Electric driveways provide you with security and privacy. If you combine them with video communications, you only need to allow people to your front door if you know who they are and allow them through the gates.
It also gives you privacy and adds value and appeal to your home. There’s also the convenience of being able to park your car outside your home or in your garage without having to get out to open the gates.
In this guide, we’ll tell you about the costs of wooden and metal sliding and swing gates, how you can save money too, other costs you need to consider, how to find an electric gate installer and what to ask.
Finally, we answer some frequently asked questions.
How Much Do Electric Driveway Gates Cost?
The below tables will give you some indication of prices. Installation time and labour costs will vary a lot according to the amount of groundwork required and the type of gate mechanism used.
| Gate Type | Estimated Supply Cost (gate only) | Labour Costs | Time Required | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden swing gate, small (1.15 metres x 1.8 metres) | £250-£1,700 | £250-£500 | One to three days | £500-£1,200 |
| Wooden swing gate, medium (1.45 metres x 2.4 metres) | £500-£1,850 | £300-£600 | One to three days | £800-£2,450 |
| Wooden swing gate, large (2.05 metres x 3 metres) | £750-£2,400 | £400-£800 | One to three days | £1,150-£3,200 |
| Wooden sliding gate, small (1.15 metres x 1.8 metres) | £250-£1,200 | £300-£700 | Two to three days | £550-£1,900 |
| Wooden sliding gate, medium (1.45 metres x 2.4 metres) | £400-£2,000 | £300-£800 | Two to three days | £700-£2,800 |
| Wooden sliding gate, large (2.05 metres x 3 metres) | £720-£3,400 | £400-£1,200 | Two to three days | £1,120-£4,600 |
| Gate Type | Estimated Supply Cost (gate only) | Labour Costs | Time Required | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrought iron swing gate, small (1.15 metres x 1.8 metres) | £160-£430 | £250-£500 | One to three days | £410-£930 |
| Wrought iron swing gate, medium (1.45 metres x 2.4 metres) | £570-£1,460 | £300-£600 | One to three days | £870-£2,060 |
| Wrought iron swing gate, large (2.05 metres x 3 metres) | £820-£1,900 | £400-£800 | One to three days | £1,220-£2,700 |
| Wrought iron sliding gate, small (1.15 metres x 1.8 metres) | £740-£1,600 | £300-£700 | Two to three days | £1,040-£2,300 |
| Wrought iron sliding gate, medium (1.45 metres x 2.4 metres) | £850-£1,750 | £300-£800 | Two to three days | £1,150-£2,550 |
| Wrought iron sliding gate, large (2.05 metres x 3 metres) | £1,000-£2,100 | £400-£1,200 | Two to three days | £1,400-£3,300 |
Supply your specific job requirements through HouseholdQuotes for an accurate quotation.
When you want quotes from an electric gate installer let HouseholdQuotes help you. Fill in the online form and we’ll find reliable local gate installation specialists to give you no-obligation quotes.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Electric Driveway Gates?
Several factors will have an impact on the final cost of installing electric driveway gates, and we look at these factors more closely below.
Driveway Slope
If you have an upward slope at the entrance to your driveway a swing gate isn’t ideal. You can have them installed if you use hinges that tilt the gate upwards as it opens.
Some people have swinging gates installed with a large gap at the bottom which doesn’t provide much security. It also lacks an attractive appearance.
Most manufacturers recommend sliding gates if you have space on either side of the gates and you have a slope.
Driveway Size
The size of your entrance will also have a bearing on the cost. If it is an unusual size you may have to have bespoke gates, rather than buying a standard size.
Bespoke gates will cost more because they will be hand-made rather than a lot of standard gates which include some machine manufacturing.
Access to Electrical Supply
Your motor is connected to your electrical supply. If there isn’t easy access you might need to employ an electrician to bring your electricity supply closer to your gate.
Gate Material and Intricacy of Design
There are five material types to choose from and these are:
- Steel/aluminium – a mid-priced material that’s durable and easy to maintain.
- Wrought iron – the most expensive option, but it is long-lasting if well maintained.
- PVC – this is the cheapest material, it’s lightweight and it won’t last as long as any of the other options.
- Hardwood – hardwood is expensive. Oak is the most expensive material of all the wood options.
- Softwood – a cheaper option than metal or hardwood. But you will need to maintain it and it isn’t as durable as hardwood or metal.
The design of the gate will also affect the cost. A standard style will cost less than a tailor-made option.
Gate Opening Style
The type of opening you choose will also affect the cost of your electronic gates. Swing gates are a simpler construction, and they are easier to install.
