How Much Does an Electric Fence Cost to Install? [2025 Data]
An electric fence costs $1,337 on average, but can range between $1,028 and $1,647, depending on your yard’s size.
Electric fences cost $1,337 on average, but can range between $1,028 and $1,647 to install for most situations. Electric fences keep animals in the yard, whether it's a dog or a herd of livestock.
Invisible types of electric fences are buried underground and often used in homes with dogs, but they can also be effective for other animals. The other type of electric fence is an aboveground version. Electric fence costs ultimately depend on the type of fence you choose and the size of your yard.
How Much Does an Electric Fence Cost per Linear Foot?
Installing an electric fence costs between $2 and $6 per linear foot, including materials and labor. Knowing how much fence you’ll need for your yard and animals can be tricky to guess—consulting a local fence installation company can help you determine the right size.
| Electric Fence Size, Linear Feet | Average Cost, Installed |
|---|---|
| 200 | $400–$1,200 |
| 300 | $600–$1,800 |
| 400 | $800–$2,400 |
| 500 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| 1,000 | $2,000–$6,000 |
How Much Does an Electric Fence Cost per Acre?
If you have a large property filled with cattle or other livestock, you will need to price out your electric fence cost per acre. You can expect to spend between $1,000 and $5,000 per acre for your electric fence. If you are planning on an unusually shaped enclosure or a significantly large size, your labor costs might increase.
| Electric Fence Size, Per Acre | Average Cost, Installed |
|---|---|
| 1/4 | $250–$1,250 |
| 1/2 | $500–$2,500 |
| 3/4 | $750–$3,750 |
| 1 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| 2 | $2,000–$10,000 |
| 3 | $3,000–$15,000 |
| 4 | $4,000–$20,000 |
Fencing Contractor Costs
If you hire a fencing contractor, expect labor costs to take up 50% to 70% of the total project cost. Labor costs add around $0.12 and $0.20 per linear foot to the cost of materials. When working in complicated or inaccessible areas, pros can charge up to double for labor to account for extra time and effort.
Most fencing contractors use employees or subcontractors for the job. Contractors come up with their rates based on the number of workers needed to get a fence built by the promised deadline. Additionally, insurance costs are baked into estimates as part of overhead. Overhead can also include wear and tear on vehicles and equipment. Costs for things like permits and travel are also represented in contractor pricing. The average cost for a fencing permit can range from $50 to $200. While contractors obtain permits from local municipalities on behalf of their clients, they pass the charges on.
Electrical Contractor Costs
On average, hiring an electrician to wire fencing can cost between $163 and $536. With most electrical contractors charging hourly rates ranging from $50 to $130, final costs can vary based on the length and complexity of a fence's design. Proximity to an available electrical box can determine how intensive the project will be.
In addition to charging for labor, electrical contractors charge clients for specialized parts needed to add power to a fence. A fence energizer is a component that sends a high-voltage charge down a fence line. Sometimes referred to as a shock box, this part costs around $100. In order to utilize a fence energizer, you'll need to have access to a 110-volt outlet. If your contractor needs to install a new outdoor outlet to create access, installation costs can range from $150 to $260.
Like fencing contractors, electrical contractors hired to run electricity along fencing must pull permits for their work. Depending on the municipality, a permit for this type of project can range from $50 to several hundred dollars. If an electrical contractor needs to splice power to run it to the fence's power coupling because electricity doesn't run down the length of the fence, this can cost $50 to $110. If splicing power is necessary because the line needs to run down a driveway or through a creek, this can cost $95 to $130.
Electric Fence Cost by Location
Costs for parts and labor when installing an electric fence can vary around the country. Typically, rural areas with rocky or sloped terrain and cities represent the two most expensive areas for electric fence installation.
| City, State | Average Cost for 200-foot Electric Fence |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, Utah | $550–$1,100 |
| Los Angeles, California | $700–$1,200 |
| Tampa, Florida | $250–$1,000 |
| Seattle, Washington | $625–$1,050 |
| Newark, New Jersey | $300–$1,100 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $300–$900 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $325–$900 |
| Fargo, North Dakota | $300–$1,000 |
Additional Electric Fence Cost Factors
Though you can’t put a price on animal safety, some factors will impact the total cost of your electric fence installation. Here’s how the costs break down—whether you choose a simple fence or plan to install something more elaborate.
Aboveground vs. Underground Electric Fences
Aboveground vs. underground electric fencing comes down to visible vs. invisible fencing. When looking for a physical barrier for livestock and undomesticated animals, traditional aboveground electric fencing is ideal for keeping animals safely contained and inaccessible for some predators. While aboveground electric fencing is also suitable for dogs, some homeowners prefer invisible fencing for dogs because they don't want to deal with the cost and aesthetic change of traditional fencing. On average, having an aboveground electric fence added costs between $1,900 and $3,000.
