How Much to Install an Electric Dog Fence
An invisible pet fence, either wireless or in-ground wired, will usually cost between $957 and $1,444 including professional installation, for an average of $1,200.
Of course, the overall price of your invisible fence will depend on how large the space is that you want to enclose. Expect to pay $1.75 to $2.75 per linear foot of boundary, or $2.25 per linear foot on average.
If you choose to skip the pro installation, you can purchase a DIY invisible fence kit from retailers like Amazon, PetSmart, and Petco for $54 on the low end and $780 on the high end. Most mid-range invisible fence systems for residential-sized yards will cost around $238.
How Much Does Invisible Fencing Cost?
Instead of building a traditional fence out of wood, metal, or vinyl, it might be easier for you to install an invisible fence for your pet. But how much will an invisible fence cost?
- National average cost: $1,200
- Typical price range: $957 – $1,444
- Extreme low end: $550
- Extreme high end: $1,883
To hire a professional fence company to install your pet fence, you would pay around $1,200 total in material and labor costs combined. The typical price range is $957 to $1,444, but the exact amount you pay will depend on the size of your property and the specific fencing system you choose.
Buying a premium system from a well-known brand or hiring an expensive contractor could run your bill close to $1,883 total. If your yard is particularly small or you live in a rural area with low labor rates, you could pay as little as $550 for a professionally installed invisible fence.
Cost Estimator by Size
The beauty of an invisible fence is that it can take on just about any size or shape you need it to. You can use one to surround your front yard, backyard, or all of your property.
A wireless invisible fence system may have a limited reach, but you can always extend the boundary of a wired system simply by purchasing and installing extra wire.
Whichever type of invisible fence you use, you'll most likely pay between $1.75 and $2.75 per linear foot. That makes an average cost of $2.25 per linear foot. This approximate price covers labor as well as materials.
You can use that average cost to calculate an overall budget estimate for your project based on size. An average lot size in the U.S. is about 12,632 square feet around. To enclose a full property of that size, an invisible fence boundary would have to be about 448 linear feet, which would cost around $1,008 total.
A small lot of 6,098 square feet would need 312 linear feet of invisible fence, and the overall cost would be about $702. For an extra large lot of 75,794 square feet, you should expect to pay about $2,475 for a 1,100 linear foot invisible fence.
| YARD SIZE | BOUNDARY * linear Feet | TOTAL PROJECT COST * approximate |
| 6,098 square feet (small lot in the U.S.) | 312 | $702 |
| 12,632 square feet (average lot in the U.S.) | 448 | $1,008 |
| 75,794 square feet (large lot in the U.S.) | 1,100 | $2,475 |
Other Factors That Affect Cost
As you decide which of the many invisible fencing systems on the market is best for you, remember that each detail could affect the overall price of the project. How many pets do you have? Would you rather use a wireless or in-ground fence? What special features does the fence need?
When you know the answers to these questions and others, you'll be able to estimate how much you should expect to spend on the project in total. These are some of the primary cost factors that go along with an invisible fence.
Number of pets
Most invisible fences come with only one collar, so you'll have to buy another collar separately for each additional pet. You can buy compatible collars from any retailer that sells invisible fence systems, including Amazon. The average cost of a receiver collar is $105.
Wired vs. wireless invisible fences
Wired
With a wired invisible fence (aka in-ground fence, aka underground fence), you have to bury a wire a few inches underground to mark the boundary you don't want your pet to cross.
How an invisible fence works: A transmitter, which most homeowners choose to keep in the garage, sends a signal along the invisible fence wire. Your pet wears a collar receiver that reacts whenever your dog or cat gets close to the boundary wire.
Most of the time, getting close to the wire will result in a chime from the pet's collar. You or a professional trainer would teach your pet to recognize the sound and turn around. After that, if the pet still crosses the boundary, your pet will feel a mild shock, otherwise known as a static correction.
Pros of wired invisible fences:
✓ Cheaper equipment (receiver, transmitter, etc.) than a wireless system
✓ Can shape the boundary wire as needed (i.e. around obstacles like swimming pools)
Cons of wired invisible fences:
✗ Harder to set up than wireless systems, so pro installation is more expensive
✗ Wire can break and be difficult to fix
✗ Tree roots and other underground obstacles can make installation difficult or even impossible in some parts of the yard
Wireless
A wireless invisible fence uses a central transmitter similar to the one in a wired system. Instead of sending a signal along a boundary wire that you set, wireless systems project a radio signal to create a round containment zone that you can adjust in size as needed.
Just like with a wired system, your pet would wear a receiver collar that responds to the signal. A tone will warn the pet when it gets close to the boundary, and if your dog or cat leaves the designated safe zone, it will feel a static correction.
Pros of wireless:
✓ Easy to set up and portable for camping trips, etc.
✓ In-ground obstacles like sidewalks and tree roots won't get in the way as with a wired system
Cons of wireless:
✗ Can't tailor the shape of the boundary to fit your yard's layout
✗ Might be harder for pets to learn the circular boundary
✗ Border can fluctuate because of the signal, which might further confuse your pet
✗ More expensive transmitter/receiver equipment (though you won't have to buy wire)
Brands of invisible fencing
As with any other product, there are more expensive brands that come with special features and affordable brands for budget-conscious pet owners.
Some premium brands are available only for purchase from the manufacturer, and a certified installer has to set up the invisible fence for you. These systems are usually more expensive than ones from other brands, especially since you have to pay for professional installation. Premium invisible fence brands include:
- Invisible Fence brand
- DogWatch
Many more affordable brands of invisible fences are available from Amazon and pet stores like Petco and PetSmart. These invisible fences usually feature less expensive equipment, and they cost a lot less overall because you can install them yourself. Some of the best and most reputable DIY invisible fence makers include:
- PetSafe
- Extreme Dog Fence
- Pet Control HQ
- SportDOG
- Sit Boo-Boo
GPS
Whether you want a wired or wireless invisible fence, some options feature GPS tracking. With GPS, you can keep track of exactly where your pet is on your property, which can be useful for large spaces.
