Gate Automation in Storrington

Many properties around Storrington already have manual gates — wooden five-bar gates on the rural smallholdings at the foot of the South Downs, wrought iron swing gates on the established homes in the village centre, galvanised field gates on the farms towards Thakeham. Automating these existing gates is often more practical and cost-effective than replacing the whole setup. We survey the site, recommend the right motor system, and handle the installation.

We cover Storrington from our base in Horsham (RH13) — about 20 minutes via the A24 — and have automated gates on properties across the area, from the detached homes along Manleys Hill and Amberley Road to farmhouse entrances in Washington and Sullington.

Automation survey: £195+VAT (free with any repair or service booking)

Call us: 07542 024681 | Book online

What the Automation Survey Covers

Before any motor goes on a gate, we need to see the site. Every gate is different — weight, width, hinge condition, post strength, power supply proximity, and clearance all affect which motor system will work. The survey is a detailed, on-site assessment.

Gate Assessment

We measure the gate leaf weight and width, check hinge condition and post integrity, and assess the gate material. In Storrington, wooden five-bar gates on rural properties are often heavier than owners expect — solid oak or hardwood frames can weigh over 80kg per leaf. The motor needs to match the load, or it will burn out within a few years.

Post and Foundation Check

The greensand and clay mix beneath much of the Storrington area causes moderate ground movement after wet winters — not as aggressive as Horsham's pure Wealden clay, but enough to shift posts set in shallow foundations. Your engineer checks whether the existing posts can support a motor or whether they need reinforcement. On properties along the damp valley floor at the foot of the Downs, where the ground stays wet longer, this is one of the biggest factors in choosing the right system.

Power Supply

The motor needs a dedicated power supply — typically a 240V feed from the house to the gate position. Your engineer checks what is already in place and advises on the cabling route. On rural Storrington properties down long single-track lanes, the cable run can be 30 metres or more, and armoured cable is essential. Where mobile signal is weak, this also shapes which intercom or remote system will work reliably.

Motor Recommendation

Based on the gate weight, type, and site conditions, your engineer recommends a specific motor system. For most Storrington residential properties, this will be a CAME or BFT system. CAME is the preferred choice for most new automation — reliable, well-supported, and competitively priced, and already common on newer installations in the village. BFT underground motors suit properties where a visible motor arm would be unacceptable — common on the period flint and brick homes in the village centre.

Safety Requirements

All new gate automation must comply with current safety standards. We specify the safety devices needed — photocells, safety edges, warning lights — and include these in the quote. This is not optional. Automated gates are machinery, and they must be safe, especially on gates near the A283 through the village or a public footpath up towards Sullington Warren.

Automation Options for Storrington Properties

Pricing for Gate Automation

The survey fee covers your engineer's visit, full site assessment, and a written specification with costed options. If you proceed with the installation, the survey fee is deducted from the total.

Installation costs vary depending on the motor system, gate type, power supply requirements, and safety devices. We provide a fixed-price quote after the survey — no surprises.

Areas Covered Near Storrington

We also cover gate automation in these nearby areas:

• Gate automation in Horsham
• Gate automation in Steyning
• Gate automation in Worthing

Also covering: Washington, Sullington, Thakeham, West Chiltington, Pulborough.