What's included
We look at why the gate or fence moved before we fix it. A gate that drags because a hinge screw stripped needs a different fix than one that drags because the post is leaning.
- Sagging gates rehung, squared up or fitted with an anti-sag kit
- Hinges and latches replaced with corrosion-resistant hardware
- Loose pickets and boards refastened with exterior screws
- Rotted or broken wood boards and pickets replaced
- Loose porch and stair railings tightened and refastened
- Damaged railing boards and balusters replaced, non-structural
- Gate swing and latch tested before we leave
Common South Florida problems
Sun, rain and humidity are hard on wood fences. Boards dry out, crack and warp in the sun, then soak up water in the rainy season, and the bottoms of pickets rot where they sit near wet ground or sprinkler spray.
Hardware corrodes fast here, especially near the coast and the Intracoastal where salt air gets into hinges and latches. A rusted latch that no longer catches is a very common gate problem. We replace it with stainless or coated hardware so it lasts longer.
Gates sag over time because their weight pulls on the hinge side. Heavy wood gates and wide double gates sag the most. A diagonal brace or a turnbuckle kit usually brings them back into square.
Hurricane season can leave fences with loose or broken boards after a storm. We can replace the damaged boards and refasten the rest, as long as the posts are still solid.
How a visit works
Text us photos of the problem and a wider shot of the fence or railing. For gates, a short video of it opening and closing helps. We will tell you what we think is going on and give you a starting price.
Our tech checks the posts, hinges and fasteners, then fixes the cause. Replacement boards are cut to match the size and style of the existing ones as closely as we can. New wood will look lighter than old wood until it is stained or painted.
In homes built before 1978, we check painted surfaces for lead before we scrape, sand or cut painted fence boards or railings. If it tests positive, we refer the job to an EPA lead-safe certified firm.
If it is a pool gate, we make sure it swings shut and latches on its own before we call the job done.
What affects the price
Most single gate or small section repairs land at the starting price. More boards, more hardware or harder access add time.
- Fence or gate repair, including sag, hinge, latch or picket: starting at $179
- Time beyond the visit is $85 per hour, billed in 30-minute increments
- Boards, pickets and hardware billed at cost plus 20%
- Vinyl and aluminum fence parts may need to be ordered to match
- Painting or staining new boards is extra
- Florida's handyman exemption only covers jobs under $2,500 total, so a large fence repair gets referred out
What we don't do
We do not build new fences or replace long runs of fence, since that usually needs a permit. If posts have rotted through at the ground, or a whole run is leaning, that is more than a repair, and we'll point you to a licensed contractor or a fence company.
On railings, we tighten and replace boards, but we do not repair structural railings, balconies or the framing they attach to. If a railing moves because the structure under it is failing, we refer it out.
Tips before we arrive
Unlock any gates and let us know about dogs in the yard. If sprinklers hit the fence line, turn them off the night before so the wood is drier when we work on it.
If you have leftover boards, pickets or stain from when the fence was built, set them out. Matching the original material is the easiest way to make a repair blend in.
Questions we get about fences, gates and railings
How do you fix a sagging gate?
First we check that the hinge post is solid and the hinges are tight. Then we square the gate back up, usually with a diagonal brace or an anti-sag cable and turnbuckle. Sometimes the hinges just need new, longer screws.
How much does fence repair cost?
Fence or gate repair starts at $179. That covers a typical fix like a sagging gate, a new latch or hinge, or a few loose pickets. More boards, more hardware or extra sections add time at $85 per hour, with materials at cost plus 20%.
Can you replace a few rotted boards without replacing the fence?
Yes, as long as the posts and rails are still sound. We cut new boards to match and fasten them with exterior screws. New wood will look different until it weathers or gets stained.
Do you install new fences?
No. New fences usually need a permit, so we do not offer them. We repair existing fences, gates and railings.
My porch railing wobbles. Can you fix it?
Often, yes. Most wobbly railings have loose fasteners or a rotted board, and we can tighten or replace those. If the post or the structure under it is damaged, we will tell you it needs more than a handyman.
Where we do this most
We do fences, gates and railings across Palm Beach and Broward. These are some of the cities where we get asked for it most.