Not every damaged fence needs to be replaced. A few leaning posts, a storm-damaged section, a gate that will not latch — these are repair jobs, and a good repair can add years to a fence's life for a fraction of replacement cost. We do honest repair work: we will tell you when a fix makes sense and when you would be throwing money at a fence that is done.
Southern Maryland weather keeps us busy with repairs. Summer thunderstorms snap posts and flatten sections, winter freeze-thaw heaves posts out of our clay soil, and humid years rot the boards that were already vulnerable. Here is what we fix and how we decide between repair and "replacement".
Storm Damage
The most common repair call we get. A summer storm with strong gusts hits a privacy fence like a sail — sections go over, posts snap at grade, panels scatter across the yard. We handle the full cleanup: removing downed sections, resetting or replacing posts in proper concrete footings, and rebuilding the run to match.
If the damage is limited to a section or two and the rest of the fence is sound, repair is almost always the right call. If the storm exposed widespread rot or every post is loose, that is a different conversation — see below.
Leaning Posts
The classic Charles County problem. Clay soil holds water, winter freezes it, spring thaws it, and each cycle loosens the post a little more. Posts set without concrete — or in too little concrete — start to lean within a few years.
A leaning post can sometimes be straightened and re-set, but honestly, a post that has been wobbling in a loose hole often needs full replacement: pull it, dig the hole deeper, and set a new post in a proper concrete footing below the frost line. We fix the cause, not just the symptom, so the lean does not come back next winter.
Rotted Boards and Sections
Wood fences rot from the bottom up — boards near the soil, posts at grade, rails that trap moisture. If the rot is limited to pickets or a rail or two, we replace the damaged boards with matching lumber and the fence looks new again. If posts are rotted at grade across long runs, you are usually looking at replacement rather than repair — resetting rotted posts is polishing a problem.
We will show you exactly what we find: which boards are solid, which are soft, and where the line is between "worth fixing" and "time to replace." No pressure either way.
Sagging and Broken Gates
Gates take the most abuse of any fence part. We rebuild sagging wood gates with proper bracing, reset leaning gate posts in deeper concrete, and upgrade undersized hinges and latches. Most gate problems are very fixable — a gate rebuild is one of the best-value repairs there is. Details on our "gate page".
What We Do Not Repair
Honesty matters here. We will recommend "replacement" instead of repair when: posts are rotted at grade across most of the fence, the fence is leaning along its whole length (a systemic footing failure), repair costs approach half the cost of new, or the materials are at end of life (an old fence with widespread decay). Patching a failing fence buys months; replacing it buys decades. We will give you both numbers so you can decide with real information.
Matching Existing Fences
Repair work has to blend in. We match board dimensions, style, and as closely as possible, stain color. New wood looks brighter than weathered wood at first — that is unavoidable — but it weathers in within a season or two. For vinyl and aluminum, we match manufacturer profiles and colors; keeping your original paperwork (brand and color) makes this much easier.
What Repairs Cost
Every project differs, but repairs are priced by the work involved: a few replaced pickets is a small job; resetting multiple posts in new concrete footings is a bigger one. As a rule of thumb, if a repair quote reaches about half the cost of a new fence, replacement usually makes more sense. See our "cost guide" for planning figures, and "request a free estimate" — we will assess the damage and give you honest repair-vs-replace numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fix just one leaning section?
Yes — if the rest of the fence is sound. We will check the neighboring posts too, because a lean rarely happens in isolation. If the whole run is going, we will tell you.
My fence blew over in a storm. Is it covered by insurance?
Sometimes — storm damage to fences is often covered under homeowners policies, though deductibles and exclusions vary. We can document the damage with photos and a written assessment to support your claim. Check with your insurer.
How fast can you come out for storm damage?
We prioritize storm calls — a downed fence is a security and pet-containment problem, not just cosmetic. "Request a free estimate" and mention storm damage so we can triage it.
Will the repair match my existing fence?
We match materials, dimensions, and style as closely as possible. New wood will look fresher than weathered wood initially but blends within a season or two.
Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old wood fence?
It depends on its condition. If the posts are still solid and the damage is limited, yes. If posts are rotted and the fence is near end of life, your money is better spent on "replacement". We will give you a straight assessment.
How do I get started?
"Request your free estimate" — describe the damage, and we will come look, tell you what it needs, and price it in writing.