Fort Smith Fence Pros arranges gate installation in Fort Smith, AR through an independent local fence contractor who builds and hangs walk gates, drive gates and driveway gates, and fixes gates that drag. Describe the opening and how you plan to use it, and the contractor follows up with a free estimate.
The gate is the part of a fence that moves, so it takes more wear than any panel. Getting the posts, frame and hardware right at the start is what keeps it swinging freely years later.
Walk gates for side yards and back yards
Many walk gates are about 4 feet wide, which is enough for people, wheelbarrows and most push mowers. If you own a riding mower or plan to move bulky items through, ask for 5 or 6 feet instead.
Matching the fence
Wood gates are built to match the fence boards. Vinyl and aluminum gates come as matching kits from the fence manufacturer. Chain link gates use a welded frame with fabric to match the fence.
Latches and locks
A gravity latch is simple and closes on its own. A keyed or padlockable latch is worth adding if the gate opens to the street or an alley.
Double drive gates and wide openings
Two gate leaves that meet in the middle cover openings of 10 to 16 feet or more, the size needed for a truck, a boat or a trailer to reach the back yard. A drop rod holds one leaf in place while the other swings.
Wide gates put heavy loads on the hinge posts. Those posts should be larger and set deeper than line posts, with full concrete footings. On a wood fence, a steel frame inside the gate helps keep it from sagging.
Driveway gates and automatic gate openers
Swing or slide
Swing gates need clear space to open, so a sloped or short driveway can rule them out. Slide gates roll along the fence line and work where swing space is tight, but they need room to the side.
Automatic openers
Openers can run on household power or solar panels and can be paired with remotes, keypads or phone apps. Ask about safety features such as obstruction sensors, and about manual release so the gate can be opened during a power outage.
Automatic driveway gates cost far more than a walk gate. National cost guide Angi says they commonly run a few thousand dollars or more, depending on size, material and the opener.
Fixing a sagging or dragging gate
Most sagging gates come from one of three causes: a hinge post that has leaned, loose or undersized hinges, or a gate frame that has racked out of square. Adding an anti-sag cable kit, replacing hinges or resetting the hinge post usually solves the problem. Angi lists most gate repairs at about $100 to $400.
If the gate post is rotted at the ground, replacing that post is the lasting fix. Anything else is a short-term patch.
Gate installation cost and what to ask
Angi's fence cost guide puts gates anywhere from about $150 to $2,000, and lists $400 to $1,200 as typical for a side gate. These are national estimates. Size, material, hardware and post work set the real price.
- How deep will the gate posts be set, and how large are they?
- What hinges and latch are included?
- Is the gate built on site or ordered as a kit?
- For an opener, who services it after installation?
Common questions
How much does it cost to install a gate in Fort Smith?
National cost guide Angi lists gates from roughly $150 to $2,000, with side gates commonly $400 to $1,200 and automatic driveway gates often a few thousand dollars or more. These are estimates. Width, material, hardware and the condition of the posts all change the price, so a site visit is the only way to get an accurate number.
Can a gate be added to my existing fence?
Usually, yes. The contractor cuts in an opening, sets new gate posts with concrete footings and builds or orders a gate to match. Matching an older wood or vinyl fence exactly may be difficult, so ask about the closest available style and color when you request your estimate.
Why does my wood gate keep sagging?
The most common causes are a hinge post that is leaning or rotting, hinges that are too light for the gate, and a frame that has pulled out of square. An anti-sag kit or new hinges can help, but if the post is failing, replacing it is the fix that lasts.
Do automatic gate openers work when the power is out?
That depends on the opener. Some include battery backup, and solar openers store power in a battery by design. Most openers also have a manual release so the gate can be pushed open by hand. Ask the contractor which features the opener has before you choose one.