In this article we will discuss how to install automatic gates on a budget. Electric gates are becoming increasingly more popular with the cost of living rises, now more than ever, people are looking for cheaper ways to install automatic gates.
We will look at all the costs involved in supplying and fitting electric gates and ways you could possibly save money and still have your desired outcome.
Why have electric gates?
It is really important to first ask why you should go to the expense of having electric gates installed on your driveway.
- They help to improve your home’s security.
- Increase the value of your home, great investment.
- Improve kerb appeal of your home, by looking stylish and attractive.
- Convenience, nothing worse that standing in the rain to open/close your gates.
- Electric gates will open/close whilst you stay safe and dry in the comfort of your car.
- Parent or career? Constant supervision may be needed in your car preventing you leaving your car to open and close your gates.
Do I need electric gates?
This is where the question comes in to place ‘are electric gates essential or desirable?’
- Would you like to keep your property secure?
- Do you have animals or children you need to keep safe behind a gated driveway?
- Do you enjoy manually opening and closing your gates?
- Can you leave your car and everything inside unsupervised whist you open and close your gates?
- Do you want to invest money in to your home?
- Do you want to prevent any unauthorised access to your drive night or day?
- Would you like to keep your expensive car safe from malicious damage or theft?
Factors that influence the cost of automated gates
Before looking at how you can spend less on automatic gates, it’s helpful to understand what factors and costs influence the overall price. We cover everything here from the gate material, motor size and initial set up of electricity to your gate.
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Driveway
Regardless of the finish you currently have on your driveway you essentially need to get electricity to your gates in order to automate them, this involves an electrical wire.
There will a cost involved in getting the electrical wire to your gates, as part of your drive may need taking up depending on the material currently in place.
You may decide to avoid the cost of taking up part of your drive and trunk the electrical wire to the gates around the edges of your driveway. This would mean the cable being on show (in some cases with shrubs it can be hidden well) when done correctly can go unnoticed.
At Ridge Auto Gates our specialists have a range of experience and skills in the best and most cost effective way to get your electrical wire to your gate post.
We also have the skill set so you do not need the expense of a subcontractor, which can help massively to keep costs down.
However, we are happy to work with clients if they have preferred subcontractor for their drive.
Stay in the safety of your car, whilst your gates open and close.
What type of gate?
You can automate any gate, the most popular materials to use are metal (aluminum), wood or composite.
Aluminum is the lightest material to use and doesn’t require as powerful of a motor as wood would need, with this material being a lot heavier in weight. Aluminum gates can help to install automatic gates on a budget.
A gate can cost anything from £100 to £££. Our installer is also a fabricator so we can ‘fix’ any issues with a pre-loved gates. We can automate existing, second hand and brand new gates. The cost of new gate depends on its size, material and bespoke designs you add.
Great tip to install automatic gates on a budget is to keep the size of your gate to a standard size. This way you can buy an ‘off the shelf’ gate and not need a bespoke gate made.
No unauthorized access to your path
Gate material
You should spend a of lot of time considering the material of your gate and its life span, as certain materials will need maintaining.
What type of wood are you using? Will it need treating? Change colour or swell/ shrink in different weather conditions? This could impact your motors operating.
Which gate automation motor?
Another essential contributing factor when it comes to price is the technology used to automate your gate.
Yes, you can buy cheap gate automation motor off Amazon or ebay for example. However, it is important to keep in mind cheaper motors could be more liable to breaking down, incurring more repair costs later. Many gate installers will not fit these products. Do they come with a guarantee? Can you buy parts easy enough? Are their user manuals comprehensive?
Consider investing in a more expensive motor if you can, fitted by an expert. Whist slightly more expensive, some branded motors can last in excess of 20+ years if maintained correctly. Your product will come with a 12 month labour guarantee (all ours do). Depending on the motor and brand it will also come with a parts guarantee. If anything does break or need repairing you are covered with no extra charges, takes away a lot of hassle.
At Ridge Auto Gates we are trained in all leading gate automation brands and can help advise you on the most practical and cost-effective way motor for your needs.
A good, branded motor can cost in excess of £1700 for the motor and installation. It all depends on the trye of motor, gate weight and gate usage.
Essential electric gate accessories
Photocells
Photocells detect the presence of any object crossing its laser beam and will automatically open an automatic gate. By law you need them!
Photocells normally come in a kit with the motors, depending on your drive you may need an extra set.
Relatively inexpensive costing around £250 to supply and fit (every set-up is different). Some cases the photocells may need a stand, they start from £200.
You can get one of the photocells battery operated. This option is only advised if you can not get a wire to the 2nd photocell. They come with the running costs of a battery, around £10 per year to replace.
