How Much Does It Cost To Install An Automatic Gate Opener?

If you’re a business or homeowner, an automatic gate opener is a functional addition that can make your life easier and your property significantly more secure.

An automatic gate opener increases your privacy and prevents unauthorized people from accessing your property or entering your driveway. This system can help minimize passersby’s access to your property and reduce the risk of theft, damages, or unwanted soliciting.

Manually opening and closing a gate can be physically demanding, dangerous, and tedious, especially if you have a particularly heavy gate. 

An electric gate with a gate opener installed allows you to open the gate without lifting a finger, making it simpler and more convenient to access your property—it may even increase its value. 

We’re experts in providing the best automatic gate openers and accessories, and we’ve learned a lot about the various gate installation costs over the years.

In this article, we will discuss:

• Automatic driveway gate costs.
• Installation costs.
• Labor costs.

Understanding Automatic Gate Openers

An automatic gate opener is a device designed to open and close your gate without the need for any manual work. The motor and opening mechanism is the main difference between regular and electric gates.

An opener can be installed on just about any type of gate, ranging from swing gates on a business property or driveway gates at a residence. The type of gate you have will impact the type of opener you need to automate your gate’s functionality.

For example, a light-duty gate that doesn’t operate all day would need a different type of opener than a heavy wrought iron gate that opens and closes all day.

Many other factors influence the type of opener you need, such as the available power source and your desired level of security.

You’ll also want to consider curb appeal and the aesthetics of your home or establishment. For example, you may want a classic look for your electric driveway gates or be more interested in wooden gates to match your property’s fencing.

With an automatic opener, you don’t need to exit your car to open and close your gate, which can be particularly helpful during a downpour or when you’re exhausted from the day’s work. Instead, an automatic opener is triggered by a device like a remote control or a PIN code entered into a keypad.

Additionally, automatic openers can be installed to operate a garage door, further automating your entry and exit process for easy access and added security.

You can check out our full guide on automatic gates to better understand how these devices work.

How Much Does It Cost to Install an Automatic Gate Opener?

 

The installation cost of an automatic gate will vary depending on various factors. For example, if you don’t currently have a gate and need to purchase one, the average cost will be greater than if you have an existing gate.

However, the overall cost of an automatic gate opener itself ranges from anything between $400 and $5,000. Depending on the project, you can expect to spend around $1,500 to $3,000 on installation fees.

The final gate cost is affected by a few factors, including:

• The type of opener you need.
• The size, length, and weight of the gate.
• How the gate opens (swinging, sliding, or parking barrier).
• Whether you have a single or double gate to automate.

While finding a gate that comes with an opener is possible, most companies sell operators separately from gates. In any case, the cost of installing an electric gate will depend on whether you are installing an automatic opener alone or both a new one and an opener.

The cost of automatic driveway gates

You can spend anything from $730 to $11,000 on a new gate. The exact cost of the gate depends on the size, weight, material, and type of gate you want for your project.

For example, vinyl gates are slightly cheaper than wood and metal gates of the same size and type.

Purchasing a new electric gate constructed from vinyl can cost between $750 and $5,600, while buying a new electric wood gate to suit your wooden fences will cost around $850 to $8,500. 

A metal gate or wrought iron gate will raise your automatic driveway gate cost, so you can expect to spend between $1,150 to $8,600 to get a new electric metal gate.

Certain gates will need to be custom manufactured to suit your property. For example, swing gates require precise sizing to keep their swing on your property line—adding to your gate cost.

However, if you are happy with your current manual gate and simply want to add an automated opener, the average cost of this project will be a lot less.

The cost of an automatic gate opener

You don’t need to buy and install a new gate if you’re happy with your current one. You only need to focus on getting the right automatic gate opener for your type of gate.

Gate-opening mechanisms are usually designed for the following three different gate types.

1. Swing Gate Openers

Swing gate openers can cost anywhere from $550 to $5,000 or more, depending on the application and the gate design.

For example, a swing gate opener for simple residential use, such as the BFT PHOBOS BT A40 Single Operator Kit, costs less than $550.

On the other hand, an automatic swing gate opener designed for industrial purposes, like the heavy-duty Linear 2HP automatic gate opener with variable speed, costs over $5,000.

2. Sliding Gate Openers

You can purchase a simple chain-driven slide gate opener for under $350 or invest in a complete solar kit for a solar-powered operation for a little over $2,000. Solar setups save on energy costs and are environmentally friendly.

Industrial sliding gates with hydraulic operation can be very expensive, costing between $20,000 to more than $33,000 in some cases, and this does not include electric gate installation costs.

The good news is that you can find an automatic slide gate opener that suits your needs and budget.

3. Parking Barrier Gate Opener

Parking barrier gate openers are common in commercial applications.

On the higher end of the price spectrum, automatic gate openers for parking barriers can cost as much as $50,000, although you can get many excellent options from $3,000 to $6,000.

Add-ons and accessories

Not all gate opener kits will come complete with all the accessories and add-ons you want to include in your gate installation.

For example, you may want a remote opener to control your gate rather than a keypad. A remote control means you can operate your gate at the touch of a button rather than trying to line your vehicle up with a keypad that requires a code

You might also want to install a loop detector for your automatic sliding gate, which identifies objects and other obstructions in the gate’s path and prevents it from closing. This could protect you from accidents and injury. 

Additionally, you might want to add battery backups to your gate installation so the system will remain operational during power interruptions.

Each additional component you want will increase your electric gate installation costs.

Labor Cost

Besides the cost of a new gate and an opener, you still need to factor in the labor cost. While you can install an automated system yourself, perhaps to save money, it is usually best to hire a professional to do it for you if you don’t have the necessary experience. 

Years in the industry have shown us that several things can go wrong with a DIY automatic gate opener installation. The gate might not work as expected—for example, it may open the wrong way—and you could damage the system and gate motor, or risk electric shock—especially if you’re inexperienced.

Also, the warranty on the gate opener might not cover a DIY installation, leaving you with an ineffective system and thousands of dollars lost. You can avoid this by letting a professional do the job.

Many professional installers will offer free estimates by assessing the overall project, which will give you an idea of your overall installation cost.

Installers may charge up to $80 per hour for labor, and the installation process can be completed in a day, depending on the project’s scope. It makes sense to have a professional handle your installation at this fee.

Many homeowners install a gate when they erect a fence or build a driveway. This sometimes leads to a lower total cost as the same contractor would be hired for all these projects.

Install an Automatic Gate Opener to Make Your Life Easier

Automatic gate operators are worth the investment for both residential and commercial premises. 

This access control mechanism gives you increased security and privacy and makes entering and exiting your property more convenient. 

Additionally, gate openers can increase your property’s value and eliminate the cost of employing security personnel to man your entry or electric driveway gate.

If you’re interested in buying and installing an automatic gate opener, check out our wide selection of reputable brand gate openers for just about any application. Regardless of the type of gate you have and the property your installation will be on, we have the operators, kits, and accessories you need to turn your manual gate into an automated system.

You can contact us if you have questions about automatic gates or need assistance finding a professional installer in your area.