Brentwood & East Contra Costa
Fence Post Repair & Replacement
Almost every leaning or fallen fence comes down to the posts. Replace the bad ones correctly and the rest of the fence can usually be saved.
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How to tell a post is going
- Push firmly on each post at waist height. More than a little movement is a red flag.
- Look at the base. Dark, soft, or crumbling wood at soil level is rot.
- Press a screwdriver into the post right at the ground. If it sinks in, the post is done.
- Sight along the top of the fence. Dips and leans line up with the bad posts.
Why posts fail at the ground line
Wood rots fastest in the few inches just above and below the soil, where it stays damp but still gets air. A concrete footing poured flat or cupped on top makes it worse: rain collects against the post and sits there. Much of East Contra Costa has clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, which loosens footings over the years. Add a solid 6-foot fence catching the wind, and a weak post eventually gives, usually on a stormy night.
Three ways to fix a bad post
New wood post
The old post and footing come out, a new pressure-treated post goes in fresh concrete, and the top of the concrete is sloped so water runs off. This is the standard repair and matches the rest of a wood fence.
Galvanized steel post
Steel doesn't rot. Wood rails bolt to it with brackets, and from your side it hides behind the boards. It costs more per post, so most people use it only where wood keeps failing: next to a sprinkler, at the end of a long run, or near the water in Discovery Bay.
Repair bracket on the old post
A steel spike or bracket is driven beside the broken post and bolted to it. Quicker and cheaper, and reasonable when the post is sound above ground and only the base is weak. Not the right fix for a post that's rotten higher up or a fence near the end of its life.
What fence post repair usually costs
Post work is priced per post. National guides list wood post replacement at roughly $120–$350 (Angi) and damaged-post repairs at $250–$600 (HomeGuide) per post. Removing old concrete, tight side-yard access, and steel posts push the number up.
Every job is different, and the estimate is free. Full breakdown: fence repair costs in Brentwood.
One post, or all of them?
If one or two posts failed for a specific reason (a sprinkler, a tree root, a car backing into it), replace just those. If the fence is 15+ years old and several posts are soft, expect more to follow, and it's usually cheaper to do them in one visit than to pay a service call every winter. See repair or replace.
Before any digging
Underground utility lines can run along fence lines. California requires calling 811 before digging so lines get marked. A contractor handles this as part of the job.
Fence Post Repair: common questions
Can a post be replaced without replacing the fence?
Yes. The boards and rails are detached from the old post, a new post is set, and the section is reattached. It's one of the most common fence repairs.
How long do wood fence posts last?
It depends on soil, drainage, and the wood. Posts that stay wet at the base fail sooner. Many fences in the area are at the age where posts start going, which is why this is the most common repair.
Are steel posts better than wood?
They don't rot and hold up well in wet or clay soil, but cost more up front. Many homeowners use them only for posts that have failed more than once.
What's the fastest temporary fix for a broken post?
Brace the section with a 2x4 staked into the ground at an angle, or screw it to a sturdy neighboring post, until it can be properly repaired.
Related fence repairs
Leaning Fence Repair
Find out why the fence is leaning, then straighten and reset it before it falls.
Wood Fence Repair
Replace broken pickets, split rails, and rotted kickboards without replacing the whole fence.
Storm & Wind Damage Fence Repair
Fence fell or broke in wind or rain? Get the yard secured and the damage fixed.
Talk to a local fence pro
Fence down, leaning, or falling apart?
Call now or send a 30-second request. You'll be connected with a local fence contractor for a free estimate.