Free on-site gate assessment - hinges, posts, and your LiftMaster or Nice gate operator checked before anything is quoted
The assessment is free and the quote is the invoice.
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AfterHow Much Does Gate Motor & Opener Cost in Arlington?
When your gate motor stops working in Arlington, you are generally looking at a repair cost between $450 and $1,800, depending on whether you need a simple sensor adjustment, a circuit board replacement, or a full system swap. For most residential gate openers in Tarrant County, a professional repair typically lands in the $500 to $900 range, while a complete replacement of the motor unit and installation usually falls between $1,500 and $3,500. If you are stuck at the driveway, call (817) 241-4067 for a clear, upfront estimate.
My name is Hal Gatewood. I have been in the gate business since 2001, and I have spent enough time in driveways across Arlington to know that a malfunctioning gate is more than just an inconvenience. It is a security risk. When I show up to a job, I am not looking to sell you the most expensive unit on the shelf. I am looking for the reason your motor failed in the first place. Often, the motor is fine, but the hinge post has shifted in our Texas clay soil, or the limit switch is just dirty. We fix what is broken, and we stand behind it with a 90-Day Done Right Promise.
Gate Motor & Opener Cost Breakdown (2026)
Pricing for our Gate Motor & Opener services varies based on the brand, the type of gate (swing or slide), and the complexity of the existing wiring. Because I operate a local shop and not a national franchise, my pricing is transparent. You will not find hidden trip charges when I am working inside the county.
| Service Type | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic & Minor Adjustment (Sensors, Limit Switches) | $150 – $350 |
| Circuit Board or Capacitor Replacement | $450 – $850 |
| Motor Gearbox or Mechanical Repair | $600 – $1,100 |
| Complete Motor/Opener Unit Replacement (Standard) | $1,500 – $2,800 |
| Heavy-Duty Commercial Grade Opener Install | $2,500 – $4,500+ |
These ranges cover the labor and the parts. If your gate requires on-site welding or custom fabrication to mount a new motor, that adds to the time and material cost, but we handle that in-house. We do not haul your gate away and leave you with a gaping hole in your fence for a week. We fix it where it stands.
What Affects Gate Motor & Opener Pricing in Arlington
Every driveway in Arlington has its own personality, and the environment plays a huge role in how long a motor lasts. When I look at a gate, I am looking for the specific factors that are killing your opener.
- Soil Movement and Foundation: Arlington is known for expansive clay soil. When the ground shifts, your gate posts move. If your gate is dragging, your motor is working three times as hard as it should. Fixing the motor without addressing the dragging gate means you will be calling me again in six months.
- Texas Heat and Humidity: Our summers are brutal on electronics. Circuit boards in gate openers are essentially small computers. Extreme heat cooks these components. If your motor is exposed to direct afternoon sun without any shade, it will fail faster than one tucked away under a cover.
- Brand Compatibility: We service nine major brands: LiftMaster, FAAC, BFT, Linear, Viking, Ghost Controls, DoorKing, Elite, and Mighty Mule. Some of these brands use proprietary parts that are more expensive to source. If you have a legacy system, finding the right replacement part can take more time than installing a new, modern unit.
- Power Supply and Wiring: If your gate is at the end of a long driveway, voltage drop is a real problem. If the wire gauge used to run power to the gate is too thin, the motor will starve for electricity, causing premature failure. Replacing a motor is useless if the wiring is the bottleneck.
- Safety Compliance: If your gate system is outdated and missing modern safety sensors, we cannot legally or safely install a new motor without upgrading the safety devices. These sensors are not optional; they are required to stop the gate if a person, pet, or vehicle is in the way.
If you are unsure about what your system needs, call (817) 241-4067. I answer the phone myself, or one of my team members will pick up. We do not use call centers, and we do not use scripts.
How to Save on Gate Motor & Opener Service
You do not need to overspend to get a reliable gate. The best way to save money is to catch small problems before they destroy your motor. A gate that is straining to close or making a grinding noise is a sign that the mechanical hardware is failing, which puts massive stress on the motor gears.
At Gatewood Fence & Gate, we offer a few ways to keep costs down:
- Free Second Opinion: If another company told you that you need a full replacement, call me. We provide a free second opinion on any written estimate. Often, I can repair the existing unit for a fraction of the cost of a full replacement.
- Senior and Veteran Discount: We offer a permanent 10% discount for seniors and veterans. It is our way of saying thank you.
- Repair-First Philosophy: My goal is to keep your current system running. I will tell you honestly if a repair is just a band-aid or if it will actually last. If it is not worth fixing, I will tell you that too.
- No Trip Charge: We do not charge a trip fee for jobs inside the county. We are local, we are in the neighborhood, and we do not penalize you for living in Arlington.
- $40 Off Repairs: We have a standing offer of $40 off any repair over $200. It is not a coupon you have to hunt for; it is just how we do business.
If you need help with your Gate Motor & Opener in Arlington, give us a call. We are ready to help.
The Anatomy of a Gate Failure: Why Your Motor Might Not Be The Problem
I have lost count of how many times a homeowner has called me convinced they need a $2,000 motor replacement, only for me to find a loose wire or a stuck hinge. A gate motor is just the muscle. If the skeleton of the gate is broken, the muscle will tear. This is why I insist on looking at the whole system.
When I arrive at your property in Arlington, I start by disconnecting the motor from the gate. This is the only way to know if the motor is actually the failure point. If I can move your gate by hand and it feels heavy, drags on the concrete, or binds at the hinges, that is your problem. No motor in the world can overcome a gate that is structurally failing. We fix the hinges, we align the posts, and we ensure the gate swings or slides freely. Only then do we look at the electronics.
