The national average cost to repair a leaning fence is $545, with a typical price range of $310 to $720. However, costs can go as low as $100 and as high as $825, depending on the extent of the damage.
Erosion, storms, rot, pest damage, and poor installation can cause leaning fences. Proper maintenance can help prevent this issue, but sometimes your best efforts can’t stop your fence from leaning. This article will review all the cost factors that affect leaning fence repair prices.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Size
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost by Location
- FAQ
Average Costs to Repair a Leaning Fence
| National Average Cost | $545 |
| Typical Price Range | $310 – $720 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $100 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $825 |
Why so much price variety? Every leaning fence is different. The cost of repairs varies depending on how much of the fence is leaning and what’s causing it. Repairing a leaning fence caused by poor installation or loose hardware will be cheaper than one slanting due to natural forces. It also will cost less to repair rather than replace parts.
There are a few actions you can take to prevent leaning fences in the first place or keep damage to a minimum:
- Install the fence properly
- Tighten screws and hammer in nails
- Maintain protective coatings like paints and stains to prevent rust, rot, and pest damage
- Keep heavy objects and plants from pressing on the fence
- Avoid excessive moisture from sprinklers and other water sources
- Don’t climb or hang on the fence
If you follow these maintenance practices, you’ll likely need to pay less for repairs in the long run.
Leaning Fence Repair Cost Estimator by Size
Some fence contractors charge by linear foot. Leaning fences cost around $30 per linear foot to repair. While sometimes the whole fence leans, usually only part of the fence needs straightening. Measure the length of the affected area for the most accurate estimate. Here’s how much you’d pay for different-sized leaning areas:
| Size of Affected Area in Linear Feet | Total Repair Cost |
| 5 | $150 |
| 10 | $300 |
| 25 | $750 |
Not all fence companies will charge by linear foot. Others will charge by the type of repair or by the hour.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Not all leaning fences are the same. Your final bill will look different depending on your fence material, design, height, cause of damage, and urgency of the repair.
Material
Certain materials are more expensive to replace. If you need to replace a metal fence post, it will cost more than a wooden fence post. Metal also is more challenging to work with since it may require welding, driving up labor costs.
Type of repair
A fencing professional can identify what caused your fence to lean if you can’t tell. Here are some solutions they might come up with and how much each would cost.
Posts
Post damage is the most common culprit of a leaning fence. The post could have rotted, cracked, been attacked by pests, or shifted. It costs between $105 to $320 to replace a post, with an average of $215 per new post. If the post is loose, a professional can re-dig the post-hole and pour in fresh concrete for around $225.
Holes and cracks
Pests, rust, rot, age, and blunt force can all create problematic holes and cracks in your fence, threatening its stability. A professional can either patch up these gaps or replace parts that are too far gone for an average price of $240.
Fence gate
If the fence sections next to your gate are leaning, it can disrupt the gate’s functionality. Gate repair on a leaning fence costs an average of $335. However, replacement latch and hinge installation can cost $100 or less.
Fence panels
Sometimes, leaning or fallen fence panels can be rehung, but other times they’re damaged by their condition. It costs around $275 to repair a fence panel and around $475 to replace it.
Reinforcement
Heavy snow, strong winds, flooding, erosion, and climbing animals can all do a number on your fence. A professional can reinforce your fence to stand strong against these environmental factors. You can choose to reinforce with aluminum, wood, vinyl, or steel along the fence rails or concrete along the bottom. Reinforcement costs an average of $400.
Cause of damage
You may have more problems than you realize. The following issues cause leaning fences but may require further repairs, as well. The root of the problem also determines how you should approach the repairs.
Storms
If you live in a storm-prone area, your fence is more likely to lean. Those heavy winds, snow, and flooding can push your fence around or loosen its foundations. It costs $1,025 on average to repair storm damage. However, your costs could be as low as $250 for minor issues or as high as $1,800 for extensive damage along the entire fence.
Pests
A pest infestation may be the root cause of your leaning fence. Termites and other wood-destroying pests snack on posts and other supports, ruining their stability. It costs around $1,585 to exterminate the pests and replace all affected parts. You may need to hire two separate pros to deal with this issue: one for pest control and one for fence repair.
Rust
If you have a metal fence, rust could eat away at fence posts and other supporting structures, causing your fence to lean. You’ll likely need to replace the affected parts once they’ve reached the point of leaning. Rust repairs cost an average of $500.
Rot
A rotten fence post can’t hold up panels forever. If you can’t see rot above ground, your posts may be rotten underground. Concrete and gravel help posts stay dry, but they can still get water damaged or rotten over time. It costs around $280 to address wood rot.
Car collision
Sometimes drivers aren’t as careful as we’d like. If a vehicle bumps your fence, it might knock your fence askew. Assuming it wasn’t destroyed, it should cost around $275 to straighten out your fence again.
