Fence repairs: how much does it cost, and can you do it yourself?

A well-maintained, sturdy garden fence provides a protective barrier around your property and helps to keep children and pets safely contained. If your fence is looking a little the worse for wear, it might be time for repairs or a full replacement.

Depending on your expertise, you can hire a professional from Which? Trusted Traders to help with maintenance, or tackle it yourself. If you choose the DIY route, you'll need the right tools, proper materials and an understanding of common fence problems and how to fix them.

Read on to discover how to stormproof a fence, the steps involved in repairing fence posts, plus price estimates.

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Can you put up or repair a fence yourself?

Yes, but make sure you do your research beforehand. The job needs to be completed safely and to a high standard – pick poor-quality materials or make mistakes fitting panels, and you might end up spending more money fixing the issues later on. You'll probably need a helper to hold the panels and posts in place, too.

The time it takes to put up a fence panel yourself depends on the ground conditions; most of the time is spent digging the holes for the posts. If the ground is easy to dig, two people should be able to put up eight panels in an eight-hour day, but fewer panels if the ground is harder to dig.

If you want to prevent rot, gravel boards can provide a protective barrier between the ground and your fence. Typically used with feather-edge fencing, they keep the individual boards off the ground, helping to prevent rot by avoiding contact with damp soil. Expect to spend around £8-£10 for a 1.8-metre-wide board.

Consider allowing gaps in footboards so that hedgehogs can travel between gardens.

Common fence problems and how to fix them

• Leaning fence posts – reinforce the post by digging around it and adding fresh concrete. Replace the post entirely if it’s rotten, ensuring it’s properly secured.
• Broken fence panels – reattach loose panels using screws or nails (screws usually offer a more secure hold). Replace damaged panels if they’re beyond repair, and try reinforcing the fence with additional brackets for extra stability.
• Sagging or misaligned gates – often caused by loose hinges or worn-out screws. Tighten these or replace the hinges. Make sure your gate posts are securely set in the ground.

Alternatively, if you want to hire a professional for guaranteed peace of mind, use a Which? Trusted Trader in your area.

How much do fence repairs cost?

The price of fence repairs can vary greatly depending on the level of damage, quality of materials used and whether you carry out the work yourself or hire a professional.

DIY fence repairs

A single entry-level fence panel measuring 1.8 x 1.5 metres (w x h) costs approximately £30 from B&Q, and two accompanying fence posts would cost around £40. But more premium fence panels can cost around £145, with fence posts around £70 for two.

In other words, you could expect to spend between £70 and £215 on the fence panel and posts alone – and that doesn't include the costs of additional tools (if needed), any fence brackets or concrete mix.

One of the most commonly used types of fence is the standard waney edge panel, which offers good value for money at around £30 per panel. These panels are made from overlapping horizontal timber slats, giving a traditional look. In contrast, closeboard (or feather edge) panels typically cost around £40 to £50 per panel and are known for their strength and durability. They use vertical overlapping boards and are often installed with concrete posts for added stability.

Professional fence repairs

When asked to provide a price estimate for fence repairs, Dave Bury of Silver Stag, a property services specialist and Which? Trusted Trader based in Glasgow, told us it typically costs around £150–£200 for half a day’s work.

'If a few panels have fallen off during a storm and need to be sourced and fitted, this would typically take around half a day,' says Dave. 'On the other hand, if only a few rails need reattaching, this could be charged at an hourly rate, with a minimum cost of £65 depending on location.'

Fence post repairs

Jobs involving fence post damage can be time-consuming. According to Dave, digging out two posts, sourcing and installing two new ones and fitting a new panel is, at most, a day's work for a professional.

When hiring a tradesperson, it's worth getting more than one quote (not just a cost estimate), and make sure it includes parts, labour and the disposal of the old fence.

If you're considering replacing the fence posts yourself, Dave advises that digging them in deeper is generally better for stability: 'You should dig a hole to about a quarter of the post’s full height and use around one and a half bags of Postcrete for proper support.'

The existing fence panels can be reattached, provided they’re in good condition – old, dry panels tend to break when nails are hammered in. 

To summarise, you can carry out fence post repairs yourself by following these steps:

1. Gather your tools – you'll likely need protective gloves, a shovel, post hole digger, level, measuring tape, hammer and drill (more on that below). You might also need a concrete mix, depending on whether you're replacing the post or just securing it.
2. Remove the damaged post – be careful when doing this, as you don't want to damage adjacent posts or panels. Assuming it's attached to a panel, remember to loosen any screws or nails holding the panel in place. Climbing plants you want to keep can be cut back to ground level, as they should resprout to cover the new fence.
3. Prepare a hole for the new post – use your post hole digger to help, and remember to leave space for Postcrete. Dig to about a quarter of the post’s full height.
4. Line the base of the hole – if possible, place some stones beneath the base of the post to help with drainage and prevent moisture buildup, which can cause wood rot.
5. Place the new post – keep the post straight, grab your level and make adjustments if needed.
6. Pour Postcrete and attach the panels – pour the Postcrete (typically around one and a half bags) around the post according to the instructions on the bag and, once it has set (usually within 10-20 minutes), attach your fence panels to the new post using screws or nails.