The benefit of aboveground electric fencing is that it provides a physical barrier that can still function if the power is off. However, fencing can pose unintentional shock risks for both humans and animals. Additionally, the cost to have an aboveground fence can be higher due to all of the extra labor and materials involved.
| Underground Electric Fence | Aboveground Electric Fence |
|---|---|
| $1–$4 per linear foot | $2–$6 per linear foot |
| Better option for pets | Better option for livestock |
| Aesthetically pleasing | Posts and wires visible |
| Fence can work around minor landscaping | Must keep property clear of obstructions near fence |
For homeowners looking to shave a little from electric fence cost, an underground electric fence can potentially cost close to half. Averaging $1,100 to $2,500 fully installed, underground electric fencing is an invisible option that will send a signal to the transmitter to activate your dog's collar if they get too close to the wire. While invisible fencing requires a far easier installation process, the cost can be higher than average if you have hilly, rocky, or rugged terrain in your yard. For property owners looking for a cheaper option for containing livestock, an underground electric fence won't be a good idea because the shocks emitted aren't considered effective for deterring larger animals like cattle and horses alone.
Some people believe invisible fences aren’t safe for dogs. If you 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.
Power Outage Protection
One of the downsides of electric fences is that a power surge or outage can temporarily knock them out of service. This leaves your animals vulnerable, but there are some safeguards you can install at an additional price, like solar chargers, batteries, or generators.
Solar charger cost: $100–$500
12-volt marine battery cost: $30–$300
Portable generator cost: $500–$2,000
Surge protector cost: $15–$45
Landscaping
For most homeowners, landscaping costs an average of $4.50 to $12 per square foot. Since electric fence installation often requires some excavation, it can impact your hardscaping or landscaping. While you can install an underground electric fence along a slight slope, you'll likely need to level the ground if you're installing an aboveground electric fence. Any land preparation will add to the price of the project. Common projects include:
Sod installation: $1–$3 per square foot
Topsoil installation: $12–$30 per cubic yard
Paver installation: $10–$30 per square foot
Land leveling: $0.50–$2.30 per square foot
Removing an old fence: $3–$5 per linear foot
Removing shrubs, trees, and stumps: $50–$2,000 per plant
DIY Electric Fence Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
If you’re an experienced DIYer, installing an underground electric fence yourself is possible (and less expensive). While retail electric fences are less expensive, they also require much more work to install, including digging trenches and installing wires. The safest and most efficient way to install it is to hire a local fencing contractor.
If you’re planning to install an aboveground electric fence, hiring a fencing contractor near you is always best. Because the material installation and the electrical components are complex, it’s the safest option to let an experienced professional take on this task.
3 Ways to Save Money on Electric Fence Costs
If you’re on a budget, there are several ways to save on the cost of an electric fence. These tips will help you tighten your budget while still offering you (and your animals) safety. Here are the cost-saving options to weigh:
Choose a Wireless Fence: If you want to avoid the cost of paying an electrical contractor to hardwire your electrical fence, a wireless invisible fence can eliminate labor costs while saving you several hundred dollars on the actual fence. These "essentially DIY" electric fences plug directly into available outlets. While great for typical yards, they aren't always ideal for yards that need a custom boundary. They also typically won't provide coverage beyond half an acre.
Close in Your Boundary to Be Smaller: If you don't need to fence your entire yard, create a yard within your yard to reduce the size of the fence needed. You can also fortify strategic areas of an existing fence with electricity to protect entry points instead of paying to upgrade the full fence.
Reduce the Number of Strands: To cut costs, reduce your design to three wires on an aboveground electric fence. If you work with your fencing contractor to ensure the strands are spaced to provide proper coverage, fewer strands should sufficiently keep livestock in.
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’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Underground electric fences use radio waves to transmit a small shock through your pet's collar. The pet will first hear a warning beep as it approaches the boundary, and then will receive a mild static shock if it continues past the fence line.
Aboveground electric fences have a set of wires connected to a high-voltage, low-amperage system that shocks animals (or people) who touch the fence. In either case, the shock is non-lethal but can still be uncomfortable or mildly painful.
While electric fences do use a mild shock to discourage animals from crossing, they're reasonably safe as long as you install the fence correctly. While cattle are relatively easy to train on an electric fence, animals like sheep and goats often need more intensive training to respect the fence's boundaries.
Additionally, an underground electric fence may not be right for every dog since it requires patience and training to work correctly and could ultimately cause injury to your pooch.
Yes, electric fences need power to operate. They are powered by either a battery or an electrical outlet. In heavy snow or extreme rain, or if the power goes out, your electric fence might stop working. Knowing how to test an electric fence is important for figuring out if the fence is still functioning properly.
Different fences use different amounts of electricity, but their operating costs are very low overall. Electric fences pull between 4 and 25 watts from the system if you have an average-sized yard. Barring any complicated math, you can expect an average electric fence to cost less than $5 a month to run. Aboveground electric fences, which are not typical for residential use or small animals, can cost more, but you shouldn't notice a significant change in your electric bill.
If you’re trying to keep your dog from running away, an electric fence isn’t the only fence type for your yard worth considering. The cost of dog fences can range from $1,500 to $8,000, with popular materials including wood, vinyl, or aluminum to keep your pet safe and sound.
If you’re trying to keep livestock in their pasture, other fencing options include woven wire, high-tensile wire, and synthetic fencing. These options give your animals boundaries without the use of electricity.
