Most fence repairs cost $300 to $900 in 2026, going by national figures. Small work, such as a board, a latch or a gate adjustment, is $100 to $300. Large work, such as several posts or a section lying flat, is $900 to $2,500.
These price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor rates, material prices and what we find in your yard move the number. Last checked October 2026.
| Repair | Typical cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | $100 to $300 | A board or two, loose hardware, a gate adjustment |
| Standard | $300 to $900 | One panel, one or two posts, new hinges |
| Major | $900 to $2,500 | Several posts, a section down, damage to the frame |
How much does it cost to fix a leaning fence?
The answer follows the number of bad posts. Posts hold a fence up, so a lean with one or two loose posts falls in the standard row above. If every post along a side has let go, we price that side as a new run. It works out cheaper than replacing posts one at a time over several visits.
Why is my fence leaning, and can it be fixed without replacing it?
In Chicago the reason is nearly always below the surface. The clay stays wet, wood rots where the post meets the soil, and steel rusts at the same point, helped by salt. Frost then pushes on any footing that is too shallow. Wind between buildings finishes the job. When the boards or mesh are still sound we keep them and change only the posts.
How much does it cost to replace a rotted fence post?
By the national figures, one or two posts is a $300 to $900 job. The work is to break out the old post and concrete, dig to 42 inches, set the new post and fasten the rails again. A post tight against a garage wall or with a root beside it takes longer.
My gate sags and will not latch. Repair or replace?
Repair it first. Nearly every sagging gate comes down to a hinge post that has shifted, worn hinges or a frame that is no longer square. We reset the post, brace the frame corner to corner and move the latch to meet the catch. A gate is replaced only if the frame itself is rotten or bent.
How much does a contractor charge to fix a broken gate latch?
A latch is in the minor row, $100 to $300 on national 2026 figures. Most fence companies charge a minimum to come out. Make a list of other small faults, such as a loose board or a dragging gate, and have them all done on the same visit.
My fence posts lifted over the winter and the gate will not close. Can they be reset?
Yes, and the fix is to go deeper. This is frost heave. Wet clay freezes, grips the side of a shallow footing and raises it. Hammering the post back down does not last. The Chicago Building Code sets footings at least 42 inches below final grade for frost. We pull the post with its footing and set it again at that depth.
My fence line goes wavy every winter. Is it the soil or a bad installation?
The soil causes it and the installation allows it. Chicago clay holds water and heaves hard. A post that reaches below the frost line in a clean, straight hole does not move in the same ground. So the cure is in the posts. A fence rebuilt on short posts will wave again in a year or two.
A branch bent my aluminum fence. Do I need a whole new panel?
It depends on how the fence was made. Some aluminum systems are assembled on site from loose rails and pickets, and we can swap the bent pieces. Others arrive as welded or riveted panels, and then the section between two posts is changed. Text us a picture and we can normally tell you which.
The real price comes from a free visit and a written quote. Call (773) 741-0364 or text us a photo of the fence line.