Iron Fence Repair or Replacement: How to Tell
Getting quotes? Before you pay to tear a fence out, it is worth knowing whether the metal is actually finished.
★★★★★
“I had 13 posts rotted through and a few other bad areas. Scott fixed them all and I am so happy with their workmanship. My neighbour two doors down used them too.”
Traci E. · verified customer comment
★★★★★
“Our 20-year-old iron fence around the backyard was rescued and restored by their welding and paint. Professionally accomplished, with attention to detail.”
David W. M. · verified customer comment
★★★★★
“Repaired and restored the fence and gate at my home today. Prompt, professional and thorough, and the quality exceeded my very picky expectations.”
LS J. · verified customer comment
★★★★★
“Reinforced my panels to make my fence flush and replaced the rusted rings at the top. I would refer them to anyone needing this service done.”
Johnny R. · verified customer comment
★★★★★
“We used them for our fence surrounding about half an acre. They did a great job, fixed our gates, and it looks brand new. And for a reasonable price.”
Erin M. B. · verified customer comment
★★★★★
“Our 39-panel HOA fence was repaired, refurbished and repainted. It looks great, and the cost was reasonable and approved by the board.”
Kenneth S., Prosper · verified customer comment
Everyone repairs iron. Almost nobody does it every day.
There are good fence companies all over Dallas–Fort Worth, and plenty of them are skilled builders. Repair and restoration is the part they fit in between installs. For us it is the whole job, every day, and has been for over seven years.
That difference shows up in the quote. Somebody who installs for a living looks at an old fence and sees something past its best. Somebody who restores for a living looks at the same fence and sees which pickets are still sound, which four feet of bottom rail has to come out, and what it takes to put it right. Same fence, two very different numbers.
Most people who call us were not planning a project. They have been handed a number they were not expecting, for work they did not think they needed. Saving people that money, on a fence they already own, is the reason this business exists.
And when a fence genuinely does need replacing, we build those too. Spending every day repairing iron teaches you exactly what fails and why, which is worth having in whoever builds your next one.
Signs your iron fence can be repaired
These are all normal repair work, whatever a replacement quote says.
Surface rust
Rust you can scrape and still find solid metal under. Cleans up and seals.
Rust through in places
Failed sections are cut out and new metal welded in. The rest of the fence stays.
Leaning or lifted posts
Clay soil moves footings. Posts get pulled, reset and brought back to line.
Gates that drag or will not latch
Almost always hinges, frames or a post that moved. Rarely a reason for new ironwork.
Flaking or chalky paint
A finish problem, not a metal problem. Preparation and a hand-painted finish fixes it.
Missing or damaged sections
Matching panels, pickets and finials can be fabricated to match the original.
When replacement really is the answer
Sometimes it is, and we will say so. If the structure is gone rather than damaged, if a fence was built so poorly that correcting it costs more than starting again, or if you simply want a different style, replacement makes sense. What is rare is a sound ornamental iron fence that genuinely has to come out because of rust. Older iron in particular was made better than most of what would replace it.
What to ask whoever quotes you
Four questions that tell you quickly whether a quote is about your fence or about their crew.
- "Is the metal sound underneath the rust, or has it gone through?"
- "Can the failed sections be cut out and new metal welded in?"
- "Do you weld and fabricate in house, or do you only install?"
- "What will it cost to repair it compared with replacing it?"
What a repair quote from us looks like
We come out
Free estimate. We walk the whole run and look at the metal, not just the paint.
We tell you straight
If it only needs preparation and a finish, that is what we quote. If it is beyond saving, we say so.
Clear pricing
Repair generally costs a fraction of replacement. You see the number before anything starts.
The work
Rust cut out, new metal welded in, posts reset, gates squared, painted by hand.
Walkthrough
We walk the fence with you and work every gate before we leave.
Add one repair quote to your pile
If every company so far has told you to tear it out, it costs nothing to get one more opinion from people who only do iron repair and restoration. Free estimate, across Dallas–Fort Worth.
