A driveway gate is an excellent way to add security and value to your property. The national average cost to install a driveway gate is $4,830, with prices typically ranging between $1,230 and $9,020. Driveway gate costs will vary based on size, materials, and features.
In this driveway gate cost guide:
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Size
- Cost Estimator by Material
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- FAQ
Average Driveway Gate Installation Costs in 2024
| National Average Cost | $4,830 |
| Typical Price Range | $1,230 – $9,020 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $300 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $10,200 |
A driveway gate’s cost varies based on many factors. Size, materials, design, and various features all play a factor in the final cost.
Gates typically come in 12, 14, 16, and 18-foot widths, with costs increasing for each successive size. Gates can be made from a variety of materials, with vinyl being the least expensive and wood or metal costing significantly more. Automation and sensors each add to the cost of the project, as well.
If you’re looking for extreme savings, installing a 12-foot, manual, vinyl gate yourself will get you as close to the low end of the market (about $300) as possible.
Homeowners with significant funds could pay a contractor to install an 18-foot sliding or dual-panel automatic metal gate made of high-end materials. This, along with add-ons like sensors, cameras, keypads, intercoms, and bollards, can increase the final price to as much as $10,200.
Driveway Gate Cost Estimator by Size
Driveway gates typically come in 12, 14, 16, and 18-foot increments. The cost for these varies by material, automation, installation method, and add-ons. Considering these possible modifications, overall cost estimates by gate size typically fall in the following ranges:
| Gate Width (Feet) | Typical Range |
| 12 | $600 – $4,900 |
| 14 | $750 – $5,500 |
| 16 | $1,000 – $6,300 |
| 18 | $1,350 – $7,500 |
Driveway Gate Cost Estimator by Material
Size and material are the two most significant factors affecting the cost of your driveway gate project. Materials such as vinyl can provide significant cost savings while wooden gates, steel gates, wrought iron gates, and aluminum gates can significantly increase costs.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a plastic-like material made from polyvinyl chloride, aka PVC, and vinyl gates typically cost between $560 and $3,110. Vinyl fencing is low-maintenance, low-cost, resistant to deterioration, and comes in a variety of colors. The downsides? It’s not biodegradable, it can stain from mold or mildew, and it’s easy to damage in extreme weather situations.
Wood
Wood gates offer beautiful natural wood grains that can also be shaped into various designs and painted or stained as needed. Wooden gates typically cost between $530 and $6,330, depending on the type of wood.
Wood is approved by most HOAs; however, it can be temperamental. It’s prone to splintering, weathering, and rotting over time, and its life expectancy is significantly less than vinyl.
Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most low-maintenance fencing materials available. An aluminum gate should cost about $1,930 to $5,560. Unlike iron or steel, aluminum will not rust. It can be painted and will not crack or split like wood. It is also resistant to mold and mildew. Aluminum is lighter and weaker than steel or iron and more susceptible to dents.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is a strong, aesthetically pleasing fence material, offering durability and beauty. A wrought iron gate will usually cost from $1,700 to $5,830. Wrought iron is also heavy, expensive, and offers little in the way of privacy.
Steel
Like iron, steel is strong, heavy, and durable. Typically, steel fencing requires a professional, often with welding skills, to install. The difficulty to install and adapt, and the fact that steel fencing offers little in the way of privacy, makes it an uncommon choice for residential properties. Steel gates cost $1,865 to $8,300.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
A number of factors beyond size and material can influence your final cost. The type of gate you choose and its functionality will modify your bottom line.
Manual vs Automatic
| Gate Type | Materials Cost – Low-End | Materials Cost – High-End |
| Manual | $640 | $2,200 |
| Automatic | $1,200 | $6,650 |
Upgrading from a manual gate to an automatic or electric gate represents a significant cost increase. Automatic driveway gate cost increases so much because a number of electrical components need to be installed. Power must also be run to the electric driveway gate or captured via solar and stored at the site.
Most significantly, automatic gates require the addition of a motor which can increase costs anywhere from $820 to $4,500. Remote gate openers, or automatic gate openers, costing between $440 and $2,290, represent another additional cost when deciding to go automatic.
Sliding vs Swinging
In cases where there is limited space for a swing gate to open, a sliding gate may offer a better solution for your property. Sliding gates typically come with additional hardware, such as tracks and chains. Below are material cost comparisons for sliding and swinging gates. The cost of installation and maintenance are not included.
| Gate Type | Materials Cost – Low-End | Materials Cost – High-End |
| Sliding | $645 | $3,750 |
| Swinging | $465 | $6,150 |
Single-Panel vs Dual-Panel
Some homeowners may prefer the look and feel of a dual panel gate, or double gate, to a single swing gate panel. A dual-panel gate opens from both sides, either by swinging or sliding in multiple directions.
Shifting to a dual-panel gate requires additional cost as both sides of the gate require a motor and hardware to operate. While a single-panel gate ranges from $800 – $3,080, costs increase for a dual-panel to $1,190 – $4,650.
| Gate Type | Materials Cost – Low-End | Materials Cost – High-End |
| Single | $800 | $3,080 |
| Dual | $1,190 | $4,650 |
Lift Gates
Lift gates, sometimes referred to as vertical lift gates, overhead gates, or pivot gates, are used in cases where there is limited space for a swing gate to open. The cost for lift gates typically ranges from $500 to $5,250, with high-end installations reaching up to $11,250.
Permits
Permit costs vary depending on local laws and homeowners association rules. On average, you will pay between $95 and $200 to cover local permits.
Labor Costs
Homeowners should also factor in labor costs if they want their gate professionally installed. Contractor rates for this kind of work are estimated at $30 – $80 per hour.
