GATE POSTS & FOOTINGS
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Ends Gate Sag
Heavy-Duty Gate Posts in Metro Detroit
Most sagging gates are really leaning posts. We replace undersized hinge and latch posts with steel-stiffened or oversized posts set in deep concrete footings below the Michigan frost line, so the gate stays level and the latch keeps catching.
Steel-Stiffened Hinge Posts
Footings Below Frost Line
Wood, Vinyl, Aluminum, Steel
Free On-Site Diagnosis
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WHY GATE POSTS FAIL
A Gate Post Does Different Work Than a Line Post
A line post holds panels up. A hinge post holds a cantilevered weight out in the air, swung open and slammed shut thousands of times a year.
Leverage Pulls the Top Over
A 4-foot gate hanging off one post acts like a lever. The weight pulls the post top toward the opening and pushes the base the other way, a little more every season.
Torque, not just weight
Frost Heave Lifts Shallow Footings
Michigan frost reaches about 42 inches. A post set at 24 inches gets lifted unevenly each winter, and gates that latched in October drag by March.
42″ frost line
Clay Soil Holds Water
The heavy clay under much of Metro Detroit stays wet, swells when it freezes and lets posts rock in their holes once the concrete collar cracks.
Wet clay, loose posts
Undersized Posts Flex
A plain 4x4 or hollow vinyl post flexes under a gate. A 6x6, a steel insert or a heavy-wall metal post does not.
Stiffness is the fix
POST SIZES & FOOTINGS
Matching the Post to the Gate
Every fence material has a weak version and a strong version of the gate post. On wood fences, we use 6x6 cedar or a steel post wrapped in cedar for gates over 4 feet. On vinyl, we slide a galvanized steel or aluminum insert inside the hinge and latch posts and fill with concrete where the system allows, the same build we use on vinyl walk and drive gates. On chain link and aluminum, we step up to heavier wall and larger diameter posts, as with any chain link terminal post.
Depth and footing shape matter as much as the post. We dig to at least 42 inches, deeper for wide drive gates, and flare the base of the hole so frost cannot grab the concrete and lift it. The top is crowned to shed water away from the post. These posts carry our arched wood gates and aluminum driveway gates, and they are the fix behind most gate realignment repairs. See all gate options.
GATE POST SPEC
Walk Gate
Drive Gate
Wood
Cedar or treated
6x6 or steel core
Steel post, wood wrap
Vinyl
Inside the post
Steel or alum insert
Steel insert + concrete
Chain Link
Galvanized pipe
Heavier terminal post
Larger heavy-wall pipe
Footing Depth
Below frost line
42″ minimum
42″–48″+
Typical Range
Per post, installed
$350–$750
$600–$1,400
HOW WE REPLACE A GATE POST
Out With the Old Footing, In With a Real One
Most single gate post replacements take a few hours plus concrete cure time before the gate is rehung for good.
01
Step 1
Diagnose
We check the hinge and latch posts for plumb, look for rot at grade, test for movement and decide whether the post, the gate frame or both are the problem.
Level on all four faces
Rot and crack check
Written repair quote
DEEPER FOOTING
02
Step 2
Remove & Dig
The gate comes off, the old post and its concrete collar are broken out, and the hole is cleaned and deepened below the frost line after the Miss Dig ticket clears.
Old concrete hauled away
Hole flared at the base
Utilities marked first
03
Step 3
Set, Cure & Rehang
The new post is set plumb in concrete and braced. Once it has cured, we rehang the gate, adjust hinges and align the latch.
Braced plumb while curing
Hinges adjusted to level
Latch catches cleanly
Gate Dragging on the Ground?
Prop the latch side on a block to stop further damage, then call (734) 977-0554.
POST UPGRADE OPTIONS
Ways to Make a Gate Opening Stronger
Depending on the gate, one or more of these solves the problem for good.
Steel Insert in Vinyl
A galvanized steel or aluminum stiffener inside a vinyl post stops the flex that pulls vinyl gates out of line.
Steel Post, Wood Wrap
A galvanized steel post clad in cedar boards keeps the wood look with metal strength. Ideal for heavy wood drive gates.
6x6 Cedar Hinge Post
Twice the cross-section of a 4x4 and much stiffer. The standard upgrade for walk gates on wood fences.
Overhead Header
A beam across the top of both posts ties them together so neither can lean in. Works with arbors and arched gates.
Gate Wheel or Cane Bolt
A wheel supports the free end of a long wood gate; a cane bolt holds a double gate's inactive leaf in place.
Deeper Bell Footing
A wider base below the frost line resists uplift. Used on wide drive gates and wet clay sites.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Gate Post Questions
Why gates sag and what actually fixes it.
How deep should a gate post be in Michigan?
At least 42 inches in concrete, which is below the typical Metro Detroit frost line. Wide drive gates and wet clay sites often go deeper. Shallow posts get lifted by frost and the gate goes out of line.
How much does it cost to replace a gate post?
Most walk gate post replacements land between about $350 and $750 per post installed, including removing the old footing. Drive gate posts with steel and deeper footings run higher. You get a written quote after we look.
Will an anti-sag kit fix my gate?
Only if the post is solid and the gate frame is racking. A cable and turnbuckle cannot fix a post that is leaning or loose in the ground. Check the post with a level first.
Can you reinforce my vinyl gate post without replacing the fence?
Often yes. We can remove the post cap and set a steel or aluminum stiffener inside, or replace just the gate posts and rehang the gate.
Can gate posts be replaced in winter?
Usually, as long as the ground can be dug and the concrete is protected while it cures. In deep frost we may brace the gate and schedule the pour for a milder stretch.
What size post does a 4-foot wood gate need?
We use a 6x6 cedar post or a steel-stiffened post for most 4-foot wood walk gates, set 42 inches deep in concrete. A plain 4x4 can work for a light, short gate, but it flexes and leans sooner under a full-height privacy gate.
FREE GATE POST QUOTE
Request a Free Gate Post Assessment
Send a photo of the gate and post if you can. We will diagnose it on site and give you a written price.
PREFER TO CALL DIRECTLY?
Speak directly with our estimating desk for quick questions or emergency repairs.
Honest diagnosis: post, frame or hardware
Frost-line footings on every replacement
Gate rehung and latched before we leave
Get Your Free Estimate
Quick response guaranteed within 24 hours
Online Booking Open
🔒 Your contact info is strictly confidential. We never sell your data or spam you.