Quoted £3k for Gate Intercom System!

[Mulsanne-Speed]

Our top gates (which we rarely use) are about to be replaced. I've asked the gate company to provide a quote for an intercom system (there's no power there as gates are manual), I've been quoted £2,530 + vat to install a basic intercom system - I really don't want top pay this but could do with some form of communication up there to speak with delivery drivers - Does anyone know of an effective wireless alternative?

Any advice would be much appreciated

Many thanks in advance

Allister

[OldGermanHeaps]

ring battery doorbell at the gate with a ubiquity 2.4ghz nanostation loco access point mounted on the exterior of your house pointed at it.
your options are limited if you dont want to run power out there. you could do solar/battery and a gsm intercom but it would still be a few quid for the size of panel and battery you would need and quite ugly.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Sunday 21st July 22:23

[Mulsanne-Speed]

I wondered about "Ring" but I'm not sure if they're weatherproof - Do you know if they are usually OK if exposed to adverse weather?

Also, the gate is about 80 meters away from the house and the intercom panel will of course be on the post facing outward, away from the house - Do you think it will still reach?

Many thanks

Allister

[h0b0]

Are they digging a trench as part of the quote? If so, you could rethink the entire plan and go electric gate.

If not, can you rent a trench digger and still consider going wired?

[Mulsanne-Speed]

Afraid not - automation has been quote at a further £4,616 + vat!

[Willlll]

Have you looked at PoE (Power Over Ethernet) intercoms? This would be a much cheaper installation cost due to only having to run one network cable and more reliable than wireless/solar powered solution.

[Mulsanne-Speed]

Thanks Will, don't know much about that system, does it still require the laying of an armoured cable?

[OldGermanHeaps]

the ubiquiti ap is directional, which should give you the wireless range necessary. I haven't done that with the ring wireless doorbell but I have done it over a similar range with the hikvision doorbell. the hikvision doorbell needs power though.
I dont know about the weatherproofing on the ring but you could get a plastic or wood rain hood made up for it.
ultracom make a fully battery only intercom, but I have only stripped one out that was faulty, never seen it actually working, the batteries didnt last long when it was below freezing outside and then batteries leaked inside it ruining it.

[ashleyman]

You could go for the POE Ring doorbell - The £500 one and run a cable to it from the house. Either way you'll have to sort a solution for power as these smart doorbells need it. Or you're forever replacing batteries.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Mulsanne-Speed said:

Thanks Will, don't know much about that system, does it still require the laying of an armoured cable?

still needs a cable, but only 48v so doesnt need to be armoured as long as it doesnt get a spade through it or chewed by vermin.

[h0b0]

I fear you may have fallen foul of the type of tradesman that invariably says “nice house gov” before quoting. I had a plumber tell me he loved my house 5 times before giving me an invoice 5x what it should have been. I was away on business when my wife employed him without a quote.

Even if you aren’t automating the gate, knowing that you have 80 meters of property, I assume you have someone that helps with the land. Can they dig a trench? Even better, can you find a couple of eager school holiday kids and tell them “I’ll give you 200 quid to dig a hole”?

[OldGermanHeaps]

if you are spending £500 and running a cable the hikvision intercom is better, and has a nice indoor touchscreen and the potential for 24h cctv recording as well as the app functionality.

[Mulsanne-Speed]

h0b0 said:

I fear you may have fallen foul of the type of tradesman that invariably says “nice house gov” before quoting. I had a plumber tell me he loved my house 5 times before giving me an invoice 5x what it should have been. I was away on business when my wife employed him without a quote.

Even if you aren’t automating the gate, knowing that you have 80 meters of property, I assume you have someone that helps with the land. Can they dig a trench? Even better, can you find a couple of eager school holiday kids and tell them “I’ll give you 200 quid to dig a hole”?

Thanks h0b0 - I know it's a nightmare, total cost for 3 x gates (one with brick built piers) is already at £25k, without this top gate intercom! - I just feel like they're taking the PxSS. When I was younger and we had less money, I'd hide my car round the corner, but I can't hide the house - Gate number 2 is 200 meters down a field, which requires automation / power - This has also increased the cost.

We do employ a full time gardener, so I can easily get him to dig a shallow trench - I will explore some of the alternative suggestions listed, including trying to weatherproof a Ring system - Thank you all for your help

[Mulsanne-Speed]

OldGermanHeaps said:

if you are spending £500 and running a cable the hikvision intercom is better, and has a nice indoor touchscreen and the potential for 24h cctv recording as well as the app functionality.

Is this the Hikvision system you're talking about?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HIK475-HIKVISION-DS-KH830...

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Sorry, I think you typed something in error. You posted that three gates were costing you £25k’

I’m presuming you aren’t installing a portcullis and drawbridge?

[DSLiverpool]

Your overthinking this.

Big sign on gate saying “ call 12346778 for access”

Use a payg phone in the house so it’s not a personal number.

You could patch the gate caller into your home system if you wish.

[ashleyman]

Mulsanne-Speed said:

Is this the Hikvision system you're talking about?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HIK475-HIKVISION-DS-KH830...

That’s just the screen. You need the bell part sold separately.

OldGermanHeaps said:

if you are spending £500 and running a cable the hikvision intercom is better, and has a nice indoor touchscreen and the potential for 24h cctv recording as well as the app functionality.

Is it POE tho? If it isn’t you’re going to have to run power and Ethernet. Whereas with the ring you only need singular Ethernet cable to do power and data.

[Mulsanne-Speed]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Sorry, I think you typed something in error. You posted that three gates were costing you £25k’

I’m presuming you aren’t installing a portcullis and drawbridge?

I know, it's absolutely crazy! But it's a reputable company so what do I do - I could go for a cheaper option, save £5-£7k and get a poor quality job - Then that turns out to be a complete waste of £18-£20k.....

I've reached the point whereby I think I'll pay a bit more, then at least the job will be done right

[Mulsanne-Speed]

DSLiverpool said:

Your overthinking this.

Big sign on gate saying “ call 12346778 for access”

Use a payg phone in the house so it’s not a personal number.

You could patch the gate caller into your home system if you wish.

I did think about this (although not with a payg - which is a good idea) only thing is, if no reply, does that suggest nobody's home - Then I guess the same applies with an intercom.

Maybe worth considering!

[DSLiverpool]

Mulsanne-Speed said:

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Sorry, I think you typed something in error. You posted that three gates were costing you £25k’

I’m presuming you aren’t installing a portcullis and drawbridge?

I know, it's absolutely crazy! But it's a reputable company so what do I do - I could go for a cheaper option, save £5-£7k and get a poor quality job - Then that turns out to be a complete waste of £18-£20k.....

I've reached the point whereby I think I'll pay a bit more, then at least the job will be done right

If your serious about over complicating it and paying for technology (when a sign would do) then the company that does the access to outlying gates for BAE etc is a pal of mine (also a hikvision distributor and installer) they are creative and have infinite options available.
Pm me if you want their info.