How to Choose an Electric Gate Company - What to Look For (and What to Avoid)
Choosing an electric gate company is one of those decisions that's easy to get wrong, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be expensive, frustrating and long-lasting. A poorly installed gate, a substandard automation system or a company that disappears after installation can leave you with a security system that doesn't work properly, ongoing maintenance headaches and no one to call when something goes wrong.
Here's what to look for when choosing an electric gate installer, and the red flags that should give you pause.
Look for a Company That Does Everything In-House
The best electric gate installations are completed by a single team that handles the entire project - from the gate fabrication and automation through to the pillars, groundworks, fencing and access control.
Some gate companies supply and install the gate but subcontract the brickwork, groundworks or access control to third parties. This creates coordination headaches, inconsistency between different parts of the job, and confusion about who's responsible if something goes wrong.
Ask any gate company you speak to: do you do everything yourselves, or do you use subcontractors? The answer tells you a lot about the quality and accountability you can expect.
Bespoke fabrication installed in Wiltshire
Ask to See Examples of Their Work
A reputable gate company should have a portfolio of completed installations - photographs of real jobs, ideally in your area, showing a range of gate types and materials. Look for consistency of quality across different projects, not just the one best photo on their homepage.
At The White Horse Gate Company, we have a full gallery of completed installations on our website at www.whitehorsegates.co.uk/gallery, covering composite, hardwood, aluminium and metal gates across Wiltshire and the surrounding counties.
Check Reviews and Testimonials
Look for Google reviews, Checkatrade listings or Rated People profiles where real customers have left feedback. Be cautious of companies with no online presence, no verifiable reviews and no examples of their work.
Get Multiple Quotes, But Don't Just Choose the Cheapest
It's sensible to get two or three quotes for any significant gate installation. But choosing purely on price is a false economy. A cheap quote often means cheaper components, less experienced installation, or corners cut on groundworks and foundations that will cause problems down the line.
When comparing quotes, make sure you're comparing like for like:
What brand of automation is being specified?
Are safety devices included and tested?
What warranty is provided on parts and labour?
Who does the work - their own team or subcontractors?
What happens if something goes wrong after installation?
Make Sure the Automation is Properly Specified
The automation system is the hardest-working component of an electric gate. It opens and closes the gate potentially dozens of times a day, in all weathers, for years. A gate is only as reliable as the motor and control board it runs on.
Ask what brand of automation the company uses and do a quick search on it. Leading manufacturers include BFT, Beninca, FAAC, Nice and Came. If a company can't or won't tell you what automation they're installing, or if they're using an unrecognisable brand, that's worth questioning.
Check That Safety Devices Are Included
UK safety standards for automated gates require functional safety devices - obstacle detection sensors, safety edges, and where appropriate, auto-close functions. These aren't optional, they're what prevent your gate from closing on a vehicle, a person or an animal.
A reputable gate company will include and test all required safety devices as standard. If a quote doesn't mention safety devices, ask specifically about them before proceeding.
Look for Local Knowledge
A gate company that knows your area will understand the local planning landscape, the type of properties and entrances common in the region, and will be accessible for ongoing servicing and maintenance after installation. A national company or one based far from your property may be cheaper, but when your gate needs a service or develops a fault, proximity matters.
Ask About Aftercare and Servicing
Who will maintain your gate after installation? Can you call the same team who installed it if something goes wrong? Do they offer maintenance packages?
A good gate company should be your long-term partner, not just the people who showed up, installed a gate and disappeared. Ask about their service offering before you commit.
Composite sliding gates installed in Wiltshire
Red Flags to Watch Out For
No fixed address or limited online presence: reputable companies are findable and transparent
No examples of completed work: every established gate company should have a portfolio
Very low quotes with no breakdown: cheap upfront often means expensive later
Vague answers about automation brands or safety devices
Pressure to commit quickly: a good company doesn't need to rush you
Cash-only payment requests
Why Choose The White Horse Gate Company?
We're a Wiltshire-based team who handle every element of gate installation in-house, from the gate design and fabrication through to automation, access control, pillars, brickwork and fencing. No subcontractors, no coordination between different trades, no confusion about who's responsible for what.
We've been doing this work across Wiltshire and the surrounding counties for many years, and we offer free, no-obligation site surveys so you can meet us, see how we work and get a transparent quote before committing to anything.
