Direct-to-Homeowner Gate Installation Tips: Save 30% or More
Why buying your gate direct and hiring a local fence pro is the “General Contractor Secret” to saving thousands.
The “Turnkey” Trap: Why You Pay Double for Custom Gates
If you call a dedicated “Custom Gate & Automation Company” in your local area, you will likely get a quote that makes your eyes water.
It isn’t just the cost of the metal. It’s the cost of the monopoly. Most local shops operate on a “Turnkey” model. Because they are the only ones in town who can design, build, and automate a gate, they charge a premium on every single step.
- The Design Fee: They charge you an arm and a leg for a “custom” drawing that usually turns out to be just a row of bars with a generic arch and a clipart motif.
- The Parts Markup: They often charge $5,000+ for an opener package that costs $3,000 online.
- The Specialist Labor: They charge $250+ per hour because they label themselves as “Gate Integration Experts.”
There is a smarter way. You don’t need a “Gate Magician” to dig a hole. You just need a solid fence crew and a better strategy.
The “Design” Gap: Welders vs. Artists
The most frustrating part of buying locally isn’t just the price—it’s the disappointment.
The “Clipart” Problem Local gate companies are typically general fabrication shops. They make their money pumping out generic gates quickly.
- Limited Capability: They want to sell you vertical pickets because it is fast and easy.
- Thin Materials: They build the gate from 11 or 14 gauge (whereas we use heavy duty 7 ga) because it’s cheap and easier for them to install since it’s so lightweight.
- The “Custom” Risk: If you ask for a tree, a horse, or a specific logo, they either say they can’t do it or charge a massive “Design Fee” to figure it out, resulting in a basic concept that underwhelms.
- The Result: You end up paying a premium price for a generic gate that doesn’t match your home’s style, looks exactly like your neighbor’s and won’t hold up to wind loading.
The JDR Advantage We don’t just weld; we create metal art.
- Proven Portfolio: We have designed and shipped hundreds of specialty gates to happy clients nationwide.
- Unlimited Creativity: From intricate wildlife scenes to modern laser-cut branding, we specialize in the complex designs that local shops are afraid to touch.
The “Hidden” Quality Crisis: Why Local Gates Rust
The biggest risk of buying locally isn’t just the price—it’s the lack of accountability.
The “Outsourcing” Game Most local gate companies are just welding shops. They do not have their own powder coating ovens.
- They Ship It Out: Once they weld your gate, they send it to a generic industrial powder coater.
- Zero Oversight: The gate is sprayed by a low-wage employee at a third-party shop who doesn’t care about your project. The gate company has no control over the pretreatment, the primer, or the cure temperature.
- The Markup: The gate company pays the coater, adds a huge markup, and bills you.
- The “Blame Game”: When the gate starts to rust after a couple of years because it wasn’t primed correctly (if at all), the gate company blames the coater, and the coater blames the gate company. You are left stuck in the middle.
The JDR Difference: 100% In-House Control We don’t outsource. We are the manufacturer.
- Design, Fabrication, & Finishing: It all happens under one roof in our facility.
- Expert Oversight: We monitor every step of the powder coat process—from sandblasting and zirconium pretreatment to the final cure in our own ovens.
- No Finger Pointing: Because we built it and coated it, we stand behind it 100%.
| Feature | The “Old Way” (Local Gate Shop) | The “Smart Way” (JDR + Fence Pro) |
| The “Gate” Cost | High Markup. You pay retail + a “specialist premium” because they are the only shop in town. | Factory Direct. You pay for the steel and the art, with zero middleman markup. |
| The “Labor” Cost | Specialist Rates. Often $250+ per hour for “Gate Automation Experts.” | Standard Rates. Fence pros work on volume. Their install rates are significantly lower. |
| Design Capability | “Clipart Motifs.” Limited to simple pickets. They charge huge fees for generic designs. | Proven Artistry. Hundreds of successful custom projects nationwide. If you can dream it, we can cut it. |
| Powder Coating | Outsourced. They send it to a 3rd party with no oversight. When it rusts, they blame the vendor. | In-House. We control the prep, primer, and cure in our own ovens. No finger-pointing. |
| Automation | The “Service Loop.” They install hobby-grade openers (Ghost Controls) and bill you repeatedly for repairs. | Commercial Grade. We recommend buying the LiftMaster LA500 online. Do it right, do it once. |
| The Incentive | Captive Audience. They bundle everything so you can’t see where the money is going. | Transparency. You see exactly what the gate costs and exactly what the labor costs. |
The Automation Hack: Avoid the “Ghost Controls” Trap
The biggest markup in the industry is often on the electronics. Even worse, many local installers push “hobby-grade” openers like Ghost Controls because they are cheap to buy and generate repeat service calls when they break.
