# A+ Fence Repair & Installation > Locally owned fence repair and installation in Lubbock, TX since 1997. Cedar on metal posts, chain-link, gates, staining and wind damage repair. Open 7 days. Free in-town estimates. Call (806) 535-5351. ## Business - Owner: Blake Williams - Locally owned in Lubbock, TX since June 1997 - Phone: (806) 535-5351 - Email: fencerepairlubbock@gmail.com - Address: 5607 County Rd 6170, Lubbock, TX 79415 - Hours: Open 7 days a week, 7:30 AM to 8 PM - Materials: cedar pickets (never pine pickets) on metal posts for wood fences; chain-link galvanized or black vinyl - Free in-town estimates; no fencing job is too small - Current offer: Mention our website when you book and save 5% (up to $200). Repairs only. - Service area: Lubbock, Abernathy, Andrews, Brownfield, Buffalo Springs, Crosbyton, Floydada, Hale Center, Idalou, Lamesa, Levelland, Littlefield, Lockney, Lorenzo, Muleshoe, New Deal, Plainview, Post, Ralls, Ransom Canyon, Seminole, Shallowater, Slaton, Snyder, Tahoka, Tulia, Wolfforth and rural West Texas ## Services ### Fence Repair (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-repair) A broken fence does not protect much. A section that leans in the wind, a run of loose pickets or a gate that drags on the ground is an open door for dogs to get out and for other animals to get in. A+ Fence Repair and Installation has repaired wood and chain link fences around Lubbock since 1997, and no fencing job is too small, one post, a handful of pickets or a single gate is worth a call. Most repairs start with the same question: is the damage local, or is the whole line tired? We look at the posts first, because a fence is only as straight as what holds it up. If the posts and rails are sound, we repair what is broken and leave the rest alone. If the line is failing everywhere, we tell you that too, and price a replacement so you can compare the two. Why Lubbock fences break where they do: Lubbock fences take a lot of wind. A solid wood privacy fence works like a sail, and a gust that hits it broadside puts its full load on the posts. That is why so many South Plains repairs begin at the base of a post: a post that has worked loose in the ground, rotted at the soil line or snapped in a storm lets a whole panel lean with it. Sun and dry air are the other half of the story. Unsealed wood dries, cups and splits, and the nails and screws that hold pickets to the rails work loose over time. Catching that early, re-fastening, replacing a few boards and sealing the fence, costs far less than waiting for a section to fall over. Signs your fence needs a repair: - A section leans out of line or rocks when you push on it - Posts are loose at the ground, cracked or rotted at the soil line - Pickets are split, missing or pulling away from the rails - A gate sags, drags on the ground or will not latch - Chain link fabric is bent, torn or pulled away from the posts - Wind or storm damage after a front blows through #### Wood Fence Repair (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-repair/wood-fence-repair) Wood fence repair means fixing the part of the fence that failed, a loose or broken post, split pickets, a sagging rail or a gate that drags, so the line stands straight again without replacing the whole fence. A+ Fence Repair and Installation repairs wood fences across Lubbock and gives free in-town estimates. Wood fences fail in a few predictable places. Pickets split and pull off the rails as the wood dries. Rails crack or come loose where they meet the posts. Posts rot at the soil line or work loose in the ground after years of wind, and once a post goes, the panels on either side lean with it. We start every repair by checking the posts, because straightening a section on a bad post only lasts until the next windy day. Once we know what failed, we fix that: resetting or replacing posts, replacing broken rails, swapping out bad pickets and re-fastening loose ones. Where we can, we match the existing boards so the repair blends in with the rest of the fence. Gates get special attention, a sagging wood gate usually needs its hinges reset, its frame squared or its post replaced, not just a new latch. Call for wood fence repair when: - A section leans or moves when you push it - Pickets are missing, split or hanging loose - A rail has cracked or pulled away from the post - A post is rotted or broken at the ground - The gate sags, drags or will not latch Q: Is my fence worth repairing, or should I replace it? A: If most of the posts are solid and the damage is limited to a few sections, some pickets or a gate, repair is usually the better value. If posts are failing all along the line, or the wood is rotted and splitting everywhere, replacement often makes more sense. We look at the fence in person and tell you which way we would go. Q: Do you take small fence repair jobs? A: Yes. No fencing job is too small. Replacing a few pickets, resetting one post or fixing a sagging gate is exactly the kind of work we do in Lubbock every week. Q: Do you charge for a repair estimate? A: No. Estimates inside Lubbock are free. Call us or send the request form and we will set up a time to look at the fence. #### Wind and Storm Damage Repair (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-repair/storm-damage-fence-repair) Storm damage fence repair gets a downed or leaning fence back up after high wind, hail or a falling tree. A strong South Plains front can lay a privacy fence flat in minutes; we repair wood and chain link fences around Lubbock after storms, and we are open 7 days a week. This company started with a storm. Our founder started A+ Fence Repair and Installation after a storm swept through his neighborhood and damaged three fences nearby. Wind is still the most common reason Lubbock fences come down: a solid wood fence catches the full force of a gust, and