Gate making how would you do it

[mitchel.]

Right I seek the advice of experienced people who have made gates wanting to learn.

Been asked to quote for a gate 304cm wide and 180cm high also wants the post to be installed by me. They would like shiplap in fills to keep price down im guessing that's the cheapest wooden infill you can use.

 

[cumbriasteve]

If they are choosing cheap shiplap infill to save money then personally I would walk away from the job.

To fuss over such a small amount of difference in price would make me wary of problems regarding payment and expectations when the cheap wooden infill warps.

For a gate of that size you would want some decent quality timber to make a proper job of it that will last.

 

[mike os]

wood or steel? 1 gate or 2?

 

[Kent]

Is it within your lifting and handling capabilities? Have you facilities to make it without resorting to an on the floor build?

Your going to need lifting gear to hang it on site safely and proper precautions if there are likely to be any passers by or vehicles

I should say thanks but no thanks if it was for the cheapest infill
It's cheaper to make a gate with simple bars and frame anyway

Consider what that gate could do if the wind grabs it on opening or closing if it's man operated

If you're still doing it post a drawing up and will do what I can to help out

 

[mitchel.]

The gates 308cm wide 180cm high what would you charge for it and what materials would you use they want wood infills

 

[mitchel.]

When I say 308cm that's the full span so each side would be 154cm wide

 

[Jim Davey]

Work out the cost of your materials, add 30%, decide on an hourly rate, add that. Stick the price in and wait, if it's too steep offer a discount on the materials but not the time.

 

[Kent]

The gates 308cm wide 180cm high what would you charge for it and what materials would you use they want wood infills

It's up to you charge but this 1500x 1800 with infills is not a one man job handling wise
You also need to consider how your going to transport it
I would use Iroko untreated or sapele on a ply sandwich the sapele I should use sikens on
Price? I heck of s deal more than your thinking I recon lol
I have to say there are a lot of mistakes you can make with this I advise you leave it until you have more experience or sub it out and add something in for yourself

 

[Welderpaul]

Do what I used to do...send the enquiry to a couple of other gate fabricators (but who are not immediately on the doorstep of where you are working) and get their price

 

[Kent]

Do what I used to do...send the enquiry to a couple of other gate fabricators (but who are not immediately on the doorstep of where you are working) and get their price

Mark it up sell it on!

 

[mitchel.]

How do I get more experience if I don't try and subbing it out isn't exactly going to make me a lot of money.
I simply asked a simple question where people can suggest what they would do not for everyone to drag me down and make me sound useless I need to experience to learn. Yet no ones actually said here's the size box I use or the wall thickness I use .

I understand iroko is the best however I also put fences up for a living some times panels cost £28 sometimes they cost £56 end of the day they do the same jobs but one looks nicer and will last longer. My customers understand this.

I'm using tannerlised ship lap so not to sure on the warping but I seal all my cuts to and the boards are self tapper screwed in sandwich against a inner lip I've welded to the inside of the box all the way round so they can be changed. My customers understand what there paying for and getting the price reflects that I'm just filling a gap in the market.

 

[cumbriasteve]

In fairness it took a bit of messaging before it became clear it was a pair of gates and not one large one, this makes a big difference on the material that is suitable.

Your opening post also rightly or wrongly gave the impression you were very inexperienced and venturing into something you had zero experience with including the welding, couple that with the fact we thought it was one massive gate, safety and liability considered and perhaps the comments that followed make more sense now.

If you decide to go ahead with the standard 19mm? shiplap then 50 x 3mm box would in my opinion be strong enough, with 100mm box posts sunk 1 metre minimum and maybe even 150mm box, difficult to judge without seeing the finished project

Metal size to increase if the wood is improved upon and results in added weight.

 

[Kent]

Actually trying to help you if you're not sure how your better off not doing as regards paying customers
Otherwise you end up with a debt rather than a profit
Wall thickness could be 2.5 mm upwsrds it's the least of your worries here and there are people trying to help you just not saying what you want to hear that's all
1500x 1800? Infill Have you got a hyab or a team of guys?

