Fence Repair

You may not realize this, but your fences play a critical role in upholding the safety of your home and even in increasing the overall selling value of your house. 

Here are the important roles of fences in your property:

It helps improve security and safety – this is probably the main reason for installing fences on your property. Fences serve as an important barrier or deterrent against intruders, thieves,  trespassers, and even wild animals off your property.

In addition to keeping bad elements away from your home, it could also keep young children and pets contained in your area. So you will have the peace of mind that they will not stray away to busy streets.

Serves as boundaries or markers to your property lines – no matter how you get along with your neighbors, it is important to set the correct boundary lines between your property and your neighbor’s. This will prevent others from encroaching on your property and avoid land disputes. In addition, this will also help you gauge how much space is left in your land for future feature addition or renovations e.g., adding a pool, and even help in determining what part is your maintenance activities, like cleaning up your space.

Adds curb appeal to property – depending on the style of your fence, this could increase the appeal of your home aesthetically. So, when it comes to choosing the right fence, make sure that not only is it durable but it should also match your home’s style to increase your property’s curb appeal.

Privacy – aside from providing safety, your fence is an effective way to separate your home from public space or from the prying eyes of others, giving you peace of mind.  

Increase resale value – if you are planning to sell your home in the future, having a great fence could actually increase the resale value and is high on the buyer’s list, as it provides security, safety, privacy, and visual appeal.

Is your fence for repair or replacement? The reality is, that not all damages are repairable. This is especially true for extensive damages caused by natural disasters. Sometimes, homeowners have put off fence repair for too long that a small issue has turned into a major structural problem that requires a fence replacement. 

The key is to hire a local fence repair contractor to help you determine the right move and provide you with a cost and benefit analysis.

This is probably the main deal breaker for homeowners. When it comes to fence repair costs, there are several variables that will affect the pricing of your fence repair. Some of these are the time of project completion, materials used (price fluctuations may also affect this), type of fence damage incurred, and more.

Here are some cost estimates to guide you:

Fence Repair Prices

The national average for fence repair is $500 with an average range of $200 to $850. The low-end cost is down to $100, this could cover simple fixes on worn pickets and the likes, while in contrast, the high-end cost could reach up to $2,500. This could cover extensive fence repairs due to damages caused by storms. 

Fence Repair Cost by Type of Problem

Depending on the type of material and size of the hole in your fence, fixing this type of issue could range from $100 to $400. Some issues could be easily fixed by putty but some could require more materials and effort to restore.

For loose fence post repair, this could cost homeowners around $150 to $500. There are several possible reasons for this like improper installation, damage in the base, pests eating away the material, rot in material, and more. 

Same as a loose fence post, repairing a cracked fence post could easily reach from $150 to $500. Some would only require patchings, while some cracks would even need total replacement. Common causes for this type of problem are weathering and storm damage.

You might think that a leaning fence repair is just a quick fix, but the reality is there are serious possible causes to this like pest infestations, which require a more extensive solution rather than just correcting the installation. 

If your fence is made of wrought iron and chain link, chances are, you will encounter a rusted fence in the long run. This is often caused by moisture and exposure to elements. Repair pricing could range from $250 to $1,000.

If rust is common in wrought iron and chain links, you could encounter rotted fences if you have wooden fences due to constant exposure to moisture and contact with soil. To fix this issue, homeowners could shell out $300 to $1,000 dollars.

When it comes to storm damage repair, a homeowner could pay from an average of $300 to a whopping $2,500 depending on the damage caused by the storm. 

Fence Repair Cost by Type of Materials:

There are actually many types of fence materials in the market, from vinyl, aluminum, steel, chain link, wrought iron, wood, concrete, stone, brick, and barbed wire. 

The type of fence material is actually one of the most important factors affecting the price. Some materials like vinyl could be on the cheaper end of the price spectrum, but repairs on some materials like stones, bricks, and barbed wires could go up from $1,250 to $1,500. The extra high price could be due to labor risks, the precision needed to do the repair, time spent on doing the repair, and the toughness of the materials. 

A certain type of material also requires a specific treatment, like wood for example. This material is a popular choice for homeowners because of its visual appeal but requires more maintenance as it is prone to issues like rot and damages from pests. Homeowners could spend around $400 to $600 for this material type. 

Fence Repair Cost by Fence Type:

Your fence type – temporary, picket fence, electric, lattice, split rail, shadowbox, stockade, and privacy would definitely influence the pricing of the repairs. There are fence types that will require less effort and fewer working parts to fix, hence lower repair costs. 

For example, if you have an electric fence installed, the common issue will most likely be on wiring, and the cost of repairs could range from $100 to $450, but comparing it with a privacy fence, the repair could cost homeowners from $400 to $1,250 because they are usually set tall and big plus due to the materials used, thus affecting the labor cost. 

Other factors that could affect the price of fence repair are the location of the fence in the area, the urgency of the repair situation, parts that need replacement (e.g. transformer, picket, panels, gates), size of the fence, and more. 

Remember, a company quoting a low rate may not necessarily be the right company for you. Some companies may offer seemingly lower fees but will surprise you with additional “fees” to complete the project. 

Continue reading below for some helpful tips in finding the right contractor for you or click the button below.

• If you have a wooden fence, make sure to use insecticides to prevent damage from ants and termites.
• Make sure to remove debris, like weeds, surrounding your fences regularly.
•  If you have aluminum and vinyl as fence materials, clean them with some power washing or mild soap solution at least once or twice a year.
•  If you see signs of peeling paint or flaking, refinish the surface of your fence. You can also add repainting your fences or staining wooden fences as one of your home improvement projects.
• For wooden fences, make sure that you know what type of wood is used, this will determine the right care that you need to do in your fences.
• If you notice any damages on your fences, repair them immediately if possible or call in the pros. Not only will this avoid possible accidents, but will help you avoid small damage snowballing into a major one.

Always Ask for The License – Ask the fence repair contractors if they have the necessary licenses. This should also apply to other home improvement projects that require professional contractors.

Proof of Insurance – For your own protection, check proof of both workman’s compensation and liability Insurance.

Brand Stability and Safety Record – Find out how long the repair company has been installing fences. In addition, you can also ask for their safety track record. You want a fence company that doesn’t have a high incidence of on-the-job mishaps or injuries.

Check Online Reviews – You’re probably not the first person in town looking for fence repair services. A quick search will surely yield reviews on your target contractor.

References – Expect any top-notch company to be able to provide you with references upon request. You can contact their past clients to get information about the quality service. Some of the questions to ask are the quality of their work, timeliness, price, and if they highly recommend the contractor for future fence work.

24-hour Emergency Service – a contractor offering emergency 24-hour repair service is a plus. If something goes wrong with your fence, it’s good to know that you will not have to wait days for them to repair the issue.

Over-The-Phone Pricing –  if a contractor gives you over-the-phone pricing, treat this as a red flag. Honest estimates need a site inspection. Also when it comes to estimates, remember to ask for a copy of a detailed breakdown with all the costs upfront.

Satisfaction Guarantee – Choosing a fence company that offers a satisfaction guarantee for wood or any other type of fence material will ensure that they will get the job done right the first time and will save you money and frustration in the long run.

Cleanup – The mess left behind after a repair project can be extensive especially when wood is involved. Ask what cleanup work the fence company includes with its repair services.