How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Chain Link Fence?

Cost to Repair Chain-Link Fence

Labor Rate to Repair

Labor rates depend heavily on who you get to do the job, your location and the extent of the repairs needed. Because it is relatively easy for any skilled professional to repair a chain-link fence, labor costs should only be for a few hours of work.

• Handyman: $15-$25 per hour.

• Professional: $25 to $50 per hour or $8 to $20 per linear foot.

Chain-Link Fence Scrap Removal Prices

Removal runs $3 to $5 per linear foot. Most professionals will haul it away for you. If you intend to do dispose of it yourself, check with your local scrap yard for pricing. Also note:

• They won’t take posts with concrete on them.

• Some won’t take fencing at all since it clogs the shredder.

How Much Is a Roll of Chain-Link Fence

A roll of wire mesh fabric runs anywhere from $1.50 to $7 per linear foot for most 9- or 11.5-gauge residential mesh. Depending on gauge and hole size, 50-foot long rolls run:

• 4- to 6-foot tall: $70-$350

• 7- to 12-feet tall: $150-$600

Chain-Link Fence Post Repair Price

Expect to pay $140 to $400 per post depending on the extent of the damage, depth of the post and if an entire section requires replacement. This includes all labor and materials.

Vinyl Chain-Link Fence Repair

Repairing vinyl-coated chain-link runs $250 to $450 on average. Materials are typically twice as much, so repairing a 10-foot vinyl section might run $20 to $100 more than repairing 10-feet of galvanized or aluminized mesh.

Cost to Repair vs. Replace

Repairing small holes can cost as little as $100 while replacing entire sections runs upward of $400 or more. Consider a new install where major damage affects large sections. Chain-link fence installation costs from $1,100 to $2,800 on average.

Follow these guidelines when considering replacement vs. repairing:

• Consider replacement when damage exceeds $1,500.

• If your fence is 20 years old or older, it will likely suffer further damage from age and rust.

• Get an inspection from a qualified fence professional for any hidden damage, like subsurface rust or weak spots. Paying slightly more for a new install might save you money in future repairs.

• Get a quote from multiple professionals for both replacement and repairs.

Cost Factors to Consider

The size of the job determines cost.

• It’s cheaper to repair a sagging post than a completely damaged section.

• The cost to repair ultimately come down to amount of materials and labor hours.

• Any trees, brush or landscaping barriers may require removal before repairs. This can run another $75 to $650 and requires a separate tree removal pro or landscaping contractor.

Reasons for Repair

Common problems include damage to the posts and mesh from a variety of sources. Luckily, a professional can fix almost any problem. Damage happens for multiple reasons:

• Severe weather

• Falling trees

• Tree and brush overgrowth

• Strong winds

• Traffic collisions.

• Rust and corrosion.

How to Fix a Sagging Fence

It usually only takes a shovel, concrete and struts to fix sagging. Occasionally, you’ll need to replace the post if it’s suffered damage. A handyman will follow these steps:

1. Identify the damaged or sagging area.

2. Dig around the post.

3. Pour in the concrete.

4. The post gets placed into the concrete and the struts hold it in place.

How to Fix Severe Damage or Rust

If there is severe damage or rust, large portions require replacement. Typically, this means any full section between posts where damage has occurred. Repair rails and posts first, then the mesh. A professional follows this general process:

1. Cut and remove the rail with a hacksaw.

2. Remove the post cap, brace bands and tension bands.

3. Stretch the undamaged chain-link over the nearest post.

4. Connect the mesh to the posts with ties or interweave it with already installed mesh.

5. Check to make sure the caps and bands are in the proper position.

6. Tighten the bolts connecting the rails and mesh to the post.

7. Connect the tension bands and reconnect the vertical brace band to the rail.

How Do You Repair A Hole In A Chain-Link Fence?

If the hole is small, you can use ties to sew the mesh back together. Alternately, you can use a new strand to weave the rip back together. For larger holes refer to the next section.

How to Fix the Mesh

If there is only a small portion of the chain-link mesh with damage or rust, the repair is much easier.

1. Attach a fence puller to the two nearest posts and tighten.

2. Remove the tension bar.

3. Cut out all the damaged mesh.

4. Cut a section of new mesh to fill the hole,

5. Weave the pieces together using pliers or attach it with ties.

6. The tension bar is reattached and tightened before adding wire tie supports.

DIY vs. Hiring a Fencing Repair Pro

Repairing small holes and tears makes a great project for the experienced DIYer. But a professional does it faster and usually for only $100 to $200 more than it would cost you. Even if you plan to go it alone, it’s best to have a complete inspection by a fence installation professional near you.

Chain-link fences are a great way to keep pets and children in the yard at a reasonable cost. They don’t block views and they let the breeze float through your property. Vinyl-coated and wood framed types look great almost anywhere.

How Much Is A Chain-Link Fence Repair Kit?

Since the type of damage and fixes are many, there is no single chain-link fence repair kit. You’ll need to build your own. Besides materials like posts, rails, mesh and ties, you’ll need a few basic tools, including:

• Hack saw

• Pliers

• Bolt cutters

• Shovel

• Fence-puller to add tension.

All these tools cost less than $200 combined. If you’re an avid do-it-yourselfer, it’s a good investment for small repairs.

Have you had your chain-link fence repaired? Let us know about it in the comments below.