Retrofit & Automate
Keep the gate you have and add automatic opening, remote access, and safety sensors without replacing it.
What Goes Wrong
The difference between a retrofit that lasts and one that fails within months comes down to what was checked before the motor went on.
Fitting a motor to a gate that already sags or binds puts constant strain on the drive arm and wears out the mechanism early.
The installer checks the gate leaf, hinges, and post foundations first, so any remedial work is scoped before the motor is specified.
A swing gate motor fitted to a sliding gate setup, or one undersized for the leaf weight, will stall, overheat, or fail under daily use.
Swing gates get a ram arm or underground operator matched to leaf weight; sliding gates get a rack-and-pinion motor sized to travel distance.
A gate motor installed without photocell sensors or safety edges can strike a person, vehicle, or pet and cause serious injury or damage.
Photocell safety sensors are positioned and aligned to DHF and Gate Safe requirements as a standard part of every retrofit installation.
Control box wiring that does not meet BS 7671 can fail inspection, void insurance, or create a fault that is expensive to trace and fix later.
All wiring from the control box to the motor and sensors is installed to BS 7671, with documentation available on completion.
Scope of Work
From the initial gate inspection through to remote access and safety sensor sign-off, here is what is included in a retrofit installation.
Posts, hinges, and the gate frame are checked for condition and load-bearing capacity before any motor is specified.
A ram arm or underground operator is selected and fitted to match the leaf weight, hinge layout, and available clearance.
A rack-and-pinion motor is sized to the gate’s weight and travel distance, then fitted and aligned to the existing track or ground rail.
The control box is installed and all wiring is run to BS 7671, covering the motor, sensors, and any intercom or keypad connection.
Photocell sensors are positioned, aligned, and tested to DHF and Gate Safe standards to prevent the gate striking people or vehicles.
Remote controls are programmed and the full system is run through a minimum of 100 test cycles before the installation is signed off.
Gate alignment corrected before motor fitment.
Access control added alongside the motor.
Smartphone-based remote access configured.
Why Choose Us
We connect customers with vetted independent local partners who carry out the inspection, specification, and installation as a single scoped job.
We arrange a local installer to survey the entrance first, so the quote reflects the actual gate, posts, and access layout.
Control box wiring and any groundwork are quoted as part of the same job, not added as surprises after the motor is fitted.
Every installation includes photocells and safety edges specified to DHF and Gate Safe standards, not offered as optional extras.
The system runs through a minimum of 100 test cycles before completion, confirming consistent operation across opening and closing.
All wiring meets BS 7671 requirements, keeping the installation compliant with Building Regulations for domestic electrical work.
The Process
01
Tell us the gate type, approximate width, and any access constraints so we can arrange the right local installer for your property.
02
The installer visits, inspects the gate, posts, and hinges, then provides a fixed quote covering the motor, wiring, and sensors.
03
The motor, control box, and photocells are installed and the system is run through 100 test cycles before the job is completed.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Basic retrofit kit | £800-£2500 |
| Retrofit to swing gates | £1500-£3500 |
| Retrofit to sliding gates | £2000-£4500 |
| Full automation retrofit with safety kit | £3000-£6000 |
Describe the gate type, width, and access needs and we will arrange a local installer to survey and quote the full job, motor, wiring, and sensors in one scope.