Should you repair or replace the fence?
Repair makes sense when the damage is local and the rest is sound. Replace when the damage is spread throughout the fence. Here are some signs to watch for.
Repair is often enough when
- Only a few posts or sections are damaged, for instance after a wind event.
- The wood is still firm when you push a screwdriver into it.
- The fence is mostly straight and the line is sound.
- Gate trouble is hardware or alignment, not rot.
Replacing is often wiser when
- Many posts rock in the ground, or the bases are soft or termite-damaged.
- Rust has gone through chain link or iron in many places.
- A repair would cost close to a new fence.
If you land in the second group, see our pages on wood fences and aluminum and iron. We will give you the repair price and the replace price, in writing, so you can choose.
