A custom driveway gate from us costs $4,500 to $6,500. Automated, it starts at $8,000.
That's a wide range, and it's wide for a reason. The final number comes down to seven decisions, and most of them are yours to make.
Here's each one, so you can budget before you ever get a quote.
What the Starting Price Gets You
The low end of our range covers:
- A single swing gate
- A square top
- A steel frame with wood boards
- Up to 10 feet wide
- Installed
Everything below moves you up from there.
The 7 Decisions That Set Your Price
1. Width and gate type
Openings over 10 feet, double swing gates, and sliding or rolling gates all need more steel, more hardware, and more labor. Your driveway often decides this for you: a slope up from the street or no room to swing means a slide or roll gate.
2. Top shape
A square top is the base price. An arched or round top costs extra because of the added fabrication.
3. Frame material
Every automatic gate we build has a steel frame. In beach communities, wood-framed gates tend to warp and twist. Wood frames cost less up front, but steel keeps the gate square over a long span and lasts much longer.
4. Wood species
From lowest to highest cost:
- Common redwood: our mid-range option, with a rougher finish.
- Clear redwood: what we use most often.
- Mahogany: usually not much more than redwood, with a tight-grained hardwood look.
- Ipe and Cumaru: premium hardwoods.
5. Stain finish
A semi-transparent stain looks stunning. It also adds 12–15% to the price, because a professional result takes double the labor.
6. Automation
This is the biggest single jump, from $6,500 to $8,000+. It covers the motor, safety sensors, and keypad or remote access. We install LiftMaster openers because, in our experience, they need the least maintenance. Safety sensors and soft-start motors make automatic gates safe for families and pets.
7. Extras
Common add-ons include side sections, a built-in pedestrian entry, locks, and intercoms.
Price at a Glance
| Gate | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Manual gate (steel frame, wood boards) | $4,500 – $6,500 |
| Automated gate (LiftMaster opener installed) | From $8,000 |
| Semi-transparent stain | Adds 12–15% |
Where to Save, and Where Not To
Safe places to save
- A square top instead of an arch
- Common redwood or mahogany instead of Ipe
- A single swing instead of a double
- Solid stain instead of semi-transparent
Never cut corners on
- The frame
- The welding
- The motor
A cheap gate sags, drags, and burns through motors. You end up paying twice.
Planning to Automate Later? Say So Now.
A motor puts constant load on the hinges and frame. A gate built only to be pushed by hand will loosen and sag once a motor is added. Building the frame for automation from day one costs far less than rebuilding the gate later.
How Long Does It Take?
Most projects are done within a few weeks of the deposit. On-site work usually takes 2–3 days, because we build most of the gate in our workshop before we arrive. Digging is what can stretch it: concrete, tree roots, sprinkler lines, or old footings slow excavation, and automated gates add time for power and sensors.
Do You Need a Permit?
A gate built within your area's height limits usually doesn't need a building permit on its own. Running power to an automatic opener is electrical work, and that typically does. Rules also vary between the City of Los Angeles and surrounding cities. We confirm what applies to your address before we finalize the design.
Get an Accurate Quote Faster
Send us these five things and we can give you a real number, not a range:
- The width of your driveway opening
- Photos of the opening and your house
- Whether your driveway slopes
- Whether you want it motorized
- Photos of any gates you like
See our driveway gate projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest way to get a quality driveway gate?
Choose a single swing gate with a square top, common redwood or mahogany boards, and solid stain. Keep the steel frame. That combination sits at the low end of our range without sacrificing how long the gate lasts.
Why does automation add so much to the price?
You're paying for the opener, safety sensors, access controls, electrical work, and a frame built to handle a motor's constant load. Skipping the frame upgrade is what causes most sagging automated gates.
Is a steel frame worth it if I'm not automating?
Yes, especially on wide openings or near the beach. Steel keeps the gate square and doesn't warp the way wood frames can.
Does semi-transparent stain really cost more?
Yes, it adds 12–15%. Getting an even, professional result with a semi-transparent finish takes about double the labor of solid stain.
Can you match a design I found online?
Usually, yes. Email us the images and we'll tell you if we can build it and what it would cost.