How to Fix a Chain Link Fence (or When to Replace It)
Torn mesh, sagging fabric, a leaning post, or a bent top rail usually runs $800 to $3,000 to repair.
Most chain link repairs run $800 to $3,000, and the price depends on the type of damage, how many feet are affected, and what the posts are set in. Re-tying loose fabric and tightening bands takes pliers. Re-stretching fabric, replacing rail and resetting posts takes fence tools and a crew.
In this guide
Chain link damage
Chain link damage can include:
- Torn or cut mesh
- Sagging fabric
- A leaning post
- A bent top rail
What you can do with pliers
Re-tie loose fabric. Loose fabric can be re-tied to the posts and the top rail with aluminum fence ties and fence pliers.
Patch a small hole. Chain link fabric is woven from separate strands, so a damaged strand unweaves and a new piece weaves in.
Tighten the hardware. Tension bands and brace bands loosen over time, and tightening them straightens small lean in the fence.
What takes fence tools
Re-stretching fabric. Chain link only works under tension, and stretching it takes a fence puller and a come-along anchored to the posts.
Replacing a section of top rail. The top rail sleeves together through the whole line, and a bent section is cut out and replaced with new rail.
Resetting or replacing a post. A leaning post is reset or replaced. A post in dirt costs less than a post in asphalt or concrete, where the surface has to be broken out or core-drilled before the post goes back in.
A cut section. New fabric is stretched and tied to the existing posts and rails.
Repair or replace
A repair runs $800 to $3,000. When the fabric is rusted through along the whole fence, or several posts are moving, we price a repair and a replacement side by side.
A new 6-foot chain link fence costs $55 to $70 a foot when it is longer than about 100 feet, and $150 to $245 a foot when it is shorter.
Getting a number
We price most chain link repairs from photos of the damage and the number of feet that need work.
FAQs
Can a chain link fence be repaired instead of replaced?
Usually. Torn mesh, leaning posts, bent rail and dragging gates are all repairable. Replacement makes more sense when the fabric or several posts are failing along the whole run.
How much does chain link fence repair cost?
$800 to $3,000.
Can you patch a hole in chain link?
Yes. The fabric is woven strands, so a damaged strand unweaves and a new piece weaves in. For a larger hole, a section of new fabric gets stretched in.
Why does my chain link fence sag?
Chain link sags when it loses tension from broken ties, a stretched tension wire, or fabric that pulled away from the rail. Re-stretching the fabric with a fence puller fixes it.
A car hit the fence. Repair or replace?
One bent post and a section of fabric is a repair. When several posts are bent, we price the repair and the replacement side by side.
Can you match my existing chain link?
Usually. Galvanized and vinyl-coated fabric come in standard heights and mesh sizes, so a rebuilt section blends with the run.
Do you repair chain link gates?
Yes. We repair the hinges, frames, latches and track on chain link gates.
Get a price on a chain link repair
Send photos of the damage and tell us roughly how many feet are damaged, and we will price the repair.
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