Frequently Asked Questions

We complete most gate repairs same day or next day across Fort Worth, Irving, and Arlington. Our trucks carry common Elite, Ghost Controls, and DoorKing parts, so a typical operator failure in the TCU area or a broken hinge in Wedgwood gets fixed in one visit. Custom ornamental iron work or specialty parts for older gates in Highland Park might take 24–48 hours to source. During peak storm season — March through May when hail and wind hit Grapevine and Carrollton hardest — we prioritize safety issues like gates stuck open or blocking driveways. Call (855) 914-8517 and we'll give you a real arrival window, not a vague "sometime Tuesday."

We start with a full diagnostic: testing the operator, inspecting hinges and rollers, checking track alignment, and verifying all safety sensors and reversing mechanisms. In Fort Worth's clay-heavy soils, we always check post footing stability — we've seen gates in Euless and Grand Prairie that looked like electrical problems but were actually posts shifting after rain. We explain what we found, show you the issue if possible, and give you a written quote before any work. Most repairs take 1–3 hours. We test everything ten times before we leave, clean up, and show you how to avoid the same problem. Dennis Price trains our techs to treat your property like their own.

Absolutely — we repair gates installed by any company, including DIY installations from big-box retailers. We've fixed more than a few Mighty Mule setups in Arlington where the homeowner's wiring couldn't handle Fort Worth's summer heat load, and we've rescued DoorKing commercial installations in Dallas where the original installer went out of business. Our 11 years in Tarrant County means we've seen nearly every brand and configuration. We don't care who did the original work; we care about getting your gate safe and functional. That said, we won't warranty another company's installation — only our own repairs and new installs carry our guarantee.

For residential repairs, we prefer you or a trusted adult be present to approve the quote and test the finished work. For commercial properties in University Park or downtown Fort Worth, we can coordinate with property managers or maintenance staff. If you have a smart doorbell or camera system, some of our Farmers Branch and Coppell clients authorize work remotely after a video call to discuss the issue. We never enter a home without permission, and we document everything with photos for your records. Your comfort and security matter as much as the repair itself.

We work on all major brands, with deep expertise in Ghost Controls, DoorKing, Elite, and Mighty Mule systems. Ghost Controls is our go-to for residential swing gates in Grapevine and Southlake — their battery backup handles ERCOT grid issues well. DoorKing dominates the commercial market for apartment complexes and HOA entrances across Arlington and Irving. Elite operators are common in Highland Park and University Park for their quiet operation and clean aesthetics. Mighty Mule works for budget-conscious homeowners in Bedford and Carrollton, though we often upgrade the electrical supply during installation. We stock parts for all four brands and can source others within 24–48 hours.

We can source parts for most discontinued systems, though lead times vary. Our Fort Worth warehouse carries universal replacement boards and gear assemblies that work across multiple legacy brands. For ornamental iron gates in the Mistletoe Heights or Berkeley neighborhoods with original 1980s hardware, we've fabricated custom hinge pins and latch components in-house. Some very old residential systems from defunct manufacturers may need a full operator replacement to achieve reliable operation. We'll always be honest about whether chasing a rare part makes financial sense versus upgrading to a current Ghost Controls or Elite unit with modern safety features.

We don't recommend it — and we won't install customer-supplied electrical components due to liability and warranty concerns. The "compatible" boards and sensors sold on marketplace sites often lack UL listing or proper weather sealing for Fort Worth's 100° summers and occasional ice events. We've seen two DoorKing knockoff boards fail within months in Grand Prairie, costing more in repeat labor than genuine parts would have. We warranty our work for two years when we supply and install verified components. If price is a concern, tell us — we'll find a legitimate solution within your budget, not gamble with questionable parts.

Yes — we're fully state-licensed, insured, and bonded for gate and access control work throughout Tarrant County and Dallas County. Texas doesn't require a specific gate contractor license, but we hold the applicable electrical and contractor credentials that let us legally work on low-voltage access systems and 110V operators. Our insurance covers both property damage and worker injury, which matters when we're welding heavy iron gates or working with automated systems. We've been in business 11 years with zero liability claims — that's not luck, that's doing the job right. Ask any competitor for their certificate of insurance; we provide ours without hesitation.

