One of the second most common questions people ask when it comes to yard fencing after what is the cost of fencing is how much does fence repair cost? The average cost of fence repair is $315 to $650 for all fence types.
The cost of fence repair depends on many factors explored below starting with the type of fence. Wood fence repair, for example, is generally more affordable than wrought iron fence repair due to the cost of materials.
Fence Repair Cost Overview
Fence repair costs are higher per square foot than new fence installation when materials are replaced.
This guide will help you decide whether fence repair is a better choice than fence replacement. Generally when the fence is in good condition except for a damaged area, repair makes financial sense.
When the fence is old and has multiple areas that need repair, then replacement becomes a more attractive option both financially and aesthetically.
As we discuss the cost of fence repair for each material, we’ll also mention the cost of fence replacement, so you can do the math and decide which is the better option given the condition of your fence.
Let’s look at fence repair cost of the most popular fence types, cost factors and new fence cost too.
General Repair Cost Factors
There are specific factors for each fence type, but a few general factors apply to fence repair for all types.
Material Type: In general, there is a spectrum of fence material cost. Here are fence repair prices for just the materials per linear foot.
Some repairs don’t require replacing the material. But when the fencing is split, cracked, rotted, bent or clearly broken, replacement is needed.
Labor costs to repair a fence are included with specific fence types below. Here are material costs.
| Fence Material | Material Cost per Linear Foot |
| Glass | $60 to $100+ |
| Composite | $20.00 to $32.50 |
| Aluminum, Steel, Iron | $18.25 to $25.75 |
| Vinyl | $13.25 to $17.00 |
| Wood Panel | $7.00 to $22.75 |
| Stick-built Wood | $6.85 to $12.25 |
| Wood Picket | $5.75 to $8.50 |
| Bamboo | $3.15 to $5.75 |
| Chain Link | $1.50 to $10.25 |
| Wire | Less than $1.00 to $3.50 |
Gates: The most expensive part of any fence is the gate, so this is a major factor in fence repair cost. And gates break more often than other parts of the fence. Fence gate repair costs are always at the high end of the spectrum.
Post Replacement: When a post is rotted or broken off and the old post must be dug out, cost is higher than if repairs are above-ground. When digging is required, the relative hardness of the ground will probably be a factor. If, for example, a gas-powered post-hole digger must be used, cost will go up. If you fancy trying fence post repair yourself, there are several videos available on YouTube, including this one, showing you how to DIY.
Fence Height: The taller the panels, boards, chain link, etc., the higher the cost will be.
Specific Fence Type: For example, replacing a 6-foot panel of wood/vinyl/composite privacy fence with lattice work at the top costs more to repair than replacing 12 feet of picket fence or 18 feet of rail fence. There’s more material and more labor involved.
Quality of the Material: Regardless of the material, it is often available in quality grades. For wood, cedar and redwood cost more than pine. For vinyl, the thickness of the material is a cost factor – thicker vinyl generally costs more and will last longer. Aluminum and steel fence also differ in thickness or gauge. Vinyl coated wire and chain-link fence costs more than bare fencing.
Access to the Fence: Fencing in open areas is cheaper to repair than when the fence runs through shrubbery and thickets or is tight to a garage or shed.
Who Does the Work: DIY and save on labor. If you hire a pro, costs for a handyman service will probably be lower than if you hire a fence contractor. Large companies usually charge more than small companies because they have more overhead and, typically, larger advertising budgets.
OK, here are specific fence material types and the cost to make the repairs.
Fence Repair Cost by Material
The following paragraphs provide a breakdown of fence repair costs by fence type, including wood, vinyl, composite, chain link, bamboo fence repair costs and many more.
| Fence Material | Average Fence Repair | Fence Post Replacement |
Fence Gate Replacement
|
| Wood Fence | $375 | $45 – $75 per post | $225 – $375 |
| Vinyl Fence | $440 | $60 – $110 per post | $260 – $525 |
| Composite Fence | $485 | $60 – $110 per post | $285 – $600 |
| chain Link Fence | $315 | $50 – $100 per post | $110 – $195 |
| Metal Fence | $550 | $125 – $200 per post | $300 – $650 |
| Glass Fence | $865 | $125 – $200 per post | $650 – $900 |
| Bamboo Fence | $215 | $45 – $75 per post | $225 – $375 |
| Wire Fence | $190 | $30 – $60 per post | $140 – $250 |
| Invisible Fence | $175 | N/A | N/A |
Wood Fence Repair
Wood is the most common fence material and also the type most likely to require repairs.
The need for repairs arises when wind blows down a section of fence, it is struck by a garden tractor, the dog scratches up a gate or a post rots and breaks at ground level.
- Material Cost: $5.75 – $22.75 per linear foot depending on wood type, fence type, height and other factors above. For example, privacy fence repair cost tends to be higher because more material is used in the fence.
- Labor Cost: $5.00 – $12.50 per linear foot. The wood fence repair cost per foot for labor depends on whether the panel can be repaired, such as replacing one or two broken boards, or if the entire panel must be replaced.
- Post Replacement: $45 – $75 per post. Fence post repair cost is based on ground conditions and the number of posts replaced.
- Gate Replacement: $225 – $375 based on the size and type of gate, cost of the hardware and time it takes to replace it.
Vinyl Fence Repair
The most common vinyl fence repairs are rotted posts. Vinyl doesn’t rot, of course, but most vinyl fences use treated wood or plain pine posts, often sheathed in vinyl.
