Shutter stuck, slowing down or buzzing at the switch? When a roller shutter misbehaves, the first question is usually “what will a new motor cost me?” Online prices are all over the place, and it’s hard to tell what’s parts, what’s labour, and what’s extra—especially with state electrical rules (like Certificates of Compliance in SA) in the mix.

The good news: you rarely need a whole new shutter. A like‑for‑like motor swap is straightforward, and once you know your shutter size, torque needs and control type (wired, remote or smart), the total bill becomes predictable. This guide lays out realistic 2025 Australia pricing—parts and installation—plus simple checks that might save you a replacement altogether.

Inside, you’ll confirm it’s actually the motor, see current motor price ranges, add labour and certification, and compare real‑world totals for small, standard and large shutters. We’ll cover worthwhile upgrades, choosing the right torque and tube fit, DIY vs hiring a pro, the questions that make quotes comparable, what to expect on install day, and easy care tips that extend motor life.

Step 1. Confirm it’s the motor: signs, quick checks and when a repair is enough

Before you price a roller shutter motor replacement, rule out simple faults. Classic signs of a failing tube motor include a shutter that won’t move or stops mid‑travel, loud grinding/buzzing/clicking from the headbox, noticeable slowdown, or a motor that overheats and only works again after cooling.

• Do these quick checks first: replace remote batteries, check the wall switch, reset any tripped breaker/RCD, look for bent slats or debris in the guides, and compare with other shutters on the same circuit. Isolate power before opening the pelmet.
• When repair (not replacement) is enough: re‑set limit switches, replace a worn spring/bearing, or swap a faulty control module. If the motor is silent, seized or heat‑cutting repeatedly, budget for replacement.

Step 2. Price the parts: roller shutter motor replacement cost in Australia (2025)

Parts make up the biggest slice of your roller shutter motor replacement cost. Pricing varies by torque (how heavy the curtain is) and control type (wired switch vs radio/remote). Here’s what Australians are paying in 2025 from reputable suppliers and brand lists.

• Wired tube motors (10–15 Nm): $250–$280 (small windows)
• Wired tube motors (20–40 Nm): $330–$450 (most homes)
• Heavy‑duty (60–100 Nm): $450–$1300 (wide doors/shopfronts)
• Somfy LT wired examples: 10 Nm $260, 25 Nm $325, 40 Nm $430, 50 Nm $460
• Somfy RTS radio motors: $440–$585 (plus handset if needed)
• Common add‑ons: drive/crown kit $15, wall switch $33, handset $110–$135, receiver $140–$180, small adaptors $5–$17

Quick parts totals most homeowners see:

• Wired setup: about $310–$510 (motor + kit + switch)
• Remote setup: about $530–$710 (RTS motor + kit + handset)

Choose quality here; undersized or no‑name motors fail early and cost more later.

Step 3. Add installation costs: labour, call-out, electrical certification and disposal

Once you’ve chosen the parts, factor in installation. A standard like‑for‑like motor swap is typically a quick metro job—swap‑out, testing and clean‑up in about 90 minutes—with charges covering labour, wiring, any travel, mandatory paperwork in some states, and disposal.

• Labour & wiring: $300–$450 for a typical metro job; some firms bill $120–$220 per hour (1 hr min).
• Call‑out/travel: $0–$120 (often waived by some technicians).
• Electrical Certificate of Compliance (SA): $40–$80 when fixed wiring is altered.
• Consumables/adaptors: $99–$140 for rivets, drive kits, cable and small parts.
• Old‑motor disposal: $10–$20 if itemised.

Hard access or wide commercial curtains can need two technicians, pushing labour higher (e.g. two‑person labour around $550 on large shopfronts).

Step 4. Estimate your total: real-world cost scenarios for small, standard and large shutters

Bringing parts and installation together makes the roller shutter motor replacement cost much clearer. Using 2025 Australian pricing and common job profiles, here’s what homeowners and small businesses actually pay when the van rolls up.

• Small bedroom window (wired, like‑for‑like): $560–$650 all‑in
  Example: Parts ~$280 + labour ~$300 + CoC/consumables ~$40–$70 = ~$580–$650.
• Standard mid‑size window (20–40 Nm, wired): $600–$750 all‑in
  Typical: Motor $250–$450 + labour $300–$450 + CoC/kit $55–$95 = ~$630–$740. Many Adelaide installs land around $600–$750.
• Large/shopfront (heavy‑duty, two techs): from $1,050–$1,200
  Real example: Motor ~$550 + two‑person labour ~$550 = $1,100. Difficult access or extra repairs can add more.

DIY reference: a standard wired swap often totals $470–$600 in parts/consumables, but you forego the licensed CoC and labour warranty.

Step 5. Factor extras and upgrades: remote control, smart home, manual override and battery backup

Extras can lift convenience and resilience, but they also change your roller shutter motor replacement cost. Decide what matters most—hands‑free control, blackout operation, or future smart‑home integration—then add the relevant line items to your parts and labour totals.

• Remote control (radio motor): Somfy RTS motors $405–$585; handset $110–$135. Or add a receiver $140–$180 to some wired setups.
• Smart control: basic Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth bridges from about $80; brand hubs commonly $220–$450.
• Manual override (crank for power cuts): upgrade ~$320.
• Battery‑backup kit: $550–$750; great for blackout‑prone areas, but needs periodic maintenance.
• Small hardware: drive/crown kits $15; adaptors/plates $5–$17.

