Invisible fence installation costs $1,325 on average
The average invisible fence cost is around $1,325, but it can range between $1,000 and $1,650 depending on its length and how many dog collars you need. Invisible electric fences are a way to keep your dog within your property without always needing to monitor them. It’s handy for those with a large property or if you like to let your pooch free roam while you tend to the garden or other parts of the home.
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $1,325 | $1,650 |
An Editor’s Note on Invisible Fencing
While some owners think electric fences are a good option, others say their dogs have ignored the shock. Some people also have strong feelings about using invisible fences and do not feel they are safe for dogs.
Amelia Weiber, PDT-KA, CCBC, fear-free certified, who runs Caring Behavior Animal Behavior Consulting and sits on the advisory board for Daily Paws, noted that “electric fences can result in behavioral side effects and may not be able to keep a dog safely in the yard so they should be avoided as a containment option.”
If you still want to consider an invisible fence, you should talk to your veterinarian about your specific pup. Additionally, some states and counties may not allow this type of fencing to be installed, so always check local ordinances.
Invisible Fence Installation Cost Breakdown
Factors like local labor rates, fence length, and fence materials impact your invisible fence cost. Here’s a look at what will influence the final price.
Size
The size of the invisible fence can impact the cost, as you’ll pay more to cover larger properties. The cost of an invisible fence ranges from about $1.75 to $3 per linear foot. You’ll likely spend about less per foot for enclosures that are rectangular in shape, while any challenges, like rough soil or an irregularly shaped enclosure, will fall on the higher end of the cost range.
Materials
While it’s a job that involves relatively few materials, the higher the quality of the wire installed, the more expensive the overall materials will be. Installing perimeter flags to alert yourself to where the invisible fence resides may tack on an extra $15 or so if the company does not provide them or you need to replace them.
Wired vs. Wireless Dog Fences
Wired invisible fences are buried underground, and a transmitter sends signals to the wires which then signal and react with the pet collars. While the transmitter and receivers for wired fences are less expensive than wireless equipment, inground invisible fences cost $1,325 on average. This ends up being a higher cost because of the wires needed for installation.
With wireless fences, the transmitter emits radio signals within a certain region that you set. Installation is typically simpler and you don’t have to bury any wires, so you can save on labor and material costs. However, the upfront cost for the transmitter is typically higher for wireless dog fences. In all, the average cost of a wireless fence is about $450.
Labor
Inground invisible fences require several hours to complete and often need specialized tools for specific brands. They’ll have to dig up the perimeter of the yard and run wire throughout. From there, the dug-up area then needs to be filled in.
In general, the labor costs of installing an inground invisible fence are around 50% to 75% of the total cost of the project. On the bright side, these labor costs also often include training sessions with the pooch to get them accustomed to the invisible fence.
For those opting for a wireless or GPS invisible fence, your labor costs will largely come in the form of a flat fee of $100 to $200 for installation.
Multiple Pets
If your household is home to multiple dogs, you’re going to need to purchase a few collars for every pupper. The cost of each individual collar will range from $100 to $200, depending on the brand. Each animal will likely need training on the invisible fence as well, which will incur extra labor costs.
Invisible Fence Cost by Type
There are three main types of invisible fences you can choose from to keep your furry friend from wandering away. The inground invisible fence involves hooking up to electricity through wires and setting a physical perimeter in the ground. Or you can opt for a wireless option that is either a radio signal or a GPS-based fence that uses satellite location rather than radio signals.
Cost of Installing an Inground Invisible Fence
Your standard invisible fence consists of a transmitter, receiver, and wires to hook up to your property's electrical pane and set up the perimeter underground. This type of fence will generally net you a price of around $1,325 for installation. Pricing for an invisible fence also often includes a collar and a charger for the collar.
These types of fences are perfect for individuals who own their homes and don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. If you have a relatively large property, it’s also best to consider inground as wireless may not have the range necessary for your dog to fully enjoy your land. Though you might also want to consider installing an above-ground electric fence if you have livestock or want to keep animals from entering your property.
Cost of Installing a GPS Invisible Fence
A GPS invisible fence relies on satellite data to keep your dog within a set boundary of the home, compared to radio signals to check to see where the dog is in the yard like a normal invisible fence. These collars may also double as tracking devices in the event the collar stops producing stimulation and your dog wanders away. The cost to install a GPS invisible fence is around $450, but may range from $100 to $800 depending on the brand.
GPS invisible fences are great for those on the move who don’t want the limitations of a wireless or inground invisible fence. If you have a property over five acres or someone with an RV exploring the country, you can quickly set new boundaries for a pup.
Cost to Install a Wireless Invisible Fence
Wireless invisible fences work similar to GPS-based invisible fences, in that there’s a set perimeter your dog needs to stay in. These fences use a transmitter that creates a dome play area the dog can play and do business in and relies on radio signals to direct the pooch if they go outside the set area. The cost of wireless invisible fences averages around $300 but will range from $100 to $500 depending on brand and required range.
For those renting or with half an acre or less, you might want to consider a wireless invisible fence. These invisible fences are easy to pick up and install into a new location, as they only require an outlet to work. The range is often limited to at most an acre, so it’s not ideal for those who have a large lot.