If you’re adding a trellis on top (you may need to check the legal height limit), screw it to the posts – it’s best to drill holes first to avoid splitting the wood.

When should you replace a fence entirely?

Kevin Woodward of KJW Landscapes & Driveways Ltd, a Which? Trusted Trader based in Cheshire, told us that a good-quality fence, when properly maintained, should last 15 to 20 years. But poor installation, a lack of maintenance or storm damage can shorten the life of your fence. 

If your fence is structurally unsound and potentially dangerous (for example, if the posts are rotting or the panels are leaning), it’s time to consider replacing it. Wooden fences can become discoloured, warped and covered in algae over time. Attempting to extend the life of a damaged fence panel will only lead to more frequent repairs.

You might also prefer to replace your fence if it's no longer as secure as it once was – or if holes in the panels create an eyesore for you and your neighbour.

Ultimately, if more than half of the fence is broken, replacing the whole structure will prove more cost-effective in the long run. 

Our experts have uncovered the best fence paint – discover how Cuprinol, Ronseal, Wickes and other brands compare on durability, ease of application and drying time

How to windproof or stormproof a fence

Fence panels have a large surface area, which means they can easily break or collapse in high winds. To protect your fence against extreme weather conditions, try this:

• Inspect the fence – look for (and replace) broken or loose panels, posts or nails. 
• Reinforce the base of the posts – if you spot any weak posts as you carry out your checks, use Postcrete to secure them. See our guidance on fence post repairs, above, for more details.
• Add extra bracing if needed – you might want to consider installing additional fence post brackets to keep panels attached to the posts.
• Think about the type of fence you have – lattice, trellis or slatted fencing has gaps that allow air to pass through, reducing the pressure the wind places on the fence. A large panel with no gaps will cause more strain.
• Deal with overhanging branches – in high winds, these can slam against your fence and cause damage.

If your fence runs along a boundary with your neighbours, talk to them before you or a tradesperson carries out any repairs to minimise the risk of disputes.

For more on protecting your property, see our guide on how to protect your home from a thunderstorm

Where to buy garden fencing

If you're searching for garden fencing, seeing the panels up close means you can assess their quality and durability. You’ll find a range of different fence panels at your local DIY store or builders’ merchant.

Whether you're shopping online or in-store, pay attention to the shop's returns policy. Popular online retailers that stock garden fence panels include:

• B&Q – sells fence panels from around 0.6 metres high to 2 metres. You can pick between metal, plastic, timber and wooden panels. The retailer also stocks fence posts of various sizes.
• Wickes – offers an extensive range of garden fence panels. The retailer claims one of its bestsellers is the Forest Garden Dip Treated Closeboard Fence Panel, measuring around 1.8 x 1.8 metres (w x h).
• Wilko – choose from a selection of brown, wood, black and grey fence panels. The retailer also sells fence posts, starting at around £15.
• The Range – a selection of classic fence panels and decorative trellis. It also sells privacy fence panels, which have small horizontal gaps throughout.
• B&M – stocks fence panels and posts. Expect to spend around £30 for a basic 1.8 x 1.8 metre (w x h) panel.

Find out which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our expert guide on the best furniture, homeware and DIY shops

Understanding fence boundary rules

Unfortunately, there is no definitive way to determine who owns – and is therefore responsible for – a fence that sits on a boundary.

When the deeds are unclear, your neighbour – or even the previous owner of your home – may remember who arranged the installation of the existing fences. This can provide an indication of who is responsible for them. Generally, the party who paid for the fence to be installed would be expected to take ongoing responsibility, as the fence would be considered their personal property.

If that can’t be established, it typically comes down to whose land the fence posts are on, as this usually indicates ownership. Should you and your neighbour reach an impasse, boundary disputes can be difficult and costly to resolve.

There's a dispute resolution process administered by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which can help to resolve such issues while keeping costs to a minimum. However, both you and your neighbour must be willing to engage with the process.

Which? provides legal services and advice by phone or email from our specialist legal advisers, giving tailored legal advice as often as you need

How high can my fence be?

Planning permission will be needed where the height of the fence from ground level exceeds 2 metres. There are some cases where planning permission will be needed if the fence exceeds only a metre, such as where the fence borders a highway used by vehicles.

These requirements are separate from any restrictions that may be set out in a covenant – a legal agreement tied to your property, which may limit what you can build or alter. Be sure to check for any covenants in your property deeds, as you'll need to factor these into your plans.