After storm damage or simply the passage of time, fencing often needs attention. The choice between repair and full replacement is not always obvious, but it is important — repairing a fence that is close to the end of its life creates work twice when replacement would have been cheaper long-term.
When Repair Makes Sense
If your fence is less than eight to ten years old and the damage is confined to one or two panels or a single post, repair is usually the right choice. Replacing individual panels and re-setting a post in concrete is straightforward and cost-effective.
- Fence under 10 years old: repair individual panels or posts
- Isolated damage after a storm: repair
- Good-quality original fence: worth repairing
- Structural posts still sound: replace panels only
When Replacement Is Better
If the fence is over 15 years old, if more than 30% of panels are damaged or deteriorating, or if multiple posts are leaning or rotting at the base, full replacement is nearly always more cost-effective. Piecemeal repairs on an aging fence create an ongoing cost that exceeds the price of a full replacement.
The Post Inspection
The most important check is the posts. Probe the base of each post with a screwdriver — if it penetrates more than 10mm into the timber, the post is rotting internally and will fail soon. Post failure causes panel failure, so posts in poor condition make full replacement the sensible choice.
A&T Landscapes carries out fencing repair and full replacement across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Call 07735 916029 for a fencing assessment.