Vetted gate and garage technicians in Centurion. Book now.

Centurion homeowners typically pay a call-out fee of R350 – R650 and labour of R450 – R800 per hour, with parts on top. A surge-damaged board or motor replacement runs R5,000 – R9,500 for a sliding gate, while a backup battery is R300 – R600 fitted and safety beams R1,000 – R1,500. Confirm the split between labour and parts before you sign off.

Highveld storms are the leading cause of dead controller boards in Centurion. Lightning does not need a direct hit; a surge down the mains or the intercom cable is enough to fry the electronics. A surge arrestor at the motor and a quality plug-in protector on the power supply cost a fraction of a new board and are worth fitting before the season.

Most estates here require contractors to be registered at the gatehouse with ID and vehicle details, and some restrict work to weekdays. Your own driveway gate is your responsibility, but a shared complex gate is usually the body corporate or HOA's cost. A local technician will know the drill and can send their details ahead.

The backup battery is almost certainly flat or worn out. Repeated load shedding cycles shorten a lead-acid battery's life to a year or two, and once it cannot hold charge the motor simply stops when the mains drop. Replacing it is quick and cheap, and a lithium upgrade will cope far better with the schedule we live with.