How to Repair or Replace a Garden Fence Panel

A practical guide to fixing a damaged fence panel or replacing a blown-down one, covering posts, fixings, gravel boards, timber treatment and when to get help.

After a storm, a leaning or broken fence panel is hard to ignore. The repair ranges from a few screws to replacing a post, and the right approach depends on what has actually failed. This guide walks through diagnosis and the main fixes.

Before you start: ownership and permission

Check who owns the fence. Title deeds or conveyancing documents sometimes show a boundary mark indicating ownership, and the old rule of "left side" or "right side" is not a legal rule. If it is a shared boundary, talk to your neighbour before work starts. Tenants should speak to their landlord. Our guide on fence panel repair costs also covers this in more detail.

Diagnose what has failed

Walk the fence line and look at each element:

  1. Panel. Split boards, broken frame, loose slats.
  2. Fixings. Rusted nails, loose clips, missing screws.
  3. Posts. Rot at ground level, snapped, leaning or loose in the ground.
  4. Gravel board. Rot or damage along the bottom.
  5. Ground. Is the soil washed away, or is there standing water at the base?

Push each post firmly. If it moves at ground level or you can see rot, replacing the panel alone will not hold.

Repair 1: Re-fix a loose panel

If the panel is sound but has come away:

  • Clean out old nails and rotten wood from the fixing points.
  • Use galvanised or coated screws, with pilot holes to avoid splitting.
  • Add fence clips or brackets to the post and frame.
  • Re-seat the panel in the post slots, if it is a slotted concrete design.

Repair 2: Replace a damaged panel

  1. Measure the gap between posts, and the height. Standard panels are commonly 6ft wide, but sizes vary.
  2. Remove old panel fixings or break out the damaged section carefully.
  3. Lift out the panel, with a helper if it is heavy or wet.
  4. Check the posts and gravel board; replace if needed.
  5. Offer up the new panel, check it is level and fix with screws or clips.
  6. Treat cut edges with preservative.

Repair 3: Replace a post

This is the most demanding repair:

  1. Remove the panels on both sides.
  2. Dig out the old concrete or loosen the post, which is hard work. A bar and shovel are standard.
  3. Place a new post in the hole, check plumb with a spirit level and brace it.
  4. Backfill with a fast-setting post mix or concrete, rodding it as you go. Do not skimp on depth: aim for roughly a third of the post length underground.
  5. Allow the concrete to set before fixing panels, typically a day or more.
  6. Re-fix panels and finish with caps.

Alternative: a post repair spur or bracket can fix a post that has rotted at the base but is otherwise sound, but it is not suitable for every situation.

Treating timber

Use an appropriate preservative or stain on new panels and cut ends. Keep the base of timber out of standing water by using gravel boards, and clear soil and plants from the bottom of the fence.

  • Check for buried pipes and cables before digging posts; see checking for pipes and cables before drilling for general principles.
  • Lift carefully. Fence panels are heavy, awkward and act like sails in a wind.
  • Be wary of high winds when handling large panels.
  • Look up planning rules if you are changing height; in general, fences next to a highway or in certain areas have lower limits.

When to call a handyman

If you have a long run to repair, a leaning post set deep in concrete or limited mobility, a handyman can do it faster and with the right equipment. Typical costs for panel replacements and posts are covered in the cost guide linked above. A handyman can also do a quick check along the whole fence for other weak spots, which is smart if you have had one failure.

On Compito, you can send photos of the fence, a rough count of panels and posts, and your postcode, then compare offers, ask questions by message, pay online when you accept and leave a review afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

Can I replace a panel without replacing the posts?

Yes, if the posts are sound. If they are rotten or leaning, a new panel will fail quickly.

How long does a fence last?

It depends on materials, exposure and maintenance. Keeping timber off wet soil and treating it regularly is the biggest factor.

What fixings should I use?

Galvanised or coated screws and brackets resist rust better than plain steel. Use ones intended for outdoor timber.

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