Many fencing businesses offer not only installation but also repair services. Typically, the cost of repairs is considerably less than the original expense of installing a fence. However, this cost can fluctuate based on the prices of the necessary materials.
Below we have a look at cost of repair and the best way to find a good local fence repair service.
Here is a breakdown of what it typically costs to repair a fence. These are estimates that should work as a guideline in preparing you for what you should expect to be charged for the repair work you intend to undertake.
Below are national average costs based on 2020 data.
| Fence type | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per linear foot | $15 | $35 |
| National average cost | $250 | $750 |
| Holes, cracks, missing boards | $150 | $550 |
| Replacing panels/Fixing leaning | $250 | $950 |
| Gate | $100 | $400 |
| Wooden fence | $100 | $600 |
| Metal fence | $250 | $1,000 |
| Vinyl/PVC fence | $250 | $800 |
| Electric fence | $200 | $800 |
| Average Labor cost | $100 | $150 |
Choosing a good fence repair service near me
Settling on the first fence installation contractor that you come across is a recipe for disaster. In order to get a good contractor at the right price, you need to take time to not only find contractors near you, but also vet them.
The following are tips that will boost your odds of finding a fence repair service provider who won’t disappoint.
Tip 1: Search and sort
Get this part right and you will save yourself a world of pain byt hiring the wrong contractor for the job.
Use search engines – You should thereafter extend your search to the internet. Simply type the words “fence contractors near me” in any of the popular search engines and you will get results of repair service providers near you. I suggest you make a list of 4 – 6 contractors all with 20+ reviews averaging 4.5 stars or more.
Tip 2: Bonded, licensed, or insured contractors
It is important to ensure that the contractor you end up with has the appropriate license, bond, and insurance. This is so mainly because they offer you a degree of financial protection in cases where things go wrong.
Bonded – If your contractor fails to finish the job or if he or she does an extremely poor job, the bond will protect you. It will ensure that you have a chance of being made whole in case of losses that occur as a result of the contractor’s mistakes.
Insurance – It is possible for you to be held liable in case one of the contractor’s employees gets injured in your property. This is so especially in cases where the contractor doesn’t have any worker’s compensation insurance. Such a scenario can be financially catastrophic. As a result, making sure that all the contractors that you are considering for the job have valid insurance will go a long way towards minimizing your liability exposure.
License – Any trade that includes construction requires a state license to work in this field. Licenses are normally distributed by a state authority such as The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) for California. If your fence repair contractor can not produce their licence number or paperwork, I suggest you move on.
Tip 3: Obtain several free estimates
Get a minimum of 3 quotes from different local fence repair contractors. I would not think of taking anyone who wants to price you over the phone. They tend to be less serious and usually want to charge you more once they are on site fixing the fence.
Tip 4: Site visits
Face-to-face meetings are always advisable because they give you a better feel of the people that you are going to work with. It gives you a glimpse of their level of professionalism and attention to detail. This is so especially when they are conducting the on-site inspection and preparing their estimates.
Tip 5: Ask for references
In addition to looking at the before-and-after pictures and videos of the work that a given contractor has done, it is always a good idea to ask for references. Most reputable fence repair service providers will be happy to give you these references.
Questions to ask fence repair service
Having a list of questions with you when interviewing a fence repair contractor will ensure that you get all the relevant information that you need in order to make your decision. It will also help to save time by keeping your questions focused. And it can help to reduce incidences of misunderstandings.
When creating your list, you should ensure that it includes the following questions.
- Are you going to obtain the fencing permits required in order to do the fence repair work?
- What is your timeline with respect to completing the repairs?
- What is the size of your crew, and how many employees will you be dedicating to this fence repair project?
- Do you have any recent references, and do you mind providing their contacts?
- Do you have the relevant licenses and insurance? Do you mind providing proof of this?
- Which brand of fencing materials do you use and why do you use them?
- Have you included the cost of hardware, like gates, in your quote? If not, how much are they going to cost?
- Are there any laws, codes, guidelines, or regulations that may restrict the scale and nature of the repair work being undertaken? And if so, how does one ensure compliance?
Hiring fence repair service in my area
The most convenient way of finding fencing experts in your area is by using HomeGardenGuides.com. It offers a free service that quickly matches you with the top-voted local expert fence contractors.
Using the website, you can get 3 estimates fast by real certified experts in your area in just 2 minutes. Here is how it works.
- You scroll to the top of the page and enter your Zip code.
- Answer questions about your fence repair needs
- Your details will be forwarded to three local experts.
- You will then receive a price estimate for the job and some friendly advice.
IMPORTANT: There is no obligation to hire. This is a free tool and service to be used at your pleasure.
Given that the service will take care of the searching and vetting process for you, it is a perfect way of getting the ideal contractor without having to dig through countless reviews, conduct phone interviews, and interrogate countless prospects.
FAQ's
How do you repair a rotting fence?
To repair a rotting wood fence, the first thing that you should do is to get rid of the rotting sections. Start by removing the screws or nails that are holding the planks containing the rotting sections. This should free them up and thus giving you enough freedom to work on the rot.
The next step is to saw off the rotten parts. Use a saw to do this, and when doing so, make sure that you get rid of every rotten section. This is important as it will reduce the odds of the rot spreading.
After you are done, you should then proceed to cover the gap left by the sawing. Attaching a plank of wood at the base of the unaffected section will do. Use either screws or nails to attach the plank. And make sure that it is wide enough to cover the gap that was left by the section that was sawn off.
Now that the rotten part has been removed and the gap filled, you should reattach the part. The only thing that you should keep in mind when doing so is to offer the attached piece of wood extra support by nailing it to the bottom lip.
You can also paint or stain the fence in order to prevent any future rotting problems.
Should I replace the fence post?
Just because a fence post shows signs of rotting does not mean that you have to replace it. In most cases, slight rotting tends to be surface-deep. As a result, there is always a chance that the rotting hasn’t compromised the structural integrity of the post. Sawing off the rotting part and then painting or staining the wood should be enough in such a case.
However, if the rot has affected over 30% of the post, then removal is recommended. And even in cases where it is less than 30%, if the rot is located at the base of the post, and if the post’s wood easily crumbles, then replacement is necessary as the odds of the post’s structural integrity being compromised are high.
How often does a fence need to be replaced?
A wooden fence needs to be replaced after about every 10 years after installation. For vinyl fences, after every 30 years will be ideal. And for the other types of fences, a period ranging between 15 years and 20 years is ideal. However, the exact period within which you should replace a fence will largely depend on the type of material used, the conditions under which it exists, and how well it is maintained.
Do you tip a fence installer?
High-cost services like fencing or plumbing are generally not tipped. This is reserved for lower-wage earners like bartenders and waiters.
If you decided to tip your fence installer, I would suggest a round figure like $50 or $100 and not a percentage amount.
Fencing is expensive, so adding 5 – 10% to a bill that already costs thousands might be a bit much.
