On American properties, electric or automated driveway gates are becoming more common. They add to the convenience and home security, being aesthetically beautiful, and improving the property’s curb appeal. Compared to manually operated gates, automatic driveway gates give you more control over who enters your property and remove the need to get out of your car or home to open the gate for yourself or a visitor.
Additionally, automatic driveway gates can improve the convenience and security of your home. The precise outcome of a Google search for “cost of automated driveway gates” varies on various factors.
For automatic driveway gates, the average price, including labor and materials, is $7,500. A driveway gate opener costs $1,725, whereas a driveway gate motor costs the median homeowner $2,650. The cost of labor to install an automated driveway gate is $1,275. You should budget between $1,000 and $13,000, with an average price of $7,500.
For automatic driveway gates, the average price, including labor and materials, is $7,500. A driveway gate opener costs $1,725, whereas a driveway gate motor costs the median homeowner $2,650. An automatic driveway gate will cost $1,2750 to install.
What Can You Expect After Installing an Autonomous Gate?
It typically takes two days to install a gate professionally, one day mounting the gate fixture and the other for installing the mechanical parts. Both components of the project are time-consuming and labor-intensive, necessitating specialized attention and the use of particular technology.
Installing an automatic gate might cost between $750 and $1,800, plus an extra $1,500 to $3,000 for the automated system, depending on the project’s extent. The price will be much lower if you already have a fence and are just installing the automatic gate mechanism instead of having to install a wall in addition to the automatic gate.
Contact Split Rail Fence for a personalized installation quotation to learn how much it will cost to install a gate on your Colorado Front Range property. For the particular terrain of your land, we can help you determine the best design, material, and configuration in addition to the anticipated material and labor expenses.
Do Automatic Driveway Gates Need Licenses?
Installing an automatic driveway gate can need permission in some areas.
Your installation should know the rules, but you should double-check the local laws. A driveway permit for automatic gates costs about $200.
First Payment
There are several elements to consider when figuring out how much your automatic driveway gates will cost. Initial costs include buying the gate, the motor, and the opener. The design you select for each item may impact the price. One of the most crucial factors is the material you decide on.
Metals like steel are the most expensive, while vinyl is the least expensive material for gates.
The gate will typically cost between $200 and $4,000. The motor and opener are also interchangeable. Driveway gate openers can be found in both traditional electric and solar varieties. Depending on size and weight, you should expect to pay between $200 to $4,000 for an automatic gate.
Your materials’ total starting costs range from $400 to $8,000. Frequently, both goods’ costs will rise at the same time. More robust motors and openers are required for automatic gates made of more expensive and substantial materials.
The Gate
Your choice of gate style and the material will significantly impact your pricing. As was already said, sliding automatic gates cost much less than swinging ones. More complex versions will cost more money, but they might be heavier and need a more potent engine. These are additional funds.
The materials utilized to build your gate will ultimately determine its cost. The gate must be made, and while using metals like steel or cast iron may raise the price, doing so with vinyl will lower it.
While a vinyl gate costs $750 to $5,600, a wooden gate is between $850 and $8,500. Costs for a metal fence range from $1,150 to $8,600. The most expensive materials include stainless steel, wrought iron, and aluminum.
Aluminum gates range in price from $2,350 to $8,600, while iron and stainless steel gates cost between $1,350 and $8,500.
Significant is also size. For most driveways, a 10-foot gate and opener cost between $600 and $7000. A 16-foot fence’s gate and opener would cost between $1,100 and $9000.
The final economic consideration is the aesthetics of the automatic gate. The cost of using stone or brick to build the pillars or embellish the entrance is substantially higher than the cost of the gate itself.
Be sure to include the motor and the opener in any transaction because some gate vendors only provide prices for the gate itself.
Gate Motor Cost
Another consideration with automatic driveway gates is the engine. For operation, residential electronic gates need both motors and a power source. The cost of a gate motor varies widely depending on several variables, including the operating system, size, and design of the gate.
For instance, the motor must handle the variable speeds required for proper opening and closing gates, which open at different rates. Gate motors typically cost between $800 and $4,500. To put things in perspective, more sophisticated variations, like the cantilever-style gate, need the use of pricy, massive motors.
Automatic Gate Opener Cost
Every brand of automatic driveway gate has a different operating system. Although some openers use power batteries, most use hydraulic or electromechanical mechanisms. The most popular openers are electromechanical, operated by a physical button, sensors, or remote control. They can also be battery, solar, or electric powered. These sliding and swinging gate openers, which typically cost between $250 and $600, are the most common.
