Fence repair costs range from $192 to $928, including materials and labor. The lowest end represents a simple post replacement, while the highest end represents extensive damage on large or elaborate fences.
Fence length also matters if the problem is continuous along the whole length of the fence, such as rust. Rust is on the cheaper end for repair costs, while gate repair costs the most per linear foot.
We’ve based our numbers on fence repair costs around the country, from small rural towns to bustling cities. Material, height, design, repair type, and regional labor costs can all push prices up or down.
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 where labor costs are higher. We gathered total project costs from various cities across the U.S. so you can predict your price more effectively.
The lowest prices reflect cheap materials like chain-link, while the highest prices cover expensive materials like steel.
| City | Total Cost Range (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Pawtucket, RI | $191 – $930 |
| New York, NY | $250 – $1,238 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Dothan, AL | $164 – $783 |
| Miami, FL | $172 – 819 |
| Atlanta, GA | $187 – $885 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| South Bend, IN | $189 – $935 |
| Chicago, IL | $210 – $1,024 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Salem, OR | $184 – $902 |
| Seattle, WA | $198 – $957 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Roswell, NM | $173 – $830 |
| Houston, TX | $186 -$870 |
| Sacramento, CA | $198 – $969 |
Cost by Fence Type
Not all fences 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 or replacement costs for common fence types:
| Material | Average Repair Cost (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Chain-link | $200 – $567 |
| Wood | $220 – $600 |
| Vinyl | $225 – $750 |
| Barbed wire | $233 – $767 |
| Lattice | $250 – $717 |
| Aluminum | $250 – $853 |
| Wrought iron | $300 – $1,067 |
Cost by Repair Type
Fences need repair for two main reasons – they get damaged, or they fall into disrepair through neglect or age. Below are the most common types of repair and their typical price tags.
| Repair Type | Average Repair Cost (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Holes and cracks | $105 – $390 |
| Gate repair or replacement | $125 – $513 |
| Fence post replacement | $160 – $450 |
| Fence panel replacement | $162 – $463 |
| Fallen fence | $175 – $475 |
| Rot | $180 – $640 |
| Leaning fence | $217 – $960 |
| Rust | $250 – $625 |
| Storm damage | $317 – $1,875 |
- Holes and cracks: Temperature changes, pests, and age can crack or puncture fences. Wood is the most vulnerable to this issue, but other materials like vinyl can succumb to the same problems.
- Gate repair or replacement: Moving parts drive up the prices of fence repairs. Fence gate repairs are more expensive than most other fence repairs, with metal and composite gates being the most expensive, and chainlink being on the cheaper end.
- Fence post replacement: These are the backbone of your whole fence. If they’re broken or rotten, the fence’s structural integrity can be compromised. Prices go up if your soil or terrain is challenging to work with.
- Fence panel replacement: Sometimes, you just need to replace a piece of your fence. 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.
- Fallen fence: Sections of fence can topple, so it’s important to reattach them before they take the posts down with them.
- Rot: Rotted wood, bamboo, or other natural materials can’t be restored. The rotted parts need to be removed and replaced.
- Rust: This happens when your chain link, barbed wire, or wrought iron fence is exposed to the elements. A pro might be able to spray the rusty parts with a neutralizer, or remove the damaged parts.
- Storm damage: Falling trees or branches can smash fences. Repair costs vary depending on the extent of damage.
Cost by Length and Height
While most fence repairs are priced by the type and extent of damage, some professionals may charge per linear foot, especially if repairs are needed across the entire fence. In these cases, repair costs range from $14 to $48 per linear foot.
Fence height can also influence repair costs, particularly if the damage spans most of that height or if it will require a full part replacement. For example, height won’t matter for rust removal on the bottom rail only. Height would matter if there’s a hole in a wooden fence because it determines the size of the replacement boards.
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 will also add to the cost since the fence contractor will need to cut pieces to size, increasing the labor costs.
Cost by 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. You would likely need to replace a whole panel because of one broken piece. 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.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
Maybe you’ve assessed the damage and thought, “I could fix that myself!” Perhaps, but it depends on the type of damage, your skill level, and the time you can commit.
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 have to hire someone to fix them anyway. 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 less.
On average, you can expect to spend around $166 on tools and materials to repair 1 linear foot of fence if you’re starting from scratch. Costs will be much higher if you need to replace a panel or gate.
FAQ
It depends. Most homeowners insurance covers fences, but you will need to read the particulars of your plan to know for sure.
Insurance generally covers damage from storms, fires, fallen trees, and vandalism. However, insurance wouldn’t cover a neglected fence falling apart due to age or pest infestations. Keep up with fence maintenance to slow its natural deterioration.
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.
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.
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