For special doorbell plates, check with a sheet-metal firm

Q. I need a three-gang plate for my doorbells with a place for names, size 3 by 7 inches, more or less. It can be black anodized aluminum or permanently finished brass. The ones I find are cheap looking or too small.

Betty F. MacPherson, Riverdale, N.Y.

A. If regularly available three-gang plates do not suit your fancy, contact a large supply house listed in the telephone Yellow Pages under ''Electric Equipment and Supplies - Retail.''

If the electrical-hardware supplier can't help you, see if three singlem plates might suffice for both bells and names.

Otherwise, a sheet-metal firm should be able to fabricate one in the size, material, and configuration you wish.