When you are considering an operator for a new or existing gate:
Do:
- Hire experienced company and ask for references.
- Check with BBB and web review sites for customer satisfaction.
- Compare warranties on materials and labor.
- Consider all the components included in the quotations, some include only bare minimums while others may include additional safety devices and accessories.
- Make sure you have utilized all tax incentives for solar powered alternatives and have manufacturer's certificate of compliance.
- Consider hidden costs like permits, replacement of worn out accessories and upgrades in access control technology.
- Utilize safety devices to make sure you are UL 325 compliant and have mitigated liabilities for you and your company.
- Make sure local Knox-Box or Emergency Vehicle entry devices have been connected and tested for use in case of an emergency.
- Make sure all wires and cables are in conduit and that your control box and connections are weather tight and sealed to last a long, long time.
- Make sure all safety signs have been mounted and photos taken to verify this fact. You can use these photos to promote your business and prove that you have obeyed all safety regulations.
http://youtu.be/njUgZO-shuU
- Try to modify garage door opener to act as a gate opener...(see video below http://youtu.be/-saXQF5IU8U :)
- Use the cheapest operators and access control devices on the market; They will only fail and cause you more headache and expenses in the long-run.
- Forget to quote Ultra Access Control products to save you time, money and reduce call-backs.
- Overlook the fact that your skills as an Access Control Expert can be valuable to other companies. Large to medium fence contractors often sub work to qualified, experienced and certified automatic gate operator installers.
- Fail to recommend a continued maintenance program to the end user of the automatic gate. Far too often gates and operators are not maintained until there is a problem. Just like any sophisticated electromechanical device, an ounce of preventative maintenance is worth several pounds of emergency repairs or replacements.
Do NOT do this!
8 comments:
Darrin,
Great piece. The only thing I would add is that consumers should look for contractors that are members in good standing with accountability organizations like NAFCA, that hold their members to a code of ethics and a consumer bill of rights that protects the customer.
Thanks so much for sharing this post! I didn't know that aluminum gates vancouver were such a big thing! Can you tell me where I can find more information about them? I think they are great and look a lot better! Thanks for sharing!
Suzy,
They are at :
2300 Clarke St Port Moody, BC V3H 1Y8
(604) 939-4671
Tell them where you learned about them. Sorry for the delay...
Mike,
You are right and I will include that information next time or possibly edit the existing content. Thanks for the comment.
Darrin
Where could I find some gate operators in Toronto? I don't want to get a gate for my fence if I don't have everything planned out for it. Hopefully I can get everything planned out so I can get it installed soon.
This is such a good post. Thank you for sharing this information. Keep it up!
fence materials
I think I might have to look into this. I love wrought iron, but it can be so expensive. This has the look. It is a lot lighter, and probably cheaper.
Alena | http://www.avdr.ca
You really need to make sure that you do all the fine tuning when you have an automatic gate. That way you can make sure that it works properly and is running the way that it is suppose to. Making sure that your gate does not take too long to close or too long to open are probably the most important parts about having an automatic gate in the first place. That way you can know that only those you want in can get in and that the gate will stay open so that no damage is done to a motor vehicle as well.
http://abfabrications.com.au/fences-gates
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