A broken or leaning fence post is replaced by digging out the old stump and concrete, setting a new post plumb in fresh concrete, and refitting the panels either side. On this site's fencing prices, a panel with a new timber post comes to 140 to 240 pounds fitted. Most posts fail just below ground level, where timber stays wet, so a post that wobbles at the base is rarely worth propping up. Replacing it properly, ideally with a concrete post, stops the same bay failing again next winter.
Broken fence post repair: why posts fail
Timber posts rot from the outside in at the point where soil meets air. That band stays damp and has plenty of oxygen, which is ideal for decay. The post can look sound above ground while only a thin core holds it.
Wind does the rest. A fence panel acts like a sail, and once one post loosens, the load shifts to its neighbours, which is why a single soft post often turns into three.
Fence blown down: what to do first
After a storm, make the area safe before anything else. Lay loose panels flat so they cannot catch the wind again, keep children and pets away from leaning sections, and take photographs of the damage from both ends of the run in case you need them for insurance.
Then tell your neighbour, especially if the fence is theirs or shared. Agreeing who is arranging the repair at the start avoids two people booking the same job.
- Lay loose panels flat on the ground
- Photograph the whole run and each failed post
- Check whether any panels can be reused
- Speak to the neighbour about ownership and access
Leaning fence repair: reset or replace?
A post that leans but is still solid can sometimes be pulled back and re-concreted, particularly where the original concrete was shallow. A post that is soft at ground level, split, or snapped needs replacing. Bracing a rotten post with a spur or metal repair spike buys time but rarely lasts more than a season or two.
How a post is replaced
The panels either side are lifted out, the old post and its concrete are broken out, and the hole is cleaned and deepened if needed. The new post is set plumb and in line with the run, concreted, and left to firm up before the panels go back. Adding a gravel board at the same time keeps the bottom of the panel out of the soil.
Timber or concrete posts
Concrete posts cost more per post but do not rot, which is why they are the best long term value on an exposed run. They take slotted panels and concrete gravel boards, so a damaged panel can later be lifted out and replaced without disturbing the post at all. The fence repair cost guide on this site sets out panel and post prices side by side.
Typical costs
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panel and timber post | 140 to 240 pounds fitted | Includes digging out and concreting in |
| Concrete post upgrade | Priced per post | Best long term value on an exposed run |
| Gravel board added | 25 to 50 pounds per bay | Keeps panel timber clear of wet soil |
From the site's fence pricing. Access and the condition of the old concrete affect the final figure.