the load ends up on the posts. When a post snaps or pulls out of the ground, entire panels fall with it. After a storm, the first goal is to make the yard secure again, especially if you have dogs that need to go outside. Then we sort out what can be saved. Panels that are intact can often be stood back up on new or reset posts; broken pickets and rails get replaced. If the fence was already near the end of its life, we will tell you, and price both a repair and a replacement so you can decide. Call after a storm when: - Wind has laid down one or more sections of fence - Posts snapped or pulled out of the ground - A tree or limb fell across the fence - Hail split pickets or dented chain link - Your dogs cannot safely go outside until the fence is back up Q: Is my fence worth repairing, or should I replace it? A: If most of the posts are solid and the damage is limited to a few sections, some pickets or a gate, repair is usually the better value. If posts are failing all along the line, or the wood is rotted and splitting everywhere, replacement often makes more sense. We look at the fence in person and tell you which way we would go. Q: Do you take small fence repair jobs? A: Yes. No fencing job is too small. Replacing a few pickets, resetting one post or fixing a sagging gate is exactly the kind of work we do in Lubbock every week. Q: Do you charge for a repair estimate? A: No. Estimates inside Lubbock are free. Call us or send the request form and we will set up a time to look at the fence. #### Chain Link Fence Repair (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-repair/chain-link-fence-repair) Chain link fence repair restores bent or torn fabric, damaged top rail, missing ties and leaning posts so the fence keeps pets and people where they belong. We repair residential chain link fences throughout Lubbock, from a single damaged section to a long run. Chain link is tough, but it is not indestructible. A vehicle, a falling limb or a strong storm can bend the top rail, pull the fabric loose from its ties or knock posts out of line. Dogs that dig or push can open a gap along the bottom. Once the fabric loses its tension, the whole run starts to sag and the fence stops doing its job. Repairs usually mean straightening or replacing bent top rail, replacing damaged sections of fabric, re-stretching and re-tying the mesh, and resetting posts that have shifted. Chain link gates get the same care: we adjust or replace hinges and latches so the gate swings freely and closes the way it should. Call for chain link repair when: - The fabric is torn, bent or pushed out at the bottom - The top rail is bent or has separated - Posts lean or are loose in the ground - Ties are missing and the mesh is sagging - A chain link gate will not close or latch Q: Is my fence worth repairing, or should I replace it? A: If most of the posts are solid and the damage is limited to a few sections, some pickets or a gate, repair is usually the better value. If posts are failing all along the line, or the wood is rotted and splitting everywhere, replacement often makes more sense. We look at the fence in person and tell you which way we would go. Q: Do you take small fence repair jobs? A: Yes. No fencing job is too small. Replacing a few pickets, resetting one post or fixing a sagging gate is exactly the kind of work we do in Lubbock every week. Q: Do you charge for a repair estimate? A: No. Estimates inside Lubbock are free. Call us or send the request form and we will set up a time to look at the fence. ### Fence Installation (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-installation) A+ Fence Repair and Installation builds new wood and chain link fences from scratch, on site, for Lubbock homes and properties. Instead of bolting together prefabricated panels, the crew sets each post and builds the fence to the lot, following the grade, squaring the corners and putting the gates where you actually walk. A new fence is mostly decided before the first hole is dug: where the line runs, how tall it stands, where the gates go and what it is built from. We walk the property with you during the free in-town estimate, measure the run and give you a quote before any work starts, so there are no surprises when the job is done. Building a fence for South Plains wind: On the South Plains a fence has to stand up to wind before anything else. Post depth, post spacing and how the rails are fastened matter more here than in calmer places, because a tall privacy fence catches every gust that comes across the yard. We build with that in mind, and we would rather spend extra time on the posts than come back for a leaning section next spring. Wood privacy fences are the most common back-yard request we get, they give privacy and a break from the wind. Chain link is the practical choice when you want to keep pets and kids in, see through the fence and keep upkeep low. Either way, a new wood fence should be sealed once it is up, and we can stain it as part of the same job. When a new fence makes sense: - You moved into a home with no fence, or one that does not cover the yard - You need to keep dogs or kids safely in the yard - You want privacy or a windbreak along the back property line - Your current fence is failing along the whole line - You are adding a gate, a dog run or a new section to an existing fence - You want to switch from chain link to wood privacy, or the other way around #### Cedar Fencing (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-installation/wood-fence-installation) Wood fence installation is building a new wood fence, posts, rails, pickets and gates, along your property line. A+ Fence Repair and Installation builds wood fences from scratch on site for Lubbock homes, starting with a free in-town estimate and a quote before work begins. Wood is the most popular fence in Lubbock back