Our Process: How Gate Work Is Assessed and Done

Across the gate trade, work generally follows the same pattern: a technician looks at how the gate moves and what it is built from, the job goes through a few usual stages, and safety standards and local rules shape what is done. Every property is different, and the details of a particular job are settled when the gate has been seen in person.

For Squantum Gate Services, every job starts with a call or message about the gate you have, or the one you want. We ask what kind it is, what it does when it fails and how often it gets used, then set a time to see it. Caleb Foster, the owner, comes out to look it over, take measurements and check the hardware and power. He explains what he found, and once you agree on the work, we set a start date.

What Is Assessed

What is assessed	Why it matters	Work it applies to
How the gate moves	A sag, a bind or a stall shows where the fault is before anything is taken apart	Repair, openers, maintenance
Posts and footings	A post that leans or heaves throws the gate and latch out of line	Repair, installation
Hinges, rollers and track	Worn hardware makes a gate drag and an opener work harder	Repair, maintenance
Gate weight and size	Hinges, rollers and openers are rated for the load they carry	Installation, openers
The ground around the gate	Slope and room behind or beside the opening decide swing or slide	Installation
Power and wiring	An opener and entry devices need a safe supply and wiring route	Openers, access control
Safety devices	Photo eyes, edge sensors and reversing protect people and cars	Openers, maintenance
How often it is used	A busy gate needs heavier hardware and an opener built for frequent use	All gate work

The Stages of a Typical Job

Stage of a typical job	What generally happens	What the customer may be asked
First call or message	The gate and the problem, or the gate you want, are described	What kind of gate it is, what it does when it fails, how often it is used
Site visit	The gate is looked over, measured, and its hardware and power checked	Where the gate is, how to reach it, and any history of repairs
Explanation and agreement	What was found is explained and the work agreed	To choose between options where there are some
Scheduling	A start date is set	Whether the gate can be out of use for a time
Before digging	Underground utilities are marked for post or trench work	Where private lines (sprinklers, lighting) run
The work	The repair, installation or opener work is carried out	To keep cars and people clear of the work area
Final checks	The gate is cycled repeatedly; swing, latch and safety stop tested	To try the gate and its controls before the job is closed

Safety Standards and Rules

Swipe left to see the rest of the table.

Rule or standard	What it covers	Where it matters
UL 325	Safety of gate operators, including protection against entrapment (photo eyes, edge sensors, reversing)	Every automatic gate opener
ASTM F2200	How automated vehicular gates are built: openings, gaps and guards that keep people from being caught	Gates that are automated, new or converted
Electrical code	Wiring, circuits and outdoor connections for openers and entry devices, done to the Massachusetts electrical code	Openers, keypads, intercoms, lighting
Dig Safe (811)	A required call before digging so underground gas, electric and water lines are marked	Post holes, footings and trenches for wiring
Local permits	Town rules on fence and gate height, placement and building or electrical permits	New gates and new wiring
Fire access	Emergency vehicles must be able to get through gates across some drives and entrances	Shared drives, condos and commercial entrances

What an Owner Can Check, and What to Leave

More on standards, permits and digging is under safety, codes and permits on our questions page.