Find an iron fence professional near Washington, DC

You can find the best fence installer in Washington, D.C. through an online search. Begin by viewing the pros’ ratings and customer reviews. Top Pro badges are also a plus, as they indicate consistently high ratings. Also, look for reviews that include photos of the pro’s work. 

Be sure that the pro you end up hiring has credentials. For example, you can visit the Board of Industrial Trades website to verify a license. The final step is to compare quotes and estimates from several pros to make your decision.

The average cost of fence repairs is around $250, with most homeowners paying anywhere between $200 and $300. Fence repairs have a wide range of potential costs, however, ranging from $50 to as much as $1,443. The cost of your fence repair project depends on multiple factors, including where you live, what type of repair you need, the terrain and the fence materials used.

Contact several fence repair professionals near you to get an accurate cost estimate for your fence.

Gates can be more expensive to fix than other parts of a fence, and there are several reasons for this. The first is that gates are the only moving parts on a fence — hence they have more components that can wear out, as well as friction and the potential for rusting and sagging. Fixing a gate may require a total replacement or simply replacing certain components like hinges. Sometimes, the repair may involve fixing the surrounding fence.

Contact several gate repair professionals near you to get an accurate cost estimate for your gate.

A gate can sag for a number of reasons. One common reason is that the screws holding the hinges in the wood or other post material have come loose, causing gravity to pull the fence down. Another common problem is the gate post’s lack of stability. Posts can become loose and start to lean, or if they are wooden, they can even rot at the point where they meet the ground.

Fence repair is better for common problems that only affect small areas, such as a broken picket or a shifting fence post. However, there is a rule of thumb to follow: If the repair project requires replacing 20% or more of your fence, it’s probably time to replace the whole fence. The exception to this rule is if the fence is fairly new and just part of it is damaged. 

The most common fence repairs are aimed at fixing:

• Missing boards or slats. This is a common problem with wood fences.
• Fence material corrosion. This occurs on metal fences like chain link and iron.
• A sagging gate. This could result from a tilting fence post or loose hinges.
• Post movement. Typically, this is caused by frost, corrosion or water.
• Stains. Moisture and other elements can stain fencing, which may require a professional to remove it.
• Warping. Warped, curled, cupped or bent boards are unsightly and less effective and need to be replaced.

If you notice any of the above issues with your fence, reach out to fence repair professionals near you to start getting cost estimates and schedule an appointment.

Fencing contractors are the best choice when you want to have a fence installed on your property. While there are several types of professionals who can likely handle this service — including handymen, landscapers and general contractors — a fencing contractor has the experience to know what could cause potential problems in the long run. This might include wet spots, vegetation or other issues with the land. 

When choosing a professional to install a fence on your property, make sure they have credentials and experience.

Adding a gate to your fence can be a practical way to provide access to a yard, work area or outdoor living space while ensuring safety and privacy. Gate installation costs will vary based on the gate material you select, the size of your gate, whether you install a fence at the same time, and any special features you’d like to add. Standard opening size for a single-wide gate is 4 feet; a double-wide gate is 8 feet. A small gate may be for decoration; a double-wide gate can be mounted on a rolling caster system to allow access for cars or wide loads. Here are some examples of average fence gate installation costs:

• 4-foot, single-swing chain-link gate: $100 for materials and installation costs.
• 28-foot wheeled chain-link gate on a caster system: $800-$1,000 for materials and installation costs.
• 4-foot, single-swing wood gate: $75.
• 8-foot double-wide wood gate: $150.
• 4-foot white vinyl walk-through gate: $300–$400 for materials and installation costs.
• 8-foot, double-wide white vinyl gate: about $800 for materials and installation costs.
• White vinyl gate fence more than 8 feet wide: $1,200-$1,500 for materials and installation.
• Arched black powder-coated aluminum pool gates: $175-$200 per gate.

Welding is a method of fusing together two or more pieces of metal using electricity or flame. Welding is used to construct buildings, make metal sculptures, build and repair cars, make gates and furniture, and for many other practical and aesthetic uses. There are multiple types of welding. Here is an overview of the most popular methods:

• Stick welding: Formally known as shielded metal arc welding, stick welding uses extreme heat applied at the seam of two separate metals to melt them together. A third (intermediary) metal may also be incorporated for added strength. As the metals cool, they are bonded together.
• Metal inert gas (MIG) welding: Formally known as gas metal arc welding, MIG welding uses a tool to feed metal wire into the weld puddle while an electrical arc melts the wire, which will fuse to the base metal upon cooling.
• Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding: Formally referred to gas tungsten arc welding, TIG welding is a similar process MIG welding, but instead of using a tool that continuously feeds metal wire into the weld puddle, the welder must hold and manually feed the stick.
• Gas welding: A mix of flammable gas and oxygen is used to heat metal to the melting point.
• Forge welding: Forging metal is an ancient art that involves heating two pieces of metal until they are molten, then hammering them together.

If you think your gate needs reinforcement, hire a fence repair professional in your area. Squaring up a fence gate may require adding corner brackets, installing a cable and turnbuckle, and cinching and tightening the cable to the appropriate tension. All of these repairs, as well as digging a new post hole, require expertise and know-how.