Gate repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What gate repair is

Gate repair fixes gates that sag, drag, will not latch or have broken hinges, by resetting posts, replacing hardware, bracing the frame and adjusting the moving parts. Most gate complaints come from the hinge post moving or the frame going out of square, so the repair starts with checking the posts before the hardware is changed.

Signs you need it

  • The gate drags on the ground or scrapes the concrete as it swings
  • The latch will not catch, or the gate swings open when it is not latched
  • A hinge is bent, cracked or pulled out of the post, and the gate hangs crooked
  • The gate sags at the latch side or pulls away from the post at the top
  • The gate has become hard to open or close, and the hardware sticks or rusts
  • A post the gate hangs on is leaning, cracked or rotting at the ground line

What the pro does

  • Check the gate and the posts for square, plumb and sound at the ground line, marking the sag and the drag points
  • Test the hinge bolts, screws and welds, replacing any that are stripped, cracked or loose
  • Reset or brace the hinge post if it has moved, or replace the post where the wood or steel has failed
  • Repair or rebuild the gate frame with a diagonal brace, so the gate is square again under its weight
  • Replace the latch, drop rod or self-closing hardware if it is worn, and adjust the strike so the latch catches
  • Lubricate the moving parts and test the swing, the latch and the closing action before leaving the site

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether the hinge post must be reset, which takes more time than tightening hardware
  • Frame damage, including rot, a bent frame or a broken weld that must be repaired
  • Replacement hardware, such as heavier hinges, a new latch or a self-closing device
  • Gate size and weight, since heavy drive gates need more labor to lift, align and hold while they are repaired
  • Access to the gate, including narrow openings, slopes or a gate that is tied into a fence line
  • Whether the gate is part of a pool enclosure that must meet barrier rules after the repair

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each problem found, such as sag, drag, latch or hinge damage, with the repair method for each
  • Post work, including any reset or replacement and the concrete used
  • Hardware replaced, with the hinge, latch and self-closing parts named
  • Frame repair, including the bracing and any welding or fastener work
  • Adjustment and lubrication steps included in the repair
  • Warranty on the repair and the parts replaced

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is causing the sag or the drag, and will you fix the post or only the hinge?
  • Are the hinge posts sound at the ground line, or do they need to be reset?
  • Will you replace the hinges with heavier ones, and why?
  • Can you fix the latch so it catches every time?
  • Will the repair keep the gate square, or will it need bracing?
  • What is the warranty on the parts and the labor?

Red flags

  • Tightens the hinges again without checking the post, so the sag comes back in a season
  • Replaces the gate and leaves the rotted hinge post that caused the failure
  • Says a sagging gate just needs a new latch
  • Welds a cracked frame without checking the weld quality or the brace
  • Skips the swing test before leaving the job

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can tighten loose hinge screws, lubricate the hinges and latch, and adjust a striker plate on a gate that is square and sound. Call a pro for sagging gates, rotted or leaning hinge posts, bent frames and any gate that is part of a pool barrier or an automatic system. Gates can swing and pinch, and heavy frames can fall, so use a helper and keep fingers clear of the hinge side when adjusting.

Licenses and permits

Whether gate repair needs a contractor license varies by place and by job size, and post resets, structural frame work and changes to automatic systems may need a permit in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, especially for a gate that is part of a pool barrier or electrical system.

Gate repair questions

Why does my gate keep sagging after I tighten the hinges?

Tightening only treats the symptom if the hinge post has moved or the frame has racked. A pro should check the post and brace the frame so the repair holds.

My gate latch will not catch. What is wrong?

The latch and the strike may be out of line because the gate has dropped or the post has moved. A pro can adjust or replace the strike and check the gate's height and square before the latch is reset.

Can a wood gate be repaired or does it need replacing?

Many wood gates can be repaired with new hinges, a brace and new boards, as long as the frame is sound. Ask the pro to check the frame and tell you whether the gate can be saved.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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