Steel posts can also be used, and they hold up longer.
Gates are the next most common vinyl fencing repair.
- Material Cost: $13.25 – $17.00 per linear foot based on the fence type, height and quality of the vinyl fencing used.
- Labor Cost: $3.40 – $5.15 per linear foot for general fence repairs. Vinyl fence repair cost for labor depends on whether the fence can be repaired without replacing materials.
- Post Replacement: $60 – $100+ based on the post material and time the job takes.
- Gate Replacement: $260 – $525 based on gate width, style, hardware and time needed for the work.
Composite Fence Repair
Some composite fences use treated wood posts too, though steel is also common. Rotted posts are a common repair. Other typical repairs are scratched, gouged or cracked boards and gate latch repairs.
- Material Cost: $20.00 – $32.50 per linear foot depending on the specific type of composite material and fence type and height.
- Labor Cost: $3.85 – $5.25 for general repairs. Composite fence repair cost for replacing a gate is higher.
- Post Replacement: 60 – $100+. Fence post repair cost is based on the post material and time the job takes.
- Gate Replacement: $285 – $600 based on gate design, size, hardware and time needed.
Chain Link Fence Repair
Loose concrete footings are the most commonly repaired item on a chain link fence. Gate latches are next. Occasionally the fencing comes loose from the frame posts and must be wired back onto it.
- Material Cost: $1.50 – $10.25 per linear foot. Fence height, gauge of the fencing and whether it is coated or bare galvanized are the cost factors. Decent grades of chain link fence start at about $2.50 per foot. Anything cheaper won’t last long.
- Labor Cost: $2.25 – $4.50 per linear foot. Chain link fence repair cost for labor depends on whether the repairs are minor, like re-attaching loose fencing, or are more time-consuming like removing rusted fencing and installing new material.
- Post Replacement: $50 – $100 based on material cost and ground conditions.
- Gate Replacement: $110 – $195 based on gate dimensions, hardware and time required.
Aluminum, Steel, Iron Fence Repair
Bent posts, rusted steel and iron, leaning fencing and fence posts coming loose are common repairs.
Unlike wood, it makes sense to repair existing fencing when possible rather than replace it.
- Material Cost: $18.75 – $25.75 per linear foot with material gauge/thickness and height being primary cost factors. Wrought iron fence repair cost for elaborately designed material is the costliest metal fencing type. Aluminum fence repair cost is often based on the grade of the aluminum and size of the parts.
- Labor Cost: $5.75 – $8.00 per linear foot. If the repair is to re-secure a post into concrete or wood, average metal fence repair cost is about $85.
- Post Replacement: $125 – $200 based on metal type and style. Anchoring it to concrete costs more than anchoring to wood.
- Gate Replacement: $300 – $600+ based on gate style, dimensions and time needed.
Glass Fence Repair
Glass fence repair cost is so high because the material, usually tempered and shatterproof glass that is tinted or obscured for privacy, is very expensive.
- Material Cost: $60.00 – $115 per linear foot. Price depends on the glass type, height, panel length and treatments to the glass.
- Labor Cost: $8.00 – $12.50 per linear foot. Glass fence repair cost to re-secure a loose post averages about $100 per post.
- Post Replacement: $125 – $200 per post based on style and whether it is anchored to wood or concrete.
- Gate Replacement: $650 – $900+ based on style, dimensions, hardware and time.
Bamboo Fence Repair
Bamboo fencing is cheap and not very strong. It’s useful for privacy, decorative effect and perhaps keeping small dogs and little children where they should be.
Bamboo panels are rarely repaired, other than DIY wiring loose pieces in place or similar. Pros replace bamboo panels/rolls rather than fixing broken parts.
- Material Cost: $3.15 to $5.75 per linear foot based on whether the material is a roll or a panel.
- Labor Cost: $5.00 – $6.75 per linear foot. Bamboo fence repair cost is about 50% higher than installation cost because old fencing must be removed first, and then the new material is installed.
- Post Replacement: $45 – $75 per post based on ground conditions and the number of posts replaced. Wood posts are typically used.
- Gate Replacement: $225 – $375. Wood gates are often used for bamboo fencing.
Wire Fence Repair
Barbed wire and other wire fence types are generally used for cattle and other stock animals. Broken wire can be spliced quite easily.
- Material Cost: Less than $1.00 to $3.50 per linear foot. Plain and barbed wire fence repair cost is based on the gauge of the wire, whether it is coated (non-barbed sections of wire) and how many wire courses are used.
- Labor Cost: $1.75 – $5.50 per linear foot based on how many courses of wire need repair.
- Post Replacement: $30 – $60 per post based on ground conditions.
- Gate Replacement: $140 – $250 based on gate type, dimensions and labor costs.
Invisible Fence Repair
Repair to a wireless invisible fence involves replacing a transmitter or dog collar.
Wired invisible fence repair cost can be higher. If a wire is broken, the most cost-effective way to repair it is to trench in replacement wire rather than trying to locate the break (unless it is obvious) and repairing it.
Here is the invisible fence repair cost for wired fencing.
- Material Cost: $2.40 – $4.15 per linear foot based on the gauge of the wire.
- Labor Cost: $1.50 – $2.75 per linear foot if replacing a length of wire. If you know where the break is and can dig it up and make the repair, cost will be $75 to $200 for the job.
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