yards because it does two jobs at once: privacy and a break from the wind. We build each fence on site rather than installing prefabricated panels, which lets us follow the grade of the yard, square the corners and place gates where you actually walk. Posts go in first, then rails, then pickets, so the fence goes up straight and stays that way. During the estimate we measure the run, talk through height, gate locations and picket style, and look for anything that affects the build, such as an old fence that has to come out or a slope along the line. Once the fence is up, we recommend sealing it with an oil-based stain so the new wood is protected from the start. A new wood fence makes sense when: - You need privacy or a windbreak along the back yard - Your yard has no fence, or only part of one - You want a new gate or a wider gate for equipment - Your old wood fence is beyond repair - You want a fence built to your lot instead of stock panels Q: What kinds of fences do you install? A: We install wood fences and chain link fences, including gates. If you are not sure which suits your yard, we will talk through both during the free in-town estimate. Q: Do you build fences from scratch or use prefabricated panels? A: We build them on site. Building from scratch lets us follow the grade and corners of the lot and set the posts where they need to be, instead of forcing standard panels to fit. Q: Should a new wood fence be stained? A: We recommend it. We use an oil-based stain after a fence is installed so the wood is sealed against water. It keeps the fence looking better and helps the boards last longer in the sun. #### Wood Privacy Fences and Styles (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-installation/privacy-fence-styles) #### Gate Installation and Repair (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-installation/gate-installation-and-repair) #### Fence Replacement (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-installation/fence-replacement) Fence replacement means tearing out a fence that has reached the end of its life and building a new one in its place. When posts are failing along the whole line, replacement usually costs less over time than repeated repairs. We replace wood and chain link fences in Lubbock. Not every fence should be repaired. When most of the posts are loose or rotted, the rails are cracking and the pickets are grey and splitting everywhere, a repair only buys a little time. We will tell you honestly when we think a fence is past that point, and when it is not. Plenty of fences that look rough just need a few posts and a coat of stain. A replacement starts with removing the old fence and posts, then building the new fence on site along the same line or a new one. It is also a chance to change what you have: a taller privacy fence, a wider gate, or a switch between chain link and wood. Like every job, it starts with a free in-town estimate and a quote. Replacement is worth pricing when: - Posts are failing all along the fence line - The fence has been repaired many times and keeps leaning - Wood is rotted, grey and splitting throughout - You want a different height, material or layout - A storm took out most of the fence Q: What kinds of fences do you install? A: We install wood fences and chain link fences, including gates. If you are not sure which suits your yard, we will talk through both during the free in-town estimate. Q: Do you build fences from scratch or use prefabricated panels? A: We build them on site. Building from scratch lets us follow the grade and corners of the lot and set the posts where they need to be, instead of forcing standard panels to fit. Q: Should a new wood fence be stained? A: We recommend it. We use an oil-based stain after a fence is installed so the wood is sealed against water. It keeps the fence looking better and helps the boards last longer in the sun. #### Chain-Link Fencing (https://aplusfencerepair.com/fence-installation/chain-link-fence-installation) Chain link fence installation encloses a yard, dog run or property line with a strong, see-through fence that needs very little upkeep. We install chain link fences and gates for homes and properties in Lubbock, with a free in-town estimate before any work starts. Chain link makes sense when you want to keep pets and kids in without blocking the view, or when you need to fence a long run without the cost and upkeep of wood. A chain link fence is built on a frame of posts and top rail, with the fabric stretched tight and tied off so it does not sag over time. We help you lay out the line, the gates and the corners during the estimate. Gates are where a chain link fence gets the most use, so we size and hang them carefully so they swing and latch the way they should. If you are weighing chain link against wood, we will give you an honest comparison for your yard and your budget. Chain link is a good fit when: - You want to keep dogs in without blocking the view - You need to enclose a long property line economically - You want a fence that needs very little maintenance - You need a dog run or a fenced side yard - Your existing chain link is beyond repair Q: What kinds of fences do you install? A: We install wood fences and chain link fences, including gates. If you are not sure which suits your yard, we will talk through both during the free in-town estimate. Q: Do you build fences from scratch or use prefabricated panels? A: We build them on site. Building from scratch lets us follow the grade and corners of the lot and set the posts where they need to be, instead of forcing standard panels to fit. Q: Should a new wood fence be stained? A: We recommend it. We use an oil-based stain after a fence is installed so the wood is sealed against water. It keeps the fence looking better and helps the boards last longer in the sun. ### Fence Staining and