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Do It Yourself or Not: Replace a fence gate

Gene and Katie Hamilton, Tribune Content Agency on

A gated fence encloses a home and yard, creating a sense of privacy and security. But there’s nothing more unattractive and annoying to use than a fence gate that droops and won’t open or close properly. After continued use and weather abuse a gate can become a nuisance when it sags on its hinges or pulls away from its support post, making it difficult to open and close securely.

A handyman will charge $380 to remove the gate of a picket fence and install a new, good-quality 48-inch-high-by-44-inch-wide vinyl picket gate and hardware. That includes the labor and material. You can do the job for $145, the cost of the gate and hardware, and pocket a 62% saving.

The job involves truing up the gate posts so they are square so the gate will swing correctly. In some cases minor carpentry work is needed and new hinges may require a new set of pilot holes in the posts. If the holes line up you’re good to go.

Pro Cost: $380 — DIY Cost: $145 — Pro time: 4.3
DIY Time: 5.5 — DIY Savings: $235 — Percent Saved: 62%

 

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2026 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


 

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