How much does a gate motor cost in 2026?
Per-install rates by region, common motor prices, what drives the cost, and how to write a gate motor quote that wins.
The short answer
Gate motor installers typically charge $80 to $150 per hour
$1,200 to $6,500+ per install depending on gate type. Here is what tradies actually charge in 2026 and how the price gets built.
Gate motor installers typically quote per installation. A single swing gate motor (residential) runs $1,200 to $2,800 installed. A double swing motor setup runs $1,800 to $4,200. Sliding gate motors run $2,200 to $5,500. Commercial-grade or heavy-duty gates (steel, large spans) run $4,500 to $6,500+. Pricing depends on gate weight, motor brand and IP rating, gate length, remote count, safety beam inclusion, and electrical connection.
Hourly rates
Gate motor installers hourly rates by region (2026)
Standard daytime rates across the major markets. Metro areas typically command a 20-30% premium. After-hours work is 1.5x to 2x.
United States
Notes
Licensed gate operators with safety certification at the top
United Kingdom
Notes
Gate Safe accredited installers at the higher end
Australia
Notes
Gate Automation Industry Association members at the top
South Africa
Notes
Centurion/ET certified installers above this
Canada
Notes
Toronto, Vancouver at the top
New Zealand
Notes
Auckland and Wellington at the top
Ireland
Notes
Dublin commands a premium
India
Notes
Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore at the top
Job pricing
Common gate motor installer jobs and what they cost
Real-world price ranges for the jobs tradies quote every week. Includes labour, parts, and standard call-out.
Site assessment and quote
What's included
Most installers quote free for paid jobs. Detailed traffic-flow plans may be charged.
Single swing gate motor
What's included
Includes motor (CAME, FAAC, BFT, Centurion), control board, 2 remotes, safety beams, install. Standard residential.
Double swing gate motor (dual)
What's included
Includes 2 motors, single control board, 2 remotes, safety beams, install. For double-leaf gates.
Sliding gate motor
What's included
Includes motor, rack, control board, 2 remotes, safety beams, install. Longer/heavier gates cost more.
Underground swing motor
What's included
Includes underground motor box (hidden), control board, install. Premium aesthetic, more excavation.
Battery backup module
What's included
Includes battery and charging circuit. Lets the gate operate during power outages. Highly recommended in SA market.
Solar power add-on
What's included
Includes solar panel, charge controller, deep-cycle battery. For sites without mains power at the gate.
GSM module (call/SMS to open)
What's included
Includes GSM unit, SIM, programming. Lets users call from any phone to open the gate.
Annual service
What's included
Includes mechanical lubrication, electrical test, safety beam alignment, remote programming refresh.
What drives the price
Six things that change the price of a job
The same job can cost 2x more or less depending on these factors. Knowing them helps customers spot fair quotes and helps tradies justify their own.
Motor brand and capacity
Budget brands ($300-600 motor). Mid-range (CAME, BFT, Centurion: $500-1,100). Premium (FAAC, Roger: $1,200-2,200). Heavy-duty for commercial gates ($1,800-3,500). State brand and capacity in kg/m.
Gate type and weight
Light timber gate is straightforward. Heavy steel or aluminium gate needs stronger motor. Sliding gates need rack and trolley. Quote by motor capacity matched to gate weight.
Power source
Mains power available is easiest. Solar setup for remote sites adds $700-1,800. State the power assumption on the quote.
Safety features
Photocell safety beams (legally required for public-access gates in many regions). Inductive loops (for vehicle detection). Edge detection (for crush protection). Quote each safety feature.
Remote count
Standard 2 remotes included. Additional remotes ($40-90 each). Smartphone control via Wi-Fi module ($200-450). State remote count clearly.
Connection to alarm/intercom
Integration with home alarm or intercom system is possible but adds $200-650 in cable, programming, and module costs.
How to quote it
How gate motor installers should price their work
Tips for tradies on writing quotes that win the job and protect the margin.
Quote motor brand and capacity
'Centurion D5 Evo, 500kg capacity, 5-year warranty' beats 'gate motor'. Customers verify spec at quote time.
Itemise safety features
Photo beams, edge detection, inductive loops. Customers see what they're paying for; mandatory features become clear.
