The short answer
Electric gates supplied and fitted typically cost £3,000–£8,000 in 2026 for a residential driveway, with bespoke timber or metal sliding gates and full access control reaching £8,000–£15,000+. If you already have sound gates, automating them usually costs £1,500–£4,000. The main variables are gate type (swing or sliding), material, size, the access control you choose and the safety devices required by law. For a like-for-like comparison of the two gate types, see our cost by type guide.
Electric gates are one of the larger improvements a homeowner makes to the front of a property, and online prices swing wildly — from a few hundred pounds for a bare motor kit to well over £15,000 for bespoke automated gates with full access control. That range exists because an “electric gate” is really several costs bundled together: the gates themselves, the automation hardware, the power supply, the access controls, and the safety devices and testing the law requires. This guide sets out realistic 2026 supplied-and-fitted ranges, explains what drives the differences, and flags the scenarios that push costs up so there are no surprises in a quote.
Electric gate costs at a glance
- Automating existing sound gates £1,500–£4,000
- New swing gates, supplied & fitted £3,000–£7,000
- New sliding gates, supplied & fitted £4,000–£9,000
- Bespoke timber / metal + access control £8,000–£15,000+
- Access control add-ons (intercom / keypad / app) £150–£1,500
- Annual safety service £100–£250
What a new electric gate installation includes
A typical supplied-and-fitted price covers the gates, the automation motors, a control board, the power supply connection, the mandatory safety devices and commissioning. For a pair of new swing gates on a level driveway with room to open, supplied and fitted with underground or ram motors and basic remote control, most homeowners pay £3,000–£7,000. Sliding gates — which suit sloped or shallow driveways — are typically £4,000–£9,000 because the gate leaf is larger and the track or cantilever system and ground works add cost. The figure climbs toward £8,000–£15,000+ once you choose bespoke timber or heavy wrought-iron leaves, a long sliding run, integrated intercom and app control, and decorative finishes. Location matters too: installation in London and the South-East is typically 10–20% higher than elsewhere in the UK.
| Installation | What it usually covers | Supplied & fitted |
|---|---|---|
| Automate existing gates | Motors, control board, safety devices, power | £1,500–£4,000 |
| New swing gates | Gates, motors, control, basic remote, safety devices | £3,000–£7,000 |
| New sliding gates | Gate, track/cantilever, motor, control, safety devices | £4,000–£9,000 |
| Bespoke + access control | Custom leaves, intercom/app, decorative finish | £8,000–£15,000+ |
Why the gate type changes the price
The biggest single cost driver after the gate material is whether you fit swing or sliding gates, and that is usually decided by your driveway rather than your budget. Swing gates need level ground and clear space to open inward (or outward), and use either underground motors or articulated ram arms. Sliding gates park along a fence line, so they suit sloped driveways or those too short for swing leaves to open — but they need a track or a cantilever counterbalance and associated ground works, which adds cost. If your driveway can take either, swing gates are often a little cheaper; if it can’t, the choice is made for you. Our swing vs sliding guide walks through how to tell which suits your property, and the cost by type guide compares the prices directly.
What pushes costs up
Several scenarios push an electric gate installation above the typical ranges:
- Bespoke gate material — hardwood timber and hand-made wrought iron cost far more than off-the-shelf aluminium or galvanised steel, and heavier leaves need stronger motors. See our materials comparison.
- Power supply runs — if there is no nearby mains spur, an electrician must run an armoured cable to the gate, and underground ducting under a driveway adds labour. See our power supply guide.
- Access control — a basic remote fob is cheap; a video intercom, keypad, vehicle loop and smartphone app together can add £500–£1,500. See our access control guide.
- Safety devices — photocells, safety edges and, where needed, correct geometry and guards are not optional extras: they are legally required and must be included and force-tested. See our safety regulations guide.
- Ground works and pillars — new gate pillars, foundations and drainage for a track can add substantially on a difficult site.
Safety is part of the price, not an extra
It is worth being clear about one thing when reading quotes: automated gates are classed as machinery under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, and a powered gate that can crush or trap a person must be designed and installed to prevent that. There have been fatal accidents in the UK involving non-compliant automated gates, which is why the rules are strict. A proper installation includes a risk assessment, photocells and safety edges, correct geometry, force testing to BS EN 12453, and a Declaration of Conformity. A quote that is markedly cheaper than the others may be missing these — so compare on safety scope, not just headline price. Our safety regulations guide explains what a compliant installation looks like.
Running and maintenance costs
Beyond the install, electric gates cost little to run — the electricity for a domestic gate is typically a few pounds a year — but they should be serviced annually to keep the safety devices working and the mechanics reliable, usually £100–£250. Occasional repairs (a worn motor, a failed photocell, a control board fault) are the main ongoing expense. Our running and maintenance cost guide covers what to budget over the life of the gates.
Compare electric gate quotes
Prices vary significantly between installers for the same gate and job. Use our service to get matched with an automated gate installer in your area and compare quotes fairly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of electric gates fitted in the UK?
For a residential driveway, electric gates supplied and fitted typically cost £3,000–£8,000 in 2026. Bespoke timber or metal sliding gates with full access control can reach £8,000–£15,000 or more. Automating existing sound gates is usually cheaper, around £1,500–£4,000. These are typical illustrations, not quotes.
Are sliding gates more expensive than swing gates?
Sliding gates are often a little more expensive than swing gates because the gate leaf is larger and the track or cantilever system and ground works add cost. However, sliding gates may be the only practical option on a sloped or shallow driveway, in which case the choice is made for you rather than by budget.
Why are some electric gate quotes much cheaper than others?
A markedly cheaper quote may leave out the safety devices, force testing and Declaration of Conformity that the law requires, or use lighter materials and lower-rated motors. Automated gates are classed as machinery and must be installed safely, so compare quotes on safety scope and specification, not just the headline price.
Does the price include access control like an intercom?
A basic remote fob is usually included, but a video intercom, keypad, vehicle loop or smartphone app are typically add-ons of £150–£1,500 depending on the combination. Tell installers exactly which access controls you want so quotes are comparable.
Sources & further reading
- DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) — powered gate safety and installer guidance
- Gate Safe — automated gate safety awareness and installer training
- GOV.UK / HSE — Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 and powered gate safety
- BS EN 12453 / BS EN 13241 — safety in use of power-operated gates
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or installation. Costs, timescales and outcomes vary with your driveway, gate specification and chosen installer. Automated gate work should be carried out by a competent installer who can demonstrate compliance with the safety regulations.