 

[CornishPete]

How do I get more experience if I don't try and subbing it out isn't exactly going to make me a lot of money.
I simply asked a simple question where people can suggest what they would do not for everyone to drag me down and make me sound useless I need to experience to learn. Yet no ones actually said here's the size box I use or the wall thickness I use .

I understand iroko is the best however I also put fences up for a living some times panels cost £28 sometimes they cost £56 end of the day they do the same jobs but one looks nicer and will last longer. My customers understand this.

I'm using tannerlised ship lap so not to sure on the warping but I seal all my cuts to and the boards are self tapper screwed in sandwich against a inner lip I've welded to the inside of the box all the way round so they can be changed. My customers understand what there paying for and getting the price reflects that I'm just filling a gap in the market.

a very valid point! I went on a diy forum to ask a question about electrics and basically got a dozen or so replies telling me if I need to ask I shouldn't do it and get an electrician instead, not a single helpful answer. I tried to reason with them to no avail and really ****** them off when I suggested all household electrics is glorified plug wiring ie connect the 3 wires correctly and bobs your uncle. I appreciate if you get it wrong there can be serious consequences, just like your gates, but just because a person is qualified or even experienced does not mean they know or are the best! As a self employed builder I have to use plumbers and electricians for some stuff and some have been truly awful jobs with lots of problems and faults yet it would be illegal for me to do a better job!
what's the point in a forum full of people who know what they're doing, telling other people who know what they're doing, that they know what they're doing!
I don't know what I'm doing, that's why I'm on here but good luck!!

 

[brightspark]

it puts a lot of people off asking for help on forums by being told to go get a professional to do something so they don't bother asking for help . I don't mind giving advice on ways to do something and explain in 3 different ways along with other posters comments but if the nettle isn't grasped after that it is best to get someone in. no one would do anything if there wasn't advice
-

 

[mike os]

knowing what the job actually is, is important to understand before you start offering advice... now there is a clearer picture advice has been offered

 

[bigegg]

Subbing out is not neccesarily a bad thing: 800 quid for the gate, 200 on top for you.
The week it would take you to make, get anothrt paying job that pays 300.
You just made double what you would have otherwise - and not put your back out lifting a couple of 4cwt gates.

 

[bigegg]

How do I get more experience if I don't try and subbing it out isn't exactly going to make me a lot of money.
I simply asked a simple question where people can suggest what they would do not for everyone to drag me down and make me sound useless I need to experience to learn.

Experience teaches more than just *how* to make something.
sometimes, what experience tells you is "walk away"
Sometimes it says "go for it"
Sometimes it says "get someone to do it"

 

[bletchmonster]

Worth remembering that you'll pat your self on the back for how quick you knocked up a couple of gate frames, then the joy will fade as you spend at least as long again sortin hinges, latch and drop bolts

 

[mitchel.]

In fairness it took a bit of messaging before it became clear it was a pair of gates and not one large one, this makes a big difference on the material that is suitable.

Your opening post also rightly or wrongly gave the impression you were very inexperienced and venturing into something you had zero experience with including the welding, couple that with the fact we thought it was one massive gate, safety and liability considered and perhaps the comments that followed make more sense now.

If you decide to go ahead with the standard 19mm? shiplap then 50 x 3mm box would in my opinion be strong enough, with 100mm box posts sunk 1 metre minimum and maybe even 150mm box, difficult to judge without seeing the finished project

Metal size to increase if the wood is improved upon and results in added weight.

I tried my best to explain I have welding experience because I did two years at collet doing body repair on cars welding chassis I've also built off readers in the past which I have stood up to a battering I trust my welds.

The shiplap 21mm deep then 120mm wide its tongue and groove also tannerlised.

The Gates are as followed

A pedestrian gate

Worth remembering that you'll pat your self on the back for how quick you knocked up a couple of gate frames, then the joy will fade as you spend at least as long again sortin hinges, latch and drop bolts

Yeah I can see that coming already