatment before the rot spreads

What the pro does

  • Walk the fence and mark the leaning, rotted and loose sections, checking the posts and their footings first
  • Probe the posts at the ground line for rot, and decide whether each one can be reset or must be replaced
  • Reset or replace posts in concrete or compacted fill, bracing them until the setting material has cured
  • Replace broken rails, boards or pickets with materials that match the existing fence as closely as possible
  • Repair or replace the gate hardware, including the hinges, the latch, the drop rod and the stop
  • Treat the new and exposed wood with a stain, sealer or preservative, and check the line for straightness

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of posts that must be reset or replaced, since a post that is rotted at the ground line takes more work
  • Amount of rail and board or picket replacement along the damaged sections
  • Gate repairs, including the hardware, the hinge posts and any sagging frame that needs bracing
  • Ground conditions, such as rock or clay, that make resetting posts harder
  • Matching the existing materials, since an older fence may use a species, size or style that is no longer sold
  • Access to the damaged section and whether the repair must be done in a narrow or steep area

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each damaged section listed with the repair method used
  • Post repairs, including the depth, the setting material and the bracing
  • Rails, boards and pickets to be replaced, with the material and size named
  • Gate parts and hardware, with the hinges, latch and drop rod listed
  • Finish products used for the treatment, and the number of coats
  • Warranty on the repairs, stated in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are the posts sound at the ground line, or do they need to be reset?
  • Can you match the boards or pickets to my existing fence?
  • Will the gate hardware be replaced or only adjusted?
  • How will you brace the posts while the concrete or fill cures?
  • What treatment do you apply to the wood, and how often will it need redoing?
  • What is the warranty on the repair, and what is not covered?

Red flags

  • Nails loose boards back on and leaves the rotted posts in the ground
  • Says the fence can be straightened without checking the posts or the footings
  • Replaces the top rail and leaves the post that is holding it rotten
  • Adds hardware without checking the gate posts or the frame
  • Quotes a large repair without marking the damaged sections on the fence

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can replace a few broken pickets or boards, tighten a loose latch and adjust a gate hinge with basic tools. Call a pro for rotted or leaning posts, sections that have pulled away, gates that sag, and any repair that requires resetting concrete footings. Fence posts are heavy and the ground may hold buried lines, so call for a utility locate before digging and wear gloves and eye protection.

Licenses and permits

Whether fence repair needs a contractor license varies by place and by job size, and tall fences, pool barriers and repairs that set posts in concrete may need a permit in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, especially for a fence that borders a public way.

Fence repair questions

Can I just replace the broken boards and leave the posts?

Only if the posts are sound and set firmly. A rotted post or one that has moved will pull the new boards out of line, so the pro should probe each post first.

Will the new boards match the old fence?

They will look different until they weather, especially if the old wood was stained or was a different species. Ask the pro to match the size and grain, and plan to treat the whole fence for a uniform look.

Why does my gate keep sagging?

Sagging usually comes from a hinge post that is not set deep enough or braced well, or from hardware that is too light for the gate. A pro can add bracing, reset the post or upgrade the hinges.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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