Custom metal fabrication in Meridian, Idaho
You need something that doesn't exist yet. A gate to fit the opening, a railing that meets code, a bracket that holds what the store-bought one couldn't. I build it to your measurements and install it.
Custom gates, railings, brackets and frames
- Gates. Driveway gates, walk gates, pipe gates for pasture, ornamental gates for a courtyard. Manual or built to take an opener.
- Railings. Porch, deck, stair and balcony railings. Handrails for a couple of steps. Guardrails for a loading dock.
- Brackets and mounts. Beam brackets, post bases, equipment mounts, sign frames, the odd piece a contractor needs by Thursday.
- Frames. Trailer racks, truck bed racks, work benches, stands, and structural frames for jobs an inspector will see.
How a fabrication job goes
Measure. I come out and measure the opening or the run. Openings are never square and slopes are never level. Measuring it myself is how it fits the first time.
Drawing and quote. You get a simple drawing with dimensions, the material, and a price. For railings I include the height and picket spacing so you can see it meets code before anything is cut.
Build. Steel gets cut, fit, welded and ground in the shop. A gate or a railing takes one to two weeks depending on what's ahead of it.
Finish. Bare, primed, or primed and painted. If you want it powder coated, tell me at the quote so I build it to go to the coater before it's installed.
Install. I hang it, set it, or bolt it down with the mobile rig, and I don't leave until the gate swings and the railing doesn't move.
Railings and code
Residential guardrails in Idaho follow the International Residential Code. A guard on a deck or porch more than 30 inches off the ground has to be at least 36 inches tall, and the openings have to be small enough that a 4-inch ball can't pass through. Stair handrails need a graspable profile between 34 and 38 inches above the nosing. I build to those numbers by default. If your inspector wants something specific, send me the note and I'll build to that.
Steel, stainless or aluminum
Steel is the default. It's strong, it's cheap, and painted or coated it lasts decades in our climate. Stainless is for places that stay wet or where you want it to look like metal forever. Aluminum is for weight, like a ramp or a rack you lift on and off a truck. I'll tell you which one fits the job, and I'll tell you if the cheaper one is fine.
Repair or rebuild?
Sometimes you call about a new gate and what you need is a hinge. If the frame is sound, gate repair is a fraction of the cost. If it's rusted through at every joint, a new one is the honest answer. I'll tell you which when I see it. The same goes for railings.
Getting a quote
Text me a photo of where it's going and rough dimensions. For a gate, the opening width and what it's hanging on. For a railing, the length of the run and the number of steps. I'll come measure and you'll have a number and a drawing within a couple of days.
Where I do this work
Meridian first, then the whole Treasure Valley. Repairs are the same 1 to 3 days out in every town below.
Before you call
How long does a custom gate take?
One to two weeks from the deposit to hanging it, most of the year. Spring runs longer. I'll give you a date with the quote.
Can you build a gate to take an automatic opener?
Yes. Tell me which opener or let me spec one. The gate gets built with the right weight, the mounting points and the clearance the opener needs.
Do you do decorative or ornamental work?
Simple ornamental work, yes: bar and picket patterns, arched tops, scrollwork from stock components. If you want hand-forged art, I'll say so and point you elsewhere.
Do I need a permit?
Railings on new construction are usually inspected with the house. A replacement railing or a gate usually isn't. Check with your city if it's near a pool, a public sidewalk or a commercial building.
Tell me what broke
Send a photo and a few details and I'll call you back with a price and a day. Or just call, Monday through Saturday, 7am to 6pm.