On the other hand, hydraulic gate openers are uncommon. They are typically found on gates that rise and swing uphill. These gates are similar to electromagnetic gates in that they can be managed by a remote or sensor. Hydraulic gate openers typically cost $450 to $3,000 per.
Installation fees for automatic gates
The price of installing a solar gate opener vs. a traditional gate opener will vary considerably according to the size of the gate and the layout of your property. It usually takes two to five hours to install automatic driveway gates. Installers often bill between $30 and $80 per hour and might need extra equipment to complete the job.
Installation costs may grow if issues emerge. The installation cost may rise if concrete, poles, or bollards are required. The hourly rates rise as a result of these expansions. Additionally, compliance with safety rules may require additional tools and processes.
All residential GDOs marketed in the United States must have a mechanism that can reverse the motion of a moving garage entrance within two seconds, according to the necessary regulation (16 CFR part 1211), to lessen the risk of entrapment.
Automatic gates must be appropriately placed because they can be hazardous. The efficacy and safety of the operation could be enhanced by using an experienced specialist.
The installation expenses for sensors, keypads, and intercoms can all increase. To get the most precise quotation, make sure to fully describe your demands and preferences for the automatic gate when getting in touch with someone.
To prevent future charges, ensure your gate has been lab-tested for safety.
For safety reasons, make sure the vehicle gate opener on your property carries the “mark” of a nationally renowned testing laboratory, such as “UL” or “ETL”.
If all of these considerations are considered, the installation cost of automatic driveway gates will range from $200 to $5,000. The following job categories are typical at the bottom end:
Maintainance Charges for Automatic Gates
Your automatic driveway gates may have an issue, but if you catch it early enough, you might be able to fix it. The price of repairs is often substantially higher when a condition is allowed to deteriorate, like when wooden gates rot or lose their sheen. To maintain your entrances properly, you must lubricate all moving components, clean the outside of your gates, verify the system’s functionality, and ensure the wiring is safe.
Although routine maintenance is not always enjoyable, it can help you save money.
We recommend a yearly inspection for most automatic gates, especially wooden ones whose finishes are more vulnerable to the elements. These usually take an hour or so for an annual checkup of your driveway gates; budget $30 to $80. Lubricate the arms every three months to maintain their functionality.
If the examination reveals issues, your driveway gates and openers will probably need to be fixed or replaced. It is difficult to predict a repair’s cost without knowing the issue’s specifics. The inspector could include a minor repair as part of the examination.
Your automatic gate’s parts should endure for ten years on average. After that, prepare for extensive maintenance or part replacement. These cost $25 to $4,000 each. It might be wise to keep fixing your current driveway gate or spend money on a new one to get the most out of your equipment.
Automatic Driveway Gate Cost by Material
Automatic driveway gates are available in various materials, each with benefits and drawbacks, just like manual driveway gates. Vinyl is the least expensive material for automatic driveway gates, costing $200, while aluminum is the most expensive, costing up to $4,000.
| Material | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | $200 to $1,000 |
| Wood | $300 to $4,000 |
| Wrought Iron | $600 to $4,000 |
| Steel | $600 to $4,000 |
| Aluminum | $2,000 to $4,000 |
The project’s cost will be impacted by the material you choose for your gate. Considering its price and aesthetic appeal, select your preferred material. What to expect from each sort of material is outlined below:
- Vinyl requires less upkeep and is corrosion- and decay-resistant. It is more prone to deterioration and could crack or distort in extremely cold or hot temperatures.
- Wood is a timeless, elegant, and durable material that may significantly improve a home’s curb appeal. Additionally, it needs periodic staining or painting and is vulnerable to decay, insects, and warping.
- Wrought iron, which is adaptable, attractive, and highly durable, has a lot of options. It is equally pricey and hefty as steel, though. Installation is occasionally a challenge.
- Steel is adaptable, powerful, and requires little upkeep. But it is pricey, there aren’t many options, and it’s relatively heavy.
- Aluminum is a versatile, low-maintenance, and lightweight material. Despite being the most expensive material, it can be dented and only has a few uses.
Automatic Driveway Gate Cost by Type
There are many ways to open and close automatic driveway gates. Your driveway’s gradient or slope may dictate the design of the entry. For instance, popular swing gates won’t operate if there’s a steep slope outside your gate. An automatic sliding gate would be the ideal choice in this situation.