Plus, if your pet manages to get out (if the fence malfunctions or loses power, etc.), you'll be able to find your dog or cat easily. You usually wil pay more for a GPS-enabled system.
Some advanced wireless fences even use GPS, instead of a radio signal, to keep your pet contained. This allows you to customize the boundary to fit your yard, even though it's a wireless system. This type of fence is extra convenient and probably the most expensive option.
Protection against power outage
If you lose power or lightning strikes and causes a power surge, your invisible fence will stop working until the electricity comes back, which could take several days. That would give your pet an opportunity to escape.
However, there are measures you can take ahead of time to prevent power outages from disabling your fence, such as:
- Use a solar charger instead of hooking up the fence to your home's electricity
- Have a backup source of electricity ready in case the power goes out
- Get a surge protector or in-ground metal grounding rods to defend against lightning strikes
Each of these protective features would make an invisible fence cost more, but these added measures could save you a headache in the future.
One major benefit of invisible fences is that they don't need near as much maintenance as a traditional fence. You won't have to paint or stain, as you would with a wood fence, or apply rust protection, as you would with wrought iron.
That being said, there are still some services related to invisible fencing for which you may want to hire a contractor. Keep these potential needs in mind when figuring out the overall budget for your invisible fence project.
Pet training
For an invisible fence to be effective, your pet will need training to recognize the sound warning and avoid static correction. Some owners might be able to train their pets themselves, but others might need professional help.
If an invisible fence specialist installs your wired or wireless system, the company might offer pet training for an additional fee. Alternatively, if you install the fence yourself, you could find a professional trainer with experience teaching pets how to respond to invisible fences. The added cost of training will depend on who you hire and how long it takes to train your pet.
Customer support
Professionally installed brands (such as Invisible Fence brand) often offer warranties and specialized customer support in case you have issues with your invisible fence or need repairs in the future. While this customer support doesn't incur a separate fee, it's part of what you get for the increased cost of high-quality invisible fence brands.
Landscape improvements
You might need to rearrange your landscape a little to have your invisible fence boundary where you want it.
For example, your fence-related landscaping needs could range from a small edit like digging up one section of a walkway or transplanting a tree to a full remodel.
Before installing your fence, consider the layout of your yard and factor any renovation you think you'll need into your budget. How much you spend on landscape renovation will depend on what work you need done and the labor rates of contractors in your area.
DIY Invisible Fence Cost
You can cut down on costs significantly by installing your own pet fence. It should be a simple do-it-yourself project for most homeowners. A wired system will take the most work, since you have to bury the wire, while a wireless system will take almost no work at all besides training and any additional services you may need.
On average, you can expect to pay about $238 for a DIY invisible fence kit. The smallest and most affordable models can cost as little as $54, while larger and more advanced systems can run up to $780.
Pros and Cons of Invisible Fences
Invisible pet fences are a controversial topic among many pet owners, animal enthusiasts, and veterinarians. While these fences are cost-effective and convenient, some fear they can negatively affect pets. You'll have to weigh the advantages against the potential damages and decide whether or not an invisible fence is right for you.
Pros:
✓ Less expensive than a traditional above-ground fence
✓ A lot less work to install and maintain than a traditional fence
✓ Won't block views or interrupt landscaping (perfect for the front yard and can be useful in the backyard, too)
✓ Pets can't dig under or jump over the fence
Cons:
✗ Takes time to be effective because pets need time to get used to the boundary
✗ Doesn't keep wild animals, strays, or strangers off your property
✗ Ineffective when the power goes out or batteries in the collar die
✗ Although it's just a mild shock, invisible fences still use pain and fear to keep your pet in bounds, which can cause anxiety, aggression, and other behavioral issues
Cost of Invisible Fencing by Location
If you plan to install your own fence and train your own pet, you can count on the national average prices in this pricing guide as accurate for you. The cost of a DIY invisible fence kit should be about the same no matter where you live.
When you get into professional labor costs, though, expect the price of your invisible fence project to vary by location. Hourly rates for an invisible fence contractor will likely be higher in a major metropolitan area than in a more rural region. Your cost for additional services like pet training or landscaping will depend on labor rates where you live, too.
FAQ About Invisible Fences
1. Can a dog run through an invisible fence?
Short answer: Yes. Dead batteries, wire breaks, or particularly stubborn dogs can result in an escape. Then, once the pet gets out, the boundary will shock them when they try to get back in your yard.
Escapes don't happen often (or invisible fences wouldn't be so popular), but it is a possibility.
2. How deep are invisible fences buried?
Usually 1 to 3 inches.
3. How much electricity does an invisible fence use?
An invisible fence uses about as much electricity as a 5-watt nightlight, costing only about $10 per year.
Conclusion
The national average cost of a professionally installed invisible dog fence is about $1,200. Typical prices can range from $957 to $1,444.
To figure out the price your own project would be closest to, you can take the average rate of $2.25 per linear foot and multiply it by the size of the boundary you need in linear feet.
Instead, you could install your own fence for much cheaper. The equipment will usually cost around $238. Some models might cost as much as $780 or as little as $54.
Depending on your property and pet's specific needs, you might find that a more expensive pet containment system with special features could be worth the higher price tag.
Main Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Jordan Ardoin
Jordan Ardoin is a writer and indoor plant enthusiast hailing from Florida. In her spare time, she enjoys chasing her two cats around the house and trying to keep her houseplants alive.
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How Much to Install an Electric Dog Fence
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