Simple repairs — hinge replacement, operator swap, sensor adjustment — typically don't require permits in Fort Worth, Dallas, or surrounding cities like Irving and Arlington. New gate installations, structural modifications, or adding automatic openers to previously manual gates sometimes do, depending on your municipality and HOA requirements. We've navigated permitting for commercial installations in Farmers Branch and Coppell where fire department access codes apply. If your project needs a permit, we handle the paperwork and inspections as part of our service. We won't start work that puts you in violation — it's not worth the headache for either of us.

Verify three things: active insurance with adequate limits, physical local presence (not just a dispatch service), and verifiable customer history in your area. Ask for their Tarrant County project references — we can point you to recent work in Wedgwood, Berkeley, and the Cultural District. Check that their "local" address isn't a virtual office; we've found out-of-state companies using Fort Worth phone numbers who subcontract to whoever answers. Dennis Price has built this business on showing up personally, standing behind the work, and answering the phone at (855) 914-8517. Our 707 verified reviews at 4.8 stars didn't happen by accident.

A gate emergency is any situation where your gate poses a safety risk, security vulnerability, or blocks essential access. Gates stuck open after hours in Arlington or University Park create burglary exposure. Gates that won't open trap vehicles during medical emergencies or block fire department access — a real concern in Highland Park's narrow estate driveways. A gate that keeps cycling or reversing unpredictably can strike a child or pet. We treat these calls with priority dispatch, usually within 1–2 hours in Fort Worth proper, slightly longer for Grapevine or Grand Prairie during rush hour. If you're unsure whether it's an emergency, call (855) 914-8517 and we'll help you assess.

Yes — we offer after-hours emergency service for exactly this situation, and it's one of our most common calls during Fort Worth's storm season. A gate stuck open in Bedford or Euless after a lightning strike is both a security and insurance issue. We'll secure the gate manually if needed, then return with daylight for full repair if the problem requires parts we don't carry overnight. For commercial properties in Dallas or Irving with 24-hour access needs, we can often rig temporary operation until permanent repair. Don't leave your property exposed — call us even late; we'd rather get you safe tonight than risk a break-in.

Every electric gate should have a manual release — typically a key-operated lever inside the operator housing or a pull-cord for battery-backup systems. For Ghost Controls units, insert the release key and turn counterclockwise; for DoorKing and Elite, the method varies by model. However, and this is critical: releasing a heavy iron or steel gate on a slope in Fort Worth's hilly neighborhoods like Mistletoe Heights or parts of Arlington can cause the gate to run away and cause serious injury or vehicle damage. If you're not completely confident in the terrain and the gate's weight, call us for emergency release assistance. We've seen too many DIY attempts end badly.

We warranty our labor for two full years and pass through manufacturer warranties on parts — typically 3–5 years for Ghost Controls and Elite operators, 2–3 years for DoorKing commercial systems, and 1 year for Mighty Mule residential units. Our warranty covers both the repair work and any related adjustments needed during that period. If a hinge we replaced in Carrollton starts squeaking six months later, we fix it free. This isn't pro-rated or limited — it's the confidence that comes from 11 years of doing the job right the first time. We put it in writing on every invoice. Dennis Price stands behind every repair personally.

Operator warranties are voided by three common mistakes: unlicensed electrical work or DIY installation, using non-approved accessories or replacement parts, and failure to perform basic maintenance like clearing debris from tracks or keeping photo-eye lenses clean. Fort Worth's cottonwood season in May and June clogs gate tracks across Irving and Grand Prairie — neglecting this simple cleaning can void your warranty and cause $300+ in preventable repairs. Lightning damage isn't covered by manufacturer warranty, though your homeowner's insurance may apply. We document pre-existing conditions and installation quality so warranty claims go smoothly if needed. Ask us about our affordable annual maintenance plan — it protects your investment and your warranty.

Yes — our annual maintenance plan covers two scheduled visits per year, typically before Fort Worth's heavy storm season and before winter ice events. We lubricate hinges and rollers, test all safety sensors and reversing mechanisms, inspect electrical connections for corrosion from our humid summers, clear tracks and drains, and verify your operator's force settings still meet UL 325 safety standards. Plan members get priority scheduling and 15% off any repairs needed between visits. For commercial clients in Arlington, Grapevine, and Dallas with high-cycle gates, we offer quarterly service. Prevention costs far less than emergency repair, and it extends your operator's life by years. Call (855) 914-8517 to enroll — your gate will thank you.

Written by Dennis Price, Owner at Everest Gate Repair Service Dallas Fort Worth, serving Fort Worth, Irving, Arlington, and surrounding communities since 2013.