
D19 · Mass Landed
Serangoon Gardens has a long history with motorised gates: terrace and semi-detached homes here have typically had one for decades, so current demand leans toward motor replacement and gate refurbishment rather than first-time installation.
Why Serangoon Gardens
Driveways are typically short here: single-vehicle terrace driveways with tight clearance to the road. Swing gates often hit the kerb if not specified carefully, so we sometimes recommend a sliding system even on driveways narrow enough that swing would seem like the obvious choice. Pillar age is also a consideration: older pillars are often no longer plumb and need rebuilding before a new gate is hung.
Typical work here is full gate replacement or motor-only replacement. Italian and German motor brands are widely specified despite the value orientation because the labour cost of repeat callouts on cheaper motors quickly erases any savings. We scope each gate after a free site assessment.
If an old swing gate has started catching the kerb, the ground has usually moved or the pillars have leaned; a like-for-like replacement inherits the same problem. Check whether the geometry still suits a swing arc at all: on a short terrace driveway, switching to a sliding system plus a pillar rebuild is often the durable answer.
Common Questions
We price each gate from what we find on site, so there is no single figure here. These are the things that move it. A motor on a sound existing gate is a much smaller job than a new gate and motor. A swing gate needs hinge posts strong enough to carry the leaf; a sliding gate needs a track or supports along its whole run. A bigger, heavier leaf needs a stronger motor. Pillar, foundation or drain work adds cost, and so does new wiring to the motor, which only a licensed electrical worker may do. Then come safety edges or sensors, extra remotes, an intercom, phone control and regular servicing.
Yes, if the leaf clears the ground all the way through its swing. On a driveway that rises behind the gate, the slope decides how far an inward-opening leaf can swing before it hits the ground, so the arc is checked against the actual levels. A sliding gate avoids the arc but still needs a firm, well-supported run beside the entrance, and on any slope the gate has to be designed so it cannot run away downhill.
Yes, if the gate is sound. First a technician checks the leaf, the hinges or rollers, the posts and the gaps where hands or feet could be caught, because automating an old gate can leave those pinch points exposed. If it moves freely and can carry the motor, keeping it makes sense. Worn hinges, a sagging leaf or weak posts get fixed before any motor goes on.
Yes, if the gate's control box supports it, though it can need an extra part. CAME, for example, connects its app to compatible motors through a CONNECT GW gateway added to the system. Before it goes into the quote, check which app it uses, whether there is any ongoing fee, who can be given access, and that the ordinary remote still opens the gate when the home Wi-Fi is down.
Without power the motor can't move the gate, so it stays where it is until someone releases it by hand, unless a backup battery is fitted. At handover you should be shown the safe release for your model and told whether a battery option exists for it. A heavy or unstable gate can move unexpectedly once released, so if it can't be handled safely, keep clear and get a technician.
It can, if the job involves building work. BCA says private property owners carrying out building works may have to submit plans to it for approval, though some minor works, listed as insignificant building works, are exempt. It says owners should engage a Qualified Person, a registered architect or professional engineer, to advise on the clearances needed from BCA and other authorities such as URA, and the QP can tell you whether your job is exempt. A motor on your existing gate is a much smaller change than rebuilding the pillars or the entrance, so be clear which one you are planning.
Have a different question? See the full Auto Gates guide or WhatsApp us.
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Tell us about your auto gates project in Serangoon Gardens. We'll arrange a free site assessment and provide a detailed, no-obligation quotation.
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