Wood fences in Sacramento fail in a predictable way. Winter rain soaks the ground, summer heat bakes it, and the posts rot at the soil line first. A fence that leans after a winter storm usually has one or more posts broken off just below grade, with boards and rails that are still sound. Replacing those posts and re-attaching the panels restores the fence at a fraction of the cost of a new one.

  • Rotted or broken posts replaced and set in concrete
  • Leaning sections straightened and braced
  • Damaged pickets, rails and kickboards replaced
  • Sagging gates re-hung, squared and fitted with new hardware
  • Latches, hinges and gate stops repaired

Who pays for a shared fence?

California's Good Neighbor Fence Act, Civil Code § 841, presumes that adjoining landowners benefit equally from a boundary fence and are equally responsible for the reasonable cost of maintaining or replacing it. The law asks the owner who wants the work done to give the neighbor 30 days' written notice describing the problem, the proposed fix, the estimated cost and the proposed split. A neighbor can object, and a court can adjust the shares in particular circumstances.

In practice, a written estimate and a friendly conversation settle most cases. This is general information, not legal advice.

Repair or replace?

Repair makes sense when the damage is limited to a few posts, a section of boards or a gate, and the rest of the fence is solid. Replacement is the better use of money when most of the posts are soft at the base, the rails are splitting and boards are failing along the whole run. A quick test is to push firmly on several posts along the fence: if most of them move, patching one section only postpones the job.

Why gates sag

A gate is a heavy rectangle hung from one side, and it wants to become a parallelogram. Sagging comes from a hinge post that has moved, hinges that have loosened, or a gate frame with no diagonal brace. The fix depends on which: resetting the post, upgrading the hinges, or adding a brace or an adjustable anti-sag kit.

Common fence & gate repair situations in Sacramento

  • A section leaning into the neighbor's yard after a storm
  • Posts that wobble at the ground
  • Missing or cracked boards
  • A gate that drags, sticks or will not latch
  • A dog getting out through gaps at the bottom

Fence & Gate Repair FAQs

How long should a wood fence last?

A redwood or cedar fence commonly lasts fifteen to twenty years, with posts usually the first part to fail. Pressure-treated posts, concrete footings that shed water and keeping soil and sprinklers off the boards all extend its life.

Can a handyman rebuild my whole fence?

An unlicensed handyman is limited to projects under $1,000 in total, which covers most repairs but not a full replacement of a typical yard fence. A full rebuild needs a licensed contractor, such as one holding the C-13 fencing classification.

This content is reviewed by the Sacramento CA Handyman editorial team and informed by licensed-contractor sourcing, manufacturer documentation, and established industry standards for Handyman. Read our editorial standards.