Whether you are replacing a rotten side gate in Fishponds or planning a grand entrance for a driveway in Clifton, the first question is always the same: "What is the damage?"
We believe in transparency. While we can’t give you an exact penny-perfect quote without seeing your property (slopes and soil matter!), we can give you realistic price ranges based on the hundreds of gates we install across Bristol every year.
Here is what you can expect to pay for supply and professional installation in 2025.
1. The Standard Side Gate (£250 – £500)
This is the most common job we do. It’s the gate that secures your back garden alleyway or side path.
- The Setup: A standard 6ft x 3ft timber gate (usually Featheredge or Tongue & Groove).
- What Affects Price:
- Timber Quality: A basic pressure-treated pine gate is cheaper. A framed, ledge-and-braced gate with capping rails costs more but doesn't warp.
- Posts: If we can hang it on an existing sturdy wall plate, it’s cheaper. If we need to dig out old concrete and set new 4x4 posts, the labour time increases.
2. Manual Driveway Gates (£1,500 – £3,500)
These are the double gates that span a driveway, operated by hand.
- The Setup: A pair of 5-6ft high timber or metal gates.
- The "Bristol Factor": Many driveways here are sloped. If your drive slopes up towards the house, we might need to install "rising hinges" or design the gates to open outwards, which takes more planning and hardware.
- Materials:
- Softwood: Lower upfront cost (approx £1.5k–£2k installed) but needs yearly treatment.
- Hardwood (Iroko/Oak): Significantly more expensive (approx £3k+) but lasts decades and looks incredible.
3. Automated / Electric Gates (£4,000 – £8,000+)
This is where the costs jump, because you aren't just buying a gate; you are buying a machine.
- The Setup: Heavy-duty gates reinforced for automation, plus motors, safety eyes, control panels, and key fobs.
- Why the big range?
- Above Ground Rams: These attach to the back of the gate. They are cheaper and easier to install.
- Underground Motors: These are hidden in steel boxes under the hinge. They look cleaner but require major groundworks (jackhammering up your drive), which costs more.
- Electrics: Running a verified power supply from your consumer unit to the end of the drive is a job for a certified sparky, which we arrange.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
When you get a quote, check if these are included (they always are with us, but not always with others):
1. Waste Removal
Old heavy gates and rotten posts are a nightmare to dispose of. Commercial tipping fees in Bristol are high. Ensure your quoter plans to take the rubbish away.
2. The "Bristol Rock"
Digging in certain parts of Bristol (like Redland or Downend) is like mining. If we hit solid rock or old Victorian foundations, digging a post hole can take 2 hours instead of 20 minutes.
3. Finishing
Does the price include staining/painting? Most joinery-grade gates come "natural" and need treating immediately. We can do this for you, but it’s an extra labour cost.
Is It Worth Going Cheap?
A gate is a moving part. It slams in the wind and gets banged by wheelie bins. Cheap "supermarket" gates often sag within 6 months because the joinery isn't mortise-and-tenon.
We only install gates with proper bracing. It might cost £50 more upfront, but it saves you buying a new gate in two years.
Want a fixed price? We offer free site visits to measure up and give you a quote that sticks.
Featured Image Image [A price tag graphic superimposed over three images: A simple side gate, a double timber driveway gate, and a high-end electric sliding gate.] Image Alt Text [Cost comparison of garden and driveway gate installation in Bristol] Tags Select Tags Gate Costs Budgeting Home Improvement Driveway Security Automation Prices SEO Settings Meta Title Gate Installation Costs in Bristol: 2025 Guide Meta Description Planning a new gate? We breakdown the costs of side gates, driveway gates, and electric automation in Bristol.