Guide · Start here
The electric gate buying guide: every decision, in the right order
Buying electric gates well means making seven decisions in sequence: system type (swing/sliding), material, design, automation class, access control, safety specification, and installer. Made in that order, each decision narrows the next; made backwards — falling for a design before checking the site suits it — is how most gate regrets happen. Budget £6,500–£16,000 and 8–14 weeks end to end.
The seven decisions, in sequence
| Decision | Options | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. System | Swing, sliding or cantilever | Site geometry: slope, parking depth, run-off. Decision guide |
| 2. Material | Iron, steel, aluminium, timber | Architecture + maintenance appetite. Comparison |
| 3. Design | Open bar ↔ full privacy, ornament level | Wind exposure matters as much as taste |
| 4. Automation | 24V electromechanical / hydraulic; underground / ram | Leaf weight, duty, aesthetics. Motor guide |
| 5. Access | Remotes → keypad → video intercom → ANPR | How the household actually works. Options |
| 6. Safety spec | Edges, photocells, force limits, DoC | Non-negotiable; itemised in writing. Standard |
| 7. Installer | The twelve questions | Installer guide |
Timeline: what 8–14 weeks actually contains
- Week 0–1: survey and design. Measurements, soil and power assessment, design consultation, fixed quotation.
- Week 1–2: decisions and deposit. Drawings signed off; any planning question resolved or applications lodged (add 8 weeks if required).
- Week 2–10: fabrication. Bespoke ironwork 6–10 weeks; aluminium systems 3–5. Groundworks and electrical runs are scheduled during this window so the site is ready.
- Week 10–12: installation. Posts and foundations, then hanging, automation, access control — typically three to five days on site.
- Final day: commissioning. Force testing, programming, demonstration of releases and backup, handover pack with DoC, certificates and remotes.
Budget staging: buying in the right order when funds are phased
If the full project exceeds today's budget, phase it in this order and nothing is wasted: gates and foundations first, with automation ducting and cable draw-cords installed during the groundworks (a ~£150 line that saves ~£900 of re-excavation later); automation second; video intercom and ANPR third. What never phases well: safety equipment (it belongs to the automation, together, day one) and coating quality (a cheap finish can't be upgraded, only redone). Cost detail for each stage is on the cost page.
The five most common buyer mistakes
- Choosing a design from photos before a survey — the site vetoes designs; check slope and run-off first.
- Comparing quote totals instead of line items — the installer guide shows how the cheap quote loses.
- Forgetting the pedestrian gate — retrofitting one later costs more than including it; see why it earns its place.
- Ignoring wind exposure on boarded designs — the leading cause of oversold, underperforming gates on exposed Surrey plots.
- No servicing plan from day one — warranties depend on it, and drift is invisible until it's failure. Servicing.
Free site survey & fixed quotation
Get a precise price for starting your project
Tell us the opening width, whether power is nearby and the style you have in mind. We measure on site, confirm a fixed price in writing, and never sell door-to-door.
Prefer to talk? Call 01483 000 000.
Frequently asked questions
What's the single most important decision?
System type — swing versus sliding — because the site dictates it and everything else follows. Get it wrong and no material or motor choice rescues the installation.
How far ahead should I start planning?
Twelve to sixteen weeks before you want gates operating; add eight if planning consent is in play. Bespoke iron for a spring deadline means deciding in late autumn.
Can I see designs before committing?
Yes — survey and scaled design drawings precede any fabrication commitment, and our quotes hold for 30 days while you decide.