Home Buyer’s & Seller’s Guide to Electric Gates

Everything You Need to Know Before Buying or Selling a Property with Automated Gates

Buying or selling a property with electric gates can add significant value, security and kerb appeal. However, automated gates are also complex machines that require regular maintenance, safety inspections and ongoing care.

Unfortunately, many buyers only discover faults after moving into their new home, often facing repair bills running into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Likewise, sellers can lose buyer confidence if a gate system is unreliable or unsafe.

At Gatemen, we help buyers, sellers and estate agents throughout Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol, Cheltenham, Swindon and the South West ensure electric gate systems are safe, reliable and professionally maintained before completion.

Why Electric Gates Need Special Attention

Electric gates are far more than just a pair of gates with motors attached.

A complete system may include:

• Underground or above-ground gate motors

• Sliding gate operators

• Hydraulic or electromechanical automation

• Safety edges

• Photocells

• Control panels

• Remote controls

• GSM phone entry

• Video intercoms

• Access control systems

• Loop detectors

• Emergency release systems

• Battery backup systems

Like any mechanical equipment, these components wear over time and require routine servicing.

Buying a Home with Electric Gates?

Before exchanging contracts, buyers should understand that they are purchasing responsibility for a machine that requires maintenance.

Ask These Questions

Has the gate been serviced?

Request copies of previous maintenance reports.

Ideally, the seller should provide:

• Service records

• Installation paperwork

• User manuals

• Remote control details

• Warranty information

If none of these exist, arrange an independent inspection.

Does the gate operate smoothly?

Watch the gates several times.

Look for:

• Jerky movement

• Excessive noise

• Slow operation

• Grinding sounds

• Gates catching on the ground

• Poor alignment

These can indicate expensive repairs.

Are all safety devices working?

Modern electric gates should normally include:

• Safety photocells

• Safety edges

• Force limitation

• Emergency release

• Flashing warning lights

Missing safety equipment could make the system unsafe.

Is the automation old?

Many gate systems remain in service for 20 years or more.

Although this isn’t necessarily a problem, older equipment may require:

• Replacement control boards

• New motors

• Updated safety equipment

• Modern force testing

Can replacement parts still be obtained?

Some older manufacturers no longer produce spare parts.

Buying a property with obsolete equipment may result in needing an entire replacement system rather than a simple repair.

Common Electric Gate Problems Found During House Purchases

Our engineers regularly discover:

• Worn underground motors

• Rusted gate hinges

• Water ingress into motor boxes

• Damaged control panels

• Failed safety photocells

• Missing safety edges

• Incorrect motor forces

• Broken underground drainage

• Damateur wiring

• Unsafe gate closing forces

Many of these faults are not obvious during a normal property viewing.

Why Buyers Should Arrange an Independent Gate Survey

Just as many buyers commission:

• Homebuyer Reports

• Structural Surveys

• Electrical Inspections

An electric gate inspection can identify:

• Safety risks

• Mechanical wear

• Electrical faults

• Future maintenance costs

• Compliance concerns

• Estimated repair costs

This gives buyers confidence before completing the purchase.

Advice for Home Sellers

If you’re selling a property with electric gates, ensuring the system is professionally serviced before marketing can significantly improve buyer confidence.

Benefits include:

• Demonstrates the gates have been cared for

• Reduces buyer concerns

• Avoids price negotiations due to faults

• Provides maintenance records

• Makes viewings more impressive

A smoothly operating gate creates an excellent first impression.

Electric Gate Maintenance

Many homeowners mistakenly believe electric gates require no maintenance.

Like a car or central heating boiler, automated gates should be serviced regularly.

Routine servicing includes:

• Lubricating hinges

• Adjusting gate alignment

• Inspecting motors

• Cleaning drainage boxes

• Checking control panels

• Testing photocells

• Inspecting safety edges

• Tightening fixings

• Checking batteries

• Force testing

• Full safety inspection

Regular servicing can significantly extend the life of your system.

How Often Should Electric Gates Be Serviced?

For most domestic properties we recommend:

• Annual servicing for normal domestic use

• Six-monthly servicing for frequently used gates

• Additional inspections after storm damage or impact

Commercial gates generally require more frequent maintenance.

Why Safety Matters

Powered gates are classified as machinery.

Without correct maintenance they can become dangerous.

Professional servicing helps ensure:

• Safety devices function correctly

• Gate forces remain within safe limits

• Mechanical wear is identified early

• Risks are reduced

• Family members remain protected

Working with Estate Agents

Estate agents increasingly encounter properties fitted with automated gates.

Rather than trying to assess them themselves, many choose to recommend a specialist inspection.

At Gatemen we can work directly with:

• Estate agents

• Buyers

• Sellers

• Solicitors

• Surveyors

• Property managers

Our Home Buyer Electric Gate Survey provides an independent assessment of the system’s condition before completion.

What Our Home Buyer Electric Gate Survey Includes

Our comprehensive inspection typically includes:

• Visual condition assessment

• Mechanical inspection

• Automation inspection

• Safety device testing

• Operational testing

• Risk assessment

• Photographic report

• Recommendations

• Estimated repair costs

• Maintenance advice

This provides buyers with valuable information before they commit to purchasing a property.

Advice for Estate Agents

If you are marketing a property with electric gates, recommending a professional inspection demonstrates good customer service.

A survey can:

• Increase buyer confidence

• Identify faults early

• Prevent disputes after completion

• Reduce delays during conveyancing

• Help sellers resolve issues before exchange

Gatemen is happy to work with estate agents across Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties to provide independent gate inspections.

Why Choose Gatemen?

Gatemen specialises in:

• Electric driveway gates

• Commercial gates

• Sliding gates

• Swing gates

• Traffic barriers

• Automatic doors

• Access control

• Intercom systems

  
  

We provide:

• Home Buyer Electric Gate Surveys

• Seller Pre-Market Gate Inspections

• Routine Maintenance

• Emergency Repairs

• Safety Risk Assessments

• Force Testing

• Gate Upgrades

• Replacement Automation Systems

  
  

We are proud members of:

• Gate Safe

• DHF (Door & Hardware Federation)

• SafeContractor

• SMAS

  
  

Our experienced engineers work on most major manufacturers, including Roger Technology, CAME, FAAC, BFT, NICE, Benincà, DEA, Fadini, AES Global, Videx, Paxton, Hikvision, Record, FAAC Automatic Doors, Gilgen, and many more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I have electric gates inspected before buying a house?

Yes. A professional inspection can identify hidden faults, safety issues and potential repair costs before you exchange contracts.

Who pays for the gate survey?

Usually the buyer commissions the inspection, although some sellers arrange one in advance to reassure prospective purchasers.

How long does an electric gate survey take?

Most domestic inspections take around 60–90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the system.

Can electric gates fail a safety inspection?

Yes. Missing safety devices, excessive operating forces, worn components or faulty controls may require repairs or upgrades before the system can be considered safe.

Do electric gates require annual servicing?

Yes. Annual servicing is recommended for most domestic properties to keep the system reliable, safe and operating efficiently.

Contact Gatemen

If you’re buying or selling a property with electric gates, or you’re an estate agent looking for an independent specialist, Gatemen can help.

Our engineers provide professional Home Buyer Electric Gate Surveys, Seller Pre-Sale Inspections, Risk Assessments, Routine Maintenance, Emergency Repairs, and Gate Safety Inspections across Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, Cirencester, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Bristol, Swindon, Wiltshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the wider South West.

Email: info@gatemen.co.uk

Telephone: 01452 447002

Website: www.gatemen.co.uk