Weather Treatment (https://aplusfencerepair.com/weather-treatment-and-stain-finish) Bare wood does not last long under a West Texas sun. Within a season or two an unsealed fence starts to grey, dry out and split. A+ Fence Repair and Installation seals fences with an oil-based stain that soaks into the wood so it sheds water instead of absorbing it, protecting the money you put into the fence in the first place. We stain new fences after they are installed, re-stain older fences that have faded and treat pergolas the same way. As one Lubbock customer put it in a Google review, keeping your fence and pergola treated and stained is “the ticket to them lasting a long time (plus looking great).” What sun, wind and rain do to bare wood: Sun, wind-blown dust and the occasional hard rain all work on a wood fence here. Ultraviolet light breaks down the surface fibers, which is what turns new boards grey. Water that soaks into dry wood makes it swell, then shrink again as it dries, until boards cup and fasteners loosen. A good oil-based stain slows both. Timing matters too. A fence should be clean and dry before it is stained, and a new fence is best sealed soon after it is built. During the estimate we look at the condition of the wood, point out any boards that should be replaced first, and tell you whether the fence needs a fresh coat now or can wait a while. Signs your fence needs stain: - The wood has turned grey or looks dry and chalky - Water soaks into the boards instead of beading up - Boards are starting to cup, check or split - You just had a new wood fence installed - Your pergola has faded or its finish is peeling - You want the fence an even, richer color #### Pergola Staining (https://aplusfencerepair.com/weather-treatment-and-stain-finish/pergola-staining) Pergola staining seals the posts, beams and slats of a wood pergola so it holds up to sun and weather the same way a stained fence does. We stain and treat pergolas for Lubbock homeowners, often at the same visit as the fence so the two match. A pergola gets even more sun than a fence: its top slats face the sky all day, and the wood dries and fades faster than anything else in the yard. Without a sealer, the slats check and split and the finish turns grey. An oil-based stain soaks in and seals the wood so it sheds water and keeps its color longer. Because the same products and prep apply, it often makes sense to stain the pergola and the fence together. One Lubbock customer had both re-stained this way and wrote in a Google review that both look new. We look at the pergola during the estimate and tell you what it needs before any work is scheduled. Book pergola staining when: - The pergola has faded or turned grey - Slats on top are checking or splitting - The old finish is peeling or uneven - You are having the fence stained and want them to match - The pergola was built and never sealed Q: Do you have to take the pergola apart to stain it? A: No. We clean it in place, replace any slats that have split, and work the treatment into the posts, beams and top slats where they stand. Q: Can the pergola match the fence? A: Yes. Most customers have both done in the same visit with the same stain so the yard reads as one color. Q: Why does the top of a pergola fade faster than a fence? A: The top slats face the sky all day and take direct sun from every angle, so they dry, grey and check well before the posts do. #### Fence Weather Treatment (https://aplusfencerepair.com/weather-treatment-and-stain-finish/fence-weather-treatment) Fence weather treatment is the re-seal for a fence you already have. If your wood fence has gone grey, feels dry and chalky, or soaks up rain instead of shedding it, we clean it, replace the boards that are past saving and work an oil-based treatment back into the wood so it stops drying out and splitting. New-fence staining is about color and a first seal. Weather treatment is about rescue. A fence that has baked for a few summers has lost the oils that kept the boards tight, so every rain swells the wood, every dry spell shrinks it, and the fasteners work loose a little more each cycle. Treatment puts that protection back and slows the cycle down. We pair treatment with repair on purpose. Before anything is sealed, loose pickets get re-fastened, split boards and soft posts get replaced, and the gate gets squared up, because sealing a broken board just preserves the break. Most treated fences come out looking several years younger, and it costs a fraction of a rebuild. Book weather treatment when: - The fence has turned grey and feels dry or chalky - Rain soaks straight into the boards - Pickets are cupping, checking or twisting - The fence was built years ago and never sealed - It has been three or more summers since the last coat - You want to stretch a few more years out of the fence before replacing it Q: How is weather treatment different from staining? A: Staining is the first coat on a new fence and is as much about color as protection. Weather treatment is re-sealing a fence that is already weathered, after cleaning and replacing the boards that cannot be saved. The product is the same oil-based treatment; the prep is what changes. Q: Can a grey fence be brought back? A: Usually, as long as the posts and rails are sound. Greying is surface damage from the sun. Once the fence is cleaned and treated, the wood takes on an even color again and stops soaking up water. Q: Do you fix the fence before treating it? A: Yes. Loose pickets, split boards, soft posts and dragging gates get repaired first. Sealing over damage only preserves the damage. #### Fence Staining (https://aplusfencerepair.com/weather-treatment-and-stain-finish/fence-staining) Fence staining seals a wood fence with a penetrating stain so it resists water and sun and keeps an even color. A+ Fence Repair and Installation stains fences in