Driveway Gates.
Automated or manual, both work.

Installing an automatic gate opener on an existing driveway gate in Canada in 2026 runs $1,800 to $6,500 turnkey, depending on gate type, power source, and access controls. Single-leaf swing operator (most residential applications) is $1,800 to $3,500 installed. Dual-leaf swing operator is $2,800 to $5,000. Slide-gate operator is $3,500 to $6,500 because the track and trolley install adds labour. Add $400-1,200 for accessories: keypad, remote, intercom, photo-eye safety sensors (required by UL 325 and CSA), loop detector. Electric power is cheaper than solar by $300-800 if a 120V circuit is already within 50 feet of the operator; solar packages add a charge controller and battery. Existing gate condition matters: if hinges or posts won't take operator load, those upgrade first.

Retrofitting automation onto an existing manual driveway gate typically runs $2,200 to $5,500 in Canada in 2026 — that's the operator, controls, safety sensors, electrical, and labour, but assumes the gate, hinges, and posts are operator-rated. The hidden cost is the gate itself: residential decorative gates often weren't built for automation cycles, and the posts may not be deep enough to hold operator torque. Budget $500-1,500 to upgrade hinges and reinforce posts if needed. Power is the next variable — a 120V outlet within 50 ft of the operator is the cheap path; if you need a new circuit run from the panel add $400-1,000, or go solar for $300-800 extra plus a battery. Add $400-800 for a keypad and remote, $600-1,500 if you also want a video intercom or LTE smart-home integration.

DIY driveway gate install is realistic for a manual swing gate on flat ground with two helpers and a weekend. Critical points: posts must be set below frost (1.2-2.4 m depending on city) with concrete bell footings, gate diagonal brace must run from bottom-hinge corner to top-latch corner (not the reverse, that's a common mistake), and the gap at the bottom needs to clear winter snow accumulation — typically 4-6 inches in southern Canada, 8-10 inches further north. What's not DIY: automation. Operators must be installed and commissioned to UL 325 and CSA — that means entrapment protection zones, photo-eyes, force-limit testing, and signage. The electrical hookup to a 120V circuit needs a licensed electrician in every province. Many warranty programs also void if the operator isn't installer-certified. Supply the gate and posts yourself, then bring in a certified installer for automation if you go that route.

Buying prefab is cheaper than building custom for 80% of residential driveway gates. A 12-foot single-leaf aluminum or steel prefab gate runs $800-2,500 supply; a 16-foot dual-leaf runs $1,400-4,500. Building the same gate from scratch — steel tube frame welded, primed, painted, with custom pickets and latch hardware — runs $2,000-6,000 in materials and shop time, before the welder's labour. Where DIY-build wins: heritage estates wanting a specific historical pattern, very wide spans (over 20 ft) that need engineered cross-bracing, sloped driveways needing a custom-angled bottom rail, and wood ranch-style gates where the lumber and joinery are the look. Where prefab wins: anything standard, anything automated (operator manufacturers certify prefab models, custom needs separate engineering), and any project on a deadline.

There's no single best system — it depends on gate type, daily cycle count, and feature needs. Top operator families in Canada in 2026: LiftMaster / Chamberlain (CSA listed, strong dealer network, residential and light commercial), FAAC (Italian, premium hydraulic and electromechanical, heavy residential and commercial), Nice (Italian, broad price/feature range, strong smart-home integration), and BFT (Italian, heavy commercial and gated community). For light residential swing gates under 250 lbs and 12 ft, LiftMaster LA-series or Nice TOONA suit most jobs. For heavy / industrial use look at FAAC 770 hydraulic or BFT Phebe. Slide-gate operators add Allstar or DoorKing as top choices for residential, FAAC 844 for commercial. All listed brands meet UL 325 / CSA entrapment protection requirements when installed with photo-eyes; without those sensors no system is safe or compliant.

Custom-build driveway gate costs at the supply level run $1,200-3,500 for a 12-foot single-leaf in steel tube and picket, $2,200-5,500 for a 16-foot dual-leaf, $3,000-8,000 for ornamental wrought-iron with custom pattern. Materials breakdown: 2x2 or 2x3 steel tube frame $200-500, pickets or panel $300-1,500, hinges and latch hardware rated for gate weight $200-600, primer and powder-coat or paint $300-800, plus welder shop time at $80-130/hr typically 8-16 hours. Add posts at $400-1,200 each, set below frost in 6-cubic-foot concrete footings. Add operator and controls $1,800-4,500 if automated. For most homeowners a prefab gate beats custom on cost; custom makes sense for heritage homes, unusual spans, sloped driveways, or signature ornamental designs where the look is the point.