How Much Does Fence Repair Cost? [2025 Data]
Fence repair costs $610 on average, but ranges between $303 and $939. A pro will factor in its material and the extent of the damage.
The average fence repair cost is $610, including materials and labor. Most homeowners pay between $303 and $939 depending on the extent of damage, the fence’s material, its size, and more. While your home’s fences are meant to secure your property, everything from strong winds to wood rot can make them weak. But you don’t need to replace an entire fence if it’s just leaning or missing a few boards. Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with mending a fence.
Fence Repair Cost Factors
To get an idea of your fence repair costs, consider factors like fence length, height, materials, and type of repair needed.
Length of Damaged Fence
| Length of Damaged Fence (Linear Feet) | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $180–$500 |
| 20 | $360–$1,000 |
| 30 | $540–$1,500 |
| 40 | $720–$2,000 |
| 50 | $900–$2,500 |
Repairing a fence costs about $30 per foot, including labor. This average varies by material. Chain link fences are less expensive and cost about $18 per foot, while brick or stone fences run as much as $50 per foot.
Fence Height
Your repair job may cost more if your fence is not a standard height. In these cases, workers may need to order custom pickets or panels or trim down pickets before installation. And the higher your fence, the higher the costs will be for materials.
The most common fence height is between 4 and 6 feet but can be as high as 12 feet for a backyard.
Fence Material
Your type of fence will play a big factor in the final cost. Wood and chain link are the two most popular materials, and they also provide a lot of flexibility to choose a low- or high-end option. Other materials like stone or brick may be on the more expensive end, but they won’t need replacement with proper maintenance.
| Material | Average Cost (Per Foot) |
|---|---|
| Wood | $20 |
| Chain link | $20 |
| Lattice | $30 |
| Vinyl and PVC | $30 |
| Aluminum | $24 |
| Wrought iron | $30 |
| Glass | $100 |
Type of Repair
The most important factors to consider are the type of repair you need and the extent of the damage. Fence repair companies can fix most issues for $125 to $500. For example, a simple hole or crack can cost $125 to fix, while multiple holes or large cracks can cost about $400.
On the other hand, problems like leaning fences will cost about $500 to fix regardless of how much the fence is leaning.
Labor
Labor costs are $50 per hour. However, more complex repairs, uneven terrain, and soil type can increase the workload and lead to higher labor costs.
Painting or Staining
If you have a wood fence, you may want to paint or stain it at the same time you get it repaired. Painting or staining a fence costs $3 to $14 per linear foot, which comes out to about $750 to $4,250 per project.
Cost of Common Fence Repairs
| Type of repair | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Leaning fence | $200–$400 |
| Fallen fence | $150–$400 |
| Rot | $150–$500 |
| Missing pickets or panels | $150–$300 |
| Holes or cracks | $125–$400 |
| Rust | $250–$500 |
| Gate repair | $100–$400 |
Structural repairs are the most expensive but are necessary to ensure your fence is reliable.
Leaning Fence
A leaning fence costs about $500 to repair. This structural fence problem is usually a sign that it wasn't properly installed or might be a sign of termite damage. It can also simply mean the posts are worn out. If you’re handy, you can DIY fix a leaning fence post or hire a pro to help out for around $140. This work will include repositioning and resetting the post. On the other hand, if the post is beyond repair, the cost to replace a fence post is $270 on average.
Fallen Fence
If a windstorm or a car collision causes parts of your fence to fall, you’ll spend $150 to $400 on repairs. You may be able to save on materials if the fence sections aren’t damaged. These fence repairs should happen as soon as possible because the fallen sections can put added strain on the fence posts.
Rot
Rot is a common repair for wood fences and costs $150 to $500, depending on the extent of the damage. Rot occurs from excess moisture and requires chemical treatments, patches for holes or cracks, and fresh stain or paint to fully repair. If you have severe wood rot, you may need to replace your fence. Extreme rotting can cause structural damage.
Missing Pickets or Panels
You can add boards or fill in missing sections for around $200. This depends on the material of your fence but this issue only happens with lattice or wooden slat fences. Sometimes, a picket or panel disintegrates from rot, but more often than not, a nail becomes loose, or a neighbor bumps the fence and dislodges a piece.