You’ll therefore find that swing gates are cheaper than sliding gates. You can see from the table above that the price difference between a small wrought iron swing gate and a small wrought iron sliding gate is between £790 and £1,770.
Gate Motors
As well as being able to choose the style of your gate, you can also choose the type of motor you want the gate to run on. There are four types which are:
Ram
Ram gate motors work on a hydraulic system that pulls and pushes a piston attached to the gate. Ram motors are an ideal solution if you don’t have much space.
These motors are often used on larger gates because the mounting is away from the gate hinge which results in less force when the gates open.
Underground
If you don’t want the motor on the gate, you can have it sunk into a hole at the side of the gate and hidden with a man-man housing of stone or wood.
This choice is more expensive because you will be paying for the extra costs of excavating the ground and making the housing.
Arm Gate Motors
This is a two-piece arm attached to a gate post. The advantage of an arm gate motor is that it provides better mounting tolerances, and the arm can reach around a corner, whereas a straight RAM cannot.
Gate Posts
Your gate posts are made either from metal, brick, concrete, or wood. If you don’t have gate posts already then you will have to add the cost of construction.
A bricklayer will charge between £25 and £30 an hour. The job can take approximately one and two days, depending on the size of the post.
Don’t forget to add the price of your materials.
If you already have posts, you should make sure before you install your gates that the posts will be strong enough to take the weight of the gates. It may be that you need to reinforce the posts. This is usually the case if your posts are less than six inches in diameter or less than six inches square.
Accessories
Some accessories are essential, and others aren’t. For example, gate posts are essential because they will be holding your gates.
You’ll also need a letter or parcel box if you want the postman, or delivery man, to leave your letters and parcels without coming up to your front door.
Other accessories are up to you. If you want a fully automated system then you might want to buy a wireless or wired, audio and video intercom system.
You can leave other accessories like push buttons or keypads if you want to save money. These are things that you can add later.
| Accessory | Estimated Supply Cost |
|---|---|
| Gate posts | £50 to £400 depending on material and size |
| Keypads | £50 to £220 |
| Proximity reader (for entry) | £60 to £170 |
| Wired audio intercoms | £150 to £500 |
| Wireless audio and video intercoms | £350 to £900 |
| Push buttons (to exit) | £30 to £120 |
| Exit sensor kits | £150 to £200 |
| Manual release keys | £15 to £30 |
| Locks | £200 to £800 |
| Letter or parcel box | £50 to £350 |
Running Costs
The running costs of an electric gate are exceptionally low. If you go in and out of your driveway 15 times a day the electricity used will cost around 0.3 p every day.
Over a year, this adds up to £15. This is because when the gates are on standby, they use around 100w.
When they are moving, they use approximately 700w, but this is only for seconds.
Maintenance Costs
To keep your electric gates working efficiently you will need to have them checked. Once a year is enough for a company to look at the gates and the motor and make sure everything is running as it should.
A yearly check should also catch any worn parts. A check will catch any problems before they become serious, and you end up with gates that don’t work.
How Can I Save Money on an Electric Gate for My Driveway?
Try a kit. If you’re good at DIY you might want to try installing your own gate using a kit. The kits contain the gate motor and all you need to install it onto your gates and mount it on your posts.
Prices start from around £350, and they go up to over £1,000 depending on the type of motor you choose. By using a kit and hanging your own gate, you’ll save on labour costs.
For example, if you buy a kit for a gate that’s 2.05 x 3.0 metres, you’ll save around £500 in labour costs.
Limit height. The taller your gate, the more expensive it will be, unlike a smaller gate which will use less material.
The height can also influence the weight of the gate. A lighter gate won’t need such a powerful motor and will therefore cost less.
A Ram motor for a lighter gate can be as little as £400 whereas a more powerful motor could cost in the region of £800.
Chose swing over sliding. Swing gates are cheaper than sliding gates. This is because a sliding gate is a simpler construction and is easier to install.
Choose minimal accessories. If you want to save money on the total cost of an electric gate, then minimise the number of accessories you choose.
If you don’t feel you need a keypad, or an audio or video intercom system then don’t include these things. Not having a wireless intercom system will save you between £350 and £900.
If you need help finding electric gate installers to give you quotes, use HouseholdQuotes. Simply fill in the online form and we will find you reliable electric gate installers to supply you with no-obligation quotes.
Click To Get QuotesShould I Choose a Wooden or Metal Driveway Gate?
If you are having gates installed that are longer than five feet, then metal is probably your best choice. Long lengths of wood tend to warp, and the joining brackets may start to loosen over time.
