Published pricing for automatic gates Melbourne is quite varied, and the range is genuine rather than just some suppliers trying to pad the price. At the low end, entry-level swing gate automation runs from around $2,500 to $3,500 fully installed for a relatively basic aluminium gate with a basic remote motor. The cost for sliding gate systems is typically a bit higher, running from $4,000 to $8,000, and that’s before you even factor in the type of material or gate weight. Custom fabricated steel gates are usually priced separately from the automation system itself.
Most people in this part of Australia are likely to be looking at a price tag of around $4,000 up to $10,000 for a standard residential electric gate when you factor in the installation costs. This is according to some data put together by Long Life Gates they’re an Aussie company that’s been designing and installing electric gates since 1977.
Adding in access control gets costly very quickly you’re talking intercom systems, video entry units, keypads, and smartphone app integration, all of which can blow the budget. And then there’s ongoing maintenance you should budget around $200 to $400 a year for each service call. Some areas around Melbourne, like Boroondara, Yarra, and Stonnington, have heritage overlay zones which means you might need to get planning approval before you can even start installing and that can add over $1,200 to the bill in some cases.
Get the budget sorted out before you commit to a product and you’ll avoid getting any nasty surprises when it comes time to actually install the thing
Automating an Existing Gate That Works Most of the Time
Most old swinging gates are fine to automate if the frame, hinges and posts are structurally sound enough. However, if you’ve got rust at the hinge points or posts that aren’t staying upright, you’re going to need to get those sorted before you can even think about automating the gate. And the same goes for gates that are sagging that’s just a recipe for disaster. You really should get a pre-automation inspection done any decent supplier will include this as part of their site assessment.
If you’ve got timber gates then you’ve got to get the weight of the thing sorted before you can size the motor. And that’s exactly what the problem is with timber gates moisture content can make them weigh a lot more than you’d think at different times of the year. Can’t stress this enough: just get it done.
Motor Brands What Melbourne Installers Actually Recommend
If you’re looking to automate a gate in Melbourne, the brands that most professional installers will recommend are FAAC, BFT, and Centsys. And it’s not because these systems are in any way technically superior although they are pretty good. The real reason is parts availability. These brands have got a great distribution network in place, so if something goes wrong and you need a replacement part, it’s going to be available within a reasonable timeframe.
Now on the other hand, you’ve got those cheap imported motors which might look like a bargain at first but can cause a whole load of problems down the track. They look cheap, but they tend to fail at the worst possible moment and when that happens you’re stuck waiting for spare parts to arrive from overseas. I’ve talked to guys at Gate Gurus and Auto Gate Guys, and they’ll tell you they choose motors based on long-term reliability rather than how much profit they can make. So ask your supplier which brand they use, and why? If the answer is something like “we like the profit margins” then that’s just not a supplier you want to be doing business with, mate.
Automatic Gate Systems for Commercial and Industrial Applications
Boom gates are the ideal choice for commercial sites that have car parks, where full gates would simply not work due to the high cycle volume needed at the site. The heavy-duty sliding gate systems should be used for industrial locations that have a need for security and a higher number of cycles per day as compared to normal residential applications. Integration of the access control system with the building management system is standard for all commercial installations.
Technogates services both commercial and residential installations in Melbourne with the capability to provide you with anything ranging from residential swing gate systems to the commercial multiple point access systems through the same vendor. For the procurement managers of commercial sites, dealing with a vendor who knows about both types of applications is important since most sites lie somewhere between both ends of the spectrum. The basic parameters that need to be looked into when planning the automatic gates Melbourne installation are the number of cycles per day, the weight of the vehicle, and compatibility with the existing access control systems.
