Most fence repairs cost $300 to $900 in 2026, going by national figures. Small fixes such as a board, a latch or a hinge adjustment run $100 to $300. Large repairs with several posts or a fallen section run $900 to $2,500.
Price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026, not our own quotes. Central Valley labor, material prices and the conditions on your lot move the real number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
| Repair | Typical cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | $100 to $300 | One board, loose hardware, small gate adjustment |
| Standard | $300 to $900 | A panel, one or two posts, gate hinges |
| Major | $900 to $2,500 | Several posts, a fallen section, structural damage |
How much does it cost to fix a leaning fence?
It depends on how many posts have failed, since the posts are what hold a fence upright. One or two bad posts is a standard repair in the table. If half the posts in a run are loose or rotted, it costs less to rebuild that run in one visit than to keep coming back for single posts.
Why is my fence leaning, and can it be fixed without replacing it?
In most cases it can. Fences in Modesto lean for a short list of reasons. Posts rot at the soil line because sprinklers and winter rain keep that spot wet. Clay soil shrinks away from the footing in summer and swells in winter until the post is loose. Footings set on top of hardpan are too shallow to resist wind. If the rails and boards are still good, we set new posts and hang the existing fence back on them.
How much does it cost to replace a rotted fence post?
By the national figures, one or two posts fall in the $300 to $900 range. We dig out the old post with its concrete, set a new post deeper in new concrete that slopes away from the wood, and reattach the rails. Breaking through hardpan or working around a sprinkler line adds time.
My gate sags and will not latch. Repair or replace?
It can usually be repaired. Start at the hinge post. If that post has tipped even a little, the far end of the gate drops and the latch misses. Wood gates in this climate also dry out and rack out of square over a few summers. We reset or replace the post, square the frame with a brace or a cable kit, and reposition the latch. If the gate frame itself is cracked or rotted, a new gate is the better spend.
How much does a contractor charge to fix a broken gate latch?
A latch is a minor repair, $100 to $300 in the national 2026 figures. Most fence companies have a minimum charge for coming out, so it makes sense to have other small items done on the same trip.
My fence posts shifted over the winter and the gate will not close. Can they be reset?
Yes. Frost is not the cause here, because the ground in Modesto does not freeze to any depth. The cause is water. Winter rain softens clay and collects above hardpan, and a shallow footing loses its hold. Tamping the post straight again will not last. We pull the post and footing and set a new one deeper, through the hardpan where that is possible, with a little gravel under it for drainage.
My fence line goes wavy every winter. Is it the soil or a bad installation?
Usually some of each. Clay ground in the valley rises and falls between the wet season and the dry season, and no fence stops that. But posts set deep and at an even depth move far less than shallow ones. If the wave gets worse each year, the footings are too shallow for the soil they are in.
A branch bent my aluminum fence. Do I need a whole new panel?
Not always. Some aluminum fences are assembled from separate rails and pickets, and a bent part can be swapped. Others are welded or factory-assembled panels that are replaced as a unit. A clear photo of the damage and of a panel joint is normally enough for us to tell.
We can only give a real number after seeing the fence line. The estimate is free. Call (209) 231-7679 or text us a photo of the yard.