Lubbock with an oil-based stain that soaks into the wood and seals it against water. Stain does two things for a wood fence. It gives the boards an even, richer color than bare wood, and, more importantly, it seals the wood so water beads off instead of soaking in. Wood that stays dry moves less, which means fewer cupped boards, fewer split pickets and fewer fasteners working loose. We stain new fences after installation and re-stain existing fences that have faded. Before staining, the fence should be clean and dry, and any boards that are broken or rotted should be replaced so they are not sealed into the fence. We point those out during the estimate so the finished fence is sound as well as good-looking. Book fence staining when: - Your new wood fence was just built - The fence has turned grey or blotchy - Water soaks into the boards after rain - You are selling your home and want the fence to look its best - You want to protect a recent repair Q: How soon after the fence is built should it be stained? A: As soon as the wood is dry and clean, which in Lubbock is usually within a few weeks of the build. Sealing it early keeps the boards from greying before they ever get protected. Q: What color options are there? A: We use Wood Defender fence stain in nine colors: Cedar Tone, Redwood, Leatherwood, Oxford Brown, Desert Sand, Rustic Oak, Sierra, Sable Brown and Coffee Brown. The Fence Designer on our home page shows each one on a sample fence. Q: How long does the stain last? A: Plan on a fresh coat every few years. Sun exposure and how much rain the fence sees decide the interval; a fence that faces south and west fades first. ## How a job runs - Call or send the form: You will usually talk to Blake, the owner. He asks a few questions about the fence, wood or chain link, what broke, roughly how long the run is. - Free in-town estimate: We look at the fence in person, check the posts, measure the run and talk through what you want. Estimates inside Lubbock are free. - A quote before work starts: You get the price before anything is torn out or built. Reviewers have pointed out that the final bill matched the quote. - The crew does the work: The crew repairs, builds or stains the fence, works around gardens and pets, and cleans up when the job is done. ## Service areas - Shallowater, TX: https://aplusfencerepair.com/service-areas/shallowater - Wolfforth, TX: https://aplusfencerepair.com/service-areas/wolfforth - Idalou, TX: https://aplusfencerepair.com/service-areas/idalou - Levelland, TX: https://aplusfencerepair.com/service-areas/levelland - Plainview, TX: https://aplusfencerepair.com/service-areas/plainview - Ransom Canyon, TX: https://aplusfencerepair.com/service-areas/ransom-canyon - Brownfield, TX: https://aplusfencerepair.com/service-areas/brownfield - Abernathy, TX: https://aplusfencerepair.com/service-areas/abernathy - Lubbock, TX: https://aplusfencerepair.com/service-areas/lubbock ## Frequently asked questions ### Working with us Q: How long has A+ Fence Repair and Installation been in business? A: We have been repairing and building fences in Lubbock, Texas since 1997. The company started after a storm damaged three fences in our founder's neighborhood. Q: What area do you serve? A: We serve Lubbock, TX. Our estimates are free inside town. If you are not sure whether your property is in our area, call and ask. Q: What are your hours? A: We are open 7 days a week, 7:30 AM to 8 PM, weekends included. Call any day and we will get a storm-damaged fence secured first, then fix it to hold. Q: Is any fence job too small? A: No. No fencing job is too small. A few pickets, one post or a sticking gate is worth a call. Q: Do you offer any discounts? A: Yes, get 5% off (up to $200) your next fence repair service. Be sure to mention the website when you call. ### Fence repair Q: Is my fence worth repairing, or should I replace it? A: If most of the posts are solid and the damage is limited to a few sections, some pickets or a gate, repair is usually the better value. If posts are failing all along the line, or the wood is rotted and splitting everywhere, replacement often makes more sense. We look at the fence in person and tell you which way we would go. Q: Do you take small fence repair jobs? A: Yes. No fencing job is too small. Replacing a few pickets, resetting one post or fixing a sagging gate is exactly the kind of work we do in Lubbock every week. Q: Do you charge for a repair estimate? A: No. Estimates inside Lubbock are free. Call us or send the request form and we will set up a time to look at the fence. ### Fence installation Q: What kinds of fences do you install? A: We install wood fences and chain link fences, including gates. If you are not sure which suits your yard, we will talk through both during the free in-town estimate. Q: Do you build fences from scratch or use prefabricated panels? A: We build them on site. Building from scratch lets us follow the grade and corners of the lot and set the posts where they need to be, instead of forcing standard panels to fit. Q: Should a new wood fence be stained? A: We recommend it. We use an oil-based stain after a fence is installed so the wood is sealed against water. It keeps the fence looking better and helps the boards last longer in the sun. ### Staining & weather treatment Q: What kind of stain do you use? A: We use an oil-based stain. It penetrates the wood and seals it so the fence is impervious to water, rather than sitting on the surface like paint. Q: How soon should a new fence be stained? A: We apply stain after the fence is installed, so the wood is protected from the start. Ask about staining when you get an estimate for a new fence. Q: Do you stain pergolas too? A: Yes. We stain and treat pergolas as well as fences, and it often makes sense to do both at the same visit so they match. ## Pages - Home: