Most fence repairs follow a storm: a panel blown out, a post snapped at ground level, or a whole run leaning where the posts have rotted. A repair is usually quicker and cheaper than a new fence, as long as the rest of the run is sound.
We don't carry out repairs ourselves. You tell us what's wrong and send photos, we show an indicative range, and we pass your enquiry to one local fencing specialist who covers your postcode. They confirm a fixed price, usually from the photos.
What we can help with
- Panels. Blown-out, split or rotten overlap and closeboard panels replaced with a matching size.
- Posts. Rotten or snapped timber posts dug out and replaced, either like for like or with concrete posts.
- Leaning runs. A section pushed over by wind or soil pressure, re-set or re-posted.
- Gravel boards. Rotten timber boards at the base replaced, often with concrete boards that sit in the soil without decaying.
- Featheredge. Loose or split boards and broken arris rails on closeboard fences.
What it costs
Prices are supply and fit, waste included, and indicative for the West Midlands.
| Repair | Each |
|---|---|
| Replacement panel | £90–£140 |
| Replacement post | £120–£180 |
Repairs have a £400 minimum, because the crew, van and materials run cost the same whether one panel or three goes in. As a guide:
| Job size | Panels only | Posts only |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 items | £400 (minimum) | £400 (minimum) |
| 3–5 items | about £400–£560 | about £480–£720 |
| 6 or more | about £630–£980 | about £840–£1,260 |
A mix of panels and posts sits between the two columns. Replacing posts costs more than panels because the old post and its concrete have to be dug out. See the fence cost per metre guide for how repair costs compare with a full replacement.
What affects the price
- Posts set in concrete. Breaking out an old concrete footing takes time. Sometimes a new post is set alongside instead, if the line allows.
- Matching. Standard 6ft by 6ft panels are easy to find. Odd sizes, older featheredge profiles or a specific finish may need cutting or making up.
- Height. Lower fences use smaller panels and cost a little less. Anything over 2m needs a site visit.
- Access. Panels carried through a house or a long way from the road add about 15–20%.
- Your neighbour's side. If the crew needs to work from next door, that needs to be agreed before they arrive.
Repair or replace?
A repair makes sense when the damage is local and the rest of the run is sound: posts firm at ground level, panels not soft or split along the rails. Push each post near the bottom. If several move, or the timber is soft when you press a screwdriver into it, more will fail at the next storm.
As a rule of thumb, once you are looking at posts on more than a third of the run, a replacement is often better value. A new fence of 1.8m overlap panels is £60–£90 per metre fitted, and concrete posts add about £10 per metre. The specialist will tell you honestly if a repair is false economy. See new fences for the full price range.
Storm damage and insurance
Some home insurance policies cover fences damaged in a storm, many don't, and most exclude fences that were already in poor condition. Check your policy wording before the work starts, photograph the damage, and ask the specialist for an itemised quote if you plan to claim. If a fallen section is blocking a path or leaning into a road, make it safe or ask for an urgent visit on the form.
Whose fence is it?
Before repairing a boundary fence, check it is yours. If it belongs to your neighbour, it is their decision, although many people agree to share the cost. Our guide to who owns the fence explains how to read the title plan.
What to photograph for a quote
Good photos mean a closer price, and a shorter visit to measure up. How to measure.
- The whole fence line or area, end to end, standing back as far as you can
- From above if you can: an upstairs window shows the size and levels best
- The way in from the road: the drive, side gate, steps and where a lorry could park
Where we cover
We pass repair enquiries to specialists in Sutton Coldfield, North Birmingham, Solihull, South Birmingham, Edgbaston and Harborne, Lichfield and Tamworth, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Stourbridge and Coventry.
Questions about fence repairs
How quickly can a blown-out panel be replaced?
After a named storm, specialists are busy and the wait can be a week or two. In calmer weeks, a small repair is often done within a few days. Choose the urgent option on the form if the gap leaves a dog or child unsecured.
Can you replace a timber post with a concrete one?
Yes, and it is a common upgrade. A concrete post needs a panel that fits its grooves, so the neighbouring panels may need trimming or replacing too.
Why does the whole run lean?
Usually the posts have rotted just below the soil line, where wet and dry meet. Soil piled against the fence, or climbing plants catching the wind, make it worse. Re-posting the run fixes it.
Can I just replace the gravel boards?
Yes. Rotten timber gravel boards can be swapped for concrete ones, which keeps the panels off the wet soil and adds years to them.
Will the new panels match the old ones?
They will match in size, but new timber is paler than weathered timber. It evens out in a season or two, or the specialist can treat the run to match.