Do You Need a Site Visit Before Ordering a Gate?

Why a Gate Needs Measuring On Site

A gate is only as good as the opening it fills. Photos help us understand the style you want, but they cannot show the true width between posts, whether the wall is plumb, or how the ground falls across the entrance. Small differences of a few centimeters can decide whether a swing gate clears the pavement or whether a sliding gate runs smoothly along its track.

An on-site measurement records every dimension we need before any drawing starts, so the gate is built to the real opening rather than an estimate.

What Happens During the Site Visit

During the visit we usually check the following:

• The clear width and height of the opening
• The condition and position of posts, walls and pillars
• Ground slope, surface type and clearance under the gate
• Available space for swing or sliding movement
• Electrical supply and cable routes if automation is planned

We also discuss your preferred design, materials and finish while we are there.

When a Site Visit Can Be Skipped

A visit may be unnecessary when you are replacing an existing gate of the same size and type, and you can supply accurate measurements yourself. Simple pedestrian gates in a standard opening are another case. Even then, a quick check of the posts and ground helps avoid surprises, and you should confirm every figure in writing before production begins.

How the Visit Connects to the Written Specification

The measurements gathered on site feed into a drawing and a written specification. You review these and approve them before anything is manufactured. This step is important: it is the point where you can correct a detail, change a finish or confirm the swing direction.

Approval protects both sides. Production starts only once the specification matches what you expect to receive.

Common Reasons Gate Orders Go Wrong

Most problems trace back to information gathered too quickly. Typical examples include measuring only the gap and ignoring that the posts are out of line, forgetting the thickness of a floor finish that later reduces clearance, or choosing a swing gate where a sliding one was needed because a tree or wall blocks the arc.

A careful visit catches these issues before they become expensive corrections.

Preparing for Your Site Visit

To make the visit efficient, have a few things ready:

• Photos of the current entrance, from the street and from inside the yard
• Any existing drawings or old gate details
• A note of how you use the entrance, for cars, pedestrians or both
• Access arrangements, so we can reach the opening comfortably

Clear information at the start shortens the process and improves the final result.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order a gate from photos alone?

Photos are useful for choosing a style, but they cannot reliably show exact dimensions, ground levels or the condition of posts. For a made-to-measure gate, an on-site measurement is strongly recommended.

How long does a site visit take?

The length depends on the size and complexity of the entrance and whether automation is planned. A typical gate visit is a focused appointment rather than a full-day job.

Do I need to be home during the visit?

It helps if someone who can make decisions about the design is present. We can discuss options and confirm details on the spot, which saves time later.

What happens after the measurements are taken?

We prepare a drawing and written specification for your review. Production begins only after you approve it, so you can check everything before the gate is made.

Common mistakes to avoid

Ordering based on an estimate or a photo alone is the most frequent error, along with ignoring ground slope and post alignment. Both can lead to a gate that does not fit or operate properly.

Our recommendation

Book the site visit before deciding on the final style, and bring photos and any old documents. Confirm every dimension and the swing or slide direction in the written specification before approving production.

Summary

For a custom gate, a site visit is generally the right first step, since it captures the real opening and conditions that determine a correct fit. Approving a written specification afterwards keeps the order accurate.

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