An electric gate from me has two main costs. The gate has indicative prices from about A$3,600 to about A$5,850, and I quote the motor to suit. The site, a steel frame where needed and the electrical connection also shape the price. I build in Hastings and fit gates across the Mornington Peninsula.
Written by Sam, owner and gate builder, Hastings.
I'm Sam. I build wooden driveway gates at Factory 3, 2 Sovereign Drive, Hastings, and turn them into electric gates with gate motors, including FAAC systems. People ask me what an electric gate costs more than almost anything else. The honest answer is that it is a few costs added together. Here is each one, so you know what you are paying for.
How much does an electric gate cost?
The gate itself is priced from about A$3,600 to about A$5,850 on my range page, depending on the style and configuration. The motor and its safety systems are quoted on top, because that cost depends on the gate and the system you choose.
So I cannot give you one fixed figure for an electric gate before I see the driveway. What I can do is quote against a specific gate and a specific motor. You get one quote covering the gate as specified, so you can see what you are paying for before I start.
You can see every gate style and its price range on my range page. If you already have a gate and only want a motor, I can look at that too. The next sections explain what moves each part of the cost.
What goes into the price of an electric gate?
An electric gate quote from me is built from these parts. The first four set the gate price, and the rest cover the motor and the site.
Gate size: the width and height of the opening
Gate style: from a simple brace to a detailed pattern
Steel frame: added where the gate needs more support
Finish: treated, primed and two coats of exterior paint
Motor and safety systems: matched to a swing or sliding gate
Electrical connection: by appropriately qualified professionals
Installation: typically 1 to 2 days on site
Size matters most. A wider, heavier gate needs more wood and more bracing (the angled pieces that stop a gate sagging). It also needs a motor that can move that weight. A long gate may also need a steel frame, which adds to the gate price but helps the motor too.
Why does the gate itself matter for an electric gate?
A motor opens and shuts the gate many times a day, every day. If the gate twists or drops, the motor works harder and the gate stops closing true. So what you pay for the gate affects how well the whole electric gate works.
I learnt this early. One of my first jobs was replacing a set of Hamptons-style hardwood gates in Mount Eliza. They were about ten years old and had badly deteriorated, even with traditional joinery. Water had collected inside the joints. Since then, I set the bracing inside every gate so the joints are pushed together, not twisted.
Where wood alone will not carry the weight, I make a custom steel frame that sits discreetly behind the gate. It is generally powder coated (a baked-on finish) to blend in. The frame gives the motor and the hinges a strong fixing point. You can read more on my about page.
Swing or sliding: does it change the motor cost?
Yes, because a swing gate and a sliding gate use different motors. I fit automation to both, and the motor is matched to the gate type, its size and its weight. That is why I quote the motor after we have chosen the gate.
A swing gate opens on hinges like a door, so it needs clear space for the leaves to open. A sliding gate runs along a track beside the opening. It needs no room to swing, but it does need room along the fence line. The slope, the ground and how you use the driveway all point one way or the other.
At the on-site consultation I look at all of this and tell you which suits. I also talk you through the access options for your motor. If a sliding gate is on your mind, my post on sliding gate costs goes into that side in more detail.
Can you add a motor to the gate I already have?
I can look at adding a motor to a gate you already have. It depends on the gate, its hinges and how well it hangs. A gate that has dropped or twisted needs fixing before a motor goes on.
When I come out, I check the gate for damage, swing and alignment. If it is sound, I can quote the motor and fitting on their own. If it is not, I tell you plainly what it needs, or whether a new gate makes more sense. I also realign gates that have dropped.
A new gate is built from the start to carry a motor, with the bracing and any steel frame planned for it. If your gate is borderline, I can price both options so you can compare.
Who does the electrical work, and what does it add?
Electrical work is carried out by appropriately qualified professionals where Victorian regulations require it. I supply and install the gate, the motor and the safety systems. At the consultation I explain how the electrical side works for your property.
What the connection costs depends on your property, including how far the power has to run to the gate. I look at that on my site visit, so it goes into your quote and does not come as a surprise later.
If you are worried about a power cut, ask me at the consultation. My electric gates page explains how I fit motors, and my automatic gates page for Mornington covers what to expect day to day.
What does an electric gate cost to keep running?
Electric gate motors need regular servicing, and gates should be checked for damage, swing and alignment. That is the running cost to plan for after the gate goes in.
I service the automation I install, including FAAC systems. I also come back for alignment, maintenance and repairs on gates I have fitted. Because the gate and the motor come from one supplier, you have one person to call when something needs looking at.
The wooden gate needs care too. Every gate leaves my factory with each cut surface treated against rot, primed and finished with at least two coats of quality exterior paint. About every eight to ten years it will need a repaint, not a replacement.
Questions people ask me about electric gate costs
Is the motor included in your gate prices?
No. The published prices of about A$3,600 to about A$5,850 are for the gate. The motor is quoted to suit your gate and system.
How long does it take to get a working electric gate?
Making the gate typically takes around 1 to 2 weeks, and installation typically takes 1 to 2 days. Both depend on the gate style and the site.
Do you use FAAC motors?
Yes. I supply, install and service gate automation, including FAAC systems, on swing and sliding gates.
Is there a warranty on the gate and motor?
Warranty follows the written terms supplied with your specific gate, hardware and automation system. Each part carries its own terms.
Do you cover my area?
I work from Hastings and cover Mornington, Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Frankston, Somers, Rye, Flinders, Sorrento, Red Hill and Melbourne's south-east.
Get a quote for your electric gate
Text or call me on 0418 170 729. A text with photos of your driveway, the opening and any gate you like is the easiest first step. I then come out for an on-site consultation and quote for the gate and the motor together.
My factory hours are Monday to Friday, 7am to 4pm. Appropriate business insurance is maintained for the work I do. You can also send photos through my contact page.
Sam