Fence Repair in Fort Collins
Most fence problems are one or two posts, not the fence. Replacing a failed post is far cheaper than a new run, and it is usually what a fence contractor will quote you out of.
Nearly every fence I look at has the same problem, and it is not the fence.
It is the posts
A fence leans because a post has failed, and a post fails at ground level where it sits wet against soil and concrete. The buried section rots or the freeze and thaw cycle heaves it, and the rails and pickets above are usually still perfectly sound.
This matters commercially. A fencing contractor looking at a leaning run will often quote a replacement, because replacement is the job they are set up to do. Replacing two posts and re-securing the rails costs a small fraction of that and gets you another decade.
I will tell you honestly if a fence is genuinely finished. Plenty are not.
Gates
A dragging gate is the second most common call. It is either a sagged gate frame, which pulls diagonally out of square under its own weight, or a gate post that has moved.
Both are fixable, but only one fix lasts. Re-hanging without bracing the frame gets you a gate that drags again within a year. An anti-sag cable and turnbuckle across the frame holds it square permanently, and it costs almost nothing to include.
Call 811 before anything gets dug
Any post hole needs a utility locate first. In Colorado it is a free call to 811, it is legally required, and it takes a few working days. Make the call as soon as you decide you want the work done rather than the morning of.
I will not dig a post hole without it. Hitting a gas or fibre line is somebody’s very bad day and it is entirely avoidable.
Stain is the cheap insurance
Northern Colorado is hard on exposed timber. UV at this altitude is intense, the air is dry, and the temperature swings are large. Untreated fence timber greys, checks and then starts holding water in the cracks.
Staining every two to three years is the single cheapest thing you can do to delay every other repair on this page. If I am already replacing posts, doing the stain in the same visit is a sensible pairing, and the same is true for a deck if you have one.
What is included
- Diagnosing whether the problem is the post, the rails or the pickets. It is normally the post.
- Replacing failed posts and setting them properly in concrete.
- Re-securing or replacing rails that have pulled away.
- Picket replacement, matched as closely as the available stock allows.
- Re-hanging sagging gates, including anti-sag bracing so it does not come back.
- Gate hardware, latches and drop rods.
- Staining and sealing, which is what decides how long the rest of it lasts.
What it costs
| Job | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replace a failed post, each | $150 to $240 | Includes concrete. Utility locate required first |
| Picket replacement, each | $18 | Plus the minimum call-out for the visit |
| Re-hang and brace a sagging gate | $125 to $210 | Anti-sag kit included |
| Rail re-secured or replaced | $45 to $110 | Per rail |
| Stain and seal | $340 to $640 | Half to full day depending on run length |
Full rates, block pricing and the minimum call-out are on the pricing page.
Before any post hole is dug, utilities have to be located. In Colorado that is a free call to 811 and it is required, not optional. I will not dig without it, and I will tell you when to make the call so the wait does not hold up the job.
What I do not do here
- Full fence replacement, which is a fencing contractor job.
- Anything on a disputed boundary. Sort the line with your neighbour first.
- Fences requiring a permit, or work in an easement.
- Locating buried utilities. Any post hole needs a utility locate first.
- Retaining walls, even where a fence sits on top of one.
Who to call instead: a fencing contractor for a full replacement, and 811 for a utility locate before anything is dug.
The full list is on what I do not do.
How it works
- Send a photo. Text or email a picture. Most jobs get priced without a site visit.
- Get a flat price. Written and fixed before I start.
- I show up and finish. On the day I said, parts in the truck, swept up after.
Why a solo operator
The same person quotes the job, does the job and cleans up after it. There is no call centre, no dispatcher and no rotating crew who have not seen your house. The price you were given is the price, because the person who quoted it is the person holding the tools.
Related work
Fence repair questions
My fence is leaning. Do I need a whole new fence?
Very unlikely. A leaning fence is nearly always one or two posts that have rotted at ground level or heaved. The pickets and rails are usually fine. Replacing the failed posts costs a fraction of a new run, and a fencing contractor quoting you for a full replacement is quoting for the job they prefer to do.
Why do posts fail at ground level?
Because that is where wood sits wet against soil and concrete. Freeze and thaw cycles here are hard on that junction. The top of the post can look perfect while the section at grade has gone soft, which is why a fence can lean with no visible damage.
Can you fix a gate that drags?
Yes, and it usually stays fixed. A dragging gate is a sagged frame or a post that has moved. It gets squared, braced with an anti-sag kit, and re-hung. Without the bracing it comes back within a year.
Do I need to call 811 first?
Yes, for anything that involves digging a post hole. It is free, it is required in Colorado, and it takes a few days, so make the call as soon as you know you want the work done. I will not dig without a locate.
How often should a fence be stained?
Every two to three years in this climate. Altitude UV and dry air are hard on exposed timber, and staining is by far the cheapest thing you can do to delay everything else on this page.