GATE REPAIR
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Latches Every Time
Gate Repair in Metro Detroit
A gate that drags, sticks or will not latch is telling you something moved: the hinge post, the frame or the hardware. We find which one, fix the cause instead of forcing the latch, and leave you with a gate that swings freely and catches every time.
Sag Diagnosed at the Source
Hinges and Latches Replaced
Pool Gates Re-Tuned
Free On-Site Assessment
DIRECT DISPATCH PHONE
Get Your Free Estimate
Quick response guaranteed within 24 hours
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DIAGNOSIS FIRST
Three Ways a Gate Goes Out of Line
The fix depends on which part moved. We check in this order, because fixing the wrong one only buys a few weeks.
The Hinge Post Leaned
Put a level on the hinge post. If it tips toward the opening or rocks in the ground, the post is the problem and nothing on the gate will hold.
Most common cause
The Frame Racked
If the post is plumb but the gate is no longer square, the frame has sagged at the latch corner. Wood gates without a proper diagonal brace do this.
Brace or rebuild
The Hardware Wore Out
Stripped hinge screws, bent straps, worn self-closing springs and latches knocked out of line. These are quick fixes once the post and frame are sound.
Fastest repair
It Changes With the Seasons
A gate that latches in summer and binds in winter usually has a post moving with frost. Michigan frost reaches about 42 inches.
Frost heave signal
REPAIR OPTIONS & COSTS
Adjust, Re-Hardware, Rebuild or Reset the Post
When the post and frame are sound, the repair is usually hardware: through-bolted heavy hinges in place of short screws, a new latch aligned to where the gate actually closes, or self-closing hinges re-tensioned. On wood gates that have racked, we add or reverse the diagonal brace so it runs from the bottom hinge corner up to the top latch corner, or install a cable and turnbuckle. Our guide to fixing a wooden gate covers the DIY steps for simple cases.
When the hinge post has moved, we reset or replace it with a stiffened post on a 42-inch frost-line footing, the same approach as our heavy-duty gate posts. Pool gates get extra care: we re-tune them to close and latch from any open position, since a pool gate that does not self-latch is a safety problem, not just an annoyance. See pool safety gates, leaning post replacement and all fence repair services.
TYPICAL GATE REPAIR RANGES
Typical Fix
Range
Adjust & Re-Align
Post and frame sound
Tune hinges, move latch
$125–$250
New Hinges or Latch
Parts plus labor
Heavy-duty hardware
$150–$400
Frame Repair
Racked wood gate
Brace or anti-sag kit
$200–$450
Gate Rebuild
Rotted or broken frame
New gate, same opening
$450–$1,200
Hinge Post Reset
Leaning or heaved
New post + footing
$350–$750
HOW A GATE REPAIR RUNS
Check, Fix the Cause, Test the Swing
Most hardware and alignment repairs are finished in one visit. Post replacements need concrete cure time before the gate is rehung for good.
01
Step 1
Check Post, Frame & Hardware
We level the hinge and latch posts, check the gate for square, inspect every hinge and latch, and watch how the gate swings and closes.
Level on both posts
Gate checked for square
Written repair quote
ROOT CAUSE
02
Step 2
Fix the Cause
Depending on the diagnosis, we reset the post, brace or rebuild the frame, or replace hinges and latches with heavier, through-bolted hardware.
Post reset below frost line
Frame braced the right way
Through-bolted hardware
03
Step 3
Re-Hang & Test
The gate is hung with even gaps, the latch is aligned to where the gate naturally closes, and self-closing gates are tested from full open.
Even gaps both sides
Latch catches without slamming
Self-closers tuned
Pool Gate Not Latching?
That is a safety issue. Call (734) 977-0554 and we will prioritize the visit.
GATES WE REPAIR
Repairs by Gate Type
Every material has its own failure points.
Wood Walk Gates
Racked frames, rotted bottom rails and stripped hinge screws. We brace, rebuild or replace with a framed cedar gate.
Vinyl Gates
Usually a flexing hinge post. We add a steel or aluminum stiffener and adjust the hinges. See PVC fence repair.
Aluminum Gates
Frames stay square; posts and self-closing hinges wear. We reset posts and replace or re-tension hardware.
Chain Link Gates
Bent frames, worn fork latches and loose hinge bolts. We replace fittings and re-hang on solid terminal posts.
Double Drive Gates
Leaves that no longer meet in the middle, broken drop rods and missing cane bolt keepers. We re-level both leaves.
Pool Gates
Weak self-closing hinges and latches that miss. We re-tune so the gate closes and latches from any open position.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Gate Repair Questions
Why gates sag and what it costs to fix them.
How much does gate repair cost?
Simple realignment usually runs about $125 to $250. New hinges or a latch typically land between $150 and $400. If the hinge post needs replacing, expect roughly $350 to $750. You get a written quote after we diagnose the gate.
Why does my gate sag?
Most often the hinge post is leaning or loose in the ground. Next most common is a wood frame that has racked because the diagonal brace is missing or runs the wrong way. Worn hardware is the third.
Why does my gate latch in summer but not in winter?
Frost heave. Michigan frost reaches about 42 inches, and posts set shallower move as the ground freezes and thaws. Resetting the post below the frost line fixes it for good.
Do anti-sag kits work?
They work on wood gates with a racked frame and a solid post. They cannot fix a leaning post, and over-tightening can pull the post further over.
Can you make my existing gate self-closing?
Usually, by adding self-closing hinges and a gravity or magnetic latch. For pool gates we confirm the latch height and swing direction meet your building department's barrier rules.
Should I repair or replace my gate?
Repair if the frame is sound and the problem is the post or hardware. Replace if the frame is rotted, split or too heavy for the opening; a new framed gate often costs less than repeated fixes.
FREE GATE ASSESSMENT
Request a Free Gate Repair Assessment
Tell us what the gate is doing. We diagnose it on site and give you a written price for the fix.
PREFER TO CALL DIRECTLY?
Speak directly with our estimating desk for quick questions or emergency repairs.
Root cause found, not just the latch moved
Heavy-duty, through-bolted hardware
Gate tested 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.