Short answer: To get an accurate quote for a gate or door in Dubai, send wide photos of the whole opening in daylight, close photos of any motor or control box label, and the clear opening width and height. Add the building type, where the power comes from and any access rules. A site visit then confirms every measurement before a written quote.
Why photos and measurements change the quote
A gate or door quote depends on facts that are easy to see in a photo and hard to guess from a description: the type of opening, the space around it, the condition of the existing equipment and where the power and controls sit. A good photo set lets us ask the right questions on the first call, bring the right parts on the first visit and avoid a second trip.
It does not replace the visit. We measure on site, check the structure and the power, and then send a written quote after the visit, so you can compare exactly what is included. For a first look, though, photos are the fastest route.
The basic shot list: seven photos for any job
- Wide, straight on. Stand back so the whole opening, the floor and the top edge are in frame. Daylight works well, and avoid shooting into the sun.
- Left side and right side. Show the wall, pillar or fence next to the opening, and any obstacle such as a tree, a drain or a parked car position.
- Above the opening. For garage doors and shutters, photograph the ceiling, beam or box above. This shows headroom.
- Floor and threshold. A slope, a step or a drain changes the track and sealing.
- The motor, opener or control box. Take one wide photo and one close-up.
- Every label. Photograph the sticker on the motor, control board and remote. Keep the photo sharp enough to read the brand, model and any voltage.
- The problem. If something is broken, show it: a bent track, a frayed cable, a cracked leaf, an error light.
If you can, add a short video of the door or gate moving. Stay clear of the moving part, and do not hold a phone in the path of a gate or door.
What to measure
Use a tape measure and write numbers in millimetres or centimetres, not guesses. Measure twice and note whether the number is the clear opening (the space a vehicle or person passes through) or the size of the existing door or gate, because those can differ.
| Job | Measure | Also note |
|---|---|---|
| Garage door | Clear opening width and height; headroom above; side room each side; depth of garage | Ceiling type, any pipes or lights in the path, existing door type |
| Sliding gate | Opening width; run-off length beside the opening; gate height | Ground slope, pillar or wall at the end, gate weight if known |
| Swing gate | Opening width; leaf width; pillar width; swing space inside and outside | Which way it should open, ground level, hinge side |
| Rolling shutter | Opening width and height; space above for the box; recess depth | Shopfront finish, glass behind, landlord rules |
| Sliding glass door | Clear opening width and height; header space; floor type | Glass type, traffic flow, power point nearby |
| Barrier | Lane width; kerb or island size; distance to the gate house | Direction of traffic, ground fixing |
Photograph the labels: they tell us most
A sticker on the motor or board usually shows the brand and model. Many gate and garage door motors in Dubai come from makers such as Somfy, Nice, CAME, BFT, FAAC, Sommer, Marantec and Hormann, and the model decides which remotes, boards and sensors fit. Take the photo with the cover open only if it opens easily by hand. Do not remove screws, and do not touch wiring.
If the label is faded, photograph the shape of the unit, the remote and the control board, and tell us roughly when it was installed. For remote issues, see our guide on garage door opener problems.
Tell us about the building and access
Many Dubai jobs depend on permission from someone other than the person asking. Gather these details before the visit.
- Are you the owner, tenant or facilities manager, and who approves changes?
- Is the property in a gated community or tower with its own rules for contractors, gate passes or working hours?
- Is there parking for a work van, and what is the access route to the door?
- Are there changes you may need approval for, such as altering a shopfront or a shared gate? Ask the landlord or building management early. We cannot tell you what a particular community requires.
- Is there a time of day when the door must stay in use, such as a shop opening hours or a warehouse shift?
Power, controls and what is already there
Photograph the nearest socket or isolator, the consumer unit if you know where it is, and any intercom, access reader or alarm connected to the gate. If the old gate has a wired keypad or loop on the ground, show it. Note whether the site has had power cuts, because that affects the type of motor and whether a battery backup is worth adding. Do not open electrical panels yourself. Leave that to a qualified electrician.
Safety while you take photos
- Stay clear of the path of a moving gate, door or barrier.
- Do not climb on a gate, shutter or ladder to photograph a motor or box.
- Do not remove covers from motors or control boxes.
- Keep children and pets away from the area while a door is moving or being tested.
- If a door is stuck open or half open, treat it as a safety issue and keep clear until a technician arrives.
What happens at the site visit
The technician measures the opening, checks the structure, inspects the existing door or motor, notes the power and access, and talks through options. You then receive a written quote that lists what is included. Having your photos, measurements and building permissions ready makes the visit shorter. If the opening is a loading bay, also note truck sizes, because dock work depends on bed heights, which one manufacturer states range from 30 to 62 inches.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos should I send?
Seven to ten is enough for most jobs: a wide shot, two side shots, the area above, the floor, the motor or box, the labels and the problem. More than that is fine if they are sharp and in daylight.
Do I need to measure before the site visit?
It helps but is not required. Rough measurements let us prepare the right parts. The technician measures again properly on site before any written quote is prepared.
Can you give a price from photos alone?
We do not give fixed prices from photos. Photos show what the job involves, then a site visit confirms measurements and the written quote follows.
What if I do not know the brand of my gate motor?
Send a clear photo of the label on the motor or control board and one of the whole unit. If there is no label, we can often identify the family from the shape and the board.
Should I be home for the visit?
Someone who can give access and answer questions should be there, ideally the person who decides on the work. For buildings with rules, send the building manager's contact too.
Does the building management need to approve the work?
Often yes for shared gates, shopfronts and car parks. Ask the landlord or building management before the visit, because we cannot say what your community requires.
What if the gate or door is broken and unsafe?
Keep people clear, leave it in the safest position you can reach without forcing it, and tell us exactly what you see. A technician decides whether it is safe to move or must be secured.
Ready to send your photos?
Use the send a photo page or the quote form, or WhatsApp the photos to +971 50 494 8667 and call if it is urgent. You can also read about our free site visit. For gate jobs, see automatic sliding gates and automatic swing gates.
Want this done properly?
Send a photo of your door or gate and we will tell you what we see.