Leaning Fence

One dilemma that many homeowners are faced with at one time or another is fence repair versus fence replacement. It can be difficult to tell if a leaning fence is structurally sound enough to warrant the effort it takes to replace only what's needed, or if that fence has finally given up the ghost and installing a whole new fence is your best option. If you have a leaning fence on your property, there are a few factors that will come into play when deciding whether to fix it, or ditch it entirely.

Leaning Fence Repair
For wooden leaning fences, probably the best way to determine whether fence repair is a good option is to check the integrity of its horizontal rails. If the rails are sturdy enough to hold a nail, you can generally replace the fence posts as well as any damaged panels to extend the life of the fence another 10 years. But if the fence rails are deteriorated to the point that they cannot be secured, total replacement might be a better option.

Metal fence repair is a far more involved process, and one that most homeowners are simply not equipped to do themselves. In some cases, however, an older metal fence is a good candidate for repairs simply because of its age. Wrought iron fencing produced by a skilled hand is quite valuable and well worth preserving and restoring. A badly leaning chain link fence, on the other hand, is probably better suited to total replacement.

Leaning Fence Replacement
Today's homeowners have a wide array of options when it comes to replacing a leaning fence. In addition to traditional wood and metal fencing, most home improvement centers and fencing contractors will be able to provide you with options ranging from the old standbys to newer composite and vinyl fences. These materials are designed to have the look of wood, while reducing the amount of drawbacks real wood is known for.

In many cases, a vinyl or composite fence won't require a significant amount of upkeep, and will likely last for several decades without degrading. Unfortunately, these fencing materials are generally more expensive than real wood, and have other problems such as fading that cannot be fixed with a simple coat of new paint.

Different kinds of fencing are also better in different settings; some fences may even perform better depending on what part of the country you live in. A wrought iron fence in a very moist, rainy area is likely to rust quickly, while a vinyl fence might hold up for years without a single hitch. An ornate wood fence might provide the perfect accent in a place like Tucson, while in a place prone to high winds like the Gulf coast, that same fence might turn to money down the drain after only a few years.

Prices of Leaning Fence Repair and Replacement
Though every situation is unique, knowing the going rate for fence work may have a distinct impact on what kinds of materials you consider in the first place. ServiceMagic keeps detailed records of every job we process. According to our figures, the national average cost for fence repair is about $500 for wood fences, $175 for vinyl fences, $800 for wrought iron, and $350 for chain link. Installation runs about $3,000 for wood, $4,000 for vinyl, $2,250 for chain link, and $5,000 for wrought iron.