Garden gate repair in Exeter
Professional garden gate repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Garden gate repair in Exeter. Sagging gates fixed, hinges replaced, latches adjusted to work properly.
Gate Won't Close or Dragging on the Ground?
A sagging garden gate is annoying every time you use it. Lifting it to close, wrestling with latches that don't line up, hinges hanging on by one screw. Most repairs are straightforward - new hinges, reinforced posts, proper adjustment. An hour or two and it's swinging smooth again.
💡 Pro tip: Garden gates sag because hinges work loose in timber that shrinks and swells with our Devon weather. If you catch it early and get it fixed properly, you save the gate. Leave it too long and the constant strain can split the timber, then you're looking at replacement.
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Heavy-duty hinges properly fixed to solid timber | Loose hinges screwed into rotten wood |
| Gate swings freely and latches first time | Still drags or needs lifting to close |
| Posts vertical and reinforced if needed | Wonky posts left as they were |
| Latch repositioned to actually work | Latch in wrong place, won't catch |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Inspection | Check hinges, posts, gate condition, work out the problem |
| Post Work | Straighten or reinforce posts if that's the issue |
| Hinge Fix | Fit new hinges if needed, reposition properly |
| Adjustment | Get gate swinging smooth and latch working |
📦 You're Left With
- Gate that swings smoothly on good hinges
- Posts vertical and solid
- Latch working properly without forcing
- All fixings secure and rust-resistant
Pricing Guide
| Scope | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple hinge adjustment | 1 hr | £60 |
| New hinges and latch | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Post reinforcement + full repair | 2 hrs | £110 |
£60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Hinges and materials extra if needed.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Gate sagging on one side - Hinges worn or posts moved
✅ Latch won't catch - Gate dropped and everything's misaligned
✅ Dragging on ground - Needs lifting every time you close it
✅ Hinges pulling out - Screws loose in the timber
Why Choose Us for Garden gate repair in Exeter?
Gate swings smoothly again
Hinges and latches working properly
Posts reinforced if needed
Quick repair, often same day
What to Expect
Step 1: Work Out the Problem
Look at hinges, posts, and gate alignment. Usually obvious what needs doing once you know what to look for.
Step 2: Fix It Properly
Sort posts first if they're wonky, then tackle hinges and gate alignment. Use decent hinges and fixings that'll last.
Step 3: Test and Adjust
Open and close it several times, adjust the latch position if needed. Make sure everything works smoothly.
🔧 DIY Tips
Worth a go if you're handy and it's just hinges:
🔧 What you'll need
- Replacement gate hinges (heavy-duty ones)
- Wood screws (longer and thicker than originals)
- Spirit level
- Socket set or spanner
📐 How to do it
- Support the gate on blocks before removing old hinges
- Check if the post is vertical (if not, that's your real problem)
- Fit new hinges slightly higher than the old ones if possible
- Use longest screws that'll fit without coming through
- Hang gate, test swing, adjust latch to match
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Putting new hinges in the same worn-out holes
- Using screws that are too short (pull out again quickly)
- Not checking if posts are vertical first
- Overtightening and stripping screw threads
💡 Pro trick: If the screw holes are stripped out and won't hold, drill them out bigger and glue in a timber dowel. Once the glue's set, drill new pilot holes and the screws will bite properly. Makes worn timber as good as new.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 Prevent future problems: A quick squirt of WD-40 on hinges twice a year keeps them moving freely. And if you notice the gate starting to sag even slightly, get it fixed early - saves the gate and the post.
Combine with:
- Fence panel repair (sort the fence while I'm there)
- Driveway gate repair (do both gates in one visit)
- Fence post replacement (if posts are beyond saving)
Related services:
- Driveway gate repair (bigger gates, same principles)
- Fence post concrete spur (save posts without replacement)
- Fence panel repair (matching fence repairs)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has my garden gate started dragging on the ground?
Usually it's the hinges wearing out or the post moving. Wood gates are heavy and over time hinges sag or screws work loose. Sometimes the posts shift in our Devon clay soil. I'll work out which it is and fix it properly - might just need new hinges, might need the post sorting.
Can you fix a rotten gate or does it need replacing?
Depends how far gone it is. If it's just the bottom rail that's rotten, I can often repair it. If the whole gate is falling apart, replacement's usually the better option. I'll tell you honestly what's worth doing - I'm not going to patch up something that'll fail again in six months.
Will the latch work properly after the repair?
Yeah, that's part of the job. Once the gate's hanging right and the posts are sorted, I'll adjust the latch so it actually catches. No point fixing the gate if you still have to lift it to close it.
How long does a gate repair last?
If I've fixed it properly - years. New hinges with decent screws into solid timber, posts vertical and solid, everything aligned right. The repair should last as long as the gate itself. If the wood's sound, you won't need to touch it again.
Garden gate repair Also Available In:
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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