How Much Does Dog Door Installation Cost? [2025 Data]

When it comes to dog door installation, expect to budget around $400 on average for the project. However, the cost can vary from $20 for a DIY installation to $3,500 or more for a high-end, electronically activated dog door professionally installed on an external concrete wall. If your pooch constantly wakes you up in the middle of the night for a potty break, or you’d like to offer your fur baby more freedom and fresh air, investing in a dog door or cat flap could be an appealing option.

Dog Door Installation Cost Factors

There are a few pet door installation cost factors to consider to get an accurate estimate, some of which are outlined below. 

Interior vs. Exterior Dog Door

Interior and exterior dog doors have different price points. Since interior doors don’t face the elements, lower a home’s energy efficiency, or pose a security risk, most contain plastic or vinyl frames. These frames range from $60 to $100 on average. Meanwhile, exterior dog door frames need more security and durability—both of which result in higher-quality materials like aluminum, fiberglass, or stainless steel. Starting costs for exterior doors are $120 to $400.

Some exterior dog doors, such as wall-mounted and pre-installed doors, have a higher maximum cost of $2,000. For these upgrades, you’ll need to knock out part of the wall or purchase an entire exterior door with a pre-built dog door. 

Door Size

Sturdy, extra-large dog doors that are wide and tall enough to allow secure access for giant breeds, like Great Danes, are more costly. Depending on the frame material, it’s still possible to purchase them for less than $100. However, installation costs will likely be higher because of the additional work, and they won’t be as insulating or durable as models with a higher price tag.

The table below includes some average costs based on the height of the dog door you need. Again, these prices only take materials into consideration. Keep in mind that labor costs will increase a bit with dog door size as well.

Before deciding on the measurements for your door, you should measure your pup to make sure they’ll fit and can comfortably clear the space underneath the dog door. You should always leave at least 3 inches of door beneath the bottom of the dog door, which should be no more than 1/3 of your dog’s height.

Measure from shoulder to shoulder to get a width, and floor to head for a height. Add 1 to 2 inches to each to allow space for comfortable access.

Dog Door Style

You’ll have several dog door styles available to choose from, and depending on the type you want, you could pay as little as $20 or over $2,000. The table below includes a quick look at pricing for the different styles.

Flap Material

Plastic or PVC pet doors are the least expensive option. You can buy a small flap insert—sometimes called a cat door or a cat flap, but you can use these for small dogs as well—for just $20. However, they aren’t as durable as those at the top of the price ranges, like K9 plexiglass flaps made from composite, which go for around $70 on average.

Frame Material

The material that frames the flaps will also play a role in your total costs. You could minimize your installation cost by opting for a less durable plastic or vinyl frame. Aluminum, stainless steel, or fiberglass frames will cost significantly more, but they will also last much longer, on average.

The table below includes a quick breakdown of dog door prices based on the frame material. Keep in mind that these are for the materials only, so they don’t include the cost of labor.

It’s worth mentioning that these materials differ in their insulative value, as well, and not just durability. Fiberglass is the ideal material if you’re installing your dog door on an exterior door, especially if you live in an extreme climate. Plastic and vinyl might be better suited for a dog door on an interior door, where insulation isn’t necessary.

Location

The location of your dog door should be convenient and safe. For instance, the door should be near where the dog will spend most of its time outside, preferably in a secure, enclosed spot like a fenced yard. Where you install the door will also affect your installation budget. Installing a dog door in a standard entry or back door is usually the most cost-effective option, ranging from $100 to $300.

If you’re hoping to avoid learning how to fix dog scratches on a wood door, there are several alternative locations to consider. The project can become considerably more expensive if you install the door on a wall. Wall-mounted dog doors range from $150 to $2,000, depending on the size and scope of work. Cutting into a wall involves specialized tools and hiring a contractor who can deal with potential wiring, plumbing, or insulation.

Prices can vary greatly if you’re installing a dog door in a window. The type of window can mean simply retrofitting the dog door inside the window pane or going above and beyond to make it work. A double-hung window or single-hung window, for example, may easily accommodate a dog door thanks to its vertical sliding mechanism. For these windows, you may only need to make minor adjustments and purchase a dog door.

