Frequently Asked Questions

We diagnose, document, quote, then fix - in that order. Our technician tests every safety input, measures voltage at the control board, and photographs what we find. You get a written quote with a flat price. Once approved, we repair, test all safety functions, and leave you a documented record of the work. In Los Gatos, where many gates are on sloped lots with stone pillars, we also check structural alignment - shifting footings are common after wet winters.

Most repairs finish in 1 to 3 hours. A failed photocell swap on a Los Gatos driveway gate takes under an hour. Replacing a seized Linear actuator on a heavy iron gate in the hills, with reprogramming and safety testing, takes longer. We schedule real windows - Haven Clause 2 - and text when we're on the way. You'll know the tech's name before they arrive.

Yes, and we do it regularly in Los Gatos. Stone pillars on Tait Avenue and the older estates off University Avenue require special mounting hardware - standard lag bolts crack stone. We use expansion anchors rated for the gate's weight and the Santa Clara County wind load. Every mount gets torque-spec documentation in your file.

We run the power from your existing outlet or junction box to the operator location, including conduit where code requires it. For new 240V runs or subpanel work in Los Gatos, we coordinate with a licensed electrician - we don't perform panel upgrades ourselves. What we do guarantee: the operator will be properly grounded, the safety edges will be wired in series per UL 325, and you'll have a wiring diagram in your packet.

We install and service FAAC, BFT, and Linear operators regularly in Los Gatos. FAAC's hydraulic units handle the heavy iron gates common in the hills above downtown. BFT's electromechanical systems are reliable for lighter residential swing gates in neighborhoods like Almond Grove. Linear's access control integration works well for homeowners who want keypad and app control. We don't push one brand - we match the operator to your gate's weight, cycle count, and slope.

Usually, yes. We stock common control boards, safety sensors, and gear sets for operators going back 15 years. For obsolete systems - some of the early 2000s imports we see off Pollard Road - we'll source rebuilt or aftermarket parts when available. If the system is unrepairable, we quote a replacement with the same mounting pattern so your stone pillars don't need modification.

Hydraulic operators use fluid pressure to move the gate - quieter, stronger, better for heavy gates and high-cycle commercial use. Electromechanical units use a motor and gearbox - simpler, less expensive, easier to service. In Los Gatos, we see hydraulics on estate gates over 800 pounds and electromechanical on standard residential installations. We'll tell you which suits your gate's weight and your expected use, with real numbers.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance California requires for gate and access control work. That means a C-28 Lock and Security Equipment license or equivalent, plus general liability coverage. We verify these credentials before anyone goes to a job. In Los Gatos, where many homes carry high-value umbrella policies, we can provide certificate of insurance on request.

Most gate repairs don't require permits - replacing an operator on existing posts is typically exempt. New installations, especially with structural work or new electrical circuits, may need a Los Gatos building permit. We handle the permit application as part of the project scope when required. You'll know before we start whether permitting applies to your job.

All our work meets UL 325 standards for gate operator safety - that means functioning safety edges, photocells, and proper entrapment protection. We test every safety input with a meter, not a glance, and document the readings. In Los Gatos, where many gates are near sidewalks and school walking routes, this isn't optional. It's Haven Clause 4: evidence on every job.

We're open Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM, and Sunday 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM. We schedule repair appointments within these hours and text you a named technician with their arrival window. For gates stuck open or closed, we prioritize same-day scheduling when you call early in the day. Call (831) 246-7187 and we'll find the next available slot.

We prioritize security-compromised gates and typically schedule same-day if you call during morning hours. A gate stuck open on a Los Gatos hillside property is a liability - deer, unauthorized vehicles, or worse. We'll walk you through a manual secure procedure if it's safe to attempt, then get a tech there with the right parts. We don't promise arrival times we can't keep; we promise real windows and real communication.

Most operators have a manual release - usually a key switch or lever that disengages the motor. On swing gates, this lets you push the gate by hand. On slide gates, you'll need to release the carriage and move the gate manually, which can be heavy. If your gate is on a slope, as many are in Los Gatos, the gate may want to drift. For safety, especially with heavy iron or wooden gates, we recommend waiting for a technician rather than risking injury or property damage.

Our repairs carry a written warranty on parts and labor - the specific term depends on the component. Control boards typically carry a 2-year manufacturer warranty we honor directly. Our labor warranty covers the workmanship of the repair. Everything is documented in your packet, with part numbers and test readings, so any future technician can see what was done. That's Haven Clause 1 and Clause 4 working together.

The Haven Standard is our five-clause promise on every job: Have it in writing - flat price, written scope, written warranty before anyone starts; Arrive on schedule - real window, named tech, text when en route; Verified crews - licensed, insured, background-checked; Evidence on every job - photos and readings of what we found; No surprises - no upsell, no scope creep, no "while we're in here." Adrian Vance built this into Vance Gate Repair in 2014, and every branch works to it.

Call us. We keep documented records of every repair - wiring diagrams, limit switch settings, voltage readings, part numbers. If the same component fails within warranty, we replace it. If a new problem develops, we diagnose it with the history in hand. In Los Gatos, where coastal moisture and summer dust both affect gate electronics, we sometimes find that a "new" failure traces to an underlying issue we flagged in our first visit. Our documentation means we're not starting over - and you're not paying twice to rediscover the same thing.

New installations include the operator manufacturer's full warranty - typically 3 to 5 years on FAAC and BFT residential units - plus our installation workmanship guarantee. We document the install with photos of every connection, every anchor, every safety edge placement. If you sell your Los Gatos home, that documentation transfers to the new owner. We've found this matters to buyers in this market, where a well-documented gate system signals a well-maintained property.

Keep the track or hinge area clear of leaves and debris - Los Gatos oak pollen and redwood needles are particular culprits. Test your safety photocells monthly by breaking the beam during closing; the gate should reverse. Listen for changes in motor strain or grinding. Don't lubricate the operator's internal gearbox - that's sealed. If the gate starts hanging or dragging, call before the operator overworks itself and fails. Preventive attention costs less than emergency repair.

Written by Adrian Vance, Owner at Vance Gate Repair Los Gatos, serving Los Gatos, Campbell, Saratoga, and the Santa Clara Valley since 2014.