Access control
Intercoms and access control: deciding who gets in, from anywhere
Gate access control ranges from a simple keypad to app-based video intercoms and number-plate recognition. We specify and install BPT, Comelit, 2N and AES systems across Surrey, integrated with new or existing automation — from £450 for a keypad to £1,200–£3,500 for video intercom systems that ring your phone anywhere in the world.
Matching the technology to how your household actually works
| System | Best for | Installed cost | The caveat nobody mentions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keypad (PIN) | Family, cleaner, dog walker | £450–£750 | Codes shared too widely; change them quarterly |
| Fob / RFID | Staff and regular vehicles | £550–£900 | Fobs are revocable individually — better than PINs for staff |
| GSM audio intercom | Speak to visitors via any phone; no cabling to house | £850–£1,400 | Needs decent mobile signal at the gate — we test on survey |
| App video intercom (2N, Comelit) | See and admit visitors from anywhere; delivery management | £1,200–£3,500 | Wants power + internet (or 4G router) at the gate |
| ANPR camera entry | Hands-free resident entry on private drives | £1,800–£4,000 | Pair with intercom for visitors; log retention settings matter |
Most estate installations combine three layers: ANPR or fobs for residents, video intercom for visitors, and a PIN or time-limited code path for deliveries and trades.
Installation details that decide reliability
- Cable segregation. Intercom and video lines run in separate ducts from 230V mains — sharing a duct induces hum and false calls, the most common fault we inherit.
- Signal survey before GSM. We test all four networks at the gate line with a meter; "one bar of the wrong network" is the source of most GSM intercom complaints.
- Entrance-side mounting height and reach: 1.1–1.4m to suit drivers and standing visitors, positioned so callers don't stand in the gate's travel path.
- Power resilience. Intercom on the same battery-backed supply as the automation, so a power cut doesn't silence the entrance.
- Future ducting. Every install gets a spare duct to the pier — the cheapest insurance in the entire project.
Privacy and data: the part most installers ignore
Video intercoms and ANPR at a boundary can capture the highway and passers-by. UK GDPR and the ICO's guidance on domestic CCTV apply once cameras see beyond your boundary: signage, sensible retention periods and respecting subject access requests. We configure fields of view to minimise public capture, set retention defaults (typically 14–30 days) and hand over a one-page compliance note with every video or ANPR system — mundane, but it's the difference between a professional installation and a liability.
Free site survey & fixed quotation
Get a precise price for gate access control
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
Can the intercom ring my mobile when I'm abroad?
Yes — GSM systems call any number you set, and app-based video systems (2N, Comelit) work anywhere you have data, including opening the gate remotely.
What happens if the internet goes down?
App intercoms fall back to local operation; we typically add a 4G router or GSM fallback for critical entrances, and residents' fobs/ANPR keep working regardless.
Can couriers be let in without giving them a permanent code?
Yes — time-limited or single-use PINs, or you simply see them on video and release the gate or pedestrian lock remotely.
Can you add an intercom to automation you didn't install?
Usually. We identify the control board, confirm a clean volt-free trigger input, and integrate — or fit a relay interface where boards are proprietary.