Storm Damage Fence Repair in Seattle
Rare Bears Fencing provides storm damage fence repair in Seattle and across King and Snohomish counties, fixing posts, panels and gates broken by wind. When a storm or fallen tree damages too much of the fence line, we replace it and haul the old fence away.
Last updated: November 13, 2026
What Should You Do First With a Storm-Damaged Fence?
Make the area safe, then document the damage before anything is moved. Windstorms often bring down power lines too: in Seattle's 2006 windstorm, 49% of Seattle City Light customers lost power, and about half of the utility's unplanned outages are caused by falling trees or branches.
Your First Steps After Storm Damage
Check for downed lines. If one touches the fence, stay back and call 911.
Photograph everything. Washington's insurance regulator advises photos or video of the damage before cleanup.
Call your insurer. Report the damage as soon as you can, and ask whether a fence falls under your policy's "other structures" coverage.
Hold off on permanent repairs. Wait until your insurer has seen the property and you've agreed on repairs, and keep all receipts. Temporary steps to prevent more damage, like bracing a panel, are usually fine.
Brace loose panels, only if it is safe. Keep them from falling on people, pets or cars, and do not stand under a leaning section or near a damaged tree.
Talk to your neighbor. If the fence is shared, see our guide to neighbor fence rules in Washington State.
Book an on-site assessment. Have it check the posts, not just the panels.
Wood Fence
Broken boards, rails, post caps and posts on cedar fences are replaced and matched to the existing style where possible.
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Chain Link Fence
Damaged posts, torn mesh and loose gates are usually targeted fixes, so the rest of your fence can stay in place.
Vinyl Fence
Cracked panels can often be swapped and loose posts reset without rebuilding the whole run.
Iron & Steel Fence
Bent sections and leaning posts are assessed on site to see which parts can be repaired and which need replacing.
Aluminum Fence
Bent panels and loose posts are checked section by section before we recommend a repair or a new section.
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Commercial Fence
Business properties get the same on-site assessment and written estimate as homeowners.
How Western Washington Storms Damage Fences
Western Washington's damaging windstorms usually arrive in late fall and winter, when the ground is often saturated. The City of Seattle's hazard analysis notes that much of the damage in windstorms comes from falling trees, and the National Weather Service warns that saturated soils make it easier for trees to come down. Fence posts in that soil lose grip too. See how to protect a wood fence from rain between storms.
Winds speed up as they move over hills and ridges, and Seattle's emergency management office notes that Puget Sound can see sustained winds of 60 to 70 mph with gusts up to 90 mph.
Storm damage usually means leaning or snapped posts, torn-off panels or crushed sections. A fence blown down in a storm often hides a broken post underneath, which is why leaning fence repair starts below ground. A sound post can often be reset in concrete, while broken fence post repair usually means a new post. Whether it is wind damage fence repair after a gust or a fence flattened by a falling limb, the first question is the same: are the posts still sound?
Should You Repair or Replace a Storm-Damaged Fence?
Repair is usually the better value when damage is limited and the remaining posts are solid. Replacement makes more sense when many posts have failed or the fence was already old.
Board and Panel Repair
For broken boards, rails or gates on a fence whose posts are still sound. Damaged pieces are replaced and gates rehung, leaving the rest in place.
Fence Post Replacement
For posts that lean, wobble or snapped in the storm. Loose posts are reset in concrete, broken ones are replaced, and the panels are reattached.
Section Rebuild
For fallen fence sections where the rest of the line still stands. New posts are set in concrete and new panels tied into the existing fence.
Full Replacement
For widespread post failure or an older fence damaged in many places. Removal and disposal of the old fence are included in your written estimate. Financing may be available with approved credit; see our financing page.
For rules of thumb, see fence repair vs replace in Seattle and whether fence repair is worth it.
How Storm Repair Works and What's Included
Storm repairs follow the same five steps as every Rare Bears Fencing project, so you know the price before work begins.
See Full Process
Contact & Schedule
Call (206) 202-9157 or use the estimate form to book an on-site visit.
On-Site Estimate
An estimator assesses the posts, rails, panels and gates, including on fences Rare Bears Fencing didn't install.
Get a Detailed Estimate
A written estimate covers materials, timeline and cost, with removal and disposal of the old fence included where the repair calls for it.
Approve, Permits & Schedule
We help with permits and HOA approvals, and we call 811 so utility lines are marked before any digging.
Installation & Walkthrough
The crew completes the work and walks the fence line with you.
Have damage photos, any claim number and HOA rules ready for the visit.
What Customers Say About Rare Bears Fencing
Rare Bears Fencing is rated 4.9 out of 5 based on 631 reviews across Google, Yelp, Thumbtack and Facebook. Here's what customers say about working with our crews. See every review on our reviews page.
See All Reviews
Nathan Petrushak
I recently had a great experience with Rare Bears Fencing. Brandon showed up on time and provided a clear, competitive quote. Paul and Mark, who handled the installation, were excellent with communication throughout the process. The quality of the fence and gate install exceeded my expectations. I’d highly recommend their services to anyone!
Nicholas Bobko
I needed a fence repair and replacement and called several companies. Brandon from Rare Bears Fencing stood out right away, he was able to answer all my questions and provided a clear quote for the work to be performed. While the price was slightly higher than others, it was absolutely worth it for the quality and professionalism.
