Julia G.
08/10/2020 12:00:00 SA
Alex and Michael arrived on time at 8 am July 13, 2020 to put kickplate under my RV gate to raise it to the level that I added onto my block wall years ago, which is another 13 inches. Alex is particularly cheerful and upbeat.
I was feeling sorry for them that they had to work in 118 degree heat, but they had their setup, which really impressed me, that I took this picture. A large EZ up with misters!! I never seen any worker bring such a thing.
Gate Repairs was willing to match the $350 bid that I got from several other gate businesses (maybe even this same business) several years ago, but never acted on it. I did not tell them that my lowest bid this year was $400, but they wrote back that they were willing to match the $350 I got from the past. I was elated. I got a bid as high as $1200 from one gate company, and that was only if I put kickplate on top of the gate not at the bottom!
So make sure you get several bids, folks, cos they could be $1000 apart.
It was hard to get bids on this project because the other gate companies only make new gates, or they do not come out to the job site to install what they make in the shop, due to not being licensed to do installations on site.
At first they welded the plate on top of the frame, not inside the frame. I didn't like that at all, and they already painted it. They said they didn't weld the plate inside the frame so it looks same on both sides, cos the plate has a tendency to warp. It is such a little area, like 1 foot high. I said you could put enough welds in it, even all the way around, not just spot welding here and there, so the plate won't warp.
So they took apart what they did. on that one side, and put metal plate inside the frame, and got my approval. Sooooo much better!
Otherwise I would have looked at that plate on the outside of the frame (like a piece of cardboard taped there) and had bad feelings every time I look at it, and for years. Alex said I just want you to be happy. I said I was happy with the changes they made. He said some people like the panel on this side, some like it on the other side. I said Well you didn't ask me first. I told him I think they should have asked me. Maybe they will ask people from now on to avoid having the cost of time and materials to do it over. .
I don't know why I put off this gate modification for so long, but I love the Covid quarantine I got home projects done during this time that I been putting off for 16 years!
While working, Alex told me they could replace existing wood slats, which too are too small for the opening (cos lazy person, not me, buys them ready cut that way, no need to rip each slat) . Existing wooden slats leaves large gapes in metal frame that people could see me skinny dip in my pool easily Wood has to be custom ripped to fit between metal, so people cannot see through. Gate Repairs will paint the wood for me, too. Alex said he will call Areceli to give me a quote for that.
On July 30, a different person named Adam showed up with the same Michael who came with Alex on July 18, to replace my gate slats with wider boards so the 1/4 opening on each side no longer exists between the board and the metal frame grid.
They stained the wood at their shop with the Behr Redwood stain 502 I told them to get, and cut it onsite and installed. Cost $560 after a $100 previous customer discount.
I noticed paint drops and overspray on my brick paving and the concrete. But Adam insisted that their paint (in spray can) does not make drops like that, but there was also 25 inches overspray you can see in the photo. Adam said he and Michael painted in the alley, not where the drips are. No one coulda done that but the gate workers, which Adam said could have been done by Alex last time. They did not have the right solvent to remove the paint drops so I got my nail polish remover, which well, didn't get it all out, but made a difference. Areceli at the office both called and emailed me offering for someone to come out again with the right solvent to remove the paint from my pavers, after the guys told the office they did not have the means to remove the paint.
After they left I worked on it for several days with remaining nail polish remover. I got it out enough so it isn't as noticeable that I could live with, so they do not have to come back again. But that is why I give them 5 stars, because they were conscientious to come out again to make it right.
I tell you I really like Alex, the company has a big asset in his upbeat, enthusiastic, cheerful, yes and I just want you to be happy personality. I felt Adam was the opposite.
Here are pictures of raised gate, neat latches they put on free, and their impressive work tent with fans and misters.