https://aplusfencerepair.com/ - Services: https://aplusfencerepair.com/services - Reviews: https://aplusfencerepair.com/review - Our work: https://aplusfencerepair.com/gallery - About: https://aplusfencerepair.com/about - Contact and free estimate: https://aplusfencerepair.com/contact - Sitemap: https://aplusfencerepair.com/sitemap - Privacy: https://aplusfencerepair.com/privacy ## Learning center guides ### What to do after wind knocks your fence down (https://aplusfencerepair.com/learn/fence-down-after-wind-what-to-do) Secure the yard, keep the dogs in, prop the loose section if it is safe, then call. Most wind damage in Lubbock is a post problem, and panels on a reset post go back up without a rebuild. #### First, make the yard safe A fence that is down is a gap in the yard, and the dogs find it before you do. Keep pets on a lead or inside until the section is back up. If a panel is leaning rather than flat, and it is safe to reach, prop it with a couple of boards or lean it back against a post so it cannot fall on a child, a car or the neighbor's side. Do not try to stand a whole section up by hand. A 6 ft cedar panel on wet ground is heavy, and if the post snapped at grade there is nothing to fasten it to yet. #### Why the fence went over in the first place A solid privacy fence catches wind like a sail. When a spring front comes across the open South Plains, every gust that hits the fence broadside puts the whole load on the posts. A wood post that has rotted at the soil line, or worked loose in dry ground, snaps or leans, and the panels on either side go with it. The pickets and rails are usually fine; the post is what failed. That is the single most useful thing to know when you call: tell us whether the posts snapped, pulled out of the ground, or are still standing with the panel torn off them. It changes what the crew brings. #### What can be saved Panels that are intact can usually be stood back up on new or reset posts. Broken pickets and rails get replaced and matched to the existing boards where the wood allows. Chain-link gets its top rail straightened or replaced, the fabric re-stretched and re-tied, and leaning posts reset. One or two sections down, posts snapped: a repair, usually with steel posts going in where the wood ones failed. A long run laid flat but the boards are sound: a repair, section by section. Posts failing along the whole line and the pickets grey and splitting: we say so, and bid a replacement alongside the repair so you can decide with both numbers. #### What happens when you call Tell the receptionist the fence is down and whether you have animals, so we can work you in as early as the schedule allows. We are open seven days a week, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Blake comes out, checks every post along the damaged run, not only the ones that fell, and gives you a price before work starts. Estimates inside Lubbock are free, and if you mention our website the repair is 5% off, up to $200. Failed posts are reset or replaced, never just propped, because a panel stood up on a bad post only lasts until the next front. #### Insurance photos, if you need them Before anything is moved, take photos of the whole run from both sides, close-ups of the broken posts at the ground, and anything the fence fell on. Your insurer decides what is covered, not us, but a clear set of before photos makes that conversation shorter. Keep them even if you never file. Q: Can you come out the same day after a storm? A: We fit wind-damage calls in as early as the schedule allows and answer the phone seven days a week, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Tell us the fence is down and whether you have dogs when you call. Q: Will my insurance cover a fence the wind blew down? A: That is between you and your policy. Take photos of the damage before anything is moved, and ask us for the written bid; most insurers want both. Q: Do I need a whole new fence if one section fell? A: Usually not. If the panels are intact and only the posts failed, we stand the panels back up on reset or new steel posts and replace the broken pickets. If the wood was already rotted along the whole line, we price a replacement next to the repair so you can compare. ### Cedar vs pine fence pickets in West Texas (https://aplusfencerepair.com/learn/cedar-vs-pine-fence-west-texas) Cedar. Treated pine goes on the fence wet and dries out fast in Lubbock's low humidity, so it twists, cups and checks. Cedar is more stable, resists rot and insects on its own, and takes an oil-based stain well. We use cedar pickets, never pine pickets; the rails are pine 2x4s. #### What the two woods are Pine fence pickets are southern yellow pine, pressure-treated with preservative so they resist rot. They are the cheapest picket at the lumber yard and the one most builder-grade fences use. Cedar pickets are western red cedar, sold untreated because the wood carries its own oils that resist rot and insects. On the day the fence goes up, both look fine. The difference shows up over the first couple of West Texas summers. #### How each one handles Lubbock weather Sun is the enemy here, not rain. Treated pine arrives wet from the treating plant and dries out fast in our low humidity. As it dries it twists, cups and checks, pickets pull away from the rails, and the gaps between boards open up. Cedar is lighter and more stable. It moves less as it dries, so it stays straighter on the fence for longer and the gaps stay even. Both greys in the sun if left bare. Cedar takes an oil-based stain well and keeps its color once sealed; pine takes stain unevenly while it is still drying out, which is one reason so many pine fences are never sealed at all. #### Cost and the trade-off Cedar pickets cost more than pine up front. What you get for it is a fence that stays straight, holds stain and does not split the way