Before
AfterRaleigh, NC
Weathered fence run replaced
HomeCloud replaced the weathered, mildewed fence run with new pressure-treated boards.
Tree trimming, grading and fence repair cost
Cutting back trees and shrubs, regrading soil away from the house, and fence and retaining wall repairs.
Recent HomeCloud projects
Real HomeCloud jobs, before and after. Click through to see more.
BeforeAfter
Before
AfterYoungsville, NC
Collapsed backyard fence section rebuilt
HomeCloud rebuilt the collapsed stretch of backyard privacy fence with new pickets and rails.
Before
AfterFayetteville, NC
Fence gate rebuilt and whole fence restained
HomeCloud rebuilt the fence gate and restained the whole side-yard fence so the new and old wood match.
Shrubs touching the siding and tree branches over the roof are two of the most common exterior findings. Plants hold moisture against the house and give insects a way in, and branches can break and damage the roof or fill the gutters.
The ground around the house should slope away so rain runs off. When it slopes toward the house, water can end up in the crawl space or basement. Many grading findings start as something to watch after heavy rain. Downspouts are part of the same picture: see roof guides.
Most fence findings are repairs, not new fences: a leaning section, deteriorating boards, or a gate that won't close or latch.
Trees, shrubs and grading
| Work | Most homes | Middle price | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut back shrubs and plants | $150 to $180 | $150 | The 42% of homes where it was priced |
| Cut back tree branches over the roof | $1,050 to $2,500 | $1,500 | The 28% of homes where it was priced |
| Regrade soil away from the house | About $2,000 | Limited number of homes |
What HomeCloud reports priced this fix at in homes we evaluated Sep 2025 to Oct 2026. The range is the middle half of homes; the middle price is the median. Your price comes from a written estimate for your home.
Fences and retaining walls
| Work | Most homes | Middle price | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fix a leaning fence | $580 to $630 | $580 | Limited number of homes |
| Fix a fence gate latch | About $150 | Limited number of homes | |
| Replace fence boards | $280 to $490 | $440 | Limited number of homes |
| Fix a cracked retaining wall | $260 to $520 | $330 | Limited number of homes |
What HomeCloud reports priced this fix at in homes we evaluated Sep 2025 to Oct 2026. The range is the middle half of homes; the middle price is the median. Your price comes from a written estimate for your home.
What affects the price
- Tree size and access
- Large trees, branches over the roof and trees near power lines take a tree service with climbing gear or a lift.
- Haul-away
- Removing the cut branches and debris adds to the price.
- How much soil moves
- Regrading a small area by hand costs far less than bringing in fill soil and equipment for a whole side of the house.
- Fence posts
- A leaning fence is usually a post problem. Resetting posts in concrete costs more than replacing a few boards.
Fences and gates
A leaning fence isn't stable and can do damage if it falls. Deteriorating boards lose strength and start to come loose or break apart, and missing boards cut into privacy and security. A gate that can't be closed or won't latch doesn't do its job, and it can let pets or children out and animals in.
Repairs fix the cause: leaning sections are straightened by resetting or bracing the posts, deteriorating, loose or missing boards are replaced, and gate hinges and latches are adjusted or replaced so the gate closes and locks.
When the posts are solid and the damage is in a few boards or one section, a repair is usually the better spend. When posts are failing along much of the fence, or most of the boards are deteriorating, a new fence is worth pricing next to the repair. A new fence is priced from a written estimate for your home.
Common questions
Does a pool gate have to close on its own?
HomeCloud reports flag a pool gate that doesn't meet modern safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's Pool Safely checklist calls for a fence around the whole pool with a gate that closes and latches by itself. The fix is self-closing hinges and a self-latching latch.
How can I tell if my yard slopes toward the house?
Watch during and after a heavy rain. Puddles that sit against the foundation, soil washing away near the walls, or mulch beds piled higher than the yard are all signs water isn't running away from the house.
Is a cracked retaining wall a problem?
Small cracks are often just sealed. A wall that's leaning, bulging or moving is holding back soil that could give way, and needs a closer look.
More exterior resources
What kind of siding do I have?How to tell vinyl, fiber cement, wood, Masonite hardboard and brick veneer apart, what each needs, and when replacing beats repairing.Deck maintenance and safetyHow often to clean and finish a deck, wood vs. composite, and the safety checks to make each year: ledger, posts, railings, baluster gaps and stairs.Grading and drainage around your homeHow water should move away from the house, signs of negative grading, how downspouts fit in, and fixes from regrading to French drains.
Other exterior repairs
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