Prices
How much does an electric garage door cost in the UK?
Electric garage doors in the UK range from £1,500 for a retractable-gear up-and-over up to £2,495–£3,500 for an insulated electric sectional, all inc. VAT and fitting against the 2290mm × 2250mm reference opening. Retrofitting an operator to an existing manual door typically costs £400–£650.
This page compares electric pricing across door types, because "electric garage door cost" varies more by which door type it is than by the operator itself.
Not all doors automate the same
The single biggest factor in electric up-and-over pricing is the gear: a canopy gear door (springs mounted on the head of the frame, common on older and narrower UK garages) is harder to automate reliably and is limited to around 2438mm wide, while retractable gear (springs mounted on tracks down both sides) automates cleanly and is the type manufacturers specify for electric up-and-over doors, and is mandatory for double-width doors. If your existing door has canopy gear, a straightforward retrofit may not be possible or advisable.
What an operator installation includes
A compliant UK electric garage door installation includes the operator itself, a fitting kit matched to the door's gear, at least one set of safety photocells to BS EN 12453:2017+A1:2021, and a remote handset. Doors installed to this standard are required to have force-limiting so the door reverses on meeting resistance rather than continuing to close — this is not an optional extra, it is how power-operated doors are required to behave.
Retrofit vs new electric door
Where an existing manual door has suitable gear and is in good condition, a manual-to-electric retrofit at £400–£650 is normally the cheaper route to automation compared with replacing the whole door. Where the door is old, the gear is canopy-type, or the panel itself is damaged or poorly insulated, replacing with a new electric door is usually the better long-term value even though the upfront figure is higher.
Ongoing costs of an electric door
An electric operator adds a small maintenance line to running costs beyond a manual door: an annual service typically costs £80–£150, and an operator repair or replacement typically runs £180–£500 if something does fail. Under PUWER 1998, work equipment — which includes power-operated doors used in a commercial or workplace setting — must be maintained in efficient working order, though PUWER sets no fixed interval; the duty-holder sets the schedule by risk assessment.
| Door type | Headline | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Up-and-over, electric (retractable gear) | £1,500 | £1,500–£2,500 |
| Roller, electric, insulated aluminium | £1,895 | £1,700–£2,800 |
| Sectional, electric, insulated | £2,495 | £2,495–£3,500 |
| Manual-to-electric retrofit (existing door) | £400–£650 | £400–£650 |
All figures include VAT and standard installation against the reference opening. London and the South East typically add 15–25%.
Questions people ask
- What is the cheapest electric garage door in the UK?
- An electric up-and-over door with retractable gear is normally the cheapest UK electric option, with a typical installed headline of £1,500 inc. VAT and fitting against the reference opening, and a realistic range of £1,500–£2,500 depending on spec and access.
- Can any garage door be converted to electric?
- Most up-and-over doors with retractable gear can be converted, typically for £400–£650 inc. VAT, but canopy-gear doors are harder to automate reliably and some installers will decline to retrofit them. Sectional and roller doors can usually be specified electric from new or fitted with a compatible operator if built electric-ready.
- Is a safety photocell a legal requirement on an electric garage door?
- UK power-operated garage doors are expected to meet BS EN 12453:2017+A1:2021, which covers force limitation and safety in use, and a photocell or equivalent obstacle-detection system is the standard way installers achieve that. It is standard practice on every reputable UK electric door installation, not an optional extra.
- How much does it cost to service an electric garage door in the UK?
- An annual service for a UK electric garage door typically costs £80–£150 inc. VAT, covering lubrication, a check of the safety reversal system, cable and roller inspection, and a limit and force check. Regular servicing reduces the chance of a more expensive operator repair, typically £180–£500.
UK standards and regulations referenced
- BS EN 12453:2017+A1:2021
- BS EN 12635
- PUWER 1998
Related
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