Fence repair · Des Moines & Polk County
Fence Repair in Des Moines: Leaning Posts, Storm Damage, and Repair vs. Replace
National cost guides put most fence repairs between $100–$300 for a few boards or loose hardware and $300–$900 for a panel or one or two posts (read October 2026; no Des Moines company publishes repair prices); a single damaged post runs $250–$600. Here's how to tell which kind of repair you have, what central Iowa's freeze-thaw does to posts, and when replacement is the better money.
Published October 26, 2026 · Figures and rules checked against the sources listed at the end of this page.
What kind of repair do you have?
- Loose or broken boards, hardware Minor: $100–$300. Doable year-round.
- A leaning section $200–$800. Usually a post problem — heave, rot or a broken footing.
- Damaged posts $250–$600 per post. Needs digging, so it waits for thawed ground.
- Storm or wind damage Broken or missing sections $200–$1,000; a fallen fence $300–$1,500.
- Rot $300–$1,200. Rot at ground level on several posts is a replacement signal.
- A sagging or dragging gate Often hinges, a sagged frame or a heaved hinge post — part of a standard repair.
Repair cost per foot, by material
| Fence type | Repair, per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Chain link | $10–$20 |
| Wood | $20–$35 |
| Aluminum | $20–$50 |
| Vinyl | $25–$45 |
Frost heave: the central Iowa fence problem
Freeze-thaw cycles move soil, and soil moves posts. A post that has lifted or tilted over a winter usually shows up in spring as a leaning section, a gap at the bottom of a panel, or a gate that no longer latches. Pushing it back rarely holds; the post generally has to be reset or replaced. When you get repair quotes, ask how each contractor resets heaved posts and how deep the new setting goes — and compare those answers along with the price.
We don't publish a required post depth for Des Moines: we have not yet read the City's building-code amendment that sets frost depth, and we won't quote a number we haven't verified.
Repair or replace?
- Repair when the posts are sound and the damage is a few boards, a panel, hardware or a gate.
- Replace when several posts are rotted or heaved, the fence is near the end of its life anyway, or the repair quote is approaching new-fence money — replacement runs $30–$80 per linear foot nationally including tear-out.
- Either way, if you're changing the height or replacing long runs, check the City's permit rules first.
Insurance and storm claims
If a storm or a fallen tree took the fence down, photograph it before anything is cleared and ask your insurer whether your policy covers fences and what documentation it wants. Coverage varies by policy; we don't assume either way.
Sources and dates
Every figure and rule above names where it came from and the date it was read. If a source disagrees with a quote you receive, the quote wins — it reflects your yard, your fence line, and this season's demand. Prices are rechecked at least every six months.
- HomeGuide, "How Much Does Fence Repair Cost? (2026)" — read October 26, 2026
- HomeGuide, "How Much Does Fence Installation Cost? (2026)" — read October 26, 2026. Replacement per-foot range.
- City of Des Moines, Residential Fence FAQ (Permit & Development Center) — read October 26, 2026