How Much Does An Invisible Fence Cost?
An invisible fence is a training tool, most often used for dogs, that allows your pet to play outside safely without being chained to anything. When an invisible fence is installed, a wire will be placed around your property, usually a few inches under ground. The dog will then wear a collar called a receiver which receives a small electric shock anytime it crosses the wire. This helps your dog learn its boundaries and is safe for dogs of all sizes.
How much is it?
- When purchasing an invisible fence, there are two options: Do it yourself or professionally installed. Do it yourself invisible fences will cost $150-$500 depending on the brand, quality, and features such as adjustable receivers. Dogfencediy.com provides reviews and prices of many different brands of do-it-yourself invisible fences.
- If you feel safer getting the invisible fence professionally installed, the price will usually be between $700 and $2000 depending on the company, the cost of living in you area, the specific fence you purchase, and the size of your yard.
- For example, a company based in Michigan called MichiganHiddenFence.com installs invisible fences on an acre of property for $499.
What is going to be included?
- A do-it-yourself invisible fence will come with approximately 500 feet of electric wire, a transmitter, a receiver collar (usually adjustable), splice caps, border flags to help with training, and a manual with usage and installation instructions. Dog-fence-guide.com gives a walk-through of how to install an invisible fence as well as useful tips for doing so.
- A professionally installed invisible fence will always include the installation of the wire and border flags as well as the transmitter and receiver collar. Some companies also provide a training service for the dog.
- During the procedure, the installer will make small indentations into the ground that are four to six inches deep. Once the indentations have been made into the ground, the wire will be placed inside connecting to a control panel that is located near a garage or inside.
What are the extra costs?
- If the included wire is not enough to go around your yard, extra wire will cost about $.05-$.07 per linear foot. For example, a 500-foot spool of PetSafe boundary wire costs about $30. One of the most common problems with these type of fences is that the wire can go bad.
- Depending on how often your dog receives a shock from the fence, the battery in the collar will need to be replaced. A battery will cost $5-$15.
- If your receiver collar breaks, a replacement collar will cost between $50 and $150 depending on the brand, strength, and features. Petco sells Innotek Smart Dog extra receivers for $140. Dog owners may opt to purchase an additional collar, just in case one breaks down the road.
Top brands to consider:
- Innotek
- Perimeter Technologies
- PetSafe
- PetStop
Tips to know
- It’s best to wait until your dog reaches the age of 8 weeks before considering an invisible fence.
- Be sure to know how long the battery lasts. If the battery doesn’t work, the collar won’t beep, allowing the dog to escape. Most collars today will have some sort of indicator that specifies when the battery gets low.
How can I save money?
- Used invisible fence systems can be purchased through services such as ebay. Some of these may require a purchase of some new or extra wire but could potentially be much cheaper than buying a new system or having one installed.
- If considering an invisible fence to allow your dog to receive exercise outside, consider building a kennel. Smaller dog kennels can start at $200 and go from there.
- Consider installing the system yourself as the job isn’t that hard to do. There are many resources online that can assist you with the process. If you’re going to hire a professional to complete the job for you, consider using websites such as Service Magic to find the best quotes in your area.
How much did you spend?