Gate Automation in Lagos: What Your Quote Should Include
If you're planning gate automation in Lagos, two quotes for the same gate can be far apart because they cover different items. One installer prices only the motor. Another includes the motor, safety devices, cabling, backup power and labour. This guide lists every part of a proper gate automation job, so you can compare quotes line by line and know exactly what you are paying for.
1. The gate motor
The motor is the biggest single cost and the part most worth getting right. Your quote should name the exact brand and model, not just "gate motor".
Type. Sliding gates need a sliding gate operator. Swing gates (one or two leaves) need swing arm or underground motors, usually one per leaf.
Weight rating. The motor must be rated above your gate's actual weight. A heavy Lekki or VGC gate can pass 1,000kg. For example, the BAME DELMA ROY 16 is rated for gates up to 1,600kg. An underrated motor strains, overheats and fails early.
Power compatibility. Ask if it runs on both mains and inverter power. With our power supply, a motor that only works on mains will leave you pushing the gate by hand.
Surge protection. Good motors are fuse-protected, so a surge blows a cheap fuse instead of the control board. Ask what happens to the motor when NEPA brings power back with a spike.
Control board and receiver. These usually come with the motor, but confirm it.
💡 Tempted to go for the cheapest motor? Here's why your gate motor is not where you should be saving money →
2. Gear rack and mounting hardware
A sliding gate motor drives the gate through a gear rack fixed along the bottom of the gate. Some motors come with a rack; many don't.
Gear rack. Priced per metre or per piece. The length depends on how far your gate travels. Steel racks last longer than nylon on heavy gates.
Base plate and anchors. The motor sits on a mounting plate bolted into a concrete base.
Limit switches or magnets. These tell the motor where to stop when the gate is fully open or closed.
For swing gates: brackets for the gate pillar and leaf, and sometimes a gate stopper.
3. Remotes and access control
Most motors come with two remotes. A household with several drivers will need more.
Extra remotes. Ask the price per remote and confirm they are coded to your receiver.
Keypad. Lets visitors or staff open the gate with a PIN.
Smartphone control. A Wi-Fi or GSM module lets you open the gate from your phone, even when you are away from home.
Intercom or video doorbell. Lets you see and speak to whoever is at the gate before opening it.
📱 Your main gate is shut, but is your home really secure? Many Lagos homes have a second way in that most people forget about. See how remote monitoring lets you check who's at the gate, open it from your phone, and make sure every entrance is covered, even when you're not home.
👉 Read: The Importance of Remote Monitoring for Your Home Gate
4. Safety devices
This is where cheap quotes cut corners. An automatic gate is heavy moving machinery. Without safety devices it can close on a car, a child or a pet.
Photocells (safety beams). A pair of sensors across the gate opening. If anything breaks the beam, the gate stops or reverses. Every automated gate should have them.
Flashing warning light. Blinks while the gate moves, so people and drivers know to stay clear.
Safety edges. Rubber strips on the gate edge that stop the motor on contact. Recommended for heavy gates and busy compounds.
🔎 Is your gate actually safe right now? Photocells are only the start. Find out which situations cause most gate accidents, what an induction loop does, and the simple 1-minute test you can do yourself to check that your safety devices still work.👉 Read: Why Safety Devices Matter in Gate Automation
At Sterling Magna we list safety devices as separate line items, so you can see exactly what is included. If a quote seems much cheaper than others, check whether photocells are in it.
5. Power, cabling and backup
Cabling. Power cable from your house to the motor, plus cables to photocells, the warning light and any keypad. The price depends on distance, so expect it to vary from site to site.
Conduit and trenching. Cables should run through pipes, buried or wall-mounted, not lying loose on the ground.
Isolator switch. A dedicated switch so the motor can be shut off safely for maintenance.
Battery backup. Some motors take a backup battery that keeps the gate working through a blackout. Ask if yours supports one, and whether it is included.
Surge protection. Beyond the motor's own fuse, a surge protector on the supply line adds an extra layer of protection.
6. Installation labour and site preparation
Installation and setup. Mounting the motor, fixing the rack, wiring, programming limits and testing. This should be a clear line item.
Concrete base. The motor needs a solid, level base. If your gate area has none, expect civil work.
Gate repairs or adjustments. Automation only works on a gate that slides or swings freely. A bent track, worn wheels or a sagging leaf must be fixed first, often by a welder.
Transport and logistics. Some installers charge separately for travel, especially outside their main coverage area.
A good installer will inspect the gate before giving a final price. Be careful with any quote given without a site visit or clear photos and videos of your gate.
7. Optional add-ons
These are not required, but they are worth asking about while the installer is on site:
Boom barrier, for estates, offices and shared compounds.
Smart lock on the pedestrian gate or front door, so the whole entrance is keyless.
Maintenance plan, for periodic servicing of the motor, rack and safety devices.
Your quote checklist
Use this list to check any gate automation quote before you pay:
Motor brand, model and weight rating named
Works on mains and inverter
Surge protection explained
Gear rack or mounting brackets included
Number of remotes stated
Photocells and warning light listed
Cabling and conduit included
Battery backup option stated
Installation labour as a clear line item
Any civil work or gate repairs priced separately
Warranty on the motor and on the installation
Questions to ask your installer:
Is the motor rated for my gate's actual weight?
What happens to the motor during a power surge?
Are safety devices included, or extra?
What warranty do I get, and who handles repairs?
Do you have spare parts available locally?
Ready for gate automation in Lagos?
Sterling Magna Technologies supplies and installs gate motors across Ajah, Lekki, Victoria Island and VGC, and ships tested machines nationwide. Send us photos or a short video of your gate on WhatsApp at 09059235546 for an itemised quote, or visit www.sterlingmagnatech.com.
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