William Tsymbalyuk
Fantastic company! Rare Bears Fencing was super efficient Tolik’s crew showed up with a team, worked like dogs, and had our beautiful fence installed in a day. Before winter hit, we noticed a few small flaws and reached out. As soon as the weather warmed up this spring, they sent two great guys, Paul and Koba, to take care of the repairs. They were fast, friendly, and knew exactly what to do. Really impressed with the company they stand behind their work, which says a lot. I’ve told a bunch of people about them because they’re honestly just exceptional.
Leanna Kovalyuk
Paul and Koba did an amazing job! The fence looks incredible. They were so accommodating when we had to make minor adjustments. Fabulous company to work with… Five stars!
Ben Strok
Amazing quality work these guys do!!! From the initial walkthrough with the sales rep, all the way through to the delivery/installation of our beautiful Horizontal Fence, these guys are by far the best Fence company around. Their foreman Paul finished the project start to finish in just 1 day!!! That alone should tell you the work ethic that you’re getting from these guys. Rare Bears Fencing are my go to’s now, without a doubt!
Sergey Nikitenko
Very happy with our experience. From our first in house visit with Andy, to the awesome installer who did the work, to the final email with Inessa, things couldn’t have gone better. There was a delay in shipping material but that’s not Rare Bears problem. We were understanding and patient and updates were easy to obtain.
Storm Damage Fence Repair Across King and Snohomish Counties
Rare Bears Fencing repairs storm-damaged fences across Seattle, King County and Snohomish County, from offices in Seattle, Bellevue and Everett.
We handle each repair from assessment to cleanup, including removal of damaged fencing.
We Proudly Serve These Areas
What If a Tree Falls on Your Fence?
Make the area safe and document the damage before the fence is repaired.
- Power lines: if the tree brought one down, call 911 and stay well clear.
- Photos first: photograph the tree and fence before anything is cut or moved.
- Insurance: in Washington, your homeowners policy may cover falling-tree damage even if it was the neighbor's tree, though there will probably be a deductible. A detached fence is usually covered under "other structures," which is typically capped at about 10 percent of your dwelling coverage.
- Tree removal: coverage varies by policy, so ask your insurer before the tree is removed.
- Next step: once the tree is cleared, Rare Bears Fencing can assess the fence.
What Affects the Cost of Storm Damage Fence Repair?
Cost depends mostly on whether the posts failed and how much of the fence line was damaged.
- Posts or panels: new boards on solid posts usually cost less than resetting posts.
- Length of damage: one section is a smaller job than a whole leaning line.
- Matching materials: older cedar styles or vinyl profiles can affect cost and lead time.
- Access and debris: slopes, tight yards and fallen limbs add labor.
Your written estimate includes the timeline.
Rebuilding After a Storm: Posts and Height Rules
In a rebuild, the posts and height rules matter most.
- Concrete-set posts: every Rare Bears Fencing post is set in concrete.
- Post on Pipe and PostMaster: systems Rare Bears Fencing adopted in 2023 for Seattle's wet ground. Post on Pipe is a wood post with a steel pipe core.
- Warranty by post: on a wood fence, the post sets your warranty length.
- Height rules in Seattle: most residential fences are limited to 6 feet, plus 2 feet of open architectural features. On a sloping site, a fence can be 8 feet if the average height between posts is 6 feet. With a retaining wall raising the grade, wall and fence max out at 9 feet 6 inches combined.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm-Damaged Fences
Can a leaning fence be fixed after a storm?
Often, yes. In Seattle's saturated winter soil, a sound post can shift without breaking, and Rare Bears Fencing can usually reset it in concrete. A snapped or rotted post needs replacing.
Does homeowners insurance cover wind damage to a fence?
It depends on your policy and deductible. Washington's insurance regulator advises photographing the damage and waiting on permanent repairs until your insurer has seen it.
Who pays when a neighbor's tree falls on my fence?
In Washington, your own homeowner insurer will often pay, even if it was the neighbor's tree, and you pay the deductible.
Do I need a permit to rebuild a fence in Seattle?
Usually not. Seattle does not require a permit for a fence 8 feet or less with no masonry or concrete over 6 feet (flood-prone areas are the exception), but the rebuild must still meet Seattle's height limits.
Do you repair fences you didn't install?
Yes. Rare Bears Fencing can assess and repair many fence issues across King and Snohomish counties, including on fences we didn't install.
How long does a storm repair take?
It depends on the damage, materials and weather. Your written estimate from Rare Bears Fencing includes the timeline, and in Seattle, like-for-like repairs usually need no permit.
How do I secure a fallen fence until it can be repaired?
If it is safe, brace leaning panels, move loose pieces away from people, pets and cars, and keep the area clear. Temporary steps like this are usually fine for insurance purposes, but hold off on permanent repairs until your insurer has seen the damage, and keep your receipts.
Should I repair or replace a storm-damaged fence?
Repair is usually the better value when damage is limited and the remaining posts are solid. Replacement makes more sense when many posts have failed or the fence was already old. An on-site assessment checks the posts, not just the panels.
What does storm damage fence repair cost in Seattle?
Cost depends mostly on whether the posts failed and how much of the fence line was damaged. New boards on solid posts usually cost less than resetting posts, and slopes, tight yards, fallen limbs and matching older materials add labor or lead time. Your written estimate includes the price and timeline.
Can you repair a fence quickly after a windstorm?
Storm weeks are busy, so we schedule on-site estimates as quickly as we can and give you a timeline in writing. Call (206) 202-9157 or use the form to get on the schedule.
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