pine does after a couple of summers. We do not quote lifespans, because a fence lives or dies by its posts and its stain as much as by its pickets. We do know which repair calls we get more of, and it is the pine fence on wood posts that went in with the house. If the budget is the deciding factor, the better place to save is the style, not the wood: a dog ear fence uses less material than board on board and is the most common back-yard fence in Lubbock. #### The part that matters more than the picket Whichever picket you choose, the post is where a Lubbock fence fails. Wood posts rot at the soil line and snap when a front hits a privacy fence broadside. Every cedar fence we build goes on steel posts set in concrete, so the line stays where we set it through the spring winds and the pickets wear out long before the posts do. A cedar fence on wood posts is still a fence waiting for a storm. #### What we build Wood fencing from A+ means cedar pickets, never pine pickets, on steel posts, 6 ft or 7 ft, in board on board, dog ear or gothic point. Blake bids every fence himself and the same crew has built them for over 10 years. The details are on the cedar fencing page. Written by the A+ Fence Repair & Installation team from the way our crew builds and repairs fences around Lubbock. It is general guidance; Blake looks at every fence in person before a bid. Q: Will you build a fence with pine pickets if I ask? A: No. Our pickets are cedar, never pine pickets. If the budget is tight, we would rather talk about a simpler style or a shorter run than put pine pickets on steel posts. Q: Does cedar need to be stained? A: Yes, if you want it to keep its color. Bare cedar greys within a season in the sun. Once the wood is dry we seal it with an oil-based stain so it sheds water and holds its color. Q: Is cedar stronger than pine? A: Pine is slightly harder, but strength is not what fails on a picket. Stability is. Cedar moves less as it dries, so it stays flat on the rails instead of cupping and pulling its fasteners. ### When should a new cedar fence be stained in Lubbock? (https://aplusfencerepair.com/learn/when-to-stain-new-cedar-fence) Not the day it is built. Fresh cedar carries moisture, and stain will not soak into wet wood. In Lubbock's dry air a new fence is usually ready in a few weeks. Sprinkle water on a board: if it soaks in within a minute, the wood is ready. #### Why not stain it right away Cedar comes from the mill and the lumber yard with moisture in it. An oil-based stain works by soaking into the wood, and it cannot soak into a board that is still wet. Stain applied too early sits on the surface, looks blotchy and wears off fast. The fence needs a few weeks of Lubbock sun and wind to dry out first. #### The water test Sprinkle a little water on a picket in the middle of the run. If it soaks in within a minute, the wood is ready for stain. If it beads up and sits there, give it more time and test again in a week. Check a board on the shady side of the fence too, since it dries slower. #### Why it matters to seal it at all Sun breaks down the surface of bare cedar first, which is what turns new boards grey within a season. Wind-blown dust scours the face of the pickets, and the occasional hard rain soaks into dry wood and makes it swell, then shrink again as it dries, until boards cup and nails back out. An oil-based stain soaks in so water beads off instead of soaking in, keeps the color you picked, and keeps the boards tighter on the rails. #### Which color We use Wood Defender fence stain in nine colors: Cedar Tone, Redwood, Leatherwood, Oxford Brown, Desert Sand, Rustic Oak, Sierra, Sable Brown and Coffee Brown. Bring a photo of your house and trim to the estimate and we will narrow it to two. South- and west-facing runs fade first, so a darker tone holds up longer on those. #### How to book it We can bid the stain with the fence so it does not get forgotten, then come back for a second visit once the wood is dry. It works the same way for a cedar fence someone else built, as long as the wood has dried. Plan on a fresh coat every few years; when that day comes, it is a different job, covered on the fence weather treatment page. Written by the A+ Fence Repair & Installation team from the way our crew builds and repairs fences around Lubbock. It is general guidance; Blake looks at every fence in person before a bid. Q: Can I stain the fence myself? A: You can. The things that go wrong are staining wet wood, skipping the cleaning, and missing the gaps between boards. If you want it done once, our crew covers the plants and the neighbor's side and works the stain into the edges with sprayers and brushes. Q: What if I wait too long? A: Bare cedar that has stood a season or two is grey but usually still sound. It gets cleaned to strip the grey surface, dried, then treated. That is the weather-treatment job rather than a first coat. Q: Does stain stop the wind from damaging the fence? A: No. Stain protects the boards from sun and water. Wind damage is a post problem, which is why our fences go on steel posts. ### Repair or replace a leaning wood fence? (https://aplusfencerepair.com/learn/repair-or-replace-leaning-fence) Push on the posts. If most of them are solid and the damage sits in a few sections, repair wins. If posts are failing along the whole line and the pickets are grey and splitting everywhere, a repair only buys a season and replacement is the honest answer. #### Start at the posts, not the pickets A fence is only as straight as what holds it up. Walk the line and push on every post. One that moves at the ground has rotted at the soil line or worked loose, and the lean you see is that post giving way. Pickets that look rough are a cosmetic problem; posts that move are a structural one. Count how many move. That number decides the job more than anything else. #### When repair