Automated sliding and swing gates for driveways and entrances
Electric Gate Installation
Electric gate installation automates a sliding or swing driveway or entrance gate using an electric motor, together with safety devices such as photocells or force-limiting edges and an access method such as a remote, keypad or intercom.
Definition
What Electric Gates covers
Automating a gate involves fitting a motor suited to the gate type (sliding or swing) and weight, a control unit, and safety devices that prevent the gate trapping a person or vehicle, in line with machinery safety standards. Access is typically by remote control, keypad code, or an intercom with remote release, and can be integrated with an existing or new access control system.
Suitable for
- Driveway or entrance gates being automated for the first time
- Replacing or upgrading an existing but unreliable gate automation system
- New-build or renovation projects where gate automation is planned from the outset
- Properties wanting the gate integrated with an intercom or keypad access system
Not suitable for
- Purely manual gates with no automation requirement — see our fencing and gates service for the gate structure itself
- Long unmade driveways requiring significant civil or power supply works beyond a standard installation, which we scope separately following survey
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Site survey
Assessing gate weight and type, ground conditions, and availability of a power supply at the gate position.
- 02
Specification
Agreeing motor type, safety devices and the access method — remote, keypad or intercom.
- 03
Installation
Fitting the motor, control unit, safety devices and wiring or power supply run to the gate.
- 04
Commissioning
Testing safety devices, programming access, and providing documentation confirming the installation meets current safety standards.
Typical timescale
Automating an existing gate typically takes one to two days; installations needing a new power supply run to the gate position take longer, confirmed after survey.
Cost guidance
Electric gate automation typically costs £2,000–£6,000 per job in our area, with the number and weight of gate leaves, the length of any cabling or power run to the property, and any integrated access control pushing the price toward the top of the range. We provide an itemised quotation after a site survey rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Automation is fitted with appropriate safety devices, such as photocells or force-limiting edges, as standard practice rather than an optional extra
- Extending a power supply to the gate position, where mains electricity isn't already nearby, is scoped and quoted separately
- Bespoke gate fabrication, such as ornamental ironwork, is sourced from specialist fabricators and quoted alongside the automation
Areas we cover
Electric Gates across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for electric gates in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Electric Gates FAQs
Do electric gates need safety devices like photocells?
Yes, gate automation should include appropriate safety devices, such as photocells or force-limiting safety edges, to prevent the gate trapping a person or vehicle. This is fitted as standard rather than an optional add-on.
Can you automate our existing gates rather than fitting new ones?
Often yes, subject to the existing gate's weight, condition and ground fixings being suitable for automation, which we assess during the site survey before quoting.
How do we operate the gate — remote, keypad or intercom?
Any of these, or a combination, depending on how you want to manage access. This can be specified at the outset or integrated with our intercom and access control service.
Discuss your electric gates project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.