Fence design
While it may not seem like fence design would affect leaning fence repair, it could make it more challenging to work on. Sometimes the repairperson needs to disassemble and reassemble parts of the fence to complete repairs. A privacy fence may be trickier to work with since they’ll need to take it apart to access certain parts, especially if they can only access one side.
Fence height
The taller the fence, the more expensive it is to repair. The replacement materials for a 6-foot fence will cost about twice as much as those for a 3-foot fence. Taller fences also may be heavier, requiring more work to keep them upright while new supports are installed.
Labor costs
When you hire a professional, you’re paying them for their time, effort, and expertise on top of the material costs. Many will charge by the hour, and the average hourly rate is $125. However, rates vary based on the material or type of fence. Chain-link, aluminum, and wood fences cost around $60 per hour to repair, while welded metal like wrought iron or steel costs around $140 per hour.
Repairs take a couple of hours to three days, depending on the complexity.
Warranty
Before you contact random fencing companies, check whether your fence came with a warranty from the original installer or manufacturer. You may be able to get leaning fence repairs done for a discounted price or free.
However, many warranties only last a couple of years. They may also be limited to workmanship errors and not cover damage from natural causes.
Emergency service
Leaning fences are much easier to push through, meaning children and pets can escape, and intruders can enter. They also can fall onto anyone nearby. If you need a professional to come as soon as possible, expect to pay around $150 for emergency service.
Related Services
If you need to repair a leaning fence, you may decide to get some other repairs, maintenance, or installation done. Here are some other services you should consider.
Other fence repairs
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to notice more issues upon closer inspection. Take this opportunity to do a health checkup on all parts of your fence. While fencing professionals will likely catch other issues, making a note of them ahead of time will better prepare you for your upcoming bill.
General fence repairs have an average price of $460, though the typical range is between $255 and $685. Repairs can be as low as $50 and as high as $2,500 in extreme cases. Talk to a fence contractor to see what additional repairs will cost.
Fence installation
Not sure your fence is worth saving? Leaning fences aren’t usually lost causes, but sometimes particularly old fences may not be worth fixing. The cost to install a fence ranges from $2,000 to $4,500 on average. Contact a fencing company to haul away your existing fence and install a new one.
Fence painting and staining
You may already be considering preventative maintenance to delay future repairs. Paints, stains, and protective coatings protect fences from wood rot and rust, which cause them to lean. It costs around $700 to $3,000 to have a fence painted by a professional, but you can save money by doing it yourself.
Tree removal and trimming
Overgrown plants can push fences around. If you’ve had enough of your backyard tree damaging your fence, removing it will cost around $880. Keep in mind that you’ll need a permit for tree removal. Some companies will take care of it for you, but if not, they cost $60 on average. You can take the less drastic measure of trimming for $50 per square foot or $420 total.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
If you’re handy around the house, you might want to test your skills outside. Some leaning fence repairs are simple to complete, though serious issues may still need a professional’s touch. Here’s how much it costs to buy the tools and supplies needed for a cost-effective DIY project.
| Tool or Material | Price |
| Safety goggles | $14 |
| Gloves | $18 |
| Hand saw | $10 |
| Pliers | $26 |
| Screwdriver | $15 |
| Shovel | $20 |
| Brick trowel | $40 |
| 2-by-4s to brace the fence | $9 per board |
| Screws | 30 cents per screw |
| Nails | $12 per pack |
| Replacement materials | $30 per linear foot |
| Fast-setting concrete | $6 per 50-pound bag |
By fixing a leaning fence yourself, you could save hundreds of dollars. However, a botched job could leave you with more of a headache than you started with. If you’re not confident in your skills, consider reaching out to a pro instead to ensure the job is done right.
Cost to Repair a Leaning Fence by Location
We’ve created this cost guide based on national averages, but we know every state and city differs. The cost of living, transportation, and service demand drives prices up and down. Generally speaking, homeowners in metropolitan areas pay more for fence repair than those in rural areas. You also may need repairs more often if you live in a windy, stormy, or hurricane-prone area.
FAQ About Leaning Fences
Various natural and unnatural causes can make a fence lean. Here are the most common reasons:
● Poor installation
● Rain
● Flooding
● Snow
● Wind
● Extreme temperature shifts
● Tree roots and branches
● Sloped terrain
● Rot
● Pests
● Animals
If the post isn’t broken, rotten, or rusted, you don’t need to remove it. You’ll need to dig up around the base, position it upright, and then refill the space with concrete.
It can be. Steady pressure on one side could cause a fence to lean. Avoid leaning heavy objects against your fence to minimize risk. If your neighbor is leaning something against your fence, you’ll need to discuss the issue with them. If you can prove their actions caused damage, you may be able to compel them to pay for repairs.
DIY or Hire a Pro to Fix Your Leaning Fence?
Leaning fences aren’t the end of the world, but you should get them fixed quickly to avoid security issues. The average repair cost of $545 will cover the materials and labor to straighten things out. Contact a local fencing pro or handyman for a quote.
Note: Fence Gnome may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Image Credit: Michael Coghlan / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
