Gate and Fence Contractor in Richardson

Gates, fences, gate repair and concrete work for Richardson homes and properties, built by our own crews from site visit to final walkthrough.

Star Gate And Fence installs automatic and custom iron gates in Richardson and repairs gates and electric operators. We build wood, vinyl, iron and chain link fences, plus concrete driveways, gate pads and carports. Every job is done by our direct employees, never subcontractors.

A gate, the fence beside it and the concrete under it can go into one written scope, so one crew is responsible for how the whole opening works. We pull the City of Richardson permit as the contractor of record and measure the site before we price anything.

Black metal and wood horizontal slat fence along a concrete driveway

Richardson Clay, Heat and Older Fence Lines

Modern driveway gate with alternating brown wood and dark metal horizontal slats

Richardson sits on the Blackland Prairie, and its black clay swells when it is wet and shrinks when it dries. A post set shallow in that soil leans within a few seasons. The city treats that as a maintenance problem: a fence more than 20% (18 degrees) out of vertical has to be repaired. We set structural posts in concrete to the one-third depth rule so they stay plumb.

Much of Richardson was built out between the 1950s and the 1980s, in neighbourhoods such as Richardson Heights, Canyon Creek and Prairie Creek. Many of those lots back onto alleys, and many still carry original wood fence lines that are at the end of their life. Gates on those alley fences cannot swing out into the alley easement, so we plan them to swing inward or slide.

Summer heat matters too. NWS climate normals for the area average 20 days a year at 100°F or hotter, which shapes how we choose gate operators and vinyl and when we pour concrete.

Gate, Fence and Concrete Work in Richardson

Automatic Gate Installation

Swing and sliding driveway gates with the operator, sensors and power run included. On wide Richardson driveways a slide gate is often the only option that clears the space, and we size the operator to the panel's weight.

Gate and Operator Repair

We fix sagging or dragging gates, failed operators and safety sensors. A gate that drags is often a post problem in the clay, so we check the structure as well as the motor.

Wood Fence Installation

New and replacement cedar and board-on-board fences, including alley-side runs on older lots. Replacing 25% or more of an existing fence needs a city permit, which we pull for you.

Concrete and Hardscaping

Driveways, gate pads and operator pads, planned around drainage and the gate's travel path so the gate and the slab work together.

Richardson Fence Permits and HOA Approval

Horizontal black and wood slat privacy fence along a residential driveway

The City of Richardson Building Inspection Department requires a permit for any fence 2½ feet tall or taller, for a new or extended fence line, and for replacing 25% or more of an existing fence. The permit has to be approved and posted at the property before work starts, and fence contractors must be registered with the city.

  • Rear and side yards: up to 8 feet tall.
  • Front yards: up to 3 feet, decorative, and approved by the Building Official.
  • Pool fences: at least 4 feet tall, no opening larger than 4 inches, and self-closing, self-latching gates. A sliding electric gate on its own does not meet the pool rule.

If your property is in an HOA, we add the association's architectural review to the scope and coordinate it with the permit. Bring any HOA requirements to the site visit. Our DFW fence permit guide compares the rules in nearby cities.

Recent Richardson Project: 28 ft Cedar Slide Gate

28 by 8 foot cedar sliding driveway gate installed in Richardson, TX

In Richardson 75080 we built a 28 by 8 foot cedar sliding gate matched to the fence line. It runs on an All-O-Matic SL100 operator. The panel was too long to swing, so it slides along the fence and leaves the full driveway open.

The power came from a panel about 50 feet away. We trenched and ran conduit under a City of Richardson permit and called 811 before digging. Then we set the limits, aligned the photo eyes and tested the obstruction reversal before handover.

See the full Richardson project

What Sets the Price and Schedule

Every quote is written after we measure the site. The main factors are:

  • Gate size and type: width, height, weight, and whether it swings or slides.
  • Operator and access control: operator model, keypads, intercoms and safety sensors.
  • Power run: how far the gate is from the electrical panel, and the trenching that needs.
  • Fence length and material: cedar, board-on-board, iron, vinyl or chain link, and whether old fence has to come out first.
  • Concrete scope: gate pads, operator pads or a new driveway.
  • Approvals: the city permit and any HOA review must be approved before work begins, so they set the earliest start date.

For typical figures, see our automatic gate installation cost guide.

How We Build in Richardson

  • Direct employeesOur own crews set every post, pour every footing and wire every operator.

  • Footings to depthPosts go into concrete to the one-third depth rule, so the clay cannot heave them out of line.

  • Safety standardsAutomated gates are built to ASTM F2200 and wired to UL 325, with sensors tested before handover.

From Site Visit to Walkthrough

  1. Site visit and measurementWe measure the opening, fence run and power distance, check drainage and the soil, and note alley or HOA limits.
  2. Written scope and quoteYou get one written scope covering the gate, fence, operator and concrete.
  3. Permits and approvalsWe file the City of Richardson permit, coordinate any HOA review, and request an 811 utility locate.
  4. Footings and buildOur crew sets posts and pads, builds the fence and hangs or tracks the gate.
  5. Testing and walkthroughWe test the operator, sensors and reversal, then walk you through the finished work.

Nearby Cities We Also Serve

Plano, Garland, Dallas, Addison, Allen and Murphy

See nearby work: electric gate repair in Plano, a horizontal cedar fence and pool fence in Garland and an iron swing gate in Dallas.

Questions from Richardson Property Owners

Do I need a permit to replace my fence in Richardson?
Yes, if you are replacing 25% or more of the fence, building a new or extended line, or the fence is 2½ feet tall or more. The permit must be approved and posted before work starts. We pull it as the registered contractor.
How tall can a fence be in Richardson?
Up to 8 feet in the rear and side yards. Front yard fences are limited to 3 feet, must be decorative, and need the Building Official's approval. Pool fences must be at least 4 feet tall.
Can you include access control in an HOA gate project?
Yes. We can include keypads, intercoms and other access control with a new automatic gate or a repair, in the same written scope. Automatic systems are built to ASTM F2200 and UL 325.
Can one project include a driveway and a carport?
Yes. We build concrete driveways and carports, and both can go into one scope with your gate or fence. We measure the work and check drainage at the site visit.

Written by

Elia Amiel

Star Gate And Fence, Dallas-Fort Worth

Start Your Richardson Gate or Fence Project

Send us your address and the gate width or fence length, or call Star Gate And Fence at (469) 778-0871. We will visit the site and give you a written quote.