When your fencing needs repairing it can not only spoil the aesthetic appeal of your property but it could also create a potential security risk. The decision as to whether you should repair or replace depends on the extent of the damage and the type of fencing you have.
If you have metal fencing, for instance, you could use a fence fabrication to carry out repairs and bring everything back up to scratch. That would be a more cost-effective option than replacing the fencing altogether.
Here is a look at some key points to consider when you are trying to decide whether to repair or replace your fencing.
Assess the damage
A good starting point would be to calculate the extent of the damage to your fencing. There is a general rule of thumb that if at least 20% of your fence needs repairs that could be the tipping point for deciding to replace.
The thinking behind this rough calculation is that anything below that threshold means that your fence is salvageable and it would be cheaper to repair rather than replace.
Once the damage is assessed as being more extensive the case for starting over becomes more convincing.
What sort of damage has your wooden fencing suffered?
In the case of wooden fencing, you can sometimes make some straightforward DIY repairs, depending on what sort of damage has occurred.
If your fencing has been damaged by a storm, it is more likely that replacement could be the more viable option. However, if the fencing panels have suffered from an insect infestation you could do something about that if you catch it in time.
If you can remove the threat of insects and repair the holes your fence could soon look good again once you have stained or painted it to bring its appearance up to scratch.
What about repairing a metal fence?
Metal fences are more challenging to repair by yourself. The good news is that this type of fencing is more robust and resilient to damage. If damage has occurred, due to corrosion or an accident that caused structural damage, you could always consider calling in a fabricator to do the repairs for you.
It can often prove to be a better financial decision to pay for repairs rather than covering the cost of completely replacing your fencing.
Try to be proactive with your maintenance and repairs
Fence damage can often build up over a period of time unless it is caused by an isolated incident like a storm.
That means you can often spot a problem and deal with it before it gets any worse.
Aim to carry out periodic inspections of your fencing and arrange to fix minor repairs as soon as possible before they get a chance to weaken your fence beyond economical repair.
The cost of calling someone to repair and upgrade your fencing can often prove to be a better financial option than having to pay to start over with new fencing altogether.