Choose quality to avoid false savings and early rework.

Step 6. Choose the right motor: torque calculation, tube size and brand compatibility

Picking the correct replacement motor is the difference between smooth, quiet operation for years and a burnout in months. Match torque to curtain weight, ensure the crown/drive suit your axle tube, and check control compatibility (wired vs radio) before you buy or book.

• Size the torque: Weigh the curtain or estimate from size, then use Required Nm = (kg × axle radius in m) × 1.1. Typical homes need 10–40 Nm; wide doors/shopfronts can need 60–100 Nm.
• Match the tube: Confirm your axle is 40 mm oct, 50 mm round or 60 mm oct and select the correct crown/drive kit (commonly $15, with adaptors $5–$17).
• Choose reliable brands: Somfy (LT wired, RTS radio) lists from $260–$585 across popular sizes; Alpha/OzRoll are common locally; Simu/Dooya budget options. Ensure remotes/radios use the same frequency and that wall switches/receivers are compatible.

Step 7. DIY or hire a pro: safety, state regulations and warranty considerations

DIY suits the mechanical bits of a like‑for‑like swap, but 240 V wiring is where safety and law apply. In SA, any new fixed wiring must be installed or certified by a licensed electrician with a Certificate of Compliance; illegal work risks fines up to $40,000 and can void warranties and insurance.

• DIY when: ground‑floor access, like‑for‑like swap, and a sparky will terminate and certify. Save roughly $200–$400.
• Hire a pro when: second‑storey/hard access, group/smart control, commercial/strata, or guides/slats also need repair.
• Cost reality: pro installs in Adelaide often land around $600–$750 all‑in; DIY parts/consumables about $470–$600.

Step 8. Get quotes you can compare: questions to ask and what should be included 0414611662

To compare roller shutter motor replacement quotes, insist on an itemised, fixed‑price scope so you’re not paying for “extras” on the day. Ask these points up front to line up true apples‑to‑apples pricing.

• Motor details: brand, torque (Nm), wired vs radio, and correct tube adapters included?
• Price breakdown: motor, consumables, labour rate or fixed price, travel/call‑out.
• Electrical compliance: CoC included (SA) and who performs the wiring?
• Warranty: years on parts and labour, what’s covered.
• Access/loadings: second‑storey, two‑person labour, weekend rates.
• Lead time: on‑van stock or order delay; estimated install duration.
• Inclusions: limits set, remote pairing, testing, tidy‑up.
• Disposal: removal of old motor included?
• Options priced: handset/receiver, smart hub, manual override, battery backup.

Step 9. What happens on installation day: timeline, access and testing

A standard like‑for‑like swap usually takes about 60–90 minutes. Your tech will confirm sizes and power, isolate the circuit, remove the pelmet, swap the motor and adapters, wire and route the cable neatly, then set limits and test. You can speed things up by clearing access and ensuring safe ladder placement for upper levels.

• Access: clear the sill/floor, unlock windows/doors; second‑storey may need taller ladders or two techs.
• Swap & setup: fit crown/drive, secure axle, wire, set upper/lower limits, pair remotes if radio.
• Testing: cycle 3 times, check smooth travel, level stopping, RCD holds, motor only warm.
• Wrap‑up: tidy‑up, old motor removed, CoC issued in SA, quick operating tips provided.

Step 10. Save money without cutting corners: timing, bundling and smart maintenance choices

You don’t need to pinch pennies to keep the roller shutter motor replacement cost sensible—just make a few smart choices. Focus on parts that last, cut avoidable add‑ons, and stop small issues before they become labour-heavy call‑outs.

• Go wired if you can: wired motors are cheaper than radio/RTS units and handsets.
• Like‑for‑like swap: reuse your existing tube, switch and adaptors where compatible to avoid extra kits.
• Bundle work: replace two or more shutters in one visit to spread travel/call‑out and minimum labour.
• Ask for fixed inclusions: confirm CoC, consumables and disposal upfront to avoid day‑of extras.
• Protect the new motor: keep guides clean, set limits correctly, and add surge protection to prevent burnout.
• Fix early, not late: jump on scraping, slowing or heat cut‑outs before they escalate into bigger repairs.

Step 11. Care tips to extend motor life: cleaning, cycling and early fault checks

A few minutes’ care each season keeps your new motor running smoothly, prevents heat build‑up, and protects your warranty. Use these simple habits to avoid premature failures and surprise call‑outs.

• Clean guides: vacuum grit, wipe slats with mild soapy water; silicone‑spray plastic inserts every six months.
• Cycle monthly: run fully up/down; stop if sounds or speed change.
• Avoid overheating: limit back‑to‑back cycles and allow cool‑down between runs.
• Check limits annually: bottom bar just touches the sill; tighten brackets and inspect cables/grommets.
• Protect power: use surge protection/RCBO; consider battery backup in blackout‑prone areas.
• Act on early signs: slowdown, louder hum, RCD trips or a hot casing—book a tech promptly.
• Keep water out: ensure the headbox is sealed; re‑seal any cracked grommets.
• Service regularly: professional inspection every 12–18 months with a written record.

Conclusion section

Now you know what a roller shutter motor replacement should cost, which extras are worth it, and how to avoid bill shock. Match the right torque and control, insist on itemised quotes, and protect your investment with simple maintenance. If you’re in Adelaide and want a fast, fixed‑price install with licensed compliance, get a friendly quote from Roller Shutter Repairs Adelaide.