Check the posts
Push each post and probe the base with a screwdriver. Soft wood and wobble mean trouble.
One or two bad posts are a repair, and many are a pattern.
Posts decide the answer more than boards.
Take photos of every problem you see, and walk the whole fence with a screwdriver in hand. Photos help estimators see what you see, and the screwdriver finds rot you cannot see from a distance.
Look at the rails
Rails that sag, split or pull away from posts cause loose boards.
Rot often starts where rails meet posts.
New boards on bad rails fail quickly.
Look at where rails meet posts, because that is where many fences fail first. Rust on brackets, splits in the wood and gaps at the joints show where repairs are needed. Rails are simpler to fix than a whole fence.
Count the damage
A few missing boards or a leaning section are repairs. Widespread damage suggests replacement.
Take photos and note the number of failures.
We walk the whole fence to find them.
Count and write down the damage. A list with numbers and locations makes it easy to compare repair and replacement quotes. It also helps if you need to talk with an insurer or a neighbor.
Consider the age
Older fences may be near the end of their life even if they look fine from the street.
A repair can buy years if the structure is sound.
We give you honest advice.
If your fence is older, ask what is likely to fail next. Posts from the same installation often age at similar rates, and an honest answer helps you plan for the future.
Think about change
Replacement lets you change height, style, material and gates.
If you plan to move or the style no longer fits, replacement may be a better value.
Repair is right when the fence still suits you.
If you are thinking of changing the fence, ask for a replacement quote at the same time. Seeing both numbers makes the decision much clearer, and you can choose a repair that serves as a bridge to a future upgrade.
Get an opinion
A Free Estimate lists what we would repair and what it would cost, so you can compare with replacement.
Ask for both options in writing.
We are happy to tell you when repair is enough.
Use the estimate to ask any question you have. A good estimator will tell you what matters, what can wait and what to watch. That honest advice is worth more than a quick fix.
Fix a fence with sound posts and rails, and replace one where the structure is failing in many places.
