Gates are the single part of any fence that does mechanical work. They swing, they latch, they carry wind load, they take impact, they hold hinges. Every failure mode on a fence — sagging, dragging, refusing to latch, opener dying mid-cycle — happens at the gate first. Which is why gates are also where the difference between a competent installer and a hack shows up fastest.
Gate Work We Do Across North Fulton
Custom Driveway Gates
On Milton properties with a long approach — Providence Road, Freemanville, Hopewell, Birmingham Highway, Bethany Bend — a driveway gate is the first thing every visitor sees and the last thing on the property to fail. We fabricate driveway gates in aluminum, wrought iron, cedar, and steel-framed composite, sized to the exact drive width, and pair each build with the right operator: LiftMaster or DoorKing swing for standard drives, cantilever slide operators where a swing arc doesn't fit, and low-voltage or solar power for rural runs without accessible line power.
Automatic Gate Opener Installation
A full automation package is more than a motor. We install the operator on a proper mounting pad, trench and run low-voltage wire, wire in photo-eye safety sensors and edge sensors, program keypads and remotes, install exit loops in the driveway, and set up battery backup so the gate opens during a power outage. Every install is inspected against UL 325 safety standards before we leave.
Automatic Gate Opener Repair
Openers fail — most often after a Georgia thunderstorm takes out the control board or a hinge finally gives up after twenty thousand cycles. We service every major brand: LiftMaster, DoorKing, Viking, Elite, Apollo. Diagnostic first, honest estimate second, parts sourced from the manufacturer, not a Craigslist salvage.
Walk Gates
Built to match whatever fence you have — wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain link. Standard 4-foot widths, custom widths for wheelchair or golf-cart access, arched or straight tops, and heavy-duty commercial hardware because homeowner-grade hinges fail in three years.
Sagging, Dragging & Broken Gate Repair
The most common call we get in Milton: "The gate won't close anymore." Nine times out of ten it's a settled post, a worn hinge, or a broken diagonal brace inside the gate frame. We reset the post in fresh concrete, replace worn hinges with commercial-grade hardware, and re-square the frame — usually one visit, gate swinging clean by the end of the afternoon.
Our Gate Installation Process
Site walk
We measure the opening, evaluate slope and radius (a swing gate on a downhill drive is a different animal than one on flat ground), check for available power, discuss access-control needs (keypad, remotes, phone entry, exit loops), and write a detailed quote.
Fabrication
Walk gates and standard driveway gates get built to spec in the shop. Custom driveway gates are welded and finished to your exact style and opening size before they ever hit the site.
Post work
Gate posts take more load than any other post on the fence, so they get treated accordingly — deeper holes, larger diameter, more concrete, and cross-bracing on the tallest and heaviest gates. This is the single biggest reason gates sag over time, and it's the single easiest thing to get right the first time.
Opener installation and wiring
For automated systems, we trench and run 14-gauge low-voltage wire to the operator, mount the unit on a poured concrete pad, wire in photo-eye safeties and inductive exit loops, install and program keypads and remotes, and set up battery backup.
Adjustment and handoff
Every gate is adjusted for smooth swing, positive latching, and (for automated systems) the correct close force under UL 325. We walk you through operation, hand you documentation, and back the install with our written 2-year workmanship warranty.
Gate Problems We Diagnose Every Week
- Gate sags or drags — settled post, worn hinge pin, or a diagonal brace that's failed inside the frame.
- Won't latch — post has shifted, latch is misaligned, or wood has swelled with humidity.
- Automatic gate stuck open or closed — dead control board (usually after a lightning strike), failed motor, or a photo-eye out of alignment.
- Opener runs but gate doesn't move — sheared drive arm, broken chain, or stripped gearbox.
- Remote or keypad dead — receiver, wiring, or a programming issue.
- Gate hits the concrete — post settlement (very common on Georgia red clay) or debris built up under the swing arc.
What Gates Cost in Milton
- Size — walk gate vs. 10-foot single-swing vs. 14-foot dual-swing driveway gate.
- Material — aluminum vs. cedar vs. wrought iron vs. steel-framed composite.
- Automation — manual, single-swing operator, dual-swing operator, or cantilever slide.
- Access controls — keypad, remotes, phone entry, exit loop, cellular/wi-fi module.
- Power — hard-wired vs. solar (for rural properties without nearby line power).
- Site prep — trenching, concrete pad for the operator, existing gate removal.
Where We Work
Gate installs and repairs across Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs. Regular driveway-gate work along the equestrian frontage roads — Freemanville, Hopewell, Providence, Birmingham Highway, and Sweet Apple.
Gate Questions We Get Most
Can you install a gate on a fence you didn't build?
Yes — a big share of our gate work is on fences originally built by other contractors. We'll evaluate the existing posts and either reinforce them or set new gate posts as needed to carry the load.
What does an automatic driveway gate cost in Milton?
Wide range. A basic single-swing gate with a standard operator starts noticeably less than a fabricated dual-swing wrought-iron gate with keypad, phone entry, exit loops, and battery backup. We'll give you an exact number after a site visit — no ballpark numbers over the phone.
Which opener brands do you install?
LiftMaster, DoorKing, Viking, Elite, Apollo, and comparable commercial-grade operators. We don't spec homeowner-store openers on daily-use driveway gates because they're not built to survive the cycle count.
My existing opener died — can you repair it?
Almost always yes. Repair is faster and cheaper than replacement in most cases. We diagnose first and only recommend replacement when the parts cost approaches new-install cost.
My driveway has no electricity — can I still have an automatic gate?
Yes. Solar-powered opener systems with battery banks work well on rural Milton properties, especially on the equestrian tracts along Freemanville and Hopewell where running line power to the road would cost more than the gate itself.
Get a Gate Estimate in Milton
New driveway gate, automation package, or repair on a gate that stopped working — call 470-712-5803 or request a free estimate.