Compare Security Gate Quotes Like for Like

October 2026, by Moira Hayes, Finance / CFO & Member.

Compare two security quotes only when they describe the same thing: the same measured openings, the same product line, the same finish tier, the same locks and the same named warranty. Then compare what is included, VAT, how long the price holds and the payment terms. The cheaper quote is often a different product.

Why the totals rarely compare

A security gate quote is a specification with a price attached. Change the steel, the finish under the paint or the number of locks and the price moves, but so does how long the gate lasts and what the warranty covers. Put the two quotes side by side and go through them line by line before you look at the bottom.

The ten-line checklist

	Check that both quotes state	Why it matters
1. Openings	The same openings, each measured on site	An estimate from a photo can change after measuring
2. Product line	The named line, for example Econo, DuPlus, Deluxe or Alu-Deluxe	Lines differ in build and in warranty
3. Material	Steel or aluminium	Aluminium suits coastal homes; steel relies on its coating
4. Finish tier	What sits under the colour: powder coat only, primer, electroplating or hot-dip galvanising	The tier sets the paint warranty
5. Zone and exposure	How close you are to the sea and how exposed the product is	They change the rust and paint cover
6. Locks	Number of locking points and lock type	One lock or three is a real difference
7. Installation	Installed, or supply-only	Supply-only leaves fitting, and its risk, with you
8. Warranty	The warranty period for the named product line	"Ten-year warranty" with no product named cannot be checked
9. VAT	Whether the price includes VAT	15% is a large gap between two totals
10. Validity and terms	How long the price holds and how payment is split	Steel prices move; a quote without a date is a guess

The finish line is where quotes differ most

Two gates in the same colour can carry very different finishes. Our terms set out five tiers, and the paint warranty follows the tier and the exposure:

	Finish	Paint warranty, sheltered or semi-exposed	Paint warranty, fully exposed
T1	Red oxide and spray paint	1 year	6 months
T2	Powder coat, no primer	1 year	1 year
T3	Sandblast, primer and powder coat	3 years	2 years
T4	Electroplating and powder coat	5 years	3 years
T5	Hot-dip galvanising and powder coat	5 years	3 years

If one quote does not say what is under the paint, ask. A low price on a T1 finish and a higher price on a T5 finish are not the same purchase.

How a Robo Door quotation answers each line

Every opening is measured at a free site visit and itemised separately, so you can accept the whole quote or phase it.
Each line names the product line, the material, the finish tier, the zone and exposure, the locks and whether we install.
The manufacturing warranty is stated by product line. For example, the Deluxe Trellis Door carries 10 years plus the 5-year Break-In Repair Guarantee; the Econo Trellis Door carries 5 years.
South African prices include VAT at 15%.
The quotation is valid for seven days from issue.

Payment terms, compared fairly

In South Africa our standard terms are a 70% deposit on order and 30% on installation or delivery. Pay 100% upfront and a 7% settlement discount applies, calculated on the subtotal before VAT. Finance is available in South Africa over three months interest-free with an admin fee, or up to 24 months with the first three months interest-free. When you compare, work out what you actually pay under each option, not only the headline total.

Read the small print on both

When does the order become binding? Ours does when you accept in writing, we confirm in writing and the deposit is received.
Can you cancel? Made-to-measure products cannot be cancelled once production starts.
How long do you have to report a visible defect? With us, three calendar days.

For the full warranty tables, read the Robo Door warranty explained. For each step from enquiry to installation, read how the site visit and quote work.