What the price depends on
The rate is per gate. It depends on the system (cantilever or tracked), the width and weight of the leaf, whether a new foundation is needed and whether the motor goes in at the same time. If the foundation is already there and the steel channel sits level, there’s a lot less work. Current rates are in the table.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Install sliding gate | 900–2500 zł/szt |
Indicative prices. Ranges for a typical scope. Fixings included, materials separate. Minimum order 300 zł.
Fixings and anchors are usually part of the labour. The gate itself, carriages and rollers, concrete, rebar, the motor and taking away soil from the foundation trench are paid separately. The handyman lists what’s included in the offer.
Rather hand the job over? More here: handyman in Warsaw.
Cantilever or on a track
A cantilever gate hangs on two roller carriages bolted to a steel channel cast into a foundation beside the entrance. Nothing sits in the opening itself, no track and no threshold, so snow and leaves don’t get in the way. The leaf does have a tail with a counterweight, though, so it needs noticeably more room along the fence than the width of the entrance.
A tracked gate rolls on wheels along a rail laid across the entrance and on along the run-back. It needs less space at the side and the build is simpler. There’s one drawback, and it gets old fast: the track has to be kept clean. A pebble, ice or a layer of wet leaves and the gate stops.
Often the plot makes the choice for you. How much clear fence there is to the left or right of the entrance, whether the ground slopes, whether a gatepost or a tree stands in the way. Measure this before buying the gate, not after.
Safety during installation
The leaf is heavy, so it takes at least two people or lifting gear. An automatic gate closes with enough force to pin a person or a car, which is why safety photocells and obstacle detection are not optional. Connecting the motor to the mains is a job for someone with Polish SEP electrical qualifications (uprawnienia SEP). Ask the handyman in the offer whether they hold them. If not, a separate electrician wires the motor.
How installation works
- The entrance and the run-back space are measured, and the ground level is checked along the whole length of travel.
- Foundation: a trench, rebar and a steel channel for a cantilever gate, or a base for the track. The leaf only goes up once the concrete has gained strength.
- The carriages are set on the channel and levelled in line with the fence.
- The leaf goes onto the carriages or wheels, then the top guide roller and the catch on the receiving post are fitted.
- Adjustment: the gate moves easily by hand, doesn’t roll off on its own and closes firmly into the catch.
- With automation, the motor, gear rack and photocells go in, followed by setting the end positions and testing the safety stop.
Common mistakes
- The gate was bought before measuring, and the wicket gatepost is in the way.
- The channel was cast out of level, so the leaf drifts open by itself.
- The leaf was hung on fresh concrete and the carriages moved with the base.
- Nobody thought about drainage under the track, and in winter it freezes solid.
- A motor fitted without photocells “for now”, which became forever.
- The gear rack screwed on with no clearance above the pinion, so the motor whines and wears out early.
What to prepare
- Photos of the entrance from the street and from the yard, plus the full fence line on the run-back side.
- The width of the entrance and the length of clear fence; a tape measure is fine.
- Anything you know about underground services near the entrance: cable, water, gas. If you don’t know where they run, say so up front.
- Whether you want the motor now or later. Either way a cable duct goes into the foundation.
- The spec sheet or a link to the model if you’ve already bought the gate.
Frequently asked questions
Can a sliding gate go on an old foundation?
Sometimes, if it already has a channel of the right length and the concrete isn’t cracked. A base built for a swing gate usually won’t do. The handyman can tell you more after photos and measuring.
How much room does the gate need to slide back?
A tracked gate needs roughly the width of the entrance. A cantilever gate needs more because of the counterweight. The manufacturer gives the exact length for each model.
Can I fit the gate now and the motor later?
Yes, plenty of people do. Just make sure the cable duct goes into the foundation straight away, or you’ll be breaking up the driveway later.
Do I need permission for a gate?
Usually a gate in a fence doesn’t need a building permit, but the rules depend on the fence height and location. If in doubt, ask the municipal office (urząd gminy) about your plot.
How to order
Describe in the app the entrance width, the type of gate and whether there’s a foundation, and add photos. Tradespeople near you will send offers with their own price and timing. Compare them by reviews and pick one; only that person sees your address.
You pay the handyman directly and they issue the invoice. They stand behind their own installation: if the gate starts catching or rolling open after they’ve adjusted it, they’ll set it up again. Settling ground, an old foundation and factory defects in the gate itself are not on them.
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Order in the app
Describe the job, add photos and the address. Tradespeople send their own prices and dates, and you pick one of the offers.
Open the app