Automatic gate installations for a driveway gate typically costs between $2,500 and $6,500 or an average of $3,200. Manual driveway gate installs run from $1,000 to $4,000, which covers both labor and materials. The final price depends on gate materials, type, size, extra features, and labor prices in your area.
You can find more accurate price ranges by getting quotes from contractors in your area. The only way to get an exact is to have several contractors or gate companies come out and give you prices for the specific gate you want installed. However, our estimates are based on standard 15-foot gates with basic features like push button operation and manual locking system.
Installing a driveway gate adds security, privacy, and value to your home. If you’re thinking about installing one of these helpful devices but don’t know what it will cost, read on for some helpful information that might just help you out!
What’s Involved?
The process of installation depends heavily on the type of driveway gate that you choose to install at your residence. For example, a pair of automatic gates can be installed relatively easily if you have a clear path from your garage to the street that leads into your driveway. By contrast, installing a custom gate system can be far more challenging and time consuming.
In either case, the typical installation process involves these steps:
1) Removing/relocating any existing structures around the area where your new gate will go. This may include underground water containers or other large items that are obstructing the opening for your new gate.
2) You’ll need to pour concrete for support posts that hold up the weight of your driveway gate (for manual gates, this step is optional). These posts may need reinforcement with rebar depending on how likely they are to receive impact from a vehicle.
3) The area is then excavated and the post holes filled in with concrete.
4) Your gate(s) are installed securely, usually by bolting them into place at each hinge. If you have an automatic driveway gate, this step might also involve installing wiring or other hardware that will enable it to open via buttons or remote control.
Once that’s done, the last step consists of repairing any damage to your lawn and landscaping caused during installation, followed by replacing any surface coverings that were disturbed during excavation for your new gate posts.
A 15-foot tall sliding gate requires 9 cubic yards of materials while an electric swing driveway gate only needs about 5 cubic yards of material according to one installation guide.
If you’re looking at a custom gate design, the steps above may vary somewhat depending on the type of material that your gate is made from and its layout. That said, if you want more detailed information about how to install different styles of gates, check out this article for some helpful guidance.
As far as safety goes… it’s important to note that driveway gates can pose safety risks to children or pets who try playing around them or get close enough so they could get hit by one when it’s opening or closing. It may help to have some sort of warning device installed at your gate in order to prevent accidents like this from happening. If you do decide to use a driveway gate despite these risks, just make sure that it’s securely closed before someone gets into the area outside of your property.
That’s pretty much it for installation! Once your gate is up, just make sure you keep it in top working order by inspecting it regularly to ensure everything is in good shape. That way, you can enjoy years of effective security and privacy protection without experiencing any major problems or malfunctions with your driveway gate system.
Now that we’ve discussed what’s involved in installing a driveway gate, let’s take a look at some factors that may influence the cost of doing so…
Construction Costs
The cost of materials affects the overall price on most projects like this one. For example, if 8-foot tall iron gates are more expensive than 5-foot tall wooden gates in your area, you can expect a gate of that height to cost a bit more.
Likewise, the cost of labor varies from one region to another, which may contribute to any price differences between materials. For example, if installing an automatic driveway gate requires more work than a manual one due to wiring or other factors, that could also raise the actual price you’d end up paying for your installation project.
In addition to these factors, it’s important to remember that custom styles and designs will likely be more expensive than standard options because they require additional planning and design time by a contractor or installer. That said… even though custom gates might cost a bit more initially, they’ll still prove their worth over time by enabling you to find effective solutions for tricky access issues.
In order to get a better idea of how much your new driveway gate will cost, you’ll have to call around and speak with at least a few contractors or companies who can provide an estimate based on their past experience with projects like the one you want to hire them for. Remember that it’s always smart to shop around in order to gauge competitive pricing before hiring anyone for this type of work.
Electric vs. Manual Driveway Gates
An electric driveway gate is easier (and less labor-intensive) than a manual one, but if your property sits at the end of a long drive way where someone might forget to close it after entering, you may prefer having the option of opening and closing it yourself when you need to access your driveway.
Electric gates are often more expensive than manual ones (though this may not always be the case, depending on where you live and other factors like availability of materials). Electric gates also require that all wiring is in good working order in order to function safely and effectively. For that reason, it’s usually a smart idea to hire professionals for this type of work (and in some cases, they may even provide an extended warranty on parts and labor as part of their service package).
Manual driveway gates are generally less expensive than electric ones, but they’re also more labor-intensive since they have to be opened by hand. Manual gates do allow homeowners more control over who has access to their property though, which is certainly a nice bonus in some cases.
Other Factors That Affect Driveway Gate Prices
The height, width and design of your gate can all affect the price you’ll pay for your new driveway gate installation project. For example… taller gates cost more money than smaller ones because they take longer to install, while wider gates are naturally trickier to work with due to design considerations (like needing to fit them into place when mounting them).
When selecting a style or design for your new gate, remember that custom styles like arched tops will likely cost more than standard options. That said… if you’re willing to shell out additional cash for this type of upgrade, it can certainly be worth it since it’s a truly unique way to add curb appeal to your property.
How Long Will it Take?
Since all projects like this take some time, it’s best to speak with multiple contractors or companies in order to get an idea of how long the installation process will likely take. That way, you can be on hand to help ensure that everything goes smoothly and according to plan so you don’t miss out on any work time after investing in these services.
It should go without saying that labor costs more when considering projects like this one (especially if you need round-the-clock service) simply because getting quality workers for a lot of hours is bound to cost more than paying them for standard business hours (and having them take care of your project during their downtime).
What about Materials?
Since most materials will be custom-fit to your specifications, you can expect these costs to add up in a hurry. Your contractor or installer may roll materials into the final cost of your driveway gate installation project though… so make sure you ask about any hidden fees before signing off on the work and handing over your check!
If you want a unique driveway gate that’s designed just for you and your property, hiring a professional service provider is certainly smart (and it’ll save you lots of time and money). That said, even if this isn’t your first rodeo and you’ve installed these types of gates in the past, it always pays to get multiple estimates from companies that regularly do this type of work so you know what options are out there.
You can also get ahead of the game by doing your own research into how much this type of work typically costs in your area, then speaking with providers about these prices to determine if they’re offering a competitive deal for your new gate installation project. That way, you’ll know what kind of budget to stick to… and you won’t be surprised once the job is over and you receive the final invoice!
If you want a unique driveway gate that’s designed just for you and your property, hiring a professional service provider is certainly smart (and it’ll save you lots of time and money). That said, even if this isn’t your first rodeo and you’ve installed these types of gates in the past, it always pays to get multiple estimates from companies that regularly do this type of work so you know what options are out there.
You can also get ahead of the game by doing your own research into how much this type of work typically costs in your area, then speaking with providers about these prices to determine if they’re offering a competitive deal for your new gate installation project. That way, you’ll know what kind of budget to stick to… and you won’t be surprised once the job is over and you receive the final invoice!