Cost to Repair a Chain Link Fence [2024 Data]
Normal range: $292 - $798
The average U.S. homeowner spends about $536 to repair a chain link fence. Depending on the size of the repair, costs can fall between $292 and $798.
If you've noticed gaps, sagging, or rust in your chain link fence, the average cost to repair a chain link fence is $536. While homeowners are paying anywhere from $130 to $798 on average for common repairs, the range goes from $130 to $1,500. Repairing chain link costs $18 per square foot for patching and $8 to $20 per linear foot for rail work.
- Average
- $536
- Low end
- $130
- high end
- $1,500
Common Chain Link Fence Repair Costs
The cost to repair a chain-link fence can vary widely depending on the type of damage or wear and tear it has sustained. In some cases, the only way to preserve a fence is to replace a portion that is connected to other parts that can be salvaged.
Damage Type
The first step in estimating chain link fence repair cost is assessing the type of repair needed. From there, the tools, replacement parts, and amount of labor needed to get the shape fully operational again can be added up to determine a price.
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Post | $140—$400 |
| Holes | $75—$250 |
| Sagging | $75—$200 |
| Leaning | $300—$600 |
| Bending | $300—$550 |
| Rust | $75—$185 |
Repair Type
Depending on how your fence was damaged, compromised areas will either need to be patched, fortified, or replaced.
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Chain link fabric | $75—$600 |
| Chain link gate | $120—$400 |
| Top rail | $120—$185 |
| Fence post | $144—$400 |
Height
The 50-foot rolls of wire mesh used to fill in chain link fences can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $7 per linear foot, with thicknesses ranging from 9-gauge to 11.5-gauge.
| Fence Height | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 4’—6’ | $70—$200 |
| 6’—8’ | $75—$400 |
| 9’—12’ | $84—$600 |
Labor
If you're wondering who to hire to build a fence, labor costs for chain link fence repair can cost $15 per hour on average when hiring a handyman. Most fencing installation companies also offer repair services. You can expect a local chain link repair expert near you to charge $8 to $20 per linear foot or $25 to $50 per hour.
Prep
If the area around the fence needs to be cleared in order to access the work area, a homeowner may be charged for branch cutting or debris removal. Additionally, pros may charge prep costs if they need to cover or protect trees, bushes, flowers, or landscaping located next to the work area.
In some cases, a local fence pro may also need to obtain a special permit if they will be making enchantments or changes to your fence as part of the repair process. Generally, the cost for a fence permit ranges from $25 to $95.
Cost of Common Chain Link Fence Add-Ons
If you'd like to make changes to your chain link fence while you have a local fencing pro at your home, consider asking about some add-on work that homeowners often use to make these types of fences more functional for your needs.
Increasing Fence Length
When repairs are needed, this can be a good time to alter the fence's height. Generally, homeowners will pay between $19 and $30 per linear foot to increase a chain link fence's height by two inches.
Relocating a Portion of the Fence
If you need to relocate a portion of your fence, the cost to change post locations and add new rail and mesh cloth for most types of chain link fences is around $10 to $22 per linear foot.
Extending the Fence
In most cases, the cost to extend an existing chain link fence is equal to the cost to install a new fence. With materials and installation included, homeowners can expect to pay $8 to $40 per linear foot to connect a new portion of a fence to an existing fence.
Adding Privacy
While chain link fences create strong physical barriers, they lack the privacy of wood and vinyl fences. If you'd like to create a visual barrier without paying a full privacy fence cost, consider adding a fabric screen for privacy. Made of lightweight material with heavy-duty and weather-resistant qualities that allow air to pass through, a fence fabric screen costs around $1 per linear foot.
If you want something a little more substantial, privacy slats for chain-link fences can last many more seasons compared to fabric screens. On average, homeowners pay $4 to $18 per linear foot on top of the regular chain-link fence cost to have privacy slats professionally installed on existing chain-link fences.
Adding Security
While updating a chain link fence, it may be time to consider different types of security gates that can be connected to your existing fence. Sliding gates, cantilever gates, and swing gates are popular options when securing driveways.
DIY Chain Link Fence Repair vs. Hiring a Pro
If you need to repair small holes or tears in the mesh fabric of your chain link fence, this is something that an experienced DIYer who knows how to wield pliers can do. However, be prepared for the tedious work needed to carefully fix the rigid, tension-filled materials that go into a chain link fence. In addition, DIYers tackling chain link fence repairs will need to assemble their own tools and materials to get the job done. Prepare for several trips to the hardware store to pick up posts, rails, ties, and rolls of mesh fabric. Even homeowners who choose to tackle this project should still have the finished result inspected by a fencing pro to make sure that the fence is secure, safe, and compliant with all local codes for fences.
Ways You Can Save Money When Repairing a Chain Link Fence
If you'd like to save on extra labor costs when hiring a pro to fix a broken or compromised chain link fence, you can try to check off prep work and disposal on your own using these tips:
Prune or remove any overgrowth near the fence that your fencing pro will need to take care of in order to access the work area ahead of time.
Arrange for someone who collects scrap metal to come to collect your leftover materials instead of paying a fencing pro for hauling and disposal.
If a full panel of mesh fabric is beyond repair, remove it ahead of time yourself.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you're repairing a sagging or falling fence, a concrete base can strengthen the fence against burrowing animals, erosion, high winds, and more. Having a concrete reinforcement slab installed with a chain link fence can cost $4 to $10 per square foot.
When comparing fixing minor holes to replacing full sections or components of chain link fence, pricing ranges from just $100 to $200 to more than $500. Reinstalling full sections of chain link fence can cost $1,000 to $2,000 for the average fence. Generally, any chain link fence that's 20 years old or older should be evaluated by a fencing pro to see if paying the average fence installation cost now can save you money in repairs before an inevitable replacement.