Leaning posts, rotted posts, storm damage, and sagging gates — fixed properly, at repair prices, not replacement prices.
Get a Free Quote — 226-243-5179Most of the fence repair calls we get in Guelph fall into three buckets: posts that have heaved or rotted, sections knocked flat by wind, and gates that no longer close. All three are fixable — usually in a single visit — and repairing a structurally sound fence almost always costs a fraction of replacing it. The trick is knowing which repairs will actually hold, and which are throwing good money after bad. That's the assessment we bring to every repair quote, at no charge.
If your fence started leaning after a winter or two, the cause is almost certainly frost heave. Much of Guelph sits on clay-heavy soil that holds water. When that water freezes, it expands and grips the post or its concrete footing, jacking it upward a little each freeze-thaw cycle. A post set only two or three feet deep — a common shortcut on builder-grade fences in newer subdivisions — has nothing anchoring it below the frost line, so after a few winters it's sitting proud of grade and tilting.
The durable fix is not pushing the post straight and packing soil around it. We pull the post, break out the old shallow footing where necessary, re-drill the hole to roughly 4 feet — below the local frost line — and reset the post in concrete with a proper collar that sheds water. Done this way, the repaired post typically outlasts the rest of the fence.
Wood posts fail at the ground line, where moisture, soil, and oxygen meet. If you can push a screwdriver into the post at grade, the rot has already done its work and no brace, spur, or sister post will restore real strength for long. We replace rotted posts with ground-contact-rated pressure-treated lumber (UC4B), set below frost depth, and reattach your existing rails and boards. On older fences we'll also check the neighbouring posts — rot rarely stops at one — so you're not calling us back every spring.
A solid privacy fence is effectively a sail, and the wind storms that roll across Wellington County find every weak post. After a blow-down we secure the area first — especially where a fence is containing dogs or bordering a pool — then repair in order of structure: posts, rails, boards. Sections that folded because a post snapped can often be salvaged and rehung; boards that splintered get replaced and blended in. If you're claiming through insurance, we provide a written scope and photos to support the claim.
Gates fail before fences do because they're the only part that moves. Sagging usually comes from undersized hinges, a hinge post that has shifted, or a gate frame racking out of square. Depending on the cause, the fix might be a diagonal brace or anti-sag kit, new heavy-duty hinges, a re-set hinge post, or a rebuilt gate leaf on the existing posts. Most gate repairs in Guelph run $150–$400, and we'll tell you plainly when a rebuild makes more sense than another band-aid adjustment.
Here's how we advise homeowners deciding between repair and replacement:
Because we do both repairs and full installs, we have no incentive to steer you to the more expensive option — and Guelph is a small enough town that reputation matters more than any single job.
| Repair | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Post replacement (incl. footing removal, concrete) | $150–$350 per post |
| Gate repair or re-hang | $150–$400 |
| Board/panel repair | Quoted per section |
Every repair starts with a free assessment. Call 226-243-5179 or send the form below and we'll reply within one business hour.
Most fence post repairs and replacements in Guelph run $150–$350 per post, depending on access and whether the old concrete footing has to be broken out. Gate repairs typically run $150–$400. Panel and board repairs are usually quoted per section after a quick look.
Almost always frost heave. Guelph's clay-heavy soil holds moisture, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles push shallow-set posts up and out of plumb. Posts set less than 4 feet deep — below the local frost line — are the usual culprits. The fix is resetting or replacing the post at proper depth with a concrete collar.
Once rot has taken hold at or below grade, replacement is the only durable fix. Steel repair spurs and sister posts are short-term patches that usually fail within a couple of seasons. We replace the post, set it below frost depth in concrete, and reattach the existing panels.
A useful rule of thumb: if fewer than 20–25% of posts are failing and the boards and rails are sound, repair is worth it. If most posts are heaved or rotted, or the boards are grey, cupped, and splitting, a full replacement is usually cheaper over ten years. We give an honest assessment either way.
For safety issues — a fence down across a walkway, a dog yard that no longer contains — we prioritize scheduling and can often secure the area within a day or two. Full repairs typically follow within the week, subject to material availability.
Our services: Fence Installation · Vinyl Fencing · Chain-Link & Gates · 2026 Cost Guide
Areas we serve: Fergus · Elora · Rockwood · Erin · Kitchener · Cambridge