When a customer asks for an automated gate, the additional cost over a manual one goes well beyond the price of the motor: there are electrical and electronic components that, if left off the quote, surface during installation as unbudgeted costs.
A motor sized to the real weight
The motor should be chosen on the actual weight of the gate leaf, not a rough estimate: an undersized motor wears out quickly or cannot move the leaf reliably, while an oversized one is money wasted. The gate's structural weight needs calculating accurately before the motor is chosen.
Control unit and safety system
The control unit governing the movement, together with the safety sensors that stop the gate when something is in the way, are mandatory components of a compliant installation, not optional accessories. Their cost belongs explicitly on the quote, not implied within the price of the motor.
Electrical provision
An automated gate needs a dedicated power supply run to the point of installation, work that may require a separate electrical job where none exists. Making clear at quoting stage whether that provision is included or the customer's responsibility avoids misunderstandings at handover.