If the gate moves perfectly by hand but the motor still will not run, then we start testing the electrical path. We check the power supply, the transformer, and the control board. Many of the modern boards have diagnostic LEDs that tell me exactly what is wrong. It might be a blown fuse, a bad capacitor, or a sensor that is blocked by a spider web or a piece of debris. These are simple fixes that save you from buying a new unit.
For those of you with older systems, parts can be hard to find. I have been doing this since 2001, so I have a pretty good stock of parts for older LiftMaster, Elite, and DoorKing models. If it can be fixed, we will fix it. We do not push new sales just to hit a quota.
Safety First: High Voltage and High Tension
I need to be clear about something: gate systems are dangerous. We are talking about high-voltage electricity and, in the case of sliding gates, heavy steel moving on tracks. If you have an automatic gate, you have a 120-volt power source running to an outdoor, often wet, environment. That is a recipe for a shock hazard.
Furthermore, many gate systems involve heavy tension components. If you try to disconnect a gate from its motor without knowing how to support the weight, the gate can fall. I have seen it happen. It can crush a car, damage your driveway, or severely injure a person. Please, do not try to disassemble the motor or the drive arm yourself unless you have the right training and equipment. It is not worth the risk. Call a professional. We are insured, bonded, and we have the gear to do this safely.
Why We Only Use Quality Brands
You might be tempted to buy a cheap, off-brand motor online to save a few hundred dollars. I see this all the time. Those units usually lack the safety features required by modern codes, they are made with plastic gears that strip out within a year, and they are impossible to find parts for when they break. When you buy a cheap motor, you are buying a disposable item.
We stick to the brands we know and trust: LiftMaster, FAAC, BFT, Linear, Viking, Ghost Controls, DoorKing, Elite, and Mighty Mule. These companies have been around for years. They have parts support, they have technical documentation, and they are built to last in the Texas climate. When I install a unit, I want to know that I will not be getting a call from you in six months complaining that it stopped working. My reputation is on the line with every job. My name, Hal Gatewood, is on the shop, and I intend to keep it there for a long time.
If you are interested in a new installation, visit our home page to see the full range of work we do, from fence repair to custom gate fabrication.
FAQs - Gate Motor & Opener Cost
How much does it cost to replace a gate motor in Arlington?
Replacing a standard residential gate motor typically costs between $1,500 and $2,800, which includes the new unit, installation labor, and safety sensor configuration. Call (817) 241-4067 for a specific quote based on your gate type and brand.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace my gate motor?
If the repair costs less than 50% of the price of a new unit, it is usually worth repairing, provided the motor is not obsolete and parts are available. We will always give you an honest assessment of whether the repair will last or if you are just throwing money away; call us for a free second opinion.
Can you fix my gate today?
We answer the phone 24/7 and we do our best to get to emergency repairs as quickly as possible, often on the same day if our schedule allows. Since we are a local, owner-operated business, we don’t have a national dispatch queue, so we can be flexible; call (817) 241-4067 to see when we can get to your property.
Do you charge for estimates?
We provide free estimates for gate motor repairs and installations. If you have a written estimate from another company, we are happy to take a look at it and provide a free second opinion to make sure you are getting the right solution for your specific gate.
What brands of gate openers do you service?
We are certified to service nine major gate brands: LiftMaster, FAAC, BFT, Linear, Viking, Ghost Controls, DoorKing, Elite, and Mighty Mule. If you have an older or less common brand, call us, and we will let you know if we can source the parts or if we recommend an upgrade to a system we can reliably support.
Why is my gate motor making a grinding noise?
A grinding noise usually indicates worn-out gears inside the motor or a major alignment issue with the gate itself that is forcing the motor to struggle. Please stop operating the gate immediately to prevent further damage to the motor assembly, and call (817) 241-4067 for a professional inspection.
Does my gate need a permit for a new motor?
In most residential cases in Arlington, replacing an existing motor does not require a new building permit, but we always ensure our work meets all current safety and electrical codes. If your project involves major structural changes to the fence or gate, we will let you know if city requirements apply.
How long does a gate motor usually last in Texas?
A well-maintained gate motor in Texas generally lasts between 7 and 12 years, depending on the quality of the unit and how much use it gets. Regular maintenance, such as keeping the area clean, checking the hinges, and ensuring the sensors are clear, can significantly extend that lifespan.
Do you offer any discounts for seniors or veterans?
Yes, we offer a permanent 10% discount for seniors and veterans on our services. We also provide $40 off any repair over $200 and do not charge a trip fee for jobs within the county; call us today to schedule your service.
What if my gate is dragging on the ground?
If your gate is dragging, the motor is under immense stress and will eventually fail, so we need to address the structural issue first. We specialize in on-site welding and gate alignment, so we can fix the post or hinge issue before addressing the motor; call (817) 241-4067 to have us take a look.
Pricing reflects the Arlington market as of 2026. Gatewood Fence & Gate offers free estimates - call (817) 241-4067.
Written by Hal Gatewood, Owner at Gatewood Fence & Gate, serving Arlington since 2001.
What Our Customers Say
"Hundred and forty feet of cedar privacy fence, all posts set in concrete, all of it dead level on ground that is anything but. He walked the line with me twice before a single hole was dug."
- Judith Stallworth"He builds the gates himself in his own shop. You can go and look at it. That is not something you can say about the outfits that just order a panel in."
- Doreen Whitfield"Safety photo eyes on our old gate had been bypassed by whoever serviced it last, which he was genuinely annoyed about on my behalf. Fitted proper sealed ones and wired them the way they should be."
- Otis Redmond