Automated Gate Systems
Complete automation packages for new and existing gates. Motors, safety systems, video intercom, keypad and proximity access, smart home integration, and battery backup as standard.
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Automated Gate Systems: What You Need to Know
Automation retrofits consistently account for more enquiries than any other project type across the Kent network. The scenario repeats across the county: a homeowner with manual gates that are structurally sound, visually right for the property, and capable of another twenty years, who has run out of patience with climbing out of the car every morning. The retrofit leaves the gates untouched. It addresses post condition, hinge alignment, and foundation adequacy, then adds the motor, safety systems, and access control that transform the daily experience.
Motor choice on a retrofit follows the same logic as a new installation, with one additional constraint: the existing posts may not accommodate underground chambers without structural compromise. Where posts sit in adequate concrete with clearance at the base, underground motors are achievable and are the standard request from West Kent homeowners in Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. Where post foundations are shallow or the surrounding ground is congested, a ram-arm system mounted on the face is the reliable alternative. A good installer makes this call honestly at the survey rather than defaulting to the higher-cost option.
The access control layer is where the retrofit delivers benefits the manual gates never offered. A video intercom with a camera at the entrance and a smartphone app gives real-time visibility of every caller from anywhere. A proximity reader at the post detects a fob in the approaching vehicle and opens the gate hands-free. GSM and Wi-Fi modules connect the system to smart home platforms. For homeowners in the Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells belt where vehicle theft from driveways is a documented concern, a closed automated gate with video recording provides a genuine security layer.
Benefits of Automated Gate Systems
Preserve Your Existing Gates
Where the gates are in good condition and the right look for the property, automation adds electric operation without the cost and lead time of new gate fabrication.
Underground Motors on Most Kent Retrofits
The preference for concealed motors in the West Kent market is well established. Most retrofit sites can accommodate underground installation with manageable additional work.
Full Smart Home and Video Access
Video intercom, proximity readers, keypad entry, and integration with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit are all available as retrofit additions.
BS EN 12453 Safety Compliance
Every retrofit is commissioned to the same standard as a new installation. Photocells, safety edges, force limits, and auto-reverse all tested and documented at handover.
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Kent specialists for automated gate systems covering 75 towns and areas across the county.
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Are Automated Gate Systems Right for Your Property?
A gate automation retrofit makes sense if:
- You have existing manual gates that are structurally sound and correctly hung on posts with adequate foundations
- The gates suit the property and new fabrication is not the priority
- The daily inconvenience of manual operation has reached the point where the investment is justified
- Vehicle security matters and a closed automated gate adds a meaningful deterrent
- Smart home integration and remote management are part of the brief alongside basic electric operation
A site survey is always the right starting point. Your installer will assess the driveway, check planning position if relevant, and give you a firm recommendation based on what the site actually allows.
The Installation Process
Structural and Post Assessment
The installer checks gate weight, hinge condition, post alignment, and foundation depth. Any remedial work is identified and quoted separately before motor equipment arrives.
Motor and Access Control Specification
Motor type and torque are confirmed based on the weight assessment. Access control is specified to your requirements. Everything is agreed in writing before equipment is ordered.
Installation Day
Motors fitted, underground chambers excavated where specified, photocells and safety edges positioned, intercom and keypad cabling run to the control board.
Commissioning and Handover
Safety sensor response tested to BS EN 12453 with force measurement documented. Travel limits calibrated. All access devices programmed. Manual release demonstrated. Written declaration of conformity provided.
Automated Gate Systems Pricing Guide
Driveway gate prices across Kent vary depending on the gate type, material, automation requirements, and design complexity. Below are typical costs from installers in our network. All prices are in GBP and include installation.
| Gate Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
Gate Automation Retrofit | £1,400 to £3,800 |
What's Included in the Price
- Free site survey with no obligation to proceed
- Bespoke gate design and workshop fabrication
- All groundwork, post foundations, and concrete work
- Automation motor, control board, remotes, and safety sensors
- Intercom, keypad, or proximity reader wiring where specified
- Full BS EN 12453 commissioning, testing, and written handover
0% Finance Available
Most Kent installers in our network offer 0% interest finance on gate installations. Spread the cost of your project over 6 to 36 months from as little as £99 per month, with nothing to pay upfront at many providers. Subject to status and approval.
Automated Gate Systems FAQs
What Homeowners Say
“We needed gates that would sit comfortably within the North Downs AONB without drawing objections. The installer specified iroko swing gates with underground motors and managed the whole project from design through to commissioning. The result looks as though it has always been there, which is exactly what we wanted.”
“Our conservation area property needed a gate that respected the street scene while providing genuine security. The fabricator produced hand-forged ironwork that matched the period railings perfectly and the installer handled the listed building consent paperwork alongside us. Exceptional attention to detail throughout.”
“Steep driveway in the High Weald that two previous companies said could not take automated gates. The installer specified a cantilever sliding system that cleared the gradient completely. It has run without a fault for over a year and the neighbours keep asking who fitted it.”