▶ Prefer to watch? The full breakdown is in the video above.
Your fence is leaning, a few boards are rotting, and you're facing the classic homeowner dilemma: patch it up, or tear it out and start fresh? Choosing wrong can cost you thousands either way. Here's how to make the call that actually saves money.
It comes down to the posts
The instinct is to repair — it feels cheaper. And often it is. But repairing a fence near the end of its life is just delaying an inevitable, bigger bill. The deciding factor isn't the damage you can see on the surface; it's the condition of the posts.
Pickets and rails are inexpensive and easy to replace. Posts are what hold the entire fence upright — and replacing them means digging, concrete, and significant labour. So the posts decide the smart-money answer.
When repair makes sense
If the posts are still solid and plumb, and you're dealing with a few cracked boards, a sagging gate, or one damaged section, repair is the obvious choice. Section repairs typically run $150–$400 each — far cheaper than a full replacement.
When replacement makes sense
If the posts are rotting at the base, leaning, or wobbly — especially in multiple spots — replacement is the smarter spend. Once several posts are failing, you're already paying for digging and re-setting, and a patched fence on old posts will keep failing section by section, spring after spring. Note that full replacement also adds old-fence removal at roughly $3–$10 per linear foot.
The quick age test
If your fence is past 15–20 years old and the posts are failing, replacement is almost always the better dollar. Younger than that with solid posts? Repair.
Some contractors quote a full replacement when a repair would do, simply because it's a bigger ticket. The honest test: ask them to show you the posts. If a post wiggles by hand or shows rot at the base, replacement is fair. If the posts are rock-solid and they're still pushing a full tear-out, get a second opinion.
Get an honest assessment
The fastest way to know which camp you're in is to have a vetted pro look at your posts. Get a free, no-obligation assessment from a trusted local contractor.
Repair or replace — find out for free
Connect with a vetted local fence pro for an honest, no-pressure assessment of your fence.
Get my free quote →The figures in this guide are based on typical 2026 Ontario pricing and are intended as general estimates, not quotes. Your actual cost depends on the condition, length, and material of your fence and your chosen contractor. Always get an on-site assessment.