Typically, fixing a fence is more cost-effective than fully replacing it. However, there are situations where the cost of repairing a fence may surpass the cost of installing a new one.
The average fence repair cost is $560. This is a lot cheaper than a fence replacement which costs $2,250 on average. These prices normally vary depending on factors such as fencing material costs, labor costs and the type of problem being faced.
Typical repairs like frequent painting and resetting of fence posts are usually preferred by property owners as a short term solution. Entire fence replacement is however the cheapest long-term solution to fix a fence that has outlived its usefulness.
Average Fence Repair Cost
| Service | Quantity | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fence Repair Costs | Per Linear Foot | $18 | $50 |
| Fence Repair Labor Cost | Per Hour | $50 | $200 |
| Cost to Repair a 200 linear foot fence | 200 feet | $3,600 | $1,0000 |
Average Cost to Replace a Fence
| Service | Quantity | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fence Replacement | Per Linear Foot | $15 | $60 |
| Fence Replacement Labor Cost | Per Linear Foot | $5 | $20 |
| Fence Replacement Material Cost | Per Linear Foot | $10 | $35 |
Fence Replacement Vs Fence Repair Cost Estimates by Material
| Repair (per linear foot) | Replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden | $600 | $2,850 |
| Aluminum | $322 | $4,250 |
| Steel | $250 | $3,400 |
| Vinyl | $540 | $3,800 |
| Chainlink | $500 | $2,350 |
| Brick | $850 | $5,450 |
| Composite | $485 | $2,750 |
Wood Fence Repair Vs Replacement Cost
The national average wood fence repair cost is $600. Repairing wood fences normally involves repainting and re-staining any damaged fence posts, rails and fence panels. This is usually done to prevent any wood rot and pest damage.
You may however need to replace your wooden fence for an average cost of $31 per linear foot if it gets damaged beyond repair. This translates to a national average cost of $2,900. Labor costs for a new fence installation average $20 per linear foot while wood fence materials average $11 per linear foot.
Aluminum Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
The average aluminum fence repair cost is $30 per linear foot. Trusted fence contractors recommend replacing a damaged aluminum fence panel instead of welding in new parts into an old fence.
It therefore takes unfastening, detaching and replacing damaged fence panels to repair a fence made of aluminum. You may however need to replace your entire existing fence if it has outlived its usefulness. An average fence repair costs $54 per linear foot of aluminum.
This translates to a national average fence cost of $4,250 with the main cost considerations being labor and materials. Homeowners pay an average of $20 per linear foot for materials and $30 per linear foot for labor.
Steel Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
Steel fence repairs cost an average of $30 per linear foot to complete. This translates to a total national average cost of $520. Property owners pay an average of $50 per hour for labor and $225 on average for each panel.
Replacing an entire steel metal fence will cost you $30 per section for Corten and Palisade fence types. Galvanized steel metal fences can however cost up to $350 per section. Expect to pay an average of $3,400 for a new steel fence.
Vinyl Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
A 150-foot fence repair costs an average of $540 for vinyl fences. This is cheaper than repairing metal, brick and wooden fences. Expect to pay a professional fence contractor an average of $7 per linear foot or $40 per hour for labor in such a project.
You may, however, need to replace your current fence if it is damaged beyond repair. The actual project costs for installing a vinyl fence normally average $3,800 installed. Other cost factors for such a project include the size and design of your new fence.
Chain Link Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
Most chain link fence repairs cost an average of $500 to complete. This cost is inclusive of both labor and materials. The labor fence repair cost per foot normally averages at $15. The material costs often vary depending on the fence section being repaired.
Property owners pay an average of $2,350 to replace their chain link fences. Chain link fences are therefore more cost effective to install than most fencing alternatives. The main cost factors for chain link fence installation include height, size per square foot, labor and materials.
Brick Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
Brick fences are one of the most expensive fencing alternatives to repair. This is because brick fences are quite labor and time intensive. Fence repair pros usually charge an average of $850 to repair brick fences.
Installing a new brick fence costs between $3,450 and $7,200 on average depending on whether the bricks are made of clay or concrete and the type of fence detail and finish you go for. Other cost factors for such a project include length, height, design and size of bricks.
Composite Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
The average cost to fix composite fences normally averages at $485 for both labor and materials. It often involves fixing every fence post affected by rot and pests. Any cracked or missing boards and all fallen fence sections are also repaired or replaced.
Installing a fence made of composite will cost you an average of $2,750. Although this is quite costly upfront, the durability and low maintenance nature of composite fences make them cheaper in the long term.
Fence Replacement Vs Fence Repair Cost Estimates by Type
Privacy Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
A privacy fence repair costs an average of $825 to complete. Privacy fences are often the largest fences. A privacy fence can exist as a metal, brick, stone, wood or vinyl fence depending on the clients’ preference.
The fence material usually has a significant impact on the final cost. The large size of privacy fences also makes them extremely labor-intensive. This makes the labor cost to repair them rather high.
Expect to pay an average of $4375 to replace your privacy fence if it has been damaged beyond repair.