The “Lightning” Excuse When these cheap openers fail after six months, installers often claim “lightning fried the board” to deny your warranty claim and charge you for a new one.
We empower you to do it right. We recommend the LiftMaster LA500 Package. It is the “Ford F-150” of gate openers—commercial grade, metal gears, and reliable.
- Buy it Direct: Order it yourself online or a certified distributor (saving ~$1,500 in markups).
- We Prep the Gate: We pre-weld the mounting brackets specifically for the LA500 onto your gate at the factory.
- The Installer’s Job: Your fence guy doesn’t have to weld or fabricate. He simply bolts the arm onto the bracket we provided.
The Power Myth: You Don’t Need an Electrician
Many homeowners assume they need to hire a licensed electrician to run dangerous high-voltage lines out to the gate. Wrong.
The Low-Voltage Advantage The LiftMaster LA500 is a DC system. This means you can run simple low-voltage wire from a standard outlet in your garage all the way to the gate.
- No Deep Trenching: Unlike high-voltage (110V) lines which must be buried 18-24 inches deep in conduit, low-voltage wire only needs to be buried a few inches below the sod.
- Fence Pros Can Do It: Most fence companies own trenchers. Since it is low-voltage, they can easily zip a line alongside your driveway while they are on-site.
- The Savings: You avoid the $2,500 minimum charge for an electrician to do it.
How to Find a Trusted Installer (It’s Easier Than You Think)
You don’t need a specialist. You just need a crew that can dig holes, pour concrete and run a low voltage wire in a shallow trench.
Step 1: Check with Us
We have been shipping nationwide since 2011. We have a network of trusted installers in many major hubs (like Columbus, Nashville, and Ocala). Ask us first—we might know the perfect crew.
Step 2: Use the “Magic Words”
If you are hiring a local fence company, you need to make it clear that the hard work is already done. Use this script when calling or emailing for a quote:
Subject: Quote for Gate Install + Opener Mounting (I have all equipment)
“Hi [Name], I am looking for a quote to install a driveway gate at my home.
The Project: I have a custom steel gate from JDR Metal Art arriving soon. They are delivering the steel posts, adjustable hinges, and I already have a LiftMaster LA500 opener package on site, ready to go.
What I need from you: I don’t need fabrication. I just need a crew to:
- Dig the holes and set the posts.
- Hang the gate on the provided hinges.
- Mount the Opener: Bolt the arm onto the pre-welded bracket and set the open/close limits.
- Run the Wire: Trench a low-voltage wire a few inches deep from my garage to the gate (dirt trenching only).
Is this something your crew can handle?”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can a regular fence company really install an automatic gate?
A: Yes. 90% of the work is digging holes and setting posts—which fence companies do every day. Since we pre-weld the opener brackets and provide adjustable hinges, the “technical” part is simply bolting on the equipment, hooking up low voltage power and setting the travel limits.
Q: How do I get power to the gate?
A: It’s easier than you think. You don’t need high-voltage lines. You can run low-voltage wire from your garage to the gate. It only needs to be buried a few inches deep. Most fence companies have a trenching machine and can run this wire for a small fee while they are installing the posts.
Q: What if the gate doesn’t fit perfectly?
A: We build our very own heavy-duty adjustable hinges. There are several inches of room for error, even after the posts are set, ensuring a perfect fit without needing to be precise to the 1/16th of an inch.
Q: Why should I buy the LiftMaster LA500 myself?
A: By buying direct, you avoid the installer’s markup (often 30-50%). Plus, you own the warranty directly. The LA500 is user-friendly enough that many homeowners install it themselves, but any fence pro can easily bolt it on.
Q: Does JDR Metal Art provide installation instructions?
A: Absolutely. We provide a “Blueprint” for your specific project, showing post spacing, hinge placement, and wiring diagrams. Your local installer can also call us directly if they have questions while on site.