We've answered the most common questions about gate installation, pricing, access control, and maintenance. Don't see yours? Call us — we're happy to talk it through.
General Questions
5 questions
We serve the entire San Francisco Bay Area, including San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, San Francisco, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and Marin County. Our shop is in Menlo Park, and we travel up to 60 miles without any travel surcharge. If you're outside that radius, give us a call — we may still be able to help.
Never. Every gate is fabricated in our Menlo Park shop and installed by our own employees. When you hire Blue Automatic Gates, you know exactly who's showing up and doing the work. This is one of our core principles — no hand-offs, no unknown crews on your property.
Yes — we are fully licensed and insured in California. We carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance. We're happy to provide proof of insurance for any project that requires it, including HOA or commercial jobs.
We've been operating since 2009 — over 15 years serving the Bay Area. In that time, we've installed more than 500 gates across six counties, from residential driveways to commercial industrial facilities. We're not going anywhere.
Yes, frequently. We have experience working within HOA guidelines and can provide all documentation needed for approval — drawings, material specs, and insurance certificates. We also work directly with property management companies for multi-unit complexes and commercial parks.
Installation
5 questions
Most residential gate installations are completed in one day. Larger or more complex projects — like commercial gates with extensive access control, or custom ornamental iron designs — may take two to three days. We'll give you a specific timeline when we quote your project.
We work primarily with steel, wrought iron, and wood. Steel is the most durable and cost-effective option for most applications. Wrought iron is used for decorative and ornamental designs. All materials are sourced from trusted U.S. suppliers.
Yes — slope is one of the most common challenges we solve..
Pricing & Quotes
4 questions
Gate pricing varies widely based on size, material, gate type, and automation level. reach out to us to receive an accurate price for your project.
Yes, completely free. We come to your property, assess the layout, discuss your needs, and provide a written quote with no charge and no obligation. We don't do phone quotes or ballpark estimates — we believe in seeing the job before we price it, and we believe you shouldn't pay for that.
We accept all major credit cards, checks, and bank transfers. For larger projects, we typically require a deposit at the start of fabrication and the balance upon completion.
Yes. We provide detailed written quotes and we stand behind them. If something unexpected comes up during installation (like discovering underground utilities or concrete footings that need to be modified), we'll communicate it immediately and get your approval before any additional work is done. We don't believe in surprise invoices.
Access Control
4 questions
We install a full range of access solutions: keypads, key fobs, remote controls, video intercoms, telephone entry systems, card readers, and app-based smart entry. We work with leading brands including LiftMaster,Viking , FAAC, Cell-Gate , DoorBird, and DoorKing. During your site visit, we'll help you choose the right combination for your security needs and budget.
Yes. We install smart gate systems that connect to your home Wi-Fi and let you open, close, and monitor your gate from anywhere using your phone. Some systems also allow you to receive notifications, set schedules, and grant temporary access to guests or delivery drivers. We'll walk you through the options when we meet.
All gate operators we install come with a battery backup system that keeps your gate functional during power outages. Gates can also be set to "fail-safe" or "fail-secure" mode depending on your preference — meaning the gate will either open automatically during a power failure (for emergency access) or stay locked (for maximum security). We discuss this with you during installation.
In most cases, yes. If you have a manual gate that you'd like to automate, or an older automatic gate with outdated controls, we can often retrofit it with a modern operator and access system without replacing the gate itself. We'll assess your existing gate during a site visit and let you know what's possible.
Maintenance
3 questions
We recommend a professional service visit once a year for most residential gates. High-traffic commercial gates should be serviced every 6 months. Regular maintenance includes lubricating hinges and tracks, checking the operator motor and electronics, testing safety sensors, and inspecting structural components for rust or wear. Annual maintenance dramatically extends the life of your gate and prevents costly breakdowns.
You can keep the gate track or path clear of debris, rinse off dust and salt (especially near the coast), and visually check for rust or damage. For the mechanical parts — lubrication, tension adjustment, sensor calibration — it's best to leave those to us to avoid voiding warranties or causing additional damage. When in doubt, call us.
Yes. We offer annual maintenance agreements for both residential and commercial customers. These include a scheduled service visit each year, priority scheduling for repairs, and discounted parts and labor. Ask us about maintenance packages when you get your installation quote, or call us at (650) 900-7922 to set one up for your existing gate.
Repair
3 questions
First, check if there's a power issue — look for tripped breakers or a dead battery backup. Check that nothing is blocking the gate's path or sensors. If the gate still won't move, call us at (650) 900-7922. We offer repair service across the entire Bay Area, often with same or next-day availability for urgent situations. Don't force a stuck gate — you could cause further damage to the operator or structural components.
Yes. We repair all brands and gate types, regardless of who installed them. Whether it's a gate operator failure, structural damage, rust, or an access control problem — if it's a gate, we can likely fix it. Call us with a description of the issue and we'll give you an honest assessment of whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
It depends on the gate's age, condition, and what's failing. We'll always give you an honest answer — if a $300 part can fix your gate for another 10 years, we'll tell you that. If the gate is structurally compromised, heavily rusted, or the repair cost exceeds 60–70% of a new gate's value, replacement is usually the smarter investment. We'll walk you through the options and let you decide.
Still Have Questions?
We're a Phone Call Away
Our team is happy to answer any question about your project — no sales pressure, no script. Just a straight answer from people who know gates.