Include battery backup as standard
In SA market, mandatory. In other markets, helpful upsell. Quote at install time, conversion is 70%+.
Take a 30% deposit
Motors are ordered specifically (capacity matched to gate). 30% covers material. Balance on commissioning.
Offer annual service plan
$150-380 annual service. Quote at install; conversion is 60-80% upfront vs 15% sold later. Recurring revenue.
Send commissioning + remote pairing via WhatsApp
Photo of motor install, remote pairing confirmation, safety beam test. Customer knows how to operate from day 1.
Watch out for
Pricing red flags to watch for
The patterns that usually signal a problem on the quote, with what to do about each one.
No safety features on a public-access gate
What to do: Walk away. Public-access gates (driveways onto streets) legally require photo beams and edge detection in most regions. A 'cheap' install without them is illegal and creates liability.
No insurance certificate
What to do: Gate motor work involves electricals and heavy moving parts. Ask for public liability cover; without it, accidents on your property come out of your pocket.
Cash-only with no invoice
What to do: Walk away. Without an invoice you have no warranty, no insurance claim path, no proof of safety compliance.
Verbal quote on a $1,500+ install
What to do: Always written. Gate motors have too many variables (motor capacity, gate type, safety features, power source) for verbal.
No site visit before quote
What to do: Gate weight, type, and existing power can't be assessed from a phone photo. Insist on a site walk before any quote over $1,000.
Pressure to skip the battery backup
What to do: Without battery backup, the gate is non-functional during power outages (stuck open or closed depending on default state). In SA especially, backup is essential.
Sample quote
A real example: line-by-line
Single swing gate motor, residential driveway, Centurion D5 Evo, battery backup
Centurion D5 Evo gate motor (500kg capacity, 5-year warranty)
Control board with surge protection + 2 remotes
Photo beam safety eyes (transmitter + receiver pair)
Battery backup module (12V 7Ah, automatic charging)
Electrical connection (mains to control board, 5m cable run + isolator)
Installation labour (1 day, 2-person team)
Programming, remote pairing, safety beam alignment, customer training
FAQ
Gate motor installers pricing questions, answered
Everything customers and tradies ask about gate motor installer pricing.
Single swing: $1,200-2,800. Double swing: $1,800-4,200. Sliding: $2,200-5,500. Underground swing: $2,800-5,500. Battery backup add: $280-650. Solar add: $680-1,800. Pricing 30-50% lower in UK due to less heavy-duty residential demand.
Swing: cheaper, needs space to swing open. Sliding: more expensive (track and rack), suits driveways without swing room. Underground swing: aesthetic premium, hides motor box. Choose based on driveway space first, aesthetic second.
In SA market, essentially mandatory (frequent power outages). In other markets, optional but helpful. Without backup, the gate is stuck in last state during outages, locking you in or out. Cost: $280-650; conversion at install is very high if quoted upfront.
Yes, 2-3 quotes for any motor install over $1,500. Compare motor brand and capacity, safety features, remote count, warranty, and battery backup. Cheapest often skips safety beams (illegal in many regions) or uses budget motors.
Centurion (SA leader), CAME, FAAC, BFT, Roger are quality brands with 5-year warranties. Budget brands have 2-year warranties and higher failure rates. Quality motors last 10-15 years; budget motors fail at 3-5 years.
Photo beams (legally required for public-access gates in most regions). Edge detection (crush protection if gate hits an object). Auto-reverse on resistance. State each on the quote; skipping them is illegal and dangerous.
30% deposit on signing (motor and accessories order), balance on commissioning. Anyone asking for full payment upfront is a risk.
Single swing: 1 day. Double swing: 1-2 days. Sliding (with new rack): 2-3 days. Underground motor: 3-4 days with excavation. Solar setup adds 1 day.
Annual service: lubricate moving parts, check electrical connections, align safety beams, replace battery if needed. $150-380/year. Skipping service shortens motor life from 10-15 years to 5-7 years.
Get the motor brand and capacity, safety features included, remote count, battery backup inclusion, and warranty upfront in writing. Pay via banking app. Verbal quotes drift in scope and price.
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