Costs & pricing
What Does a Bespoke Wooden or Metal Gate Cost?
Gate pricing is dominated by the opening size, the timber or steel section, and the ironmongery — not by the design drawing.
Gates are one of the few things we build where the design is often the cheapest part. What sets the price is the width of the opening, the weight the hinges have to carry, and whether the frame it hangs on is square, plumb and strong enough.
Figures below are indicative guide ranges based on the kind of work we quote across London and Hertfordshire — they are not a quotation. Every job is priced after a free site visit, and the written price we give is the price you pay.
Single side gates
A standard pedestrian side gate up to about 900mm is the most common gate we build. Softwood is the value option; iroko or oak costs more and lasts considerably longer in an exposed side return where rain drives down the alley.
- Softwood, braced and framed — best value, expects re-treating every couple of years
- Iroko or oak hardwood — premium, moves less, holds its shape in a tight opening
- Composite-faced timber — no staining, matched to composite fencing
Double driveway gates
Double gates cost more than twice a single, and the reason is structural. Wider leaves mean heavier sections, deeper posts, longer hinges, and a drop bolt with a socket set into the drive. On a 3m or wider opening we normally recommend steel-cored posts or brick piers rather than a timber post alone.
Metal gates and railings
Galvanised steel and wrought-iron gates suit front boundaries, commercial yards and anywhere a timber gate would be repeatedly kicked. Galvanising and powder-coating are a real cost line but are what stops rust bleeding down the finish within two winters.
What a complete gate quote should list
If a gate quote is a single line with a price, ask for it broken down. These items should all appear somewhere.
- Gate construction, timber species and finish
- Posts — size, material and base depth
- Hinges rated for the leaf weight, and adjustable where possible
- Latch, lock, slam plate, and drop bolt for double gates
- Removal of the old gate and making good the opening
Frequently asked
Why does my gate need new posts?
Most failed gates we see are hung on posts that were sized for a fence panel, not for a swinging load. Renewing the post is usually what makes a new gate last.
Can you match a new gate to my existing fence?
Yes — we build gates to match closeboard, tongue-and-groove, hit-and-miss and picket runs, including capping and trellis tops.
Do you fit automation?
We build and hang gates ready for automation and work alongside your automation engineer, so posts, clearances and leaf weight are right first time.
How wide can a timber double gate be?
Practically, around 3.6m total before leaf weight and sag make steel framing or a three-leaf arrangement the better answer.
Want this priced properly for your garden?
Free site visit across London and Hertfordshire, a written specification, and a fixed price. No obligation.