Mobile gate, fence and railing welding in Katy and west Houston

What the job is

Gate, fence and railing work covers repair and new fabrication in steel. Typical jobs include re-hanging and re-welding sagging swing gates, replacing broken hinges and latches, repairing sliding and cantilever gates, setting new posts, welding pipe fence on acreage, building simple steel gates to size, and repairing or adding railings on stairs, porches and balconies.

Most of these jobs are straightforward for an experienced welder. The difference between a repair that lasts and one that fails again in a season is usually in the details: the post, the hinge and the finish.

Why gates fail

A gate that sags is often not a welding problem at first. Understanding the cause helps you ask the right questions.

• The post has leaned or the concrete footing has moved, so the gate hangs out of square.
• The gate is too heavy for its hinges, or the hinge is wearing through.
• Welds have cracked at the corners where the frame takes the weight.
• Rust has weakened the bottom rail, where water collects.
• A vehicle has hit the gate or a driver has swung it too hard.

What affects the cost

Mobile welders in the Houston area often charge roughly $85 to $150 an hour, plus a travel charge or a minimum call-out commonly covering one to two hours. A latch or hinge repair may be close to the minimum. A new custom gate or a run of railing involves material, fabrication time and finishing, and costs considerably more. These are rough figures only, and quotes vary by job, material, access and urgency.

Factors that change the price are listed here.

• Size and weight of the gate, and the type of steel used.
• Whether posts need to be reset in concrete.
• Number of joints, curves or decorative details.
• Galvanizing, powder coating or paint, which may be done by a separate shop.
• Whether the work is repair or new fabrication. New work needs measuring, fabrication and a second visit to install.
• Whether an automatic gate operator is involved, since that is usually handled by a separate installer.

What to expect, step by step

Repairs and new installs follow a similar flow.

• Site visit or photos: the welder measures, checks the posts and looks at how the gate swings or slides.
• Quote: you get a price for the repair or fabrication and an idea of the timeline.
• Preparation: the old gate may be removed, the rust ground back and the posts straightened or reset.
• Welding and fitting: new metal is welded, hinges are adjusted, and the gate is checked for swing, clearance and latching.
• Coating: bare steel is primed and painted, or sent out for galvanizing or powder coat if you have chosen that.
• Final check: you test the gate, and the welder explains any maintenance such as greasing hinges.

How to choose a welder

Ask to see photos of similar gate or railing work. Ask who will fix the posts if they are the real problem. For railings on stairs, balconies or other places where a fall is possible, ask whether the work needs to meet height and spacing requirements, and check with your local building department or homeowners association when you are unsure. Do not assume that a railing that looks fine is acceptable to an inspector or an insurer.

If the gate is visible from the street in a neighborhood with architectural rules, check your homeowners association guidelines on style and color before ordering anything.

What to prepare

Clear plants, mulch and debris from around the gate and posts. Tell the welder where underground utilities, sprinkler lines or irrigation might run before any posts are set. Keep pets and livestock out of the work area, and make sure there is somewhere secure for animals while a pasture gate is open. If you have an automatic opener, find the installer's contact details in case it must be disconnected. Take measurements of the opening if you want a new gate.

Common questions