How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Wrought Iron Fence?

Cost to Fix or Repair Wrought Iron Fence

Wrought Iron Fence Welding Costs

Welding a wrought iron fence costs anywhere from $300 to $1,200 though typically falls at $500. Welding reconnects broken or replaced sections.

Iron Fence Welding Repair Process

Most welders do all their work wearing a face mask, leather gloves and protective goggles or a welding hood.

1. Remove the protective layer of oil covering the iron with rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth.

2. Cut with a chop saw. Make sure there are no unwanted jags or angles that could cause the sections to not line up.

3. Place a ground clamp on the metal.

4. Properly connect the pieces using a welding gun.

5. Apply primer, rust inhibitor and paint to the sections once cool. Corrosion of unprotected metal can begin within just a few hours.

Iron Gate Repair Prices

Iron gate repair runs $40 to $250 per linear foot. The one difference a gate has from a full-length fence is the ability to easily remove it for shipment to a shop. Paying for labor to remove it for repairs and reinstalling it costs $50 to $100. Many homes have ornamental iron gates as an accent piece, set in stone or wood.

Simply replacing it runs:

• Steel or cast style: $50-$120 per linear foot.

• True wrought iron: $100-$900 per linear foot.

Labor Costs for Wrought Iron Repair

Labor rates for iron fence repairs run anywhere from $30 to $125 per hour, depending on what you need done.

• Fence painting costs $5-8 per linear foot or an average of $2,000.

• Welding costs $300-$500 on average.

Cost to Fix an Iron Railing

Refinishing an iron railing runs anywhere from $5 to $15 per linear foot. New iron railing installation costs $300 to $1,000.

Wrought Iron Material Costs: Steel, Cast and True Iron

They look the same, so what’s the difference? To install an iron fence, you’ll spend:

• Steel: $50-$120 per linear foot.

• True Wrought Iron: $100-$900 per linear foot.

It’s important to understand the difference between modern and classic usage of “wrought iron.”

Over the last 60 to 80 years, it has come to mean a style rather than a material.

• Steel Fencing: An alloy of iron, carbon and other metals. It’s durability and cost make it the preferred metal for modern wrought iron fences.

• Cast iron: An alloy of iron and up to 4% carbon melted and poured into a mold. It’s brittle and hard to repair.

• Classic wrought iron: Almost 100% pure iron with trace amounts of carbon. It’s easy to hand-fashion into detailed designs but is extremely expensive to work with. Only a handful of classic artisans exist in the U.S.

Unless you already own a home over 70 years old, it’s unlikely your fences are true wrought iron. Some professionals use a combination of steel for framework and iron for the detail work.

• If you have a cast iron fence, consider replacing it with steel or aluminum for more durability.

• On designated historical homes, you may need to meet certain historical restrictions with materials and craftsmanship.

Cost to Refurbish or Restore a Wrought Iron Fence

Refurbishing steel fencing costs anywhere from $100 to $1,500. It’s mostly a matter of welding for breaks, removing any rust and repainting. For true iron, it depends heavily on finding a professional who works with it and the extent and type of damage.

These outdoor barriers are susceptible to damage caused by rust, wind, hail, rain, sun and even vandals and animals. If the cement for mounting the fence posts was not properly mixed or not buried deeply enough, freeze and thaw cycles may cause upheaval, thereby toppling sections of the fencing. To preserve its integrity and protect the property, make repairs promptly.

Repairing Rust Problems

Rust is the greatest enemy. To remove rust, follow these steps:

1. Use a wire brush on exposed rust or 160-grit sandpaper. On areas of heavy rusting, use a coarser grit such as 80-grit.

2. Progress through until smooth, using finer and finer grit sandpaper. Use steel wool across the entire area to prep it for sealant and paint.

3. Lay down newspaper or plastic to catch drips and overspray.

4. Apply a rust inhibitor sealant and primer. It’s now ready for paint.

Iron Fence Painting Costs

Painting a fence costs anywhere from $5 to $12 per linear foot. Primer and paint prices range from $30 to $80 per gallon. You have a few application options to choose from.

• Hand brushed or mitt: $5-$10 per linear foot. This method is slow but avoids overspray. Only a professional should do this to avoid streaks and runs.

• Spray-painting: $6-$12 per linear foot. Has overspray but gives a more uniform coverage than hand painting.

• Electrostatic painting costs $60 per hour. This method creates an even, run free finish with little to no overspray and waste.

• Powder coating costs $3 per square foot. This method provides the most durable finish. It requires disassembling the fence and shipping it to a specialty shop. Many new installations come prefinished with powder coating.

Before a flaking fence is repainted, remove old paint and rust. This is done manually by hand with a wire brush to work around tight curves and the ornate designs that are often part of the fencing. Apply a rust inhibitor to all metal surfaces. Once the rust inhibitor has set it’s ready to prime and paint.

Hire a Wrought Iron Pro vs. DIY

If you’re going for the look of this classic style with cheaper prefabricated aluminum or steel panels, you might be able to tackle the job yourself. You’ll need around 20 to 30 hours of time and tools like a post-hole digger, shovel, cement mixer and a way to haul it all around.

For custom work, finding a pro gives you a clean and guaranteed installation. Avoid the hassle, mess and mistakes and hire a wrought iron fence installation professional near you today.

FAQs

How much does it cost to install a wrought iron fence?

Wrought iron fence installation costs range from $1,200 to $4,200 on average. On the high end, homeowners have reported in excess of $7,000.

Are wrought iron fences expensive?

Modern ones, usually made from other metals, tends to be one of the more expensive types of fencing.

Can wrought iron be repaired?

You can repair it through cutting, welding, cleaning and repainting.

How much do wrought iron railings cost?

Wrought iron railings cost an average of $2,600. Price depends on whether you’re installing it indoors or outdoors, the overall length and the difficulty of the project.