How much does a driveway gate cost?

How much does a driveway gate cost? This question is on the mind of anyone thinking of replacing or upgrading their driveway gate. Perhaps you are doing a home renovation and the driveway gate cost is one of the unknown items your builder doesn’t know. 

Buying a new driveway gate is a large decision and we want to make your process as easy and hassle-free as possible. How annoying is it that you contact several companies to get comparative quotes and then wait for ages for people to respond just to setup a meeting onsite. Does this sound familiar?

We have been guilty of this ourselves because we only had two salesmen and every single product variation had to be drawn from scratch in order to quote. Referrals from our existing client base meant we had too many enquiries and sadly we let many people down because it just took too long for us to respond to all the potential clients. For every quote request, we used to spend hours late into the night designing every product for every request and saying to ourselves, “I’ve designed this before, there must be a faster way!” We would send out quotes for elaborate designs only to hear from clients that the price was nowhere near what they expected. This is our fault for not educating the market!

How much does a driveway gate cost? The answer is: “It depends.”

1. It depends on what you want to achieve? A once off project requires design work.
2. It depends on your aesthetic requirements? Attention to detail takes time.
3. It depends on the existing infrastructure and site layout? Complicated installations take longer.
4. It depends on the setup of the company quoting? Peace of mind carries a price tag.

Every variable and detail can affect how much a driveway gate will cost:

• how high must the gate be?
• what type of cladding?
• what type of spike?
• how wide is the driveway?
• is there a motor?
• is it being painted?
• what does the site look like?
• how long is the guarantee?
• what is the steel price doing, is the steel of quality?
• what are the labour rates, does the company pay a living wage?
• does the company have insurance?
• is the company tax compliant?

The bigger the driveway gate, the more materials it will use and the longer it will take to manufacture which will increase the driveway gate cost. More elaborate designs will require more experience and creativity on the part of the manufacturer to complete. Facilities and special machinery are required for some manufacturing operations.

What should I be looking out for from a manufacturer?

Always request design drawings from your potential supplier! (or at least a picture) Are you really going to spend thousands of rands without knowing the end result? I wouldn’t!

The project budget for a driveway gate installation can range between ten thousand rand for a very basic option to upwards of one hundred thousand rand for a bespoke solution. Ensure the manufacturer is specifying and using quality materials. Have the conversation about longevity versus budget.

• Use an engineered polymer instead of plastic for the roller guides, it will wear better and be more UV resistant. A stainless steel thread will not rust and allow adjustability as the product settles.
• Ensure the wheels can be replaced easily onsite. One of the most common problems with driveway gates is wheel failure. Plan for this maintenance and it will be cheaper in the long run.
• What type of timber is going to be best for my location. A hardwood which needs no maintenance and greys over time or can I use a sealed wood which means I reseal every 12-18 months?
• Your manufacturer must have premises and equipment which is fit for purpose and can ensure a quality end result. Very few people can work neatly, timeously and effectively from a garage…
• Does the manufacturer have a welding procedure in place to ensure strong and attractive welding works?
• Ensure the manufacturer guarantees the product against defect. I would only buy from someone who stands behind their product.

What should I be looking out for from an Installer?

You can make a saving by opting to install the product yourself as a reputable supplier can charge from two to five thousand rand per day onsite. Your manufacturer doesn’t necessarily have to be the installer if the product is engineered and fit for purpose. You can save on your driveway gate cost by tapping into the large market of providers who are very capable installers but lack manufacturing capability.

Remember with any driveway gate project to please check and ensure your onsite installer has:

• Liability insurance to give the homeowner peace of mind in case of accidental damage.
• An honest workforce, preferably consisting of permanent staff members. These people will be in your home.
• Their own tools, RUN AWAY from any installer who isn’t equipped to do the job you are hiring for.
• A written agreement, I cannot stress the importance of this. Ensure that you know what they are delivering to avoid arguments and hidden costs down the line.
• A track record and references, are they outsourcing the electronics and if so, to whom?