Sliding gates of the electric variety are popular in Italy. Most of them run in a track on the floor to one side of the gate and latch in to a support on the other side. Running in a track over the driveway. To do away with the driveway track the gate needs to be considerably longer than the opening so it will not dip down. If leaves and debris are a problem then the track would have to be at the top.
Many of the 'weld-onables' suppliers as i call them (Suppliers of scrolls, rail heads etc) have a range of parts in the back of the catalogue to convert a normal gate into a sliding gate or an electric opener. They take the form of various tracks, cleats, brackets motors etc and come with full fabrication and installation equipment. They are not cheap to buy, but do the job with little fuss. Try someone like brundles or Barretts.
Make sure you get your price right if you are fitting them - you will need to be cutting out a slot in the drive to recess the track, provide a power supply with ducting, sparky to make the electrical connections etc - unless you qualify with them that you are not fitting it of course.
I've done some checking and I don't think the bloke will want to pay that much.
He wants the usual arched gate design with nice quality wood backing but make into a sliding gate ???? He has loads of room but I suspect nobody else has a sliding gate where he lives.
I don't really want to do the job anyway, it will take to long to get everything done. Not the most profitable use of my time
Baz if he wont pay for dont do it. Just finished of the last bits to do with those long railings i did. Gates are now fitted etc. The electric gate kits that were fitted are the underground type, and it has cost the guy £3500 for the kits and fitting (done by a specialist company), I charged him that for the gates, railings and fitting. Electric openers are expensive.
I've known this bloke for years and he's a tight **** git. He's got his own insurance slaes business and I went there for a public lieability quote and asked about a gate then.
Surprisingly differcult to get a quote for wrought iron work Got turned down by quite a few. Best I could was £850 all in with,
2 million cover
Goods in transit
Goods in storage
Tools
Building and Employees (If I ever get any.)
I will check around though, see if I can get it down abit more.