How Much Does Fence Repair Cost in 2024?

Homeowners pay an average of $460 to hire a professional to repair a fence.

The national average cost for fence repair is $460. Most homeowners will pay somewhere between $255 and $685, but it can cost as little as $50 or much as $2,500, depending on the fence type and severity of the damage.

What will determine your project costs? Material, size, repair type, and local factors can all swing prices up or down. Let’s review all the factors that affect fence repair costs.

In this article, we’ll cover:

Worker repairing fence
Photo Credit: Elena Gromova / Canva Pro / License

Average Fence Repair Costs

National Average Cost$460
Typical Price Range$255 – $685
Extreme Low-End Cost$50
Extreme High-End Cost$2,500

These numbers reflect various repair types, from rotting wood to fence panel replacements. The cheapest fence repairs are those with minor damage, easy-to-fix fence designs, and inexpensive materials. A well-maintained fence will need less frequent repairs and decrease the chance of a hefty repair bill. 

The repair costs of a neglected fence will quickly add up. However, sometimes a high price tag is inevitable. Complicated designs and hard-to-work-with materials will drive up costs. Extensive damage from natural disasters also will increase repair costs.

Fence Repair Cost Estimator by Size

Fence size will matter if the problem is continuous along the whole length of the fence. For example, someone with a metal fence in a humid environment might have rust along their whole fence and need a replacement for multiple fence sections. However, fence size doesn’t always affect repair costs. If one fence piece is missing, it doesn’t matter whether your fence is 100 feet or 500 feet.

Many repairs require you to replace sections of your fence. Most of the time, it will cost between $15 to $45 per linear foot, with an average repair cost of $30 per linear foot. Here’s how much that kind of fence repair would cost based on the most common types of fence:

Other Factors That Affect Cost

It’s not just the length of the damaged area that matters. Material, height, design, repair type, and labor costs all factor into the final price. 

Material

Not all materials are equal, at least when it comes to price. Chain-link fabric is one of the cheapest fencing materials, so repairing it tends to be cheap. However, an expensive material like wrought iron will cost much more. Here are the typical repair costs for some common fence materials from least expensive to most expensive:

Fence MaterialTypical Repair Cost
Barbed wire$220
Bamboo$285
Chain-link$380
Wood$430
Composite$485
Steel$500
Vinyl/PVC$505
Aluminum$545
Wrought iron$635

Height 

A taller fence will require more materials per linear foot to repair. For example, a 3-foot fence will have about half the material cost of a 6-foot fence. Unusual fence heights also will add to the cost since the fence contractor will need to cut pieces to size, increasing the labor costs.

Design

The more complicated a design, the more time (and money) it will take to repair. Simple designs like picket or vertical board fencing are relatively simple to fix, especially if you only need some boards replaced. On the other hand, a basket weave fence of the same material will be much trickier to repair. A custom-made or quirky fence will require more time and effort to repair since the contractor will need to custom-make or order parts.

Repair type

There’s no one type of fence damage. Two homeowners could read this article with entirely different problems and likely have different repair costs. Here are the most common types of repair and their typical price tags.

Leaning fence

A leaning fence threatens your security and curb appeal. A fencing professional can straighten things out for you no matter what external force has pushed it down. Re-setting the posts and replacing any damaged or warped parts will cost an average of $430. If erosion caused the leaning, it’ll drive up the price since it’s more complicated to fix the underlying problem.

Fallen fence

Sometimes, fence sections become detached and fall to the ground. These fallen sections can pull on fence posts if not addressed, so it’s important to reattach them before they take the posts down with them. A pro can rehang any panels that fall to the ground for $275 on average. 

Holes and cracks

Temperature changes, pests, and age can make certain fence materials crack or develop holes. Wood is the most prone to this issue, but other materials like vinyl can face this same issue. It will cost about $240 on average to patch these up.

Rot

Once wood, bamboo, or other natural materials have rotted, they can’t be restored. The rotted parts need to be removed and replaced. Fixing wood rot costs an average of $280. Avoid excessive moisture and apply protective coatings to save yourself money in the future.

Fence panel, board, or slat replacement

Sometimes, just a piece of your fence needs to be replaced. It costs an average of $215 to replace boards, slats, or panels. Boards and slats are cheaper to repair because you can just remove and replace the few damaged boards rather than replace an entire fence panel that may only be partially damaged. The price will also go up and down based on the material.

Fence post replacement

Fence posts are the backbone of your whole fence. If they’re broken or rotten, the structural integrity of your fence is in danger. Most homeowners pay between $105 and $320 per post, with an average of around $215 per post. Post replacements may be more expensive if your soil or terrain is challenging to work with because more labor is needed to set things right.

Gate repair or replacement

Once moving parts are involved, prices go up. Fence gate repairs are more expensive than most other fence repairs, usually costing between $145 and $525 or $335 on average. Here’s how pricing breaks down by material:

Gate ReplacementAverage Repair and Replacement Cost
Chain-link$180
Barbed wire$195
Wood$340
Bamboo$300
Vinyl$380
Composite$440
Metal$475

Labor cost

Time is money. The more time-consuming your fence is to repair, the more a pro will charge. This is especially true if the damage is extensive or requires specialized labor. For example, a wrought iron fence may require welding knowledge, so you’ll need to hire a pro experienced in metalworking. A pro may charge more if they need to remove plants or other obstructions to fix your fence. 