Safety edges & photocells are essential for safely operating electric gates.
Safety edge
A safety edge works similar to photocells by detecting an object in the gates path when opening and closing. By Law you need them!
A safety edge can be attached to a gate or fixed object. If the safety edge came in to contact with an object it would automatically open/close depending on the scenario.
Every drive and gate setup requires an installer to assess the site and determine where a safety edge would be needed. Prices can range from £300 to £3k+
If you install automatic gates on a budget always allow for safety devices, they are a legal requirement.
Fob
This is basically a small remote than can fit on your keyring, it contains a button programmed to open and close your gates.
Majority of automatic gate kits come with 2 fob controllers (if you opt for the bundle package) or these can be purchased separately for about £30. You will need to sync every fob to your control panel which will require an expert.
To save money we would suggest working out how many you need always purchase more than needed (we can supply) and our installers can sync them up when installing your automatic gates.
Optional electric motor accessories
Keypad
You could have a keypad installed by your gate (internal/external of your drive). This is really convent if you don’t have your fob on you and you need to open your gate. Or if you ‘lose’ your keys with your fob attached and can’t find them.
Another reason to have a keypad would be from a safety aspect. What if you had a house fire and needed to get off your drive and never had chance to get your fob? How would you get out of your drive?
Roughly cost around £100 to purchase.
Blue tooth selector
Bluetooth key pad is needed so you can open your gates via your mobile phone. This can be programmed to open when your phone is in a certain vicinity of the gate. Great if your hands are full when you arrive home, not so great if you have animals and they will escape when the gate opens.
Worth noting here that they work similar to all bluetooth accessories and you need to be within a set radius for them to work.
Roughly cost around £100 to purchase.
Access control system
What is an access control system? This is an intercom system. Electric gates prevent someone access to your front door, how do they ring your bell? An intercom facilitates a visitor to your property making you aware they are there. You basically move your front door bell to a 2-way speaker system from the street side of your gate and inside your home.
Great benefits of this system are you can screen visitors without them knowing your home as they can come with a camera. You can speak to the visitor securely without opening your front door. You can control who gains access to your property. These can range in price from £250 to £1k+ depending on their functions.
A great way to install automatic gates on a budget is to not get an intercom system with a camera. Another saver on money is getting an intercom that does not work via a sim card as they come with monthly running costs (phone sim contract). Read more
What if you have a power cut?
If there is a power cut, you need to be able to open your gates.
All automatic gate systems are installed with a manual override system to allow the gates to be opened manually in the event of a power cut or motor failure. We install motors that can operate in the envent of a power cut.
Automatic gate installation
You need to factor in the cost of labour for the automatic gate installation. You are not just paying for labour but also their knowledge and expertise in the industry along with the use of their specialist equipment.
Some gate installers don’t have the skills to take up a path. At ridge auto Gates we can do 99% of the excavation work and relaying existing material. We are also happy for you to employ another tradesman and we work in combustion with them.
Many gate installers don’t have the expertise in fabrication. At ridge auto Gates our installer is a qualified welder with over 20 years experience. There is nothing he can not fabricate when it comes to metal.
Employing a gate automation on specialist allow you access to their advice on the choice of equipment and the necessary safety measures. Their bill could range from £1000 to £3500 on top of materials.
Install automatic gates on a budget
- Electric wire installation (£200 – 3k+)
- Gates (£100 – 10k+)
- Automation motor and control panel (£1000 – 5k+)
- Photocells (£100 – £1k+)
- Safety edges (£300 – 3k+)
- Key pads (£100 – 2k+)
- Fobs (£30 – 1k+)
- Intercom (£250 – 1k+)
- Labour (£200 – 10k+)
The phrase ‘buy cheap buy twice’ could not be more true when it comes to automatic gate products and installers. Our prices are very competitive, and we always find ways to help save our clients’ money.
Can I install automatic gates myself?
A lot of people believe this to be the most affordable way to get your own automatic gates. Indeed, there is a great range of electric gate kits on the market that look relatively simple to install and set up.
It is not as simple as it looks, there are legal requirements that automatic gates must meet. By the time you learn what is needed, buy some products, try to fit it all.. you will find it would work out cheaper to pay someone.
Automatic gate kits?
Buying all the components for an automated gate installation individually usually costs more than buying a kit made up of all the essential items.
Get expert gate automation advice
With nearly 20 years’ experience in welding and vast experience in Gate Automation Supplies we have been providing high-quality gate systems at competitive prices for all our clients.
Our gate automation experts can offer advice about what might be suitable for your home or commercial premises and help to work with your budget.
Why not gives us a call on 07460597534 to find out just how affordable an automated gate system for can be of you ?
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