wins Most posts are solid and only one or two move. The damage sits in a few sections: a handful of split pickets, a cracked rail, one gate that drags. The boards are weathered but not splitting through. Plenty of fences that look rough only need a couple of posts reset on steel, some boards and a coat of stain. Replacing a rotted wood post with a steel post set in concrete is the single biggest upgrade an older wood fence can get, and it is a repair, not a rebuild. #### When replacement wins Posts move all along the line. The rails are cracking at every post. The pickets are grey and split from one end to the other, or the fence is pine that has rotted at the ground. At that point a repair buys a season. Replacement means pulling the old posts, concrete footings and all, and building new cedar on steel posts on the same line. It is also the moment to change what you have: a taller fence, a wider drive gate, or a switch from chain link to cedar costs less to do now than to add later. #### What Blake does on the estimate He pushes on the posts, checks the rails where they meet them and tells you which way he would go. If it is close, he prices both, so you can put the repair number next to the replacement number and decide with both in hand. Estimates inside Lubbock are free, and no fencing job is too small. #### The gate is its own question A gate that drags is usually the hinge post, not the gate. Push on it: if it moves, the post is the problem and the gate will keep dragging no matter how many times the hinges are adjusted. If the post is solid, the frame has racked out of square. Our new gates go on metal frames so they cannot rack. The gate page covers both fixes. Written by the A+ Fence Repair & Installation team from the way our crew builds and repairs fences around Lubbock. It is general guidance; Blake looks at every fence in person before a bid. Q: Can you replace just the bad posts? A: Yes. A rotted or snapped post comes out and a steel post goes in its place, set in concrete, with the existing panels rehung on it. That is one of the most common repairs we do. Q: Will new pickets match my old fence? A: Not at first. New cedar is lighter than weathered boards. Once the repair has dried for a few weeks, a coat of stain over the whole fence evens the color out. Q: Is there a discount on repairs? A: Mention our website and save 5% on the repair, up to $200. Repairs only. ### Board on board vs dog ear vs gothic point: which privacy fence style? (https://aplusfencerepair.com/learn/privacy-fence-styles-explained) Board on board for the most privacy and wind block and the same look from both sides. Dog ear for a clean, even back-yard fence that uses the least material. Gothic point when the top line is on show from the street. All three are cedar on steel posts, 6 ft or 7 ft. #### Same fence underneath A wood privacy fence is cedar pickets fastened to rails between posts. The style is only about how the pickets are arranged and how their tops are cut. All three styles are built the same way underneath, on steel posts set in concrete, and all three come in 6 ft or 7 ft. #### Board on board Pickets go on in two layers, with the outer boards overlapping the gaps in the inner row. Cedar shrinks a little as it dries, and on a side-by-side fence that opens small gaps between pickets. Board on board has no gap to open. It gives the most privacy and the most wind block of the three, and it looks the same from both sides, which matters on a line you share with a neighbor. It uses the most material, so it is the heaviest and costs the most to build. #### Dog ear Pickets sit side by side on the rails, each with its top corners clipped at an angle. It is the most common back-yard fence in Lubbock: plain, even and the quickest of the three to build. As the cedar dries, hairline gaps open between boards. Most people never notice; if you want none at all, that is what board on board is for. #### Gothic point The same side-by-side build as dog ear, with each picket cut to a shaped point at the top. It reads more traditional and suits a front yard or a corner lot where the top line is on show. The pointed tops take a little more care to line up along the run. #### Height, cap and trim, and how to choose Six feet is the standard back-yard height. Seven adds privacy where a two-story house, an alley or a busy street looks into the yard, and it catches more wind, which is one more reason we build on steel posts. Check your HOA rules before choosing 7 ft. A cap board along the top with a trim board under it covers the picket ends, helps them shed water and finishes the top line on any style. Privacy and wind block first: board on board. A clean, even back-yard fence at a fair price: dog ear. The top line is on show from the street: gothic point, or any style with cap and trim. A shared line with a neighbor: board on board. Finished fences in each style are in the project gallery . Not sure? Tell Blake what you want the fence to do and he will point you to a style during the free in-town estimate. Written by the A+ Fence Repair & Installation team from the way our crew builds and repairs fences around Lubbock. It is general guidance; Blake looks at every fence in person before a bid. Q: Which style costs the least? A: Dog ear, because it uses the least material and goes up fastest. Board on board uses the most. Blake prices the style you pick on the bid; we do not publish per-foot numbers. Q: Can I mix styles on one yard? A: Yes. A common choice is board on board on the shared or street-facing run and dog ear on the rest. The build underneath is the same, so they meet cleanly at a post. Q: Do all three take stain the same way? A: Yes. All three are cedar, and we seal them with the same oil-based stain once the wood has dried. Board on board takes a little longer to coat because of the double layer.