Frequently Asked Questions

We start by listening to what the gate is doing, or not doing. Then we inspect the latch, hinges, post condition, opener, safety sensors, and track or arm travel. We explain what we found in plain language and give you a written price before any work starts. If you approve, we complete the repair, test the gate through several full cycles, and clean up the work area. We ask before we move or touch anything on your property, per our C.A.R.E. code.

Most common repairs like latch replacement, hinge adjustment, sensor realignment, or opener troubleshooting take one to two hours on site. A full motor swap or control board replacement might run two to three hours. Larger jobs, like replacing a gate post or installing a new automated gate, are scheduled separately because they involve concrete work or power runs. We'll give you a realistic time estimate as part of your written quote.

Yes. We work with Los Angeles HOAs, property managers, and apartment building owners on pedestrian gates, driveway gates, parking lot barriers, and access control systems. These jobs often involve coordinating with a management company and following community rules about appearance and noise. We're used to both. Commercial and multi-unit gate systems typically involve heavier use, which means we recommend higher-cycle openers and regular maintenance checks. Call (626) 649-4572 to discuss your property.

In most cases, yes. When a repair requires new steel, we match profile, spacing, and finish as closely as possible to what's already there. For full replacements, we can fabricate to match the general look of your existing gate or start fresh with a design you choose. Los Angeles neighborhoods like Hancock Park, Silver Lake, and Sherman Oaks each have distinct architectural styles, and we'll recommend something that fits yours. You approve the design and price before fabrication begins.

Look at whether the gate moves at all, whether it moves partway and stops, and whether the opener makes noise but doesn't engage. Check for visible debris in the track, an obvious obstruction, or a sagging hinge. If the gate is heavy or under tension, don't force it. Gate springs and cables carry serious tension and can cause injury if released improperly. The safest move is to leave the gate in whatever position it's in and call (626) 649-4572. We'll assess it properly.

We service and install all major gate opener brands, including Viking, Ghost Controls, DoorKing, and Elite. Each has strengths depending on gate type. DoorKing is common on apartment and commercial gates in Los Angeles. Viking and Elite are widely used on residential driveway gates. Ghost Controls makes strong DIY-friendly kits but we also see them on professionally installed gates. We stock common parts for these brands and can source anything else quickly.

We repair first whenever it makes sense. Many opener failures come down to a bad limit switch, a worn gear, a misaligned sensor, or a control board issue rather than a dead motor. If the motor itself has failed or the board is no longer manufactured, replacement is the better path. We'll show you the repair cost and the replacement cost side by side so you can decide with clear numbers. Either way, you get a written price before any work starts.

Yes, we install both Ghost Controls and Viking openers regularly throughout Los Angeles. Ghost Controls is a solid choice for residential swing gates with moderate use. Viking openers tend to be heavier duty and work well on longer or heavier gates. What matters most is matching the opener's capacity to your gate's actual weight and cycle count. We measure that on site and recommend the right model for your setup before ordering anything.

In our Los Angeles service calls, the most common failures are hinges, latches, opener gears, and safety sensors. Coastal areas like Playa del Rey and Marina del Rey see more rust and corrosion from salt air, which accelerates hinge and track wear. Inland areas like Pasadena and Glendale deal with more heat-related motor and capacitor stress. Sandy or dusty lots, common in parts of the San Fernando Valley, clog tracks and sensors faster. Your gate's location genuinely affects what breaks and how often.

Every pro working under the Latch & Post Gate Repair name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires. We carry proper liability coverage so your property is protected while work is underway. We're happy to share documentation before we begin. You should never hire a gate contractor who can't show proof of license and insurance on request. Call (626) 649-4572 and we'll walk you through it.

Whether a permit is required depends on the scope of the job. Los Angeles has specific rules about gate height, setback from the sidewalk, and whether the gate swings outward over public right-of-way. For larger installations or structural post work, a permit is often required. We'll tell you upfront whether your project needs one and handle the paperwork where applicable. Small repairs like latch or sensor replacement rarely trigger permit requirements. You'll know before any work begins.

Every technician working under our brand goes through a vetting process before they're sent to your home. We hold our local teams to a consistent standard across every market we serve. When our crew arrives, they'll introduce themselves, walk through what they'll be doing, and treat your property per our C.A.R.E. code. We clean up like it's our own home, ask before we move or touch anything, respect your family's time, and explain the price before the work happens.

Call (626) 649-4572 right away. A stuck-open gate is a priority call for us, especially when pets or kids are involved. Our Los Angeles schedule is Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sunday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. When you call, let us know the situation and we'll get a technician to you as quickly as that day's schedule allows. If the gate can't be safely closed temporarily, we can often secure it or disconnect the opener to prevent it from moving until full repairs happen.

First, keep kids and pets away from the gate. A fallen gate is heavy and can shift. Don't try to lift it back onto the track yourself. Slide gates especially carry weight better handled with proper lifting equipment and careful technique. Call (626) 649-4572 and describe what happened. We'll ask whether the gate is fully on the ground, partially hung, or leaning, and we'll schedule a service call at the earliest available time. The written quote covers rehanging and any track or roller replacement needed.

Your call is answered by a live coordinator who connects you with the local team covering your address. When you call, we'll find the next available service window that fits your area and your situation. We serve all of Los Angeles County, from Santa Monica to Alhambra, from Encino to Long Beach. You'll get a specific time frame when you book, not a vague promise. Call (626) 649-4572 to see today's availability.

Yes. Our repairs are covered by The Cedarwell Care Promise, which means the work is done to a standard we stand behind. If something related to our repair fails after we leave, call us and we'll come back to make it right. The written price you approve before work starts is the price you pay. Every Latch & Post Gate Repair location works to the same promise: shoe covers and drop cloths inside the house, quiet tools when the kids are asleep, pet-safe products where there's a choice, a photo of the clean-up before we leave, and a written price before any work starts.

The Cedarwell Care Promise is the standard every location follows on every job. It covers the way we treat your home: shoe covers and drop cloths inside, quiet tools when kids are asleep, pet-safe products where a choice exists, a photo of the clean-up before we leave, and a written price before any work starts. It's our brand's guarantee that the job isn't done until the gate works right and the property looks like we were never there. The name comes from the Cedarwell family, and the gate repair company of the Cedarwell family is Latch & Post Gate Repair. Each location is independently owned and operated.

Call (626) 649-4572 and describe what's happening. If it's the same issue we repaired and it's within a reasonable period of that repair, we'll return and address it under our workmanship guarantee. Sometimes a symptom looks like the same problem but has a different cause, especially if the gate is older or has multiple worn parts. Either way, we'll diagnose it, explain what we found, and give you a written price if the issue is outside the original repair scope. You'll know before any additional work starts.

We recommend regular maintenance for any automated gate, and we can set up a schedule that works for you. Gates in Los Angeles deal with heat, dust, and coastal salt depending on your neighborhood, and those conditions accelerate wear on hinges, tracks, and opener gears. A maintenance visit covers lubrication, sensor alignment, opener testing, hinge inspection, and a written report on anything that's wearing out. Catching a failing hinge or a stressed gear early is far cheaper than replacing a burned-out motor later. Call (626) 649-4572 to set one up.

Written by Cody Beckman, Owner at Latch & Post Gate Repair, serving Los Angeles since 2009.