Smaller gates don’t have this problem and so it will be up to you whether you want to use wood or metal.
Wood needs maintenance, but it is nice to have a natural look whereas metal is much stronger and more durable. It also needs less maintenance. If you are on a budget, then wood is the cheaper option.
What’s Involved in Installing a Sliding Driveway Gate?
The ground where the gates are going to be installed will need to be dug out. The base will then be laid.
The frame for the sliding gate will be installed and concreted in – this will need to dry for a day or so.
When the concrete is dry the installation specialists will put the gate in place. If it’s a large gate, a crane might deliver it and put it in place.
Slam posts will be fitted at the end of the gates and sunk below ground and covered with concrete.
The gate stops and gate sensors will be fitted to each gate, as well as the motor and programme it to open and close.
The contractor will run a channel along the length of the gates and place the wiring for the sensors into the channel then cover and concrete or replace paving stones the contractor removed.
Installing a Motor Arm Gate
The ground will be prepared for the gate installation. The gates will then be installed and checked to be level.
The brackets will be installed onto the post, as well as the motor arm.
The motor will be installed on the post or a wall.
The system will finally be checked to ensure everything is working correctly.
Installing a Swing Gate
If the posts are in place, hinges will be attached to the posts.
The hinges need to be level and are placed at the top and bottom of each post.
The gate will then be hung and the motor will be put into position either on the post, the wall next to the post or underground and hidden from view.
The other part of the motor will be attached to the gate and sensor wires will be stuck into the ground for the length of the gates.
The control box will then be set up and the system tested.
How Do I Find and Hire a Professional Electric Gate Installer?
If you have friends or neighbours with electronic gates, ask if they can recommend their gate installer, or you can ask family and work colleagues who might know a reliable contractor.
If you can’t find a personal recommendation then let HouseholdQuotes help you to find a reliable electric gate installer.
Fill in our online form, tell us what you need, and we’ll find you local gate installation specialists to give you no-obligation quotes.
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
When you’re talking to a gate installer ask:
- About manufacturer’s guarantees and warranties – If your motor breaks down, you’ll need to know how long the guarantee or the warranty lasts.
- Whether or not the contractor has a website. A website is useful to look at because it usually contains case studies with photographs of other jobs the company has carried out. There might also be testimonials from previous customers for you to read.
- If there’s no website, ask if they have a portfolio of photographs and recommendations from customers.
- Also, ask about their experience. They could be just starting out. You can decide whether you will give a new company the chance or whether you’d prefer someone with more experience. If the company is new as about their qualifications and whether they did work experience.
- Make sure they have public liability insurance. This will protect you from any claim against you if someone is injured on your property because of the installation work.
- Ask them if rubbish removal is included in the quote. If you are having posts built there may be materials to dispose of and it is best to find out whether this will be the responsibility of the contractor, or up to you to organise.
- Finally, make sure you get a written quote and that includes everything you want them to do. Remember to make sure all the quotes include the same things. That way they are easier to compare.
Final Checklist
Use the checklist below to make sure you’ve got everything for installing an electric gate:
- Decide what type of gate and motor suit you best.
- Choose your design.
- Buy a kit if you’re good at DIY and want to save on installation costs.
- Find the right installation specialist if you don’t want to install the gate yourself.
- If you want a professional to do the work use HouseholdQuotes to find an electric gate contractor.
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Planning Permission for an Electric Driveway Gate?
If you do live next to a public road you will need planning permission and your gates can only be one metre in height.
Should I Install the Gates Opening Inwards or Outwards?
Opening outwards could be a danger to pedestrians and they would also block the pavement.
Of course, if you’re opening your gates onto a large piece of land where you have plenty of room in from of you, you may decide to install them with an outward opening.
Can I Open My Electric Gate Using My Phone?
All these systems can provide you with access to your gate from your phone.
Will a Driveway Gate Increase the Value of My Home?
You should tell your home and buildings insurance provider if you have electric gates fitted. Extra security measures often mean you pay less on your insurance policy.
Can I Use My Gates if There’s an Electricity Failure?
Yes, most good systems will come with keys to manually open the gates in the event of a power failure.
Should I Comply With Any Safety Rules When Using My Electric Gates?
- Keep away from the gates when they are moving
- Don’t operate your remote opening device until you can see your gate
- Have your gates checked regularly
- Only use a qualified electric gate installer
- Don’t modify your controls
- Stop children playing on or within the sweep of an electric gate
- Warn visitors not to park within the sweep of an electric gate