Do you want to find out more about the cost of electric gate installation? Secure Automation provide electric gate installations throughout Newcastle and Tyne and Wear. This electric gates cost guide explains the factors that effect UK gate fitting prices.
Electric Driveway Gate Installation
Electric driveways are fantastic for providing your home with both privacy and security. If these gates are combined with video technologies, you can ensure that you only allow people to your home's front door when you know who they are and have been allowed through the gates. Privacy can also add extra value and appeal to your home.
There's the added convenience of being able to park your car outside of your home or within your garage and not having to worry about opening the gate doors yourself.
Below is a quick guide to tell you all about the costs associated with wooden and metal, sliding and swing gates. We will also tell you all about how you can save money too, as well as other costs to consider.
Wooden Driveway Gate Costs
Iron Driveway Gate Costs
For a small wooden swing gate (1.15 metres x 1.8 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £250 - £1,700.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £250 - £500.
The process of installation would take roughly one to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £500 to £1,200.
For a medium wooden swing gate (1.45 metres x 2.4 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £500 - £1,850.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £300 - £600.
The process of installation would take roughly one to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £800 to £2,450.
For a large wooden swing gate (2.05 metres x 3 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £750 - £2,400.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £400 - £800.
The process of installation would take roughly one to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £1150 to £3,200.
For a small wooden sliding gate (1.15 metres x 1.8 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £250 - £1,200.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £300 - £700.
The process of installation would take roughly two to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £550 to £1,900.
For a medium wooden sliding gate (1.45 metres x 2.4 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £400 - £2,000.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £300 - £800.
The process of installation would take roughly two to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £700 to £2,800.
For a large wooden sliding gate (2.05 metres x 3 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £720 - £3,400.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £400 - £1,200.
The process of installation would take roughly two to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £1,200 to £4,600.
For a small wrought iron swing gate (1.15 metres x 1.8 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £160 - £430.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £250 - £500.
The process of installation would take roughly one to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £410 to £930.
For a medium wrought iron swing gate (1.45 metres x 2.4 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £570 - £1,460.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £300 - £600.
The process of installation would take roughly one to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £870 to £2,060.
For a large wrought iron swing gate (2.05 metres x 3 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £820 - £1,900.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £400 - £800.
The process of installation would take roughly one to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £1,220 to £2,700.
For a small wrought iron sliding gate (1.15 metres x 1.8 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £740 - £1,600.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £300 - £700.
The process of installation would take roughly two to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £1,040 to £2,300.
For a medium wrought iron sliding gate (1.45 metres x 2.4 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £850 - £1,750.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £300 - £800.
The process of installation would take roughly two to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £1,150 to £2,550.
For a large wrought iron sliding gate (2.05 metres x 3 metres), you should expect an estimated supply cost for the gate alone of between £1,000 - £2,100.
The labour costs will be somewhere between £400 - £1,200.
The process of installation would take roughly two to three days.
The estimated total cost is likely to be between £1,400 to £3,300
Types Of Gate Automation
How much does a manual gate cost in order to automate? Well, that can depend on whether the gates themselves swing or slide open. The cost can also be affected by the motor used for swinging the gates open. As with any mechanism, the force needed to make all the parts move increases as the weight of each individual part increases.
This means that the heavier the gate, the stronger the gate motor will be needed in order to move the mechanism. Stronger usually means more expensive, so keep this in mind.
A basic kit to get a sliding gate moving can cost you between £500 to £1500. Extras such as the track needed for the gates to move along can add several hundred pounds to the gate cost.
Swing gates are more complex because there are several different types of motors at play with these mechanisms. They all operate separately and are installed differently.
Articulated arm gate openers operate using a jointed arm which is used to connect the motor to the gate.
Rams operate by pushing and pulling a piston arm which is mounted on the gate.
Linear screw operators have a similar look to rams but they have an internally threaded shaft with the gate mounting itself threaded onto the shaft. When the shaft turns it winds the gate mounting either in or out in order to open and close the gate.
Underground gate operators are mounted just below the gate hinges within foundation boxes that are buried just underneath the surface of your home's driveway.
