Gate Maintenance Contract – Pricing

Customers frequently ask us to give a quote for a gate maintenance contract for one or more of their sites.

When we submit a quote by return, they often ask, “Don’t you need to conduct a site visit?”

It started us thinking as to why this might be the case.

So, we thought we would explain a little bit more about how the automated gate industry handles this issue, complementing our information about why gate companies are often not local.

What do gate companies need to know to quote?

Very little is required to allow us to quote.

• The site address – you would be amazed how often this vital information is not supplied. We need to know how far away the site is and if any extra costs are involved, such as the London congestion zone.
• How many visits you would like carried out in a year?
• The length of the maintenance contract.
• What equipment would you like covered, such as gate, intercom, etc?

Is that it?

At Pearly Gate Maintenance, this is truly all we need to know to issue a fixed-price maintenance contract quote.

Any more information, such as access codes, is valuable primarily when the contract is awarded, but at this stage, we can price with confidence.

How can we do it?

Google Maps is an invaluable tool. It often allows us to look at the gate on-site, which means we can confirm with the customer that we are quoting the correct location.

All we do is drop the little man on the man and check out the view.  Granted, it is not 100% perfect, as often the maps are out of date or the gate is located away from the road, but it is a good starting point.

If we cannot see the gate, as long as we have been supplied with the four key pieces of information above, we can confidently quote. 

What do I get for my money?

Given recent events, the most crucial reason for having an automated gate under a maintenance contract is to comply with one of the HSE recommendations for gate safety.

Knowing that a professional gate maintenance company is servicing your gate protects not only the gate’s users and other people in its vicinity, such as children, but also illustrates that you are a responsible site custodian.

A gate service is very similar to a car’s MOT test, which is a condition check and report on the day.

On agreed dates, an experienced gate service engineer will travel to the site and provide gate service.  This will include items such as

• A comprehensive visual check of the gate.
• Lubrication of moving components.
• Confirmation that all the recommended safety devices are present and working.
• All fixings and brackets are sound and secure.
• Access control systems are working.
• Electrical components are operational and protected.

This list is not exhaustive, but it does give you some idea of what is involved. Very few parts are required, perhaps a replacement battery or bolt, and gate maintenance companies know the length of time it takes to service a gate.

Therefore, we know how long we will be on-site to service the gate and can confidently price the maintenance contract.

Who to appoint?

As prices are fixed, choosing the cheapest may seem the most logical choice.  However, beware of this, as you should consider the gate companies’ technical capability, reliability and ease of dealing. Saving a couple of pounds on a maintenance contract but having residents complaining about the gate being out of action for weeks will be of little comfort.

Call for more details on our Service – Tel: 0207 770 6486