Maintenance
Driveway gates can last decades with regular maintenance. It is advisable to begin saving for replacement components after a decade of usage. Homeowners can either contract annual maintenance from a pro at about $30 – $80 per hour or clean and lubricate moving parts themselves.
Homeowners can deal with most maintenance issues using a few inexpensive supplies:
- Rust remover: $10
- Steel wool (for scrubbing rust): $6
- Rust-Oleum (protective coating): $8
- Lubricant (such as WD40): $6
Accessories
A host of accessories can be added to your gate. Each represents a cost increase.
Intercoms
Intercoms allow for verbal communication between visitors at the gate and the homeowner. The addition of an intercom to your driveway gate will run between $680 and $3,500.
Cameras
Cameras allow homeowners to see who is attempting to gain access to the property at their driveway gate. The addition of a camera to your driveway gate installation will increase the price by $415 to $1,835.
Keypads
Keypads allow for coded entry through your driveway gate via pin number. This is helpful when you need to provide limited access to service companies, relatives, and friends without giving each a remote. The addition of a keypad entry to your driveway gate installation will run $200 to $550.
Sensors
Sensors can be installed to open and close your driveway gate automatically as a car approaches. The addition of sensors to your driveway gate will add $240 to $460 to your installation costs.
Bollards
Bollards are concrete pillars used for traffic management, curb appeal, and security. Homeowners usually place multiple bollards around entry gates. The addition of bollards to your entry gate will run between $3,000 to $6,000.
Related Services
Homeowners installing a driveway gate are typically interested in curb appeal. There are a number of related services that can complement your driveway gate.
Fences
A new driveway gate looks great with a matching fence. The average cost for installing a fence is $3,440, with typical prices ranging from $1,330 to $5,550. Low-end installations will cost around $400, while high-end installations can reach upward of $10,000. Cost varies based on material, with wood and vinyl fences costing less than iron fences.
Driveways
A variety of driveway options are available, ranging from an inexpensive gravel driveway to costly asphalt, concrete, and paver driveways.
| Types of Driveways | Typical Price Range |
| Cost of an asphalt driveway | $3,086 – $7,912 |
| Cost of a concrete driveway | $1,885 – $6,475 |
| Cost of a paver driveway | $5,500 – $26,000 |
| Cost of a gravel driveway | $600 – $1,800 |
Driveway Sealing
Sealing a driveway involves filling in cracks and holes to extend its life. The national average cost for sealing your driveway is $305, while the typical price ranges from $176 – $444. The least you can expect to pay is around $110, while the most you can expect to pay is about $1,230.
Heated Driveways
Heated driveways are great for cold weather climates because they prevent your driveway from freezing. The national average cost for installing a heated driveway is $6,485, and most jobs range between $4,060 and $12,460, or $12 to $23 per square foot.
Brick Mailbox
A brick mailbox with masonry matching your driveway gate adds tons of curb appeal. Brick mailbox costs average between $560 and $1,340.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
Many driveway gate kits come with directions for do-it-yourself installation, with some solar gates having self-contained electrical units for easy installation. The average homeowner should be able to complete these basic low-end projects on their own with costs ranging from $880 – $8,670, with most of the cost going toward the purchase of the gate.
| DIY Equipment | Cost |
| Gate/Posts | $530 – $8,300 |
| Concrete | $50 – $75 |
| Shovel | $20 |
| Wheelbarrow | $60 |
| Tape measure | $18 |
| Work Gloves | $18 |
| Wrench | $12 |
| Post Hole Digger (Purchase) | $170 |
| Post Hole Digger (Rental) | $10 per hour |
| Total Cost – DIY | $880 – $8,670 |
Should you install a driveway gate on your own?
If your selected gate includes integrated electricity and electronic accessories such as remote control gate openers, cameras, keypads, and intercoms, you should hire a professional electrician to ensure proper installation.
A $30-$80/hour labor cost should be added to your estimates when outsourcing installation services. On projects ranging from 1 – 4 days, you can expect to pay $240 – $2,560 in labor costs. A benefit of contracting services is that most work comes with a warranty or service agreement from the provider.
FAQ
Driveway gates serve as a theft deterrent and are a key element in security systems because they prevent easy access and escape from a property. Thieves generally avoid homes with obstructed entry and exit.
Because driveway gates offer improved home security, many insurance companies will offer discounts on your homeowners insurance following installation. Be sure to confirm with your insurance provider that this added security results in a discount before beginning the project.
The typical driveway gate installation process will take 1 to 4 days. General contractors may break the project up into smaller sections and spread it out over a longer period of time. It’s always a good idea to get a project timeline from your contractor so you can confirm they’re hitting project benchmarks.
Homeowners should evaluate which vehicles will be utilizing the driveway to determine the proper gate width. Larger vehicles, such as RVs, may require greater turn radiuses and thus larger widths to ensure clearance.
You should make sure your electric gate comes with either a battery backup or manual release with a key. These features will ensure access to the property when there are power outages and other electrical issues.
Simple, inexpensive gates may not add much value to your property, but larger automated gates with stone embellishments can increase property values and improve curb appeal.
Driveway gates come in a variety of shapes. The most common are standard arc, inverted arc, valley, peak, bell curve, and high-low.
Some driveway gates swing in and out, but the majority have a single swing direction. It’s up to the homeowner to decide which is best for them. A number of experts recommend you swing your gate inward toward the property to avoid any possible interactions with cars or bystanders on the outside of the property. If you can’t decide, a sliding gate is always a great alternative.
Final Thoughts
Driveway gate installation costs vary greatly based on size, material, and accessories. Homeowners that carefully review their options should be able to determine installation costs ranging between $1,230 and $9,020, and near the national average of $4,830.
Main Photo by: Corey Coyle / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
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