The model’s cost could vary from $100 to $9,000. Swing gates, slide gates, vertical pivot gates, subsurface systems, and ram gates are the five most typical gates. Swing and slide gates can also be disassembled further. However, the following graph lists the most popular choices and their distinctive prices:
| Type of Automatic Gate | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Barrier Gate | $100 to $500 |
| Card-Based Entry Gate | $100 to $900 |
| Keypad Entry Gate | $120 to $600 |
| Slide V Track Gate | $500 to $3,000 |
| Slide Rear Pipe Gate | $500 to $3,000 |
| Single Swing Gate | $500 to $3,000 |
| Vertical Pivot Gate | $500 to $4,000 |
| Slide Cantilever Gate | $1,000 to $4,000 |
| Double Swing Gate | $1,000 to $4,000 |
| RV Gate | $1,000 to $9,000 |
| Uphill Swing Gate | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Lift and Sing Gate | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Underground System | $2,000 to $6,000 |
- Barrier gates may be affordable and easy to build, but they are frequently unsightly and insecure. Driveways are more typically observed on commercial properties than on homes.
- Card-based entry gates frequently require maintenance of all cards and access, are expensive to install, and are complicated to build. You can, however, activate and deactivate cards as needed.
- Keypad entry gates can be included in a more extensive home security system and work without using a physical key or card. These gates must be protected from inclement weather, require electricity or a battery backup, and may be challenging to remember the code.
- Slide V track gates are a well-liked, reliable alternative that gives homeowners several choices. They may not be ideal in snow or ice conditions because they require extra space on either side to function correctly.
- Slide rear pipe gates are an inexpensive technology that can be easily converted from manual to automatic operation. These need more room on either side, like slide v track gates. They might not be the most attractive entrance solution for your house.
- A typical and simple style of gate is a single swing gate. However, as previously said, the driveway must be completely level and is only allowed to be a specific size.
- When space is at a premium, vertical pivoting gates open vertically are a fantastic solution. They have fewer design options and may be trickier to install.
- Locations with snow and ice are perfect for sliding cantilever gates. These gates are simple to operate but take up much more room than other options.
- As their name implies, RV gates are big enough to fit an RV. They provide the most significant amount of isolation but are pricey and could be subject to HOA restrictions.
- There is a swing gate called an uphill swing gate for steep driveways. But it’s important to emphasize that these gates have limited slope possibilities and are challenging to install and operate.
- Lift and swing gates with additional slope options can also be used on steep driveways. They are among the priciest and most challenging installation options.
- Unobtrusive systems that operate underground are one option. These systems are efficient and compatible with most automatic gate types and materials while being pricey, tough to maintain, and difficult to install.
Does Having an Automatic Driveway Gate Increase the Value of My Home?
An automatic driveway gate may increase a home’s value in several circumstances. However, the added value will be determined by aesthetic factors like quality, design, and quality.
Additionally, potential buyers may be significantly influenced by the extra protection and convenience that these automatic gates provide and how they improve your home’s outward appeal.
DIY Automatic Driveway Gate Installation vs. Professional Installation
Although skilled gate installers may bill up to $80 per hour, the cost is often acceptable. You can be confident that your automatic driveway gate will be fitted and work as intended if you choose a professional.
By doing it yourself, you may be able to save up to 50%, but due to your inexperience, the gate might not open, or it might drag on the ground. Despite this, working with a reputable gate installation company is always good, which will reduce your anxiety and give you a sturdy, safe, and practical driveway gate. To get you started, here are thirty suggestions for driveway gates.
Call us for a free estimate on gate or garage door repairs and installations today!
We have skilled automatic gate installers who can handle all of your electric gate service needs in Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Burbank, Calabasas, Camarillo, Canoga Park, Century City, Cerritos, Chatsworth, Cheviot Hills, City of Industry, Culver City, Encino, El Segundo, Glendale, Hollywood, Hawthorne, Inglewood, La Cañada, Lake Elsinore,  Long Beach, Los Feliz, Malibu, Marina del Rey, Mission Hills, Murrieta, Newport Beach, North Hollywood, Orange County, Pacific Palisades, Palm Desert, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Palos Verdes, Reseda, Riverside, San Diego, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, San Fernando, Sherman Oaks, Simi Valley, Stevenson Ranch, Studio City, Tarzana, Temple City,  Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Universal City, Van Nuys, Valley Village, Venice Beach, Ventura, Westlake Village, West Covina, West Hollywood, West L.A., Woodland Hills, Yorba Linda as well as everywhere else in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Diego and San Bernardino County.