Picket Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
The average cost of a picket fence repair is $300. Picket fences generally require simple repairs because they are made up of very little material and are therefore quite short. Picket fences are mostly constructed using wood and vinyl fencing materials.
They therefore require fence maintenance activities like staining and repainting to keep them from weather damage. Expect to pay an average replacement cost of $1900 if your picket fence’s structural integrity has been damaged beyond repair
Picket fence replacement costs normally vary depending on size, material, gate supports, style and labor.
Split Rail Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
Split rail fences cost an average of $500 to repair. Rail fences are mostly used to cover large tracts of land. This is because they are wooden fences with simple fence posts, rails and support posts. They are therefore commonly used on ranches and fields to form animal enclosures.
Rail fences cost an average of $21 per linear foot to replace. A 100 linear foot wood rail fence will therefore cost you an average of $2100 to replace. Enclosing an entire acre will cost you an average of $17500 if you include a fence gate.
Temporary Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
Expect to pay an average of $200 for a temporary fence repair. Wire mesh panels, plastic mesh panels and simple metal barricades are all examples of temporary fences. They are normally employed while activities like repairs and landscaping are taking place.
Replacing your temporary fence with a rented one will cost you an average of $90 per panel per month. Such fence costs normally vary depending on the length and height needed, the fence material and extra equipment like stakes and support posts.
Electric Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
An electric fence repair costs an average of $275 to complete. Wiring issues are the most frequent problems with electric fences. They normally occur accidentally during activities like gardening and landscaping. Engaging an electric fence expert is usually recommended to resolve such a situation.
Replacing your electric fence will cost you an average of $1300. This cost is inclusive of the transmitter, receivers, wires, collar, charger, voltage meter and batteries. Expect to pay an average of $250 if you are replacing the transformer alone.
Lattice Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
A lattice fence repair costs an average of $550 to complete. This is a more attractive fence that can be made of a variety of materials, including vinyl, wood, or metal. When water damage, rust, dents and breakage occurs in some lattice fence portions they must be restored with care to preserve the pattern and aesthetic.
Depending on the quality of material, a lattice fence replacement will cost you an average of $13 per linear foot to complete. High quality lattice wood and vinyl fences can cost you up to $24 per linear foot to replace.
Stockade Fence Repair Cost Vs Replacement Cost
A stockade fence repair costs an average of $525 to complete. A stockade fence is a wooden fence constructed using wood fence panels that are nailed together, side by side, with no gaps in between them. Despite providing good privacy, stockade fences are susceptible to wood rot and pest damage.
Replacing your stockade fence will cost you an average of $22 per linear foot. You are therefore likely to pay around $2200 for an entire fence replacement. This price is inclusive of materials and labor.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair or Replace a Leaning Fence?
The average leaning fence repair cost is $500. This cost can however vary depending on the fence material. A leaning wooden fence is therefore more expensive to repair than a leaning metal fence.
Leaning fences are usually a result of pest infestation, wood rot and improper installation. Replacing a leaning fence will cost you between $1000 and $2500 depending on whether it is a partial or full replacement.
A partial replacement involves replacing fallen fence sections, setting fence posts and stabilizing any moving ground. A full replacement involves completely removing your old leaning fence and putting up a new one in its place.
What is the Cost to Repair or Replace a Fence Post?
The average fence post repair cost is $325. A fence post may need a quick repair if it is wobbly or cracked. Loose fence posts are normally a result of improper installation and damage at the base. Cracked fence posts are mostly due to direct impact and weathering.
A fence post repair project generally involves resetting any loose posts by digging around them and reinforcing the base. Fence contractors can also repair cracked fence posts by patching or treating any splits with resin or mortar.
Expect to pay an average of $350 to replace a fence post. Fence posts that have been damaged beyond repair by storms, pests, rot and accidents certainly need to be replaced.
What is the Cost to Repair or Replace a Fence Gate?
Fence gate repairs cost an average of $325 to complete. The cost of such fence repair projects can however vary depending on size and material. A small wooden fence gate repair will therefore cost significantly less than a large wrought iron fence gate repair.
Homeowners pay an average of $525 to replace a fence gate. This price is however also dependent on size and fencing material. A simple wood gate will therefore be cheaper and faster to replace than a large fancy wrought iron gate
Fence Picket Repair Vs Replacement Cost
Fence pickets can be repaired for $200 on average. Picket damage is often a result of direct impact, accidents and weathering. Repairing a fence picket therefore involves fixing any splits, chips and holes caused by these processes.
Since, the picket material and difficulty to handle have an impact on the pricing, metal pickets are more expensive to repair than wooden pickets. Expect to pay an average of $250 to replace a fence picket.
Fence Panel Repair Vs Replacement Cost
Expect to pay an average of $225 to repair a fence panel. Strong winds and storms are known to cause fence panels to tumble down. A fence panel repair therefore involves relocating and fastening them back into place. Filling up and patching panels with holes, splits and cracks is also quite common.
Homeowners pay an average of $475 to replace a fence panel. This price normally varies depending on the size, fence material and type of the panel. It is considerably cheaper to replace a basic vinyl panel than a beautifully designed wrought iron panel. Fence panels are normally only replaced if they have been damaged beyond repair.