Your fence needs work, and you want to know what it will cost before you call anyone. Fair enough. The problem is that fence repair pricing varies wildly depending on what’s actually wrong. Replacing a few pickets costs almost nothing. Rebuilding a section with new posts is a different story entirely.
We’re Austin Fence Company, and we do fence repairs across Austin every week. We’re going to give you real numbers based on what we actually charge, not vague ranges that don’t help anyone.
Want an exact quote for your repair? Call us at (512) 900-5735 for a free estimate.
Quick Cost Reference
Here’s what common fence repairs typically cost in Austin as of January 2026:
Picket replacement (1-5 pickets): $75-150
Picket replacement (full section, 6-8 ft): $150-300
Rail replacement (per rail): $100-200
Post repair/reinforcement: $150-250 per post
Post replacement (with concrete): $250-400 per post
Leaning fence correction (per section): $200-400
Gate repair (wood): $150-350
Gate repair (iron/automated): $200-600+
Service call minimum: $75-150 (applied to labor)
These are ballpark figures. Your actual cost depends on the specifics we’ll cover below.
What Affects Fence Repair Costs
Type of damage. Surface damage like broken pickets is cheap to fix. Structural damage involving posts and rails costs more because it requires more labor and materials. A fence that’s cosmetically ugly but structurally sound is easier on your wallet than one that’s leaning or falling over.
Materials needed. Replacing cedar costs more than pine. Iron fence repairs typically cost more than wood because the materials are pricier and the work requires different skills. If we need to match an unusual style or custom-milled boards, that adds cost, too.
Accessibility. Can we get to the damaged area easily? A fence along an open backyard is straightforward. A fence squeezed between your house and your neighbor’s, with no gate access and overgrown landscaping in the way, takes longer to work on. Time is money.
Extent of damage. One broken picket is a quick fix. Twenty broken pickets across multiple sections is basically a partial fence replacement. At some point, repair costs approach replacement costs, and full replacement becomes the smarter investment.
Underlying issues. Sometimes what looks like a simple repair reveals bigger problems. We show up to fix a leaning section and discover the posts have rotted underground. Now we’re replacing posts, not just straightening them. We always tell you before doing additional work, but be prepared for the possibility.
Common Repairs: Detailed Cost Breakdown
Picket and Board Repairs
Individual pickets are the cheapest repair. If a few boards crack, warp, or are damaged, we remove them and nail on new ones. The boards themselves cost $3-8 each, depending on wood type. Labor is minimal because the work is straightforward. For a handful of pickets, you’re usually looking at under $150 total.
Replacing an entire section’s worth of pickets (typically 15-20 boards for a 6-8 foot section) runs $150-30,0 including materials and labor. This makes sense when multiple adjacent pickets are damaged or when the old wood is so weathered that new boards would look obviously mismatched.
Rail Repairs
Horizontal rails connect posts and support pickets. When they rot or break, the whole section becomes unstable. Rail replacement requires removing pickets, replacing the rail, and reattaching everything. Expect $100-200 per rail, depending on length and wood type. A typical section has two or three rails.
Post Repairs
Posts are the most expensive repair because they’re the most labor-intensive. If a post is leaning but the wood is still solid, we can sometimes reinforce it with a sister post or a metal bracket for $150-250. If the post has rotted at ground level (extremely common in Austin’s clay soil), it needs full replacement.
Post replacement means digging out the old post and concrete, setting a new post, pouring new concrete, and reattaching rails and pickets. That’s $250- $ 400 per post. If we hit rock (common in West Austin and the hills), add more for the extra drilling time.
Gate Repairs
Gates take abuse and fail more often than fence sections. Common issues include sagging (hinge wear), dragging (post shifting), and latch problems. Basic gate repairs, such as hinge replacement or latch adjustment, cost $150-250. Rebuilding a sagging gate or replacing gate posts is $300-500. Automated gate repairs involving motors or electronics can cost more than $600, depending on the issue.
When Repair Isn’t Worth It
At some point, repair costs add up to where replacement makes more sense. Here’s our rule of thumb: if repairs will cost more than 40-50% of a new fence, and your fence is already 10+ years old, consider replacement instead.
Also, think about the condition of the sections you’re not repairing. If you fix the worst part, but the rest of the fence fails next year, you’ve paid for two projects when one would have handled everything. Check out our repair vs replacement guide for more on making this decision.
About Service Call Minimums
Most fence companies (us included) have a minimum charge for repairs, typically $75-150. This covers the cost of sending a crew to your property. If your repair is tiny (literally one picket), you’ll pay the minimum rather than the actual repair cost.
This is why it sometimes makes sense to bundle small repairs. If you have a couple of minor issues around your fence, addressing them all at once is more cost-effective than three separate service calls.
Get an Accurate Quote
The numbers above are typical ranges, but your fence is specific to your situation. We provide free estimates for all repairs. We’ll assess the damage, explain what needs to be done, and give you a firm price before any work begins.
Contact us or call (512) 900-5735 for your free fence repair estimate. No surprises, no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Replacing a few broken pickets is the least expensive repair, typically $75-150, including the service call minimum. If you’re handy, this is also the easiest DIY repair, since it just involves removing damaged boards and nailing on new ones.
The minimum covers the cost of sending a crew to your location with tools and materials. Even a five-minute repair requires travel time, vehicle costs, and the time it takes to pull workers from other jobs. The minimum ensures small repairs are economically viable for us to offer.
Simple repairs, like replacing pickets, are DIY-friendly if you’re comfortable with basic tools. Post-replacement and structural repairs are more challenging and are usually best left to professionals. Getting posts plumb and properly set in concrete takes experience.
No. We provide free estimates for all fence repairs. We’ll come out, assess the damage, and provide a written quote with no obligation.
If repair costs approach 40-50% of replacement cost and your fence is already aging, replacement usually makes more sense. We’ll give you honest advice during the estimate. Sometimes we tell people to repair; sometimes we recommend replacement. It depends on your specific situation.
Insurance typically covers fence damage from covered events like storms, falling trees, or vehicle impacts. It usually doesn’t cover normal wear and tear or maintenance issues. Check with your insurance company about your specific policy.
