This is the most common judgement call we make on site, and it's genuinely a numbers question, not a sentimental one. The honest answer depends on how much of the run has already failed and how it's likely to go from here.
Which should you choose?
We look at what proportion of posts move or show rot, not just what's visibly broken today — a fence with several failing posts nearby is telling you what's coming next.
As a rule of thumb we're honest about on site: once roughly a third of posts along a run need attention, the maths tends to favour replacing the whole run rather than chasing repairs bay by bay.
Targeted repair
Isolated damage on an otherwise sound, reasonably new fence
Full run replacement
Runs where a third or more of posts or panels have already failed, or the fence is towards the end of its life anyway
Full comparison
| Repair | Replace | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best when | Isolated failure, younger fence | Widespread failure, older fence |
| Consistency of appearance | Patched look possible | Uniform along the run |
| Total cost over 3-5 years if damage is widespread | Can exceed replacement | Fixed and predictable |
Repair while damage is genuinely isolated; replace once failure is spreading along the run, since repeated repairs usually cost more in the end.
Not sure if your fence is worth repairing?
We'll inspect the whole run honestly on a free site visit and tell you which option actually makes financial sense.
Frequently asked
How do you decide on site whether to repair or replace?
We check every post for movement and rot, not just the obviously damaged section, then give you the honest cost comparison for both routes.
Can you replace just the worst section and leave the rest?
Yes, and we'll tell you plainly if we think the rest is likely to need attention within a year or two so you can plan rather than be surprised.
Does replacing let me upgrade the spec at the same time?
Yes — it's the natural point to move to concrete posts, gravel boards or a stronger panel style if the original spec was the reason it failed.
Will repaired sections match the rest of the fence?
New timber is greener initially and weathers to match within a season, though colour won't be identical on day one.