Gate Installation Cost

Last updated 24th July, 2025

Wondering how much it costs to install a gate in the UK?

In this guide, we cover how much different types of gates cost to get installed by a tradesperson in the UK. This includes driveway gate costs, garden gate costs, and more!

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How Much Does a New Gate Cost to Fit?

The average cost of installing a pair of wooden driveway gates between two hardwood posts in concrete is around £750. However, the cost of installing gates varies tremendously.

This can depend on size, type and style, everything from a small DIY garden gate made from timber offcuts, to a £10,000 automated, wrought iron, custom designed driveway gate.

Gate Installation Prices

The prices displayed were collated from various sources around the UK. They are based on a typical tradesman’s rate of around £150 per day, plus a labourer if necessary at £100 per day. The prices also include VAT and the cost of materials and the removal of any waste if necessary.

The average material cost to fit a gate depends on the style and design. Wooden gates (especially hardwood) are often more expensive than basic metal designs. However, those made from wrought iron or aluminium are typically more costly than those made from timber. Other material costs will include gate hinges and posts to hang the gates.

The average handyman will usually charge around £100 to £200 per day. Although hanging a gate is not a timely job and will typically take no longer than an hour or two. Smaller jobs may seem more expensive than they should be as most tradesmen will have a minimum charge of half a day's labour.

Below are some estimated costs for a gate installation (including material and labour fees):

Job Description Avg. Cost Duration
Metal garden gate hung on brickwork £175 3-4 hours
Fit metal driveway gates & posts in an existing gap £350 1-3 hours
Fit a wooden garden gate with two concreted timber posts £400 3-4 hours
Fit a pair of wooden driveway gates with two concreted in hardwood posts £750 6-8 hours
Add basic automation to driveway gates £750 3-4 hours
Install fully automated driveway gates £1,500+ 3-4 hours
High-end bespoke automated driveway gate £10,000+ 1+ days


Please note gate installation costs may vary, depending on the size and design of the gate, materials used and prices can also be affected by your location (for example, in London, labour fees are higher than the national average).

Gate Installation Cost Breakdown Calculator

Individual costs to supply and fit a pair of wooden driveway gates with two concreted in hardwood posts - Total Cost: £750

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Materials
£375

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Tradesmen
£375

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Waste Removal
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Gate Installation Cost Considerations

The gate is the front door to the garden so it’s the first thing visitors will see. A well designed gate can look great and offer good security, plus nowadays there are many automated electric gate installations available if required. This article is designed to help you decide on the right gate and to avoid overpaying for the privilege!

Although there are many companies in the UK selling standard-sized gates at an affordable price (often based on a driveway being approximately 2.4m–3m for a single or 4.8m–6m for a double), in reality the term "standard-size" is somewhat misleading.

Many driveways come in a variety of sizes, whereby the above measurements won't always provide a perfect fit. As such, it's always best to take measurements before committing to having a gate installed, as this may affect the overall cost.

The type of gate is also important, and can impact the installation cost. For example an electric sliding gate for your driveway, is likely to be more expensive than adding a wooden garden gate while installing fence panels.

Common Problems with Gate Installations

If you are considering the purchase of a mass-produced wooden gate, be aware that the quality and durability can vary significantly. As even when there aren't any concerns about the woodwork or craftsmanship, issues can still arise if wooden gates haven't been stored with the correct protection or treatment. Exposure to the elements before installation can potentially lead to warping or twisting.

Wherever possible, it is recommended to consider locally sourced gates, as these are often built to suit the UK climate and are less likely to encounter problems related to storage or become damaged in transit.

The majority of problems with gates are caused by the lack of maintenance or by bad installation. Issues with automated gate systems are often down to the incorrect positioning of the gate itself, which means poor tracking can then force the gate into positions it wasn’t designed to go.

Problems caused due to poor gate installations may become obvious early on, while failures as the result of general wear and tear often develop over time.

As for maintenance, automated systems often require annual servicing to maintain their warranty and prevent system failures. If this is not already included within any existing agreement, then service costs are normally between £150 to £300 a year.

Meanwhile, wooden gates benefit from regular maintenance to prevent warping or the wood from rotting. Treating a wooden gate twice a year is often recommended, especially for softwoods or properties exposed to harsh weather. However, if your gate is made from a high-quality hardwood, then re-applying a protective finish once a year may be sufficient.

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FAQs

Metal gates can look great but they don't offer a lot of privacy (unless solid metal sheets which would be incredibly expensive). Wooden gates can easily be close-boarded which offer high levels of privacy, but they do need regular maintenance to avoid rotting, twisting and warping. But privacy aside, it really all comes down to personal preference and budget. A wooden gate may be preferable to a decorative metal gate in a rural garden, as timber manufacturers often sell gates to match their fences for a continuous run. But if your garden boundaries are brick, stone or hedges, then both metalwork and wooden gates will look fine.
Automated gates are a sensible option for homeowners who expect to use them regularly or have lots of visitors. They are of course much more convenient, and can improve security. But the automation technology is expensive and can also be just another item to break down meaning further costs.
Swinging kits are cheaper if you have a pair of gates, as if you want both to slide open you’ll need two sets of sliding mechanisms, which adds to the cost. However, if you have a sloping driveway, swinging gates may not have the room to open, whereas with sliding gates you need at least the same opening to the side as the gate itself.
The choice of wood will make a big difference to the lifespan of the gate, but even the toughest timber will not be maintenance free. Hardwoods are not automatically better than softwoods and all types will require regular maintenance in the form of a stain or paint finish reapplied ideally twice a year to keep the moisture content in the timber as low as possible.
If your proposed gate is over 1 metre tall and is adjacent to a road or footpath, you may need planning permission. In most cases, this isn't required, but exceptions apply (such as for listed buildings or properties in conservation areas). For gates taller than 2 metres, planning permission is usually required regardless of location.
The timber you decide on really depends a lot on what you want to do with them in terms of finish. For example, do you want to paint, stain or leave a natural finish? Although many like the look of natural wood weathering over time, this is not recommended as without protection against UV damage, the timber will split. Softwood gates are much cheaper than hardwood, but in most cases, softwood is not as durable (but there are exceptions to this rule). You will still get many years of life from a softwood gate if maintained properly, but a hardwood gate will usually last much longer so is often worth the extra initial cost.
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