Most fence repairs cost $300 to $900 in 2026, going by national figures. Small fixes such as a board, a latch or a gate adjustment run $100 to $300. Larger ones, with several posts or a section down, run $900 to $2,500.
These price ranges are national figures that HomeGuide published for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor rates, material prices and the conditions on your lot move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
| Repair | Typical cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | $100 to $300 | One board, loose hardware, small gate adjustment |
| Standard | $300 to $900 | A panel, one or two posts, gate hinges |
| Major | $900 to $2,500 | Several posts, a fallen section, structural damage |
How much does it cost to fix a leaning fence?
It depends on how many posts have moved. The lean is in the posts, not the boards. One or two posts falls in the standard band above. If most of a run has tipped, which happens on slopes, pricing it as a new section is usually cheaper than paying post by post.
Why is my fence leaning, and can it be fixed without replacing it?
In Pittsburgh the answer is usually the hill, the water or the frost. Wet clay on a slope creeps downhill and takes shallow posts with it. Freezing lifts footings that stop short of frost depth. Wood posts rot where they meet the soil. Most of the time the fix is new posts set deeper, with the old panels hung back on them. If the ground itself is sliding, the fence is not the first thing to repair.
How much does it cost to replace a rotted fence post?
One or two posts normally lands in the $300 to $900 national band. The old post and its concrete come out, a new post goes in below frost depth and the rails are fixed back. Expect more time when the hole has to be dug by hand on a steep bank or the old footing sits in rock.
My gate sags and will not latch. Repair or replace?
Nearly always repair. The hinge post has leaned, the hinges have worn or the gate frame has racked out of square. We reset or replace the post, brace the frame and move the latch to meet it. On a sloped alley, a gate may also need to swing uphill or be re-hung to clear the ground. A new gate is only needed when the frame is rotted or bent.
How much does a contractor charge to fix a broken gate latch?
That is a minor repair, $100 to $300 on the national 2026 figures. Most companies charge a minimum for coming out. Tell us about anything else that is loose and we fix it on the same visit.
My fence posts lifted over the winter and the gate will not close. Can they be reset?
Yes. They need to be dug out and set deeper, because hammering them down does not last. This is frost heave. Water in the clay freezes, grips a shallow footing and raises it, and Pittsburgh winters freeze and thaw many times. Builders in this area commonly work to a frost depth of 36 inches. Your municipality's code office confirms the figure it uses.
My fence line goes wavy every winter. Is it the soil or a bad installation?
Usually both. Clay over shale holds water, and wet ground moves more when it freezes. On a hillside it also creeps. What the installer controls is depth and drainage. Posts that go below frost depth, with gravel at the bottom of the hole so water can leave, stay put far better. A rebuild on the same shallow holes will wave again.
A branch bent my aluminum fence. Do I need a whole new panel?
Not always. Aluminum fence built from separate rails and pickets can have the bent pieces swapped. Fence sold as welded or pre-assembled panels usually needs the whole section changed. Text us a close photo and we can tell which you have and whether the style is still made.
The only real price is one based on your own yard. The estimate is free and done on site. Call (412) 851-6524 or text us a photo of the fence line.