Custom Gate Process

Having a fence gate made to order is the ideal if you're trying to make a a statement or match the style of your house with a gate of a certain size. Here is the basic process, though it varies depending on the number of gates, the difficulty of building, and of finding the parts if they're specialty items.

First is the initial conversation about what kind of gate(s) you're interested in. This often happens by email, which is good since it makes a written record. After I get a good idea of what is desired, I start making sketches. From there we can home in on a certain look and the elements that should be included.

Sometimes people send me a "style guide," which is just a collection of pictures and descriptions of things that have the right look and feel. This is very helpful.

I normally ask several rounds of questions to home in on the idea. Once it's down to a final idea, I can give a price, because I know what all will be needed to make it.

Once I have a deposit for materials, I can get started. I normally give myself three weeks to get a smaller project done. Sometimes the hardware is coming from Ukraine or Morocco, so I will have completed a number of steps while waiting for the stuff to arrive. And I don't make final decisions until I have everything in front of me in order to see how it works together. So it can take two weeks before I have everything to even see how it works together. The balance of the price is due at pick up, or delivery. Delivery is an option, normally for some cost.

A pair of gates being installed in a stone-front building. This one has a Dutch door with counter, and a wooden latch bar.

One of a pair of eleven foot wide double gates for this castle wall. (It was just delivered, sitting on uneven ground.) It has a wicket gate of the type called a "manway," because you have to bend over and step over a board to go through.

Sketches for the double Castle Gates showing ideas for framing on the back.

Sketches for different looks for French Barn Gate One above. Based on the client's concepts.