New Entrance Gate ????s

We are working to Gate our 400+ single family HOA. We have private roads and only 1 entrance in and out of the community. We have had many meetings over the last couple of years and have a basic plan of what the ultimate gate may look like. We are planning on adding an additional lane for the HOs to use to bypass the guard shack coming into the community. We are trying to figure our how much this entire project may cost so that we can have the HOs vote to approve before any real money gets spent.

Has anyone installed a gate recently and have some idea how much the actual cost may be? We have recieved a Fesability study from 1 vendor and they estimate that the permitting and plans could cost 45K. Our Property Manager is trying to get multiple bids but has not given us any as of yet. We would really like to hear from anyone who may have already done this.

We will need to go to the community for a vote to approve this large project. We will only get one shot at selling this and we want to make sure that we know what all the potential costs could be.

Thanks in advance,
Mark

Carol,
Thanks I saw it and I shared it with our Gate Committee. It was informative but I am looking for the dollars it may cost us.

This site is such a great resource.

Mark

We currently have Security onsite for 16 hours a day. We would have the gate operated by the guards during those 2 shifts. We are planning to have the guest lane equiped with a directory that will allow for guests to ring the HO and be buzzed into the gate.

Yes we have a gate at the rear of our property that has a emergency gate and it uses a strob senser that the Emerg. Vehicles all use effectively.

I appreciate all of these types of questions because I am sure we do not have all of the bases covered.

Mark

Gate motors run about 2500 each. You might need 2 or 4 depending on if you have large swinging gate or split. Make sure you get the best motors, either swingmaster or elite.
Call box is about 4000.
Transmitters for residents to enter is about 20 each.
Other misc supplies factor about 1000.
You will need to install a phone line and leasing securities cameras might be a good idea. The cost for four cameras is about 400 per month. This will discourage people from raming the gates.
I am not sure how much construction is needed with walls, pillars and gate but if you just need to install motors and call box you are looking at about 2000 in labor. This exclude cost and labor to install gates.

The ongoing maintenance is the real problem for most communities. The gates stop working atleast once a month. And for a company to just show up is about 150 per visit. I highly recommend you get a property manager that is hands on and is knowledgeable with gates. 90% of the issues can be fixed by a hands on manager and this can be worked into their fee. Our manager does not charge extra for this service and feels it gives him a competative advantage, and obviously he is right.

Good luck.