What drives the price
Fence failure is post failure. Panels blow out in storms and screw back cheaply; a snapped post means digging out a concrete football, resetting and re-hanging - an hour or two of honest labour each. Florida wind and wet soil retire wooden posts on a schedule, which is why post material is the whole conversation.
- How many posts vs just panels and pickets
- Wood vs vinyl vs aluminum, and matching aged material
- Concrete removal on failed posts
- Gate rebuilds - the highest-wear component
- Property-line and permit questions on full replacements
Should you DIY this or call a professional?
Genuinely DIY at small scale: a blown-over panel screws back, and setting two or three posts is a workout with a $30 digging bar, fast-set concrete and a level. Hire it when the count gets past a handful, when old concrete must come out of every hole, or for gates, which punish imprecision. Storm season note: after a hurricane, every fence company is booked for months - a panel screwed back yourself beats a six-week wait.
Signs you need this repair
- Leaning sections after wind
- Posts moving when pushed - rotted or heaved at the base
- Gate dragging or refusing to latch
- Rot at ground contact
- Pickets popping as rails sag
How to not get overcharged
Ask for a per-post and per-panel price rather than a lump sum, and walk the line yourself first pushing every post - scope creep runs both directions. If more than a third of posts fail the push test, get the full-replacement per-foot price for comparison. On wood replacements, pay the small upcharge for post material rated for ground contact; it is the whole lifespan of the fence.
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Red flags to watch for
- Full replacement quoted for a two-post problem
- Setting new posts in old failed holes without new concrete
- No property-line discussion on shared fences
- Storm-chaser pricing after a named storm
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to repair a fence?+
Fence repairs typically run $300-$900, averaging near $550. Individual posts run $100-$300 each replaced; full replacement runs $15-$40 per linear foot depending on material.
Can I repair a fence myself, or should I hire a professional?+
Genuinely DIY at small scale: a blown-over panel screws back, and setting two or three posts is a workout with a $30 digging bar, fast-set concrete and a level. Hire it when the count gets past a handful, when old concrete must come out of every hole, or for gates, which punish imprecision. Storm season note: after a hurricane, every fence company is booked for months - a panel screwed back yourself beats a six-week wait.
How long does it take to repair a fence?+
Half a Day for a Few Posts or Panels. Scheduling and parts availability can extend the overall timeline beyond the hands-on work itself.
What makes the price of this job go up or down?+
How many posts vs just panels and pickets. Wood vs vinyl vs aluminum, and matching aged material. Concrete removal on failed posts. Gate rebuilds - the highest-wear component. Property-line and permit questions on full replacements.
How do I avoid being overcharged?+
Ask for a per-post and per-panel price rather than a lump sum, and walk the line yourself first pushing every post - scope creep runs both directions. If more than a third of posts fail the push test, get the full-replacement per-foot price for comparison. On wood replacements, pay the small upcharge for post material rated for ground contact; it is the whole lifespan of the fence.