The foundation box lid and gate motor arm mounted to the underside of the gate will be the elements of the whole mechanism which will be visible. This means that underground openers are the most subtle and discreet way to have an automatic swing gate.
What factors affect the cost of an electric gate
When it comes to the cost of parts for your electric gate, the largest cost will definitely be the gate itself. How much this will cost is completely dependent on several different factors:
Firstly, your method of opening the gate. If you are choosing a 4G intercom system then this may be highly expensive, definitely more expensive than a hardwired intercom system.
But on the other hand, for a hardwired intercom system, you will need to pay for extensive cabling by an electrician. This can also be a costly process.
Next, you need to consider the size of the gate. The higher and wider your gate is, the more it is going to cost.
If your entrance is an uncommon size then this is another factor which can increase how much your electric driveway gates can cost.
You should also take time to think about the design of your gate. If you are planning on an intricate design or something particularly ornate then this is almost guaranteed to cost more than a standard design.
There are many designer brands who demand a premium price for their project, as well as companies that produce bespoke options which also are priced very highly.
The type of finish coating applied to the gate, as well as the colour, can also add further to the cost.
Finally, the materials used for your electric gate system can increase the cost. PVC is the lightest and cheapest option available. The material is easy to maintain but isn't all that durable or secure.
Softwood is another common option for gates. The costs for electric wooden gates are some of the lowest. Softwood is very cheap but also very high maintenance, as well as has very low durability.
Hardwood is a mid-priced option that is far more durable and secure than softwood, the maintenance of the material is lower too. Another mid-priced option is steel or aluminium.
These options are highly durable and come along with low maintenance. They also have great security and privacy qualities. Lastly, one more option for gates is wrought iron.
This is by far the most expensive option, and that price reflects the material's fantastic security property. You should keep in mind that wrought iron is prone to rusting, so the gates will need plenty of maintenance.
Below is a list of price ranges for each individual part of a residential swing gate motor kit:
- Articulated arm motor costs can range from around £500 up to £2500
- Ram swing gate openers will start their pricing at just under £1000 and will get as high as £2000
- Linear screw gate operators will usually cost somewhere between £500 and £2500
- Underground gate motors are the most expensive part of a residential swing gate motor kit. Their price starts at around £1000 but the cost can be as high as £5000
- Electric gate installer hourly rates
- The labour costs associated with an electric gate installation project can sometimes be a while third of the total overall cost.
It will most commonly be included as a total labour cost rather than just as a simply hourly rate. That being said, you can usually expect the installation costs to be somewhere around £35 to £65 per hour.
Setting up and installing an electric gate takes a lot of time to complete the whole process. The number of engineers who need to be involved will depend on the size of the gate, and the mechanisms being used. The overall complexity of the electric gate can also play a part in how much the installation will cost.
Below is a list of the additional costs associated with an automatic gate installation:
- Automation and motors will usually cost somewhere between £300 and £1,800
- An intercom system for the electric gate will cost between £500 and £1,500
- If what you're looking for is a 4G intercom system, then this will cost roughly around £1200
- Any additional groundworks can cost around £500 or more
- If you want to add brock piers then this will cost at the very least around £1000
- Electric and other services added to the gate will cost around £600
- Maintenance costs per year for an electric gate will be around £150
What is the installation process like?
Before installing your automated gates, you are going to have to look into whether planning permission will be necessary.
If the gate you are planning on having installed is higher than two metres, or higher than one metre and close to a highway or a footpath adjacent to a highway, then you are going to need planning permission.
The beginnings of the installation process focus on groundwork.
A solid foundation is needed to ensure that the gate can stand strong and is capable of any automation methods or drainage needed.
At this point in the process, a certified electrical supply is needed for running power to the gates. Alternatively, a remote power solution can also be installed.
Next, pillars will be installed within a deep concrete foundation; this is to give the gate support.
Finally, the automation mechanisms will be installed. The mechanisms will be attached to the gate panels, as well as the pillars.
Are you looking for Automatic Electric Gate Installation in Tyne and Wear? Find out more about our electric driveway gate services throughout Northumberland, Sunderland and Newcastle.