How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Fence?

Fence Repair Cost

Fence repair costs $250 to $750 on average, depending on the material, labor, and extent of damage. Small fence repairs cost $100 to $200 to fix holes, cracks, wood rot, or missing boards. Extensive damage costs $250 to $1,000 to replace fence posts and panels or repair a leaning fence.

• A proper fence establishes property lines, increases privacy, and dampens noise levels from neighbors and traffic.
• Most fence repairs take less than one day.
• If possible, all neighbors should split the cost to repair or replace a shared fence.

Fence Repair Cost Per Foot

Fence repair costs $15 to $35 per foot on average, depending on the material, job size, and complexity. Smaller jobs are typically priced at the higher end of the following ranges:

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Typical Costs of Fence Repairs

Common fence repairs are leaning sections, broken slats or panels, holes and cracks, missing boards, broken or sagging posts, and wood rot.

Leaning Fence Repair Cost

Leaning fence repair costs $250 to $600 on average. Fixing a leaning fix includes resetting or replacing the posts, rehanging or replacing fallen fence panels, and stabilizing the shifting ground.

Cost To Replace Fence Post

The average cost to replace a fence post is $120 to $400. Fence posts provide support for the panels and rails and are critical to the fence's structural integrity. Damaged or shifting fence posts can cause leaning or sagging, which requires reinstalling or replacing fallen sections.

Fallen Fence Sections

Fallen fence sections cost $150 to $400 to repair if they only need rehanging. Collapsed fence sections leave gaps in the fence and can damage support posts. Replacing support posts, top rails, multiple panels, or a large section of fencing costs $500 and up to fix.

Repair Fence Holes & Cracks

Repairing cracks and filling holes in fence panels costs $100 to $350, depending on the material and level of damage. After repairs, wood and vinyl fences need repainting or restaining to match the surrounding planks.

Rotten Wood Fence Repair

Rotten wood fence repair costs $150 to $500, depending on the amount of the damage and type of wood. Repairing wood rot requires chemical treatment, patching or filling holes, painting or staining the wood. Wooden fences severely rotten may require replacing the fence boards or panels.

Installing a new wood fence costs $1,700 to $3,300 and may be more cost-effective than repairing extensive damage.

Replace Fence Panels Cost

The average cost to replace fence panels is $150 to $400. The cost to fix a fence panel depends on the material (wood or vinyl), height and width of the boards, and extent of the damage. Most vinyl fence repairs require replacing the entire panel or section.

Missing Fence Boards

Replacing missing fence boards or a broken slat costs $100 to $200, depending on the material, number and size of boards, and job complexity.

Fence Gate Repair Cost

Fence gate repair costs $100 to $400, with most people spending $250 on average. Repairing a gate may include replacing broken hinges and latches, resetting the gate supports to prevent sagging, or installing a new gate.

Fence Painting

After fence repairs, the new sections may need painting or staining to match the original fence color and increase durability. Fence painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot or between $3 and $10 per linear foot for materials and labor.

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Fence Repair Cost Estimates By Material

Fence repair estimates vary depending on the fencing material, complexity of the project, the number of contractors needed, and local labor costs.

*Includes both labor and materials.

Fence Repair Price Factors

Fence repair prices depend on the fence width, height, extent of damage, type of material, and labor costs.

• Labor – The extent of damage, type of fence, and complexity determines the number of contractors and time required for fixing the fence.
• Material – Fence material costs vary significantly. Repairing wood or chain link fences costs less than vinyl, metal, brick, stone, or iron fencing. Vinyl, wood, and composite fences come in pre-built panels for quickly replacing large sections.
• Length – The amount of linear feet of fence damage determines the number of panels required and overall cost. Replacing a complete panel section sometimes takes less labor than repairing a small area within the panel.
• Height – Taller privacy fences use more materials and cost more to repair. Fences in non-standard heights require additional labor to cut them to match the existing fence.

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DIY Fence Repair Costs

DIY fence repair costs $100 to $300 on average, and requires buying the right materials, fixing the damage, and painting the fence to match. Fence contractors typically get bulk discounts on materials and ensure the job is done according to local building codes.

*Materials only, not including installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Should Pay To Repair a Shared Fence?

All property owners would split the cost to repair or replace a shared fence that sits on the boundary line between the properties. However, you are not obligated to fix the fence, nor can you force your neighbor to fix the fence.

Before repairing the fence, consult with the homeowner’s association, local building code enforcement office, and each neighbor to avoid conflicts and fines.

Is Fence Repair Covered By Insurance?

Fence repair is only covered by homeowners insurance for unexpected events like wind storms, hail, lightning, fire, and vandalism. When filing an insurance claim for damage caused by a covered event, the repairs are for its actual cash value (ACV), accounting for the fence's age and condition.

How Long Does Fence Repair Take?

Most fence repairs take a few hours. Fence repair projects with new posts may require an extra day for the concrete to set.

Do You Need a Permit To Repair a Fence?

Basic fence repairs typically do not require a permit. However, a permit is needed if the fence is damaged beyond repair and needs more than a section replaced. A fence permit costs $40 to $150 on average and is not always required for fences under 6' tall.

Neighborhoods with homeowner’s associations should ask for approval before fixing a fence to prevent unnecessary fines.

Can You Repair Concrete Fence Posts?

Repairing concrete fence posts with cracks or movement is challenging. Professionals recommend replacing the entire fence post and footing. Rotting posts can be replaced with a new post using new concrete footings in the same area. If the concrete footing is strong, drive shims into the concrete on all sides of the post.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Fence?

The average cost to replace a fence is $13 to $25 per linear foot or between $1,500 and $3,500, depending on the material. Maintaining and repairing fences reduces the need for a full replacement later on.

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Hiring A Fence Repair Company

Hiring a professional ensures quality work is performed according to local codes to avoid costly future problems. Before hiring a fence repair company, be sure to:

• Get at least three estimates to compare.
• Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Select companies that are insured, bonded, have been in business for at least five years, and are background checked.
• Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
• Ask for a written warranty on parts and labor, and a contract for larger repairs.
• Get a full breakdown of all material and labor costs involved.
• Avoid making large payments upfront. Come up with a payment schedule for the work completed.

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