Fence & Gate Repair in Madison, WI
Fences in Madison take a beating from the ground up. Every winter the soil freezes deep, often several feet down in a hard cold spell, and water in the soil expands as it freezes, gripping fence posts and slowly lifting them. A post that wasn't set deep enough, or that sits in concrete shaped like a mushroom at the top, can rise a little each year until the fence leans, the rails pull loose and the gate stops lining up with its latch. Spring thaw then leaves the ground soft and wet, wood posts rot at the soil line, and summer thunderstorms with strong straight-line winds push on long runs of privacy fence like sails. Snow plowed or shoveled against a fence adds weight and moisture, and road salt from the street eats at metal fences and hardware.
We repair fences and gates of wood, vinyl, chain-link and ornamental metal. We reset heaved or leaning posts, replace rotted ones and set new posts deeper, with gravel at the bottom for drainage and concrete or compacted fill that won't trap water against the wood. Before any digging, we call Diggers Hotline so underground lines are marked. We replace broken boards, pickets and rails, re-fasten loose sections with exterior-rated screws, and rehang sagging gates with heavier hinges, anti-sag cables or braces, and new latches that line up properly. We clean up the old wood and debris and leave the yard as tidy as we found it.
What this covers
- Heaved and leaning post resetting
- Rotted post replacement with proper drainage
- Broken board, picket and rail replacement
- Sagging gate rehanging and anti-sag kits
- Gate latch, hinge and closer replacement
- Chain-link fence and gate repair
- Vinyl panel and post repair
- Storm and wind damage repairs
How a fence & gate repair visit usually goes
Walk the Fence
We look at the posts, rails, boards and gates, check for heave, rot and storm damage, and plan the repairs with you, starting with what matters most.
Mark and Dig Safely
Diggers Hotline is called before any digging so buried utilities are marked, and old posts are removed carefully without damaging the surrounding fence.
Repair and Reset
New posts are set deeper with drainage, broken boards and rails are replaced, and sections are re-fastened with exterior-rated hardware.
Hang and Adjust Gates
Gates are rehung, squared and fitted with sturdy hinges and latches, then tested to swing freely and close securely.
Snow and salt are hard on fences near the street. Along corner lots and driveways, plows and shovels pile heavy, salty snow against the fence for months, which soaks wood, rusts metal and pushes panels out of line. Chain-link fences in older neighborhoods often have rusted fittings and top rails that bent under snow load. We replace damaged sections, use galvanized or stainless hardware, and leave a little clearance at the bottom of wood fences so they can dry out. Where snow piles every year, it can make sense to adjust the layout slightly or use a more durable material for that section.
What shapes the price in Madison
The cost of a fence or gate repair depends on how much needs to be fixed and what the fence is made of. Replacing a few boards is quick. Resetting or replacing posts takes longer, especially when old concrete has to be broken out or the ground is rocky or full of roots. Gates vary from a simple hinge and latch swap to rebuilding the frame and resetting the post. Vinyl and ornamental metal parts may need to be ordered to match. Access matters too; a fence along a narrow side yard, a slope or a lot line with landscaping takes more time. Fixing several problems in one visit is the most economical approach.
Neighbors often ask
Why do my fence posts keep lifting every spring?
That's frost heave, and it's very common in southern Wisconsin. When wet soil freezes, it expands and grips the post, pushing it up a little each winter. Posts set too shallow, or set in concrete that's wider at the top than the bottom, are especially prone to it. We reset or replace those posts deeper, with a gravel base for drainage and a backfill shape that resists the frost's grip, so they stay put through future winters.
Can you fix just part of my fence, or do I need a new one?
Most fences can be repaired section by section. If the posts are solid, we can replace boards and rails as needed; if a few posts are rotted or heaved, we replace those and re-attach the sections. We'll give you an honest assessment, and if the whole fence is near the end of its life, we'll tell you that too, so you can decide whether repairs make sense.
Our gate scrapes the walk and the latch no longer catches. Is that fixable?
Yes. Gates sag when the hinge post leans, the hinges loosen, or the gate frame itself racks out of square. We check the post first, reset or brace it if needed, then tighten or replace the hinges, square the gate with a diagonal brace or anti-sag cable, and adjust or replace the latch so it closes cleanly. Wide gates and double gates may need a stronger post or a drop rod to hold them in line.
Do I need to tell my neighbor before you repair a shared fence?
It's a good idea. If the fence sits on or near the property line, giving your neighbor a heads-up before we come helps avoid surprises, and they may want to share the cost. We keep our work and materials on your side of the line as much as possible and leave both yards clean. If the fence is new or relocated, your city may have rules about height and setbacks, so check with them first.
Can you repair the fence around our pool or play area?
Yes. Pool fences and gates need to close and latch reliably, so we pay close attention to self-closing hinges and latches and make sure there are no gaps where small children could get through. For play areas, we make sure posts are solid and boards are secure, without sharp edges or protruding fasteners.
Folks pair this with
Drywall Repair
Drywall Repair →TV Mounting
TV Mounting →Furniture Assembly
Furniture Assembly →Door Repair & Adjustment
Door Repair & Adjustment →Fence & Gate Repair around Madison
Fence & Gate Repair is one of 14 jobs our Madison handyman crew handles, in Madison and in nearby communities:
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