Cost intelligence · Updated July 2026
Gate automation cost: kits, labour and the lines in between
Automating a pair of existing gates in Surrey costs £2,800–£6,000 installed, depending on motor type: linear rams sit at the entry level, articulated arms mid-range, and underground or hydraulic systems at the top. The kit is typically only 40–50% of the invoice — groundworks, electrics, safety equipment and commissioning make up the rest.
Installed cost by motor type
| System | Kit cost | Installed (pair) | Best application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V linear rams (Nice, CAME) | £900 – £1,400 | £2,800 – £3,800 | Standard pairs to ~250kg/leaf, good geometry |
| Articulated arm | £1,100 – £1,700 | £3,200 – £4,500 | Wide piers, shallow reveals, retrofits |
| Underground (CAME Frog, FAAC 770) | £1,600 – £2,600 | £4,500 – £6,500 | Ornamental iron, aesthetics-first |
| Hydraulic rams (FAAC, BFT) | £1,800 – £3,000 | £4,800 – £6,500 | Heavy leaves, wind, high duty |
| Slider operator + rack | £800 – £1,600 | £2,600 – £4,200* | Sliding gates (*excl. track groundworks) |
Motor selection logic — not just price — is set out on the underground vs above-ground and hydraulic vs electromechanical comparisons.
The other half of the invoice
| Line | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical supply run | £300 – £900 | Distance-driven; SWA in duct, Part P sign-off |
| Safety equipment | £450 – £850 | Photocell pairs, edges as entrapment map requires |
| Access control | £450 – £3,500 | Keypad → video intercom; see options |
| Remedial gate work | £0 – £1,500 | Hinges, re-hanging, post sleeving — 1 in 5 pairs |
| Commissioning & documentation | £250 – £400 | Force testing, DoC, handover pack |
Any automation quote without the last line is incomplete in a way that matters legally — the standards page explains why the installer's Declaration of Conformity is your protection, not paperwork theatre.
False economies we're asked about weekly
- eBay kits, self-installed. The £400 kit becomes a machine you've manufactured, legally, with none of the safety engineering. Insurers have declined claims on exactly this basis.
- Solar to avoid a £600 cable run. Legitimate for low-cycle rural gates; marginal for a busy family entrance in a Surrey winter. Honest sizing on the solar vs mains page.
- Skipping the second photocell pair. Saves £120; leaves the closing zone inside the gates unprotected — precisely where children and dogs stand.
Free site survey & fixed quotation
Get a precise price for gate automation
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
Why is installation more than the kit itself?
Because the kit is components; the installation is trenching, ducting, terminating, mounting, programming, safety engineering and testing — a two-person, one-to-two-day process done properly.
Is 24V or 230V automation better?
24V dominates residential work: smoother, inherent obstacle detection, battery backup support. 230V hydraulics retain the edge for very heavy or high-duty gates.
Can I supply my own kit and pay for fitting only?
We decline this politely: fitting unknown-provenance kit makes us responsible for a machine we can't warrant, and mixed responsibility is where safety failures live.