Additional Costs to Consider
Aside from the transmitter, receivers, and wires for inground fences, there are a few other add-on features you may want to consider to make your invisible fence as effective as possible. Installing an invisible fence also give you an opportunity to refresh landscaping around your property.
Power Surge Protection
Invisible fences are at the mercy of the power grid. So when a storm blows through town and knocks out the power, your fence could be off for several hours to several days. While your pets will likely stay within the boundaries of the fence after training, there is still a chance they can escape.
You’ll want to protect the fence against sudden power outages, using a generator, solar charger, or surge protector. These elements will add to the project cost, but can keep your beloved animals from running off during a power interruption.
Solar charger cost: $100 to $300
Portable generator cost: $500 to $2,000
Invisible fence surge protector cost: $15 to $45
Landscaping
Invisible fence boundaries are adaptable, so you can typically choose to route them around your prized veggie garden or beloved rose bushes. But if your landscaping or hardscaping is in the way of your ideal fence boundary, you’ll spend about $4 to $40 per square foot on landscaping costs.
Cost to Install an Invisible Fence Yourself
Many wireless and GPS-based options are perfect for DIY invisible dog fence installation. They don’t require any digging and often only require you to plug it in, put on a collar, and at most download an app onto a smartphone or tablet. The cost of installing an invisible fence yourself will run you around $300 to $450 on average and these kits will come with the transmitter and a collar and charger for one pet. If you have multiple pets you plan to put on the invisible fence system, you’re going to need to ensure the system supports it and cough up the extra $150 or so for each collar.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Labor makes up the largest portion of the cost to install an invisible fence, totaling up to 75% of the project cost for inground invisible fences or adding about $100 to $200 to install a wireless or GPS invisible fence.
But it’s certainly worth it to hire an invisible fence installer near you, whether you are installing a wired or a wireless fence. Inground fences require digging up the land around your property and burying the wires, which can be difficult. For either type of invisible fence, installing and setting the transmitter incorrectly could hurt your pets. That’s why it’s important to trust the pros.
Plus, many invisible fence installation services will offer help with training your pet with the new boundary system.
Pros and Cons of Invisible Fence Installation
An invisible fence might not be for everyone. There are many pros and cons to consider before you schedule an installation and pet training sessions.
Pros
For some properties, an invisible fence is the best solution to keeping animals from escaping while sticking to a budget.
Price: Invisible fences tend to cost less than other fence types, like wood or vinyl.
Installation: Even inground fences are easier to install than other types of fences, and they can be set up quickly.
Aesthetics: While you can find plenty of attractive fences, an invisible fence may be ideal if you don’t want the sight of any part of your beautiful backyard blocked by a standard fence.
Effectiveness: Even the most diligent digging dog or athletic jumping pup won’t be able to dig beneath or jump over an invisible fence to escape.
Adaptable and customizable: Invisible fences can be easily installed even for hilly landscapes, and inground invisible fences can be installed in custom sizes and shapes.
Cons
Invisible fences aren’t without some controversy and some drawbacks, so they aren’t a good fit for everyone, especially if you need to keep other animals or humans out of your yard.
Privacy: Because this type of fence is “invisible,” you don’t get the added privacy that a tall fence can provide. If you’re looking to block the prying eyes of a neighbor, this fence isn’t for you.
Security: An invisible fence can be effective at keeping your pets on your property, but it won’t work at deterring wildlife, other neighborhood pets, or human intruders from entering the property.
Training: While a traditional fence will set the boundary immediately, pets need to be trained to learn the boundaries of an invisible fence.
Pet discomfort: These fences work by sending small, uncomfortable shocks to the pet. It shouldn’t cause injury, but the discomfort can cause the pet’s behavior to change, becoming fearful, anxious, or aggressive.
Reliability: Invisible fences depend on electricity to work, so power outages can prevent the fence from working.
How to Save Money When Installing an Invisible Fence
One way you could save money when installing an invisible fence is by handling the pet training yourself. If you don’t have any experience training an animal, it’s best to have a dog fence installation company near you walk you through what you need to know.
If you are looking to save money on installation, opting for a wireless setup will cost about $875 less than an inground system and is easier to DIY.
Either way, invisible fences can be a budget-friendly option compared to other fence types. Fence installation costs about $1,750 to $4,450 on average for materials like wood, metal, or vinyl.
Matt Marandola contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
An invisible fence does need to form a complete loop in order to work properly. Allowing gaps in the invisible loop will cause issues with radio signaling as well as create opportunities and ways for your pet to wander without their collar alerting you or them.
How close a dog can get to the invisible fence will depend solely on your preferences. You can set the dog collar to alert them about 10 feet away, a foot away, or to only alert them when they’ve crossed past the designated play area.
All types of invisible fences work by creating a boundary that your pet can safely play in without leaving the home. When your pet comes close to the boundary, the collar plays a high-pitched tone to alert them that they are close to the area. If your pet continues toward or past the specified boundary, they receive an uncomfortable static correction.
Invisible fences are considered safe for pets when used under correct conditions. Invisible fences work with a collar to produce low-voltage static corrections to deter them from leaving the specified area. These corrections often feel more like a muscle twitch rather than an electrical shock.
Invisible fences can go anywhere on your property, with one important exception: you can’t install an invisible fence near water, as it poses a safety hazard. Another stipulation to keep in mind—you must also make sure your invisible fence forms a closed loop in order to work properly.
