The gate is the part of the fence you touch every day
A gate that drags, sags or will not latch makes a good fence feel broken. Most of what makes a gate work is the post it hangs on.
Gates get more abuse than any other part of a fence. They swing in the wind, get pushed by dogs, get leaned on and slammed. A wood gate is also heavy for its size and hangs off one side, so every pound pulls on the hinge post. That is why the gate post on our fences goes deeper and heavier than the line posts, and why wood gates get a steel frame or diagonal bracing before they get pickets.
We build walk gates from three to five feet wide for side yards and garden paths, wide enough for a mower or a wheelbarrow where you need one. Double drive gates from ten to sixteen feet wide close off a driveway or a boat and trailer parking area, with a drop rod on one leaf and a center stop. Pool gates get self-closing hinges and a high self-latching latch. Arched and decorative gates in vinyl or aluminum finish a front walk.
For driveways, we can also install gate openers: swing or slide operators with remotes, keypads and safety sensors, powered from an existing circuit or a solar panel. Openers need a level, solid gate and a well-set post or track, so we usually build or rebuild the gate at the same time. Repairing a gate that already exists, re-hanging it on a new post, adding a latch that actually catches, or fitting an anti-sag kit, is a common call too.
How we hang a gate
- Heavier post. The hinge post is set deeper with a bigger footing than the rest of the line
- Square frame. Wood gates built on a steel frame or with a diagonal brace running from the bottom hinge up
- Clearance. Ground clearance set for the slope so the gate does not drag on the swing
- Hardware. Hinges, latch and drop rod chosen for the gate's weight and use
- Adjust. Swing, latch and closing checked and adjusted before we leave
Gate prices
| What | Typical 2026 range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood walk gate, 4 ft | $350 – $750 | Steel frame recommended |
| Vinyl walk gate, 4 ft | $500 – $1,000 | Reinforced post |
| Aluminum walk gate | $450 – $900 | Arched options |
| Wood double drive gate | $900 – $2,200 | 10 to 12 ft |
| Gate opener, swing or slide | $2,500 – $6,500 | Plus wiring or solar |
| Fix a sagging gate | $150 – $400 | More with a new post |
2026 planning ranges for the Wilmington area. Openers depend heavily on gate weight, power and the access control you want.
Questions about gates
Why does my gate sag?
Usually the hinge post has leaned or the gate frame has racked. Bracing helps a racked gate; a leaning post needs resetting or replacing.
How wide should a walk gate be?
Four feet fits a mower and a wheelbarrow comfortably. Five feet fits a riding mower or a small trailer in some cases.
Can you automate my existing gate?
If it is square, level and on solid posts, yes. Many older wood gates need rebuilding first.
Do you install keypads and remotes?
Yes, along with safety sensors for automatic gates.
What gate goes on a pool fence?
A self-closing, self-latching gate that opens away from the pool. See pool fences.
Related pages
Price your gates project
Tell us where the fence goes and what you have in mind. An estimator comes out, measures the line and leaves a written price, free of charge.
- Measured on site, not guessed from a photo
- Material, height and gates priced line by line
- Or call (910) 807-8208. Calls answered 24 hours, 7 days.