However, casement windows, picture windows, bay windows, and bow windows won’t open enough for the installation. You may need to remove or replace the window to install a dog door. The cost to replace a window ranges from $300 to $2,500. 

Technology

The days of a simple plastic flap being the only option for a dog door are long gone; now, you can buy technologically advanced doors to maximize security, control, convenience, and efficiency.

For example, an electronically activated dog door offers additional security and can prevent uninvited animals from entering your home. Some even have timers that you can set wirelessly to restrict or grant access at different times of the day.

Budget varieties for advanced dog doors cost as little as $100, but a model with the most advanced technology might set you back as much as $1,000 or more, excluding labor. Some doors are more energy-efficient than others and have better insulative properties too. 

Labor

The labor cost to install a dog door accounts for 40% to 60% of your total cost, or between $200 and $1,500, depending on a few factors. Larger doors take a little more work to install and come with higher labor charges, and something like building a bump-out for your dog door will cost more than most other options.

Additionally, the type of door and location will play a role in your total. Cutting into a concrete exterior wall takes far more work than cutting a hole in an exterior door. However, an exterior door is more involved than installing a dog door in an interior door. A pet door installation pro near you will also need to seal and weatherproof dog doors leading to the exterior of your home, which will push labor costs higher.

Dog Door vs. Cat Door Installation Cost

Dog doors average around $400 to install, but the cost to install a cat door is usually lower, somewhere around $150, on average. There are a few reasons for the lower pricing.

First, cat doors tend to be much smaller than dog doors, which means a lower material cost and less labor involved in cutting a hole in the door. Cat doors are also more likely to be located on interior doors to provide access to a litter box rather than the yard. Interior pet doors are easier to install, which brings labor costs down, and they don’t need to be insulated or weatherproofed, bringing down material costs and labor charges even further.

Common Dog Door Add-On Costs

Many homeowners will stop at nothing to pamper their pups, but doggie door installation costs sometimes mean compromising your home’s security and energy efficiency on top of the project expenses. Some common add-on features—some of which solve these problems—might need to be factored into your cost.

Security Features

Pet doors can be super convenient, but they can also make it easy for someone to reach in and unlock your door from the outside. You can choose from a variety of security features to keep your pet door secure, but they will all add to your total installation cost.

• Locking pet door: $300–$600

• Collar-activated door: $400–$1,000+

• Pet door security system: $100–$500

Pet Door Awnings

You can opt to have a small aluminum awning installed outside your dog door, and it’s not just to keep your pup dry as they step outside. Awnings can prevent water from entering through the hole in your door, potentially saving you from leaks and water damage. You can expect to pay around $250 for the materials and labor to install a pet door awning.

Insulative Covers

If you live in an extreme climate but still want to give your pet the convenience of free access to the yard, you can install an insulated pet door or invest in an insulated cover that snaps over the door. These will cost you between $50 and $250 in most cases, but it depends on the size of your dog door and the quality of the cover.

Steps

Installing a dog door for a miniature breed can present challenges because you need to maintain clearance below your dog door, but doing so might make the door too high for your pup to enter and exit comfortably.

A good solution is a small ramp or steps to help your pup access the door, especially if you have the dog door installed on an exterior wall. Dog door steps cost between $20 and $200, depending on the size, material, and quality.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

While you can save yourself between $75 and $1,000 by installing a pet door yourself, it’s not a DIY job for everyone. Even the installation of basic pet doors on wooden doors can be challenging, especially if you don’t have the right tools.

If you don’t cut it to the correct size and seal it properly, there can be issues with security, moisture ingress, and drafts on exterior doors, and the dog door might not fit or function if installed improperly on an interior door.

While you’ll pay more to have a handyperson install your dog door, we recommend investing in the service if you’re uncomfortable doing the work yourself, you don’t have the tools, or if you want your dog door on an exterior wall, exterior door, or glass door. These take extra skills and preparation that are best left to a local handyperson.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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