Automatic gate installation: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering automatic gate installation

Automatic gates are a high-trust install, because a missed sensor or a poor power connection can injure someone or damage a vehicle. Win the job by testing the gate before the operator goes on and by bringing a licensed electrician into the plan early.

What customers ask

  • Is it safe for my kids and dog?
  • What happens if the power goes out?
  • Can you add a keypad, a remote or a camera?
  • Will the gate work with my existing fence and posts?
  • How long will the operator last?
  • Who handles the electrical work?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what the gate is used for, how often it moves, how heavy it is and what power and control options the customer wants.
  • On site, check the gate's balance, the swing, the posts and the ground, then plan the operator location and the power run with the electrician.
  • Show the operator model, the sensor layout and the control options on a plan, so the customer sees the safety design before the install.
  • In the quote, list the operator, the sensors, the electrical work, the controls and the gate repairs as separate lines.
  • Test the reverse on each sensor and each closing path, and record the results so the customer has them on file.
  • Explain the manual release and the maintenance schedule in writing, with the warranty on the operator and the sensors.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of the operator mounting, the sensor placement and the power run before the concrete is poured
  • Finished automatic gate photos showing the operator, the keypad and the sensors
  • Operator brands and controls you install, with the gate types each one suits
  • Your service area and whether you also do gate repair, fence installation and electrical partner work

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a yearly safety test of the sensors and the reverse function, explained as protection for the household
  • Suggest a lubrication and hinge check to keep the operator from straining
  • Mention a keypad, camera or remote upgrade as information when the customer's needs change

Licenses and permits

Automatic gate installation involves electrical work that is commonly done by licensed electricians, and many areas require a permit for a gate operator. Confirm what applies where you work with your state or local licensing agency and local building department, and keep your insurance current, including for any electrical partner you bring in.

Questions

What do I do when the customer wants to skip the safety sensors to save money?

Refuse to install the operator without the required safety devices, since a gate without them can injure someone. Explain the requirement in writing and quote the sensors as part of the safe install.

Should I test the reverse on every install?

Yes, test the reverse on each sensor and each closing path, and record the results. Show the customer the test and keep a copy with the job record.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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