Spring is here, and your phone is about to start ringing with fence jobs. But here's something a lot of fence contractors overlook: gates are where the real money is.
Think about it. A homeowner calls you to build 150 feet of privacy fence. You quote the fence at $28 per linear foot installed. Solid job. But then they ask about a gate, and you wing it. You toss out $300 because it sounds reasonable. And you just left $200 to $500 on the table.
Gates take more skill, more hardware, and more time per square foot than the fence panels themselves. If you're not pricing them separately and accurately, you're working harder for less.
Why gates deserve their own line item
Most contractors roll the gate into the overall fence quote. Bad move. Gates are a different animal. They need:
- Heavier posts (4x4 minimum for walk gates, 6x6 for driveway gates)
- Hardware (hinges, latches, locks, self-closing mechanisms)
- More precise measurements (a fence panel can be off by half an inch and nobody notices, but a gate that doesn't swing right will get a callback)
- Extra labor for hanging, aligning, and adjusting
When you lump the gate into your per-foot price, the gate cost gets buried and you almost always undercharge.
What to charge for walk-through gates
A standard 3- to 4-foot walk gate is your bread and butter. You'll install more of these than any other type.
Here's what the numbers look like in 2026:
Wood walk gate (cedar or pressure-treated)
- Materials: $75 to $150 (boards, hinges, latch, screws)
- Labor: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- What to charge: $350 to $600 installed
Vinyl walk gate
- Materials: $150 to $300 (prefab gate kit with hardware)
- Labor: 1 to 2 hours
- What to charge: $400 to $700 installed
Chain link walk gate
- Materials: $80 to $150 (gate frame, fittings, tension bars)
- Labor: 1 to 1.5 hours
- What to charge: $200 to $400 installed
If you're building a custom wood gate from scratch instead of using a prefab kit, add $100 to $200 for the extra carpentry time.
Pro tip: Always recommend a 4-foot gate over a 3-foot gate. Tell the homeowner they'll want to get a wheelbarrow or mower through it. You just upsold them $50 to $75 without trying.
What to charge for double gates and driveway gates
Double gates and driveway gates are where your profit margins can really open up. The homeowner sees these as a bigger deal (because they are), and they expect to pay more.
Wood double gate (8 to 12 feet wide)
- Materials: $200 to $400
- Labor: 3 to 5 hours
- What to charge: $800 to $1,500 installed
- Add $150 to $300 if they want a drop rod or cane bolt to hold one side in place
Vinyl double gate
- Materials: $350 to $600
- Labor: 2.5 to 4 hours
- What to charge: $900 to $1,600 installed
Chain link driveway gate (single swing or rolling)
- Materials: $200 to $500
- Labor: 3 to 6 hours
- What to charge: $600 to $1,200 installed
- Rolling gates on a track cost more. Add $300 to $600 for the track hardware and extra labor.
Iron or steel driveway gates
- Materials: $500 to $2,000+ (prefab panels)
- Labor: 4 to 8 hours
- What to charge: $1,500 to $4,000+ installed
- Custom fabricated iron gates can run $3,000 to $10,000 depending on size and design
The big money in driveway gates is automation. Gate openers run $300 to $800 for the kit, and installation takes 2 to 4 extra hours. You can charge $800 to $1,500 just for the opener installation. Most homeowners who are already spending $2,000+ on a driveway gate will say yes to an opener without blinking.
Gate repair pricing
Repair work is steady income, especially in spring when homeowners notice their gates sagging after winter. Here's how to price common repairs:
Sagging gate fix (rehang, new hinges, shim posts)
- Time: 1 to 2 hours
- What to charge: $150 to $350
- If the post is leaning or rotted, that's a post replacement job (see below)
Post replacement (one gate post)
- Time: 2 to 4 hours (includes digging, setting, re-hanging gate)
- What to charge: $250 to $500
- Concrete needs 24 to 48 hours to cure before the gate should be used. Let the homeowner know upfront.
Latch or hardware replacement
- Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- What to charge: $75 to $175 (including parts)
Gate rebuild (same opening, new gate)
- Time: 2 to 4 hours
- What to charge: $300 to $700 for wood, $400 to $800 for vinyl
Spring/self-closer installation
- Time: 30 to 45 minutes
- What to charge: $100 to $200 installed
- Pool code compliance requires self-closing gates in most jurisdictions. This is a great add-on to mention when you see a pool in the backyard.
Don't forget the code stuff
Gates around pools, near public sidewalks, or in HOA communities often have specific requirements:
- Pool gates must be self-closing and self-latching in nearly every state
- The latch must be at least 54 inches from the ground (on the pool side) in most areas
- Some HOAs require specific gate styles or colors
- Permits may be needed if you're installing a new gate in a new opening (not just replacing)
When you mention code compliance, you're not being annoying. You're being professional. And it gives you an easy reason to charge more for pool-adjacent work.
How to estimate gate jobs faster
Measuring a gate opening, calculating materials, figuring out labor time, and then building the quote by hand eats up your evening. Especially when you've got three or four quotes to get out this week.
SnapBid lets you snap a photo of the job site and get an AI-generated estimate in about 60 seconds. Upload the photo, add your notes, and the estimate builds itself. You can try it free for your first 3 estimates, and if you like it, Pro is $79/month.
Use our free fence calculator to figure material quantities, or check the profit margin calculator to make sure your gate pricing actually puts money in your pocket.
Pricing mistakes that cost you on gate jobs
Mistake 1: Using your fence per-foot rate for gates. Gates cost more per square foot than fence panels. Always price them as a separate line item.
Mistake 2: Forgetting hardware costs. Good hinges, a decent latch, and self-closing hardware can run $50 to $150. That adds up fast when you didn't account for it.
Mistake 3: Not charging for the callback. Gates need adjustment after a few weeks of use. Either build one free adjustment into your price, or make it clear that follow-up visits cost $75 to $100.
Mistake 4: Quoting driveway gates like walk gates. A driveway gate takes 2 to 3 times longer and uses heavier materials. Price it that way.
Mistake 5: Skipping the permit check. If the inspector shows up and the gate doesn't meet code, you're eating the cost of fixing it. Five minutes of research saves you hundreds.