Oftentimes, fences sit directly on a property line, which can cause uncertainty about who owns it—and therefore who’s responsible for maintenance and repairs. In these instances, we recommend talking to neighbors and clarifying who is ultimately responsible for the fence.
Holes or Cracks
Severe weather or impact from a car or other large object can lead to holes or cracks in the fence, which will cost $125 to $400 to repair. You’ll need to patch the hole or crack, then sand and stain or repaint the area.
Rust
Rust occurs on metal fences, like chain link or wrought iron, and repairs cost $250 to $500. To minimize rust damage and related repairs, you can apply a rust-resistant coating to your metal fence about once per year.
Gate Repair
If you need to repair your gate, expect to pay $100 to $400. The actual costs depend on your gate material and whether you need a simple fix or a full replacement. Wood and vinyl gates are the most affordable to repair, while metal and composite gate repairs can cost more than $400 for materials alone.
Repairing vs. Replacing a Fence
Knowing when to repair or replace a fence comes down to the extent of the damage and its age. Repairing works best for newer fences that still have many good years left. Minor issues, like a few missing boards or small cracks, are usually worth repairing. These fixes cost about $150 to $500 and can extend the life of your fence.
However, if your fence has widespread damage—such as rotting posts, severe leaning, or rust—or is over 15 years old, a replacement might be the smarter choice. Replacing the entire fence can cost $1,900 to $4,750, but it’s often a better long-term investment for aging or heavily damaged structures.
To make an informed decision, assess the damage and consider how often repairs may be needed in the future. If repairs are becoming more frequent and expensive, replacing the fence will probably save money over time. For a professional opinion, get estimates for both options to weigh the costs and benefits.
Repairing a Fence Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
The cost of repairing a fence yourself depends on the materials you need. Fencing materials cost between $15 and $50 per linear foot. In addition to the materials cost, many fence repair jobs require a lot of time, so be prepared to put in some sweat equity and elbow grease.
DIY fence repair can save you labor costs—around $50 per hour. This might be a good route if you’re a handy DIYer and have the tools on hand to get simple jobs done, like replacing pickets or fixing holes.
On the other hand, if your fence needs a lot of extensive repairs, like replacing posts, you’ll need to set aside a day or two to get the job done. If you don’t have the time, or if you’d rather pass the job along to a pro, it’s best to hire a fence repair company near you.
Ways to Save Money on Fence Repairs
Repairing your fence doesn’t have to break the bank. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can keep costs down without giving up on quality. Here are some easy ways to save money on fence repairs:
Inspect regularly: Walk along your fence regularly to look for small problems like loose boards, rust, or minor rot. Tackling these issues early can prevent more expensive repairs down the road.
Handle minor repairs yourself: If you’re comfortable with DIY projects, tackle minor fixes like replacing missing pickets, filling small holes, or painting to prevent weather damage.
Repurpose existing materials: If your fence has fallen or sections are damaged, see if any boards, posts, or panels can be reused instead of buying all new ones.
Choose repairs over full replacements: Unless the entire fence is beyond repair, replace only the damaged sections to keep repair costs manageable.
Combine repairs with neighbors when possible: If the fence is shared with a neighbor, coordinate repairs and split costs to make the process more affordable for everyone.
Time repairs during the off-season: Many contractors have slower seasons, like late fall or winter, where rates may be lower. Scheduling repairs during these times can result in significant savings.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may need a permit for fence repairs, especially for extensive repairs. But remember that permit requirements for fence repairs vary by location. Permits typically cost $10 to $500 for a fence repair project. Be sure to check with your local government for specific requirements.
If you are part of a homeowners association (HOA), you’ll need to discuss the repairs with them first. You likely need HOA approval to start repairs and make sure the finished fence meets the HOA’s specific standards. Generally, if the necessary repairs pose a safety issue, it’s likely that your HOA will be fine with you making the fix.
In cases where a fence is clearly on one side of the property line, only one property owner is responsible for making repairs. But sometimes fences run along a property line, which means both neighbors may be responsible for repairs. For example, if the fence is rotting, both neighbors could be responsible, depending on state law.
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