Field gate repair in Exeter
Professional field gate repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-160
Typical Duration
1.5-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Sagging, sticking, or broken field gates repaired - new hinges, posts straightened, gates re-hung level. Often saves you buying a whole new gate and posts.
Most Gate Problems Are Fixable
Before you price up a new gate, posts, concrete, and labour, consider this: most gate problems are worn hinges or shifted posts, both of which can be fixed for a fraction of replacement cost. A decent five-bar gate should last 20+ years if it's maintained properly.
💡 Pro tip: Grease your gate hinges once a year - it's the cheapest maintenance you'll ever do. Dry hinges wear fast and that's when gates start sagging.
Common Gate Problems & Fixes
| Problem | Likely Cause | Typical Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Gate sagging | Worn hinges | Replace hinges, re-hang gate |
| Drags on ground | Posts shifted or sunk | Re-set posts, adjust gate height |
| Won't close properly | Warped frame or loose post | Straighten and brace, or replace |
| Latch doesn't line up | Gate or post moved | Reposition latch or re-hang gate |
| Bottom rail rotten | Age and moisture | Replace rail if joints still sound |
What You Get
🔧 Typical Repairs
| Type | What's Involved |
|---|---|
| Hinge replacement | Remove gate, fit new heavy-duty hinges, rehang level |
| Post repair | Straighten shifted post or splice new timber at rot point |
| Gate adjustment | Re-hang at correct height, tension diagonal braces |
| Latch/catch | Fit new closing hardware at working height |
📦 You're Left With
- Gate that swings smoothly again
- Proper closing action
- Years more life from existing gate
- Money saved vs full replacement
Pricing Guide
| Repair Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Replace hinges and re-hang | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| Fix sagging + new latch | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| Post repair + gate adjustment | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-£160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Materials (hinges, latches, timber) extra if needed.
Worth Repairing If...
✅ The gate timber is still sound - no major rot or broken rails
✅ Frame joints are tight - diagonal bracing isn't loose
✅ Just one or two issues - hinges worn, latch broken, slight sag
❌ Not worth it if: Gate is twisted beyond straightening, multiple rails rotten, joints all loose
Why Choose Us for Field gate repair in Exeter?
Sagging gates straightened and re-hung
Worn hinges and latches replaced
Rotten post sections repaired or replaced
Usually cheaper than buying a new gate
What to Expect
Step 1: Diagnose The Problem
I'll check the gate, posts, and hinges to see what's actually wrong. Sometimes it's obvious (knackered hinges), sometimes less so (posts have sunk on one side). I'll tell you what needs doing and whether repair makes sense.
Step 2: Source Parts If Needed
If you need new hinges or latches, I can pick them up from agricultural suppliers locally. Heavy-duty gate hinges aren't cheap but they last decades - no point using light duty ones on a field gate.
Step 3: Do The Repair
Might involve removing the gate to work on it, replacing hardware, adjusting posts, or re-hanging everything level. Whatever it takes to get it working smoothly again. Test it with the gate loaded (lean on it) to make sure it's solid.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to tackle basic gate repairs yourself? Here's what you're in for:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Socket set and adjustable wrenches
- Spirit level
- Drill with wood and metal bits
- Jack or props (for lifting gates)
- Hammer and cold chisel (for removing old hinges)
- Helper - gates are heavy and awkward
🔩 Replacing gate hinges
- Support gate weight before removing old hinges - they might be all that's holding it
- Remove bottom hinge last when taking gate off
- Clean up post and gate where new hinges will go
- Fit bottom (weight-bearing) hinge first when rehanging
- Check gate is level before fully tightening top hinge
- Use big washers under nuts - stops them pulling through timber
📐 Fixing a sagging gate
- Check if posts are still plumb - use a level
- Look for loose joints in the gate frame
- Tighten diagonal brace if it's loose - this stops sag
- If joints are loose, pull them tight with a ratchet strap before re-hanging
- Sometimes you need to add a second diagonal brace
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using cheap light-duty hinges on heavy gates - fail within months
- Not supporting gate weight when working on it - dangerous
- Trying to save gates that are genuinely past it
- Not checking posts are plumb before rehanging
- Overtightening fixings and splitting old timber
💡 Pro trick: If a gatepost has sunk but is otherwise solid, you can jack it back up using a bottle jack and timber blocks, then pack hardcore under the base before it settles. Cheaper than digging it out and resetting in concrete.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 Hinge grease: Once your gate's working properly again, grease those hinges at least once a year. Agricultural grease is best - bike oil washes off too easily in Devon weather. Proper maintenance means repairs last.
Rotten timber posts: If your post is rotten at ground level but solid above, a concrete spur repair will give you another 5-10 years easily. Much cheaper than digging out and replacing the whole post.
When to replace instead: If the gate's twisted, multiple rails are rotten, or all the joints are loose, you're throwing good money after bad trying to repair it. I'll be honest about when replacement makes more sense.
Preventive maintenance: Keep vegetation clear of gates so they can air out. Gates that sit in wet grass all year rot faster. A quick strim around the gate area helps enormously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fix a gate that's sagging badly?
Depends what's causing the sag. If it's worn hinges or loose posts, absolutely - that's a straightforward repair. If the gate itself is twisted or the joints have failed, it might be beyond saving. Send me a photo and I'll tell you honestly if it's worth repairing or time for a new gate.
My gate drags on the ground when I open it - can that be fixed?
Usually yes. Most often it's either the hinges wearing out or the posts shifting. I'll check which it is, then either replace the hinges, re-hang the gate at the right height, or sort the posts if they've moved. Much cheaper than a new gate.
The gatepost is rotten at ground level - does the whole post need replacing?
Not always. If the post is rotten below ground but solid above, I can sometimes splice in a new section or use a concrete spur to save it. Full replacement is the better long-term fix, but a repair will buy you years if the budget's tight right now.
How much does gate repair cost compared to a new gate?
Gate repair is usually £85-£160 depending on what's needed. A new five-bar gate hung properly with new posts is £200-£300+. So if the gate itself is still sound, repair makes financial sense. If multiple things are knackered, replacement might be smarter.
Will a repaired gate last as long as a new one?
If it's a proper repair - new hinges, solid posts, gate re-hung level - then yes, it'll last years. If the gate timber itself is shot or the frame's twisted beyond help, no amount of repair will make it right. I'll be straight with you about what's realistic.
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