Find out why it sags
- Close the gate and look at the gap along the top. Wider at the latch side than the hinge side means the gate is racking out of square.
- Put a level on the hinge post. If the post leans toward the gate, the post is the problem.
- Wiggle the gate on its hinges. Movement at the screws means loose hinges.
Fix loose hinges
Replace short hinge screws with longer exterior screws or through-bolts, and use heavier hinges if the originals are light-duty. Strap hinges that spread the load across the rails hold a gate square better than small butt hinges.
Square the gate with a brace or cable
A wooden diagonal brace runs from the bottom corner on the hinge side up to the top corner on the latch side, so the gate's weight pushes down through the brace into the bottom hinge. Installed the other way, it does nothing. An anti-sag kit is a steel cable and turnbuckle that runs the opposite way, from the top hinge-side corner to the bottom latch-side corner, and is tightened to pull the gate back into square. It is quick and works well on existing gates.
Fix a leaning hinge post
A gate hung on a leaning or loose post will always sag. The post has to be reset or replaced, ideally set deeper than line posts because it carries the gate's weight and swing. See fence post repair for how that is done.
Latch and clearance problems
Once the gate hangs square, realign the latch. If the gate drags on the ground, raise it at the hinges or trim the bottom, leaving clearance for ground that rises in the swing path. Vinyl gates sag when they lack an internal steel frame; see vinyl fence repair. For chain link gates, see chain link fence repair.
What gate repair costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Gate repair, typical | $100–$400 |
| 2026 calculator estimate Homewyse, per gate | $206–$422 |
| Wood gate repair Hardware and bracing | $100–$400 |
| Metal or composite gate Materials alone can exceed $400 | Higher |
If the rest of the fence needs work too, see fence repair cost.
Common questions
Which way does a gate brace go?
A wooden brace runs from the bottom of the hinge side up to the top of the latch side. A tension cable, such as an anti-sag kit, runs the opposite way.
Why does my new gate sag already?
Usually a missing or backward brace, light-duty hinges, or a hinge post that was not set deep enough for the gate's weight.
Can a sagging gate be fixed without replacing it?
Almost always. Stronger hinges, a brace or an anti-sag kit fixes most gates. Replacement makes sense when the frame is rotted.
Related guides
Compiled from published 2026 national cost data (Angi, Homewyse, HomeGuide). We update these figures as we complete jobs.