Repair or replace: common questions
How do I know if my wrought iron fence can be repaired?
The test is whether there is sound metal to weld to. Surface rust, rust through in spots, leaning posts, dragging gates and failed paint are all repairable. A fence is only truly finished when the structure itself is gone, which is rare on ornamental iron.
Is repairing an iron fence cheaper than replacing it?
Generally by a wide margin. Repair uses the ironwork you already own and fixes what failed. Replacement pays for all new material, removal and disposal of the old fence, and new footings.
Why did three companies tell me to replace it?
Because most fence companies install rather than restore. Replacement is what they sell and what their crews are set up for. It is worth getting one quote from somebody whose trade is repair before deciding.
Will a repaired fence look patched?
Not if the finish is carried across the whole run rather than spotted on one panel. That is how we do it, so a repaired section blends into the rest.
My fence is over fifty years old. Is it worth saving?
Usually more worth saving than a new one is worth buying. Older ornamental iron was heavier and better made than most modern replacements, and the detailing is often impossible to buy off a shelf now.
What if part of my fence is missing entirely?
We fabricate matching sections, pickets and finials so the replacement part matches the original pattern rather than standing out.
How long does a repair take compared with a replacement?
Most repairs take one to three days. A replacement means removal, disposal, new footings and curing time, so it is usually a longer disruption.
Do you charge for the assessment?
No. The estimate is free, and there is no pressure attached to it. If the fence does not need work yet, we will tell you that.
Can you repair a fence another company installed badly?
Yes, and it is common work. Posts set shallow, welds that cracked early and gates that never hung right are all correctable.
What areas do you cover?
The whole Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including Rockwall, Heath, Rowlett, Dallas, Lucas, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Allen, Wylie and Fort Worth.
Other fence companies say they repair iron too. What is the difference?
Mostly how often they do it. A good installer builds new fences every day and repairs iron occasionally, between jobs. We restore old iron every day and have for over seven years. When repair is the side service, replacement tends to be the recommendation. When it is the whole trade, you get told exactly which parts of your fence are still good.
Do you install new fences as well?
We can, and sometimes a fence genuinely needs replacing. But it is not what we are set up around. Restoring old ironwork so people do not have to buy a new fence is the main thing we do, and it is what we are best at.
What our customers say
Comments left by real customers on our Facebook page.
“I had 13 posts rotted through and a few other bad areas. Scott fixed them all and I am so happy with their workmanship. My neighbour two doors down used them too.”
Traci E.
“Our 39-panel HOA fence was repaired, refurbished and repainted. It looks great, and the total cost was reasonable and approved by the HOA board.”
Kenneth S. · Prosper, TX
“Our 20-year-old iron fence around the backyard was rescued and restored by their welding and paint. Professionally accomplished, with attention to detail.”
David W. M.
“Repaired and restored the fence and gate at my home today. Prompt, professional and thorough, and the quality exceeded my very picky expectations.”
LS J.
“Reinforced my panels to make my fence flush and replaced rusted rings at the top. I would refer them to anyone needing this service done.”
Johnny R.
“We used them for our fence surrounding about half an acre. They did a great job, fixed our gates, and it looks brand new. And for a reasonable price.”
Erin M. B.
“It is good to have a fence that is no longer rust coloured, and now looks and operates the way it was intended to.”
Mark W.
“We just had Miguel and Jason do our fence today. We are extremely happy with the end product. They both went beyond our expectations.”
Jami M.
“They did a fantastic job on our fence across our back yard. Absolutely recommend this company.”
Betty C.
“They did a great job on my metal fence. Highly recommend.”
Michael M.
“These guys are great. Do not replace, renew.”
Mike Y.
“I was very happy with my fence that was just done.”
Carolyn S.
“Just had ours done. Looks great.”
Rosemary W.
“We need more contractors like this, instead of trying to sell a new fence. They can be easily restored like this.”
Tom N.