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Reviewed by Tom Reilly — Senior Editorial Reviewer — Roofing, Carpentry & General Contracting

Who to call · Carpenter

Fence leaning or sections falling over: call a carpenter — or fix it yourself

A leaning fence usually means post failure — either the posts have rotted at ground level (wood fences average 7–15 years before post rot), the concrete footings have cracked and shifted, or soil erosion has undermined the base. Wind loads during storms accelerate the failure. Repair options depend on severity: resetting individual posts in new concrete ($150–$400 per post) works when the rails and pickets are sound. If more than 30% of posts are compromised, full fence replacement ($15–$30/linear foot for wood privacy, $25–$50 for vinyl, $20–$40 for aluminum) is more cost-effective than piecemeal repair. Metal post brackets ($20–$40 each, installed into existing concrete) can rescue posts with minor base rot without digging.

Is this your problem?

Symptoms to look for

  1. 01

    One or more fence sections visibly leaning away from vertical

  2. 02

    Posts wobbly or soft at the base when pushed — wood rot at ground level

  3. 03

    Concrete footings cracked, heaved, or exposed above ground

  4. 04

    Gaps between sections where rails have pulled away from posts

  5. 05

    Entire fence swaying in moderate wind that didn't affect it before

Who to call

Carpenter

A fence contractor resets posts with an auger and sets them plumb in one visit, replaces rotted rails and pickets to match, and can rebuild a run where too many posts have failed.

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Fix it yourself

How to fix fence leaning or sections falling over

Fence leaning or sections falling over

moderate 2–6 h

Tools: post-hole digger or shovel, spirit level, string line, drill, socket set, sledgehammer, wheelbarrow · Materials: fast-setting concrete, gravel, replacement post (pressure-treated, rated for ground contact), steel post repair bracket or spike, galvanised structural screws

Steps

  1. Push each post: a post that moves at the ground has rotted or its footing has failed; a post that is solid but the panel leans has a broken rail.
  2. For a post rotted only at the base, drive a steel post-repair bracket or spike alongside the sound part and bolt it on — no digging.
  3. For a failed post, unscrew the rails, dig around the footing, and rock the old post and concrete out; a rotten post often snaps at ground level and the stub must come out.
  4. Set the new post in a hole 60–90 cm (2–3 feet) deep on 10 cm of gravel, plumb it with a level and a string line to its neighbours, and fill with fast-setting concrete crowned above grade to shed water.
  5. Let the concrete cure for a day, then refit the rails with structural screws and re-hang the pickets.
  6. Cap or seal the post tops and keep soil and mulch below the bottom of the pickets — wet wood at ground level is what rotted the last one.

Stop and call a pro if

  • more than a third of the posts are failing — replacing the fence is cheaper than piecemeal repair
  • the fence is on a boundary and the neighbour has not agreed to the work
  • there are buried services near the line — call before you dig
  • the fence is a retaining structure holding back soil

Rules in the US: Call 811 before digging; a fence over 6 feet usually needs a permit.

Rules in the Netherlands: Een erfafscheiding tot 2 m in het achtererfgebied is vergunningvrij; check de KLIC-melding voor kabels en leidingen vóór je graaft.

What a pro does that you can't

A fence contractor resets posts with an auger and sets them plumb in one visit, replaces rotted rails and pickets to match, and can rebuild a run where too many posts have failed.

DIY cost: $30–80 per post in concrete, a post and hardware

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Who should I call for: Fence leaning or sections falling over?

Call a licensed carpenter. Carpenters have the specialized training, tools, and insurance to diagnose fence leaning or sections falling over safely and stand behind the fix. Most offer free quotes and can visit the same day or the next.

Can I fix this myself?

Often, yes: the guide above has 6 steps (moderate, 2–6 h, $30–80 per post in concrete, a post and hardware). Stop and call a carpenter if more than a third of the posts are failing — replacing the fence is cheaper than piecemeal repair.

How fast can a pro come out?

Most carpenters offer same-day or next-day visits for non-emergency issues. True emergencies (burst pipes, gas smell, no heat in winter) are typically handled within 1–4 hours.

How much does it cost to fix?

Costs vary by severity and your location. Submit a free quote request to get real pricing from local pros in your area.

What are the signs of: Fence leaning or sections falling over?

One or more fence sections visibly leaning away from vertical. Posts wobbly or soft at the base when pushed — wood rot at ground level. Concrete footings cracked, heaved, or exposed above ground. Gaps between sections where rails have pulled away from posts. Entire fence swaying in moderate wind that didn't affect it before.

Who to call

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