Costs & pricing
Garden Gate Prices, From Simple Side Gates Upwards
Gate prices are driven by three things people rarely ask about: the width of the opening, the weight the hinges have to carry, and whether the frame it hangs on is sound.
A gate looks like a small job next to a whole boundary, and then the quote arrives higher than expected. The reason is that a gate is the one part of a boundary that moves, thousands of times a year, in weather, often carrying its own weight badly.
Everything below is about what you are paying for when you buy a gate properly, from a simple pedestrian side gate to a pair of double gates across a driveway.
Price bands you can plan around
These are broad bands for a made and fitted gate, including ironmongery and hanging. A gate ordered off a shelf and hung on an unsound frame is cheaper and rarely lasts, which is the comparison worth keeping in mind.
| Gate | Relative price | Main cost driver |
|---|---|---|
| Softwood side gate to 900mm | Entry level | Simple frame, standard hinges |
| Hardwood side gate | Higher | Timber cost and stability |
| Matching gate within a new fence run | Moderate | Built into the run, shares posts |
| Double timber driveway gates | Substantially higher | Width, weight, heavier ironmongery |
| Metal side or driveway gates | Varies widely | Section size, finish, fabrication |
Why hinges and posts cost more than the gate looks like it needs
A gate leaf hangs off two or three fixing points, and every kilo of leaf is trying to twist them out of the post all day. Undersized hinges and undersized posts are why so many gates drop, catch on the ground and eventually stop latching. Proper hinges on properly set posts are not an upsell, they are the difference between a gate and a nuisance.
- Hanging posts sized and set for the leaf weight, not for the boarding either side
- Hinges rated for the leaf, with adjustment where the design allows it
- A latch or lock chosen for how the gate is actually used day to day
- Drop bolts and a stop detail where a pair of gates meets
Timber choice for gates specifically
Gates suffer more than fencing because they are handled and because a side return often funnels driving rain. Softwood is the value choice and expects re-treating. Hardwood costs more and moves far less, which matters in a tight opening where a few millimetres of swelling stops the gate closing.
Automation, briefly
If a driveway gate might ever be automated, say so before it is built. Leaf construction, post strength and cable routes are all easier to allow for at the start than to retrofit into a finished gate.
Talk it through before you buy
Send us a photo of the opening and roughly what you want it to do. We will tell you honestly whether a standard gate suits it or whether it needs making, and price both where that is sensible. Our gate work is worth a look first.
Frequently asked
Why is a made to measure gate more than a shop gate?
Because the opening is rarely a standard size and rarely square. A made gate is built to the space, which is what stops it catching or leaving an awkward gap.
What makes double driveway gates so much dearer?
Width and weight. Two leaves need heavier posts, heavier hinges, drop bolts, a meeting detail and considerably more timber or steel.
Does a gate need its own posts?
It needs posts sized for it. Hanging a gate off a standard fence post is one of the most common reasons gates start to drop within a year or two.
Is hardwood worth it for a side gate?
In an exposed or tight opening, often yes. Hardwood moves less with damp, so the gate keeps closing properly through the wet months.
Can you replace just the gate and keep my fence?
Usually, provided the hanging post is sound. If it is not, replacing that post at the same time is the sensible order of work.
Send us a photo of the opening
We will tell you honestly whether a standard gate suits it or whether it needs making, and price both where that makes sense.