By Karlis Elmanis · 26 April 2026
Short answer: a standard annual service for a domestic electric gate runs £195 to £275+VAT in 2026, depending on where you are in the UK and the engineer's setup. Across Sussex, Surrey and Kent we charge £225+VAT for a single gate, which is a fair middle of that range.
The longer answer matters more — because servicing prices vary wildly, and a low quote often hides extras that show up after the engineer arrives. Here's what's actually included, what's commonly bolted on, and how to read a quote so you don't get caught out.
What's normally included in a gate service
A proper electric gate service is not just "look at it and oil the hinges." A trained engineer should be doing all of this:
- Visual inspection of the gate, posts, hinges, motor housing and control panel.
- Motor inspection — opening the housing, checking gears, brushes, bearings and any exposed wiring.
- Safety device test — photocells aligned and triggering, safety edges (if fitted) responding, force test at the leading edge.
- Control board check — settings, capacitor health, any error codes, battery in the receiver.
- Mechanical adjustment — limit switches, end-stops, hinge tightening, track alignment for sliding gates.
- Lubrication of moving parts (hinges, gears, sliding tracks).
- Manual release test — confirming the manual override key/lever still works in case of power failure.
- Written report — listing what was done, what's worn, and what to budget for in the next 12 months.
A 60-90 minute single-gate service should cover all of the above. If your service quote is below £180, ask which of those items they're skipping.
Why prices vary so much
| Factor | Cheaper end | Pricier end |
|---|---|---|
| Region | North England, Wales | Greater London, Surrey |
| Gate type | Single swing | Double sliding with safety edges |
| Motor brand parts | CAME, Nice (cheap parts) | FAAC, FAAC commercial (specialist parts) |
| Access | Driveway gate, easy reach | Underground motor, removed pavers |
| Engineer overhead | Sole trader, small van | Large company, multiple engineers |
Two of those — region and gate type — explain most of the variation. A double sliding gate with a Came BX-243 motor in central London is going to cost more to service than a single swing with a Nice ROBO in rural Hampshire. Both are legitimate jobs.
Common extras that aren't in the headline price
Watch for these in a written quote:
1. Travel / call-out fee on top of the service
Some companies quote a low service price (£140) but add £60 in travel. The advertised price isn't the final price. Always ask: *"Is that all-in?"*
2. Replacement parts
A service is labour + diagnosis + adjustment. If your photocell is dead, your remote needs reprogramming, or your safety edge battery is flat, those are parts on top. A fair engineer will quote *before* fitting the part.
3. Sunday / evening surcharge
Standard hours pricing assumes weekday daytime. Out-of-hours surcharges of 20-50% are common — and reasonable, just be aware before booking.
4. Second gate / motor
Most quotes are per-gate. A double swing with two motors is two services, sometimes priced as 1.5× rather than 2× as a discount.
What's a fair quote (in 2026)?
Roughly:
| Job | Single domestic gate | Double / commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual service | £195–£275+VAT | £325–£475+VAT |
| Service + minor parts | £250–£350+VAT | £400–£550+VAT |
| Repair callout (no service) | £180–£270+VAT | £270–£400+VAT |
| Emergency same-day | £250–£380+VAT | £380–£550+VAT |
If a quote is way below this band, the engineer is probably skipping items, doesn't have safety qualifications, or is using sub-spec parts. If it's way above and there's no clear reason (multi-gate, underground motor, commercial), get a second quote.
How often does an electric gate need servicing?
Once a year for most domestic gates. Twice a year if you're on the coast (salt corrosion), have heavy daily use (more than 30 cycles a day), or are running a commercial system.
Manufacturers like CAME and BFT specify annual servicing in their warranty terms. Skip a service for two or three years and you usually find that:
- Capacitors fail without warning (motor stops mid-cycle, gate sits half-open)
- Photocells become misaligned through hedge growth or seasonal vibration (gate refuses to close, or worse, closes when it shouldn't)
- Safety edge batteries die silently
- Hinges seize and start tearing pivot points out of the post
A £225 service every year is dramatically cheaper than a £600+VAT motor replacement.
How to brief an engineer for a service
Before they arrive, have ready:
- The motor brand and model (look on the housing — usually a sticker)
- Approximate age of the installation
- Any recent issues (gate sticking, beeping, slow to open)
- Whether you have manuals or remote spares
- Power source (mains? battery backup?)
A 30-second WhatsApp with a photo of the motor housing saves the engineer 10 minutes of diagnosis on arrival, and means they're more likely to bring the right parts.