Most homeowners pay an average of $455 for labor, but it can vary between $215 and $720.

Related Services

If you’re considering fence repair, you also may realize you need some other services. Here are the related services you should consider.

Paint or stain

Since you’re fixing up your fence, why not restore it further? A fresh coat of paint or wood stain will breathe life into your fence and protect it from the elements. This makeover costs about $700 to $3,000 when done by a professional. However, many homeowners choose to DIY this maintenance step to save money.

Fence replacement

Sometimes, your existing fence is just too far gone. In that case, consider installing a new fence in its place. Fence installation costs about $3,000 on average, with a typical range of $2,000 to $4,500. However, costs can go as low as $500 and as high as $8,500. Want to calculate the costs for your specific yard? Fences usually cost between $12 to $35 per linear foot.

Fence removal

Whether you plan to install a new fence or do away with a fence altogether, your old fence needs to go. You could haul it away if you have a pickup and easy access to a landfill or recycling center. However, the same professionals that repair fences may offer removal as well. If you’ve hired the same company to install a new fence, they can prep the area after taking the old fence down to make installation simpler by using the old post holes and fence outline.

Fence removal usually costs between $270 to $750.

Fence Repair vs. Replacement

How can you know if a fence needs replacement or repair? Minor damage, such as a few slanted posts, cracked panels, rotten boards, or small holes, are fixable issues that can extend the lifespan of your fence. 

Since a fence repair tends to cost less at an average of $460 than a replacement with an average of $3,000, it might seem more cost-effective in all situations. However, an old fence might require repeated repairs, which could add up over time. The same goes for an extensively damaged fence. If a storm has caused severe damage, it might not be worth it (or possible) to piece the fence together. 

You also may need to choose a fence more suited to your local environment. For example, choose a material that can handle humidity or high winds if these phenomena easily damage your current fence.

Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost

Maybe you’ve assessed the damage and thought, “I could fix that myself!” You may be correct, but it depends on the type of damage, your skill level, and the time you can commit. If you want to pick up this weekend project, here’s what you might need:

DIY EquipmentAverage Cost
Work gloves$18
Tape measure$18
Hammer$18
Screwdriver$15
Level$35
Safety goggles$14
Nails$12
Replacement materials$30 per linear foot*
Concrete mix$6
Total DIY Cost$166+**

*Average cost per linear foot of all different fencing materials. Your cost per linear foot may be more or less depending on the material.

**This number represents a small repair of 1 linear foot. The total cost will increase depending on how many linear feet you need to repair. It also assumes you don’t have the tools you need yet. Subtract tool costs if you already own them for a more accurate estimate.

If everything goes smoothly, you could save hundreds of dollars going the DIY route. However, mistakes could be costly in the long run, especially if you need a pro to fix them. If you need to buy tons of materials and tools for your repair, a pro may be more cost-effective since they already have the supplies and can buy materials in bulk for a lower price.

Can’t decide whether to hire a pro or DIY? Consider whether you’re up for the task and whether the blood, sweat, and tears are worth the extra savings.

Cost of Fence Repair by Location

The cost of living in your area will sway prices. If you live in a rural area, it will likely cost less to repair your fence than in an urban area. The cost of transportation and taxes on materials also gets passed onto you. This pricing guide is based on national averages, so get a quote from a fencing company in your area to get exact pricing.

FAQ About Fence Repairs

Does insurance cover broken fences?

It depends. Many home insurance plans cover broken fences, but you will need to read the particulars of your plan to know for sure. Insurance generally covers damage from natural disasters such as floods, storms, or fires. However, insurance wouldn’t cover a neglected fence falling apart due to age. Keep up with fence maintenance to slow its natural deterioration.

Can I replace a broken fence without my neighbor’s permission?

It depends on whose fence it is. Look up your exact property lines by contacting your county recorder or assessor’s office, hiring a land surveyor, accessing property records, or checking online. The fence could be entirely yours, entirely your neighbors, or shared if it’s directly on the property line. Local laws may dictate neighbors split installation and repair costs on shared fences. 

Even if the fence is undoubtedly yours, it would be courteous to let your neighbors know regardless. You’ll need to know if you can access their side of the fence during repairs. You can complete many repairs with access to only one side, but it may be more difficult.

Can I force my neighbor to repair or replace their fence?

If it’s a shared fence, your state laws may compel your neighbor to pay for their share. However, it’s a different story if the fence entirely belongs to them. Unless you know they’re breaking HOA or other local regulations, they have a right to do (or not do) what they want.

DIY or Hire a Pro to Repair Your Fence? 

While you may feel reluctant to shell out money for fence repair, it’s crucial for maintaining your security and curb appeal. The national average cost tends to be much lower than outright replacement, and it can significantly extend the lifespan of your fence. Consider whether you’re happy with your fence and reach out to a local fencing professional near you for a repair cost quote.

Note: Fence Gnome may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.

Main Photo Credit: altmodern / Canva Pro / License

Lauren Bryant

Lauren Bryant is a freelance writer currently based in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys long walks and baking in her free time. She understands how essential fences are for privacy and safety and is most interested in long-lasting solutions.