Most fence repair calls in Minneapolis trace back to winter. Frost works on posts that were set too shallow, lifting them a little each year until a section leans or a gate stops latching. Snow piled against panels by plows and shovels adds weight, and the spring thaw leaves the base of wood posts wet for weeks. We start by checking each post for movement and rot at grade, because a panel problem is often a post problem underneath.
On older city lots, repairs come with tight access. Alleys, detached garages and neighboring fences leave little room for equipment, so much of the work is done by hand. We replace failed posts with new ones set below frost depth, swap broken rails and pickets, re-hang and re-brace gates, and re-stretch chain link fabric. Where one material is no longer made in the same profile, we tell you up front how close the match will be.
A repair has to follow the same city rules as a new fence. In Minneapolis that means the repaired section still has to meet the height limit for its yard and use a permitted material. Chain link with privacy slats, for example, is on the city's prohibited list, so we will not re-slat an old fence. If more than a few posts have failed, we will tell you plainly whether repair or replacement makes more sense for that run.
Fence repair in Minneapolis: common questions
Why does my fence lean more every spring?
Posts that do not reach below the frost line get lifted as the ground freezes and do not settle back straight. Each winter adds a little more. The lasting fix is to reset the post deeper with proper drainage, not to brace or shim the panel above it.
Can you repair a fence in winter?
Panel, picket, rail and gate hardware repairs can be done in cold weather. Post replacement is harder once the ground is frozen, so for a leaning line we may secure it for the season and reset the posts after the thaw.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit, measure and talk through options.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with material choices side by side.
- Permits & planning: We check local rules and help with permits before we dig.
- Install & clean-up: Our crew installs, cleans up and walks the finished fence with you.