A pair of timber driveway gates in Birmingham and the West Midlands typically costs £900–£1,800 supplied and fitted, and a pair of metal gates £1,500–£3,500. A single drive gate is £500–£1,500 depending on the material, and a side gate £250–£700. Electric gates are priced after a free survey, because the cost depends on the power supply, the ground and the safety equipment needed.
These are the ranges our quote form uses for driveway gates and side gates. They include the gate, posts, hanging hardware and fitting, and are indicative.
Gate prices by type and material
| Gate | Timber | Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Side gate (pedestrian, about 0.9–1m wide) | £250–£450 | £400–£700 |
| Single driveway gate (about 3m) | £500–£900 | £800–£1,500 |
| Pair of driveway gates (about 3–3.6m opening) | £900–£1,800 | £1,500–£3,500 |
| Electric opening (any of the above) | Free survey | Free survey |
Timber gates are usually softwood, framed and braced, with featheredge, tongue-and-groove or vertical board infill. Hardwood such as iroko or oak sits at the top of the timber range and above it.
Metal covers everything from simple galvanised steel to made-to-measure powder-coated designs and wrought-iron styles. Plain flat-top steel is at the bottom of the range; bespoke designs, solid infill panels and scrolled or arched tops are at the top.
What sits behind the price
| Part | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Posts | Heavy gates need 150mm or 200mm posts or brick piers set deep in concrete. Weak posts are the main reason drive gates sag. |
| Hinges and fixings | Adjustable heavy-duty hinges let the gate be trued up later. |
| Drop bolts and stops | Hold a pair of gates closed and stop them swinging past the line. |
| Latches and locks | A lockable latch or keyed lock adds a little to the cost. |
| Finish | Timber may be supplied treated only or stained. Metal is galvanised, painted or powder-coated. |
Worked examples
Pair of timber drive gates with a matching side gate
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Pair of timber gates | £900 | £1,800 |
| Timber side gate | £250 | £450 |
| Total | £1,150 | £2,250 |
Single metal drive gate and a metal side gate
£800–£1,500 for the drive gate plus £400–£700 for the side gate comes to about £1,200–£2,200.
Pair of metal gates with 10m of new featheredge fence either side
The gates are £1,500–£3,500. Featheredge at 1.8m with concrete posts is £105–£145 per metre, so 10m is £1,050–£1,450. The total is about £2,550–£4,950, with removal of any old fence on top. See the fence cost per metre guide.
Automated gates need a survey
We do not give a price range for electric gates from the form. The specialist needs to see:
- where power can come from, and how far a cable has to run
- whether the gates swing or would have to slide, and the slope of the drive
- the condition of the posts or piers, which often need replacing to take a motor
- how the gates will be controlled: remotes, keypad, intercom or phone
Electric gates are machinery. They should be installed to the Machinery Directive and BS EN 12453, with a risk assessment, force testing, and safety edges or photocells so the gates stop and reverse if something is in the way. A reputable installer will give you the paperwork, including a declaration of conformity, and recommend a service plan. Ask for this before you agree a price.
Converting existing gates to automatic is sometimes possible, but only if the gates and posts are strong and square enough.
Height and planning
Gates follow the same height rules as fences: up to 2m without planning permission, or 1m where they are next to a road used by vehicles or its footpath. Most drive gates face the road, so a gate over 1m at the front of a house may need planning permission. Listed buildings and conservation areas have tighter rules. See the 1m rule next to a road.
Gates should open inwards, into your property, not across the pavement.
What pushes the price up or down
- Width. Wide openings need heavier gates and stronger posts.
- Material and design. Hardwood and bespoke metalwork cost more than standard softwood or plain steel.
- Posts or piers. New brick piers are a separate job; see garden walls.
- Slope. A drive that rises behind the gate may need rising hinges or a trimmed bottom rail.
- Ground. Hard concrete or buried services where the posts go slow the job down.
- Existing gates. Taking away old gates and posts adds a little.
What is included
A fixed price should include the gates, posts set in concrete, hinges, latch or drop bolts, fitting and hanging, and taking away packaging and old gates if agreed. Ask what finish the gates come with and whether any maintenance is needed in the first year, such as re-tightening hinges on timber as it settles.
How to get a fixed price
- Measure the width of the opening between the posts or walls, and the height you want.
- Use the quote form and choose the gate type and material.
- Add photos of the opening from both sides, the existing posts and the slope of the drive.
- We pass your enquiry to one local specialist. For fixed gates they confirm a price; for electric gates they arrange a free survey.
Questions
How much does a pair of wooden drive gates cost?
About £900–£1,800 supplied and fitted, depending on the timber, the width and the design. Hardwood gates cost more.
Are metal gates more expensive than timber?
Usually, yes. A pair of metal gates is about £1,500–£3,500 against £900–£1,800 for timber. Metal needs less upkeep if it is galvanised and powder-coated.
How much do electric gates cost?
It depends on the gates, the power supply and the safety equipment, so we do not quote a range. A specialist will give a fixed price after a free survey.
Do I need planning permission for driveway gates?
Not if they are no higher than 1m next to a road, or 2m elsewhere. Higher gates, and gates on listed buildings, usually need permission.
Should I choose one gate or a pair?
A pair suits most drives because each leaf is lighter and needs less room to swing. A single gate works where there is space for it to open fully and the opening is under about 3m.