How Much Does an Electric Fence Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Installing an electric fence costs $1,337 on average, with most homeowners paying between $1,027 and $1,647. While a simple, low-end electric fence costs as little as $425, a high-end fence covering a wider area can cost up to $2,050. Important electric fence cost factors include its length, how many strands of wire it uses, and the complexity of the fence installation. 

Electric fences give you an affordable way to keep livestock in and curious wildlife out. Proper budgeting and hiring a professional to install your fence ensures a smooth project without surprises or costly mistakes.

Electric Fence Cost Factors

Several details push your fence price up or down—labor, materials, and even how easy it is to reach the fence line. If crews have to haul gear through thick brush or rough terrain, expect extra labor charges.

Cost per Acre

The acreage of a yard determines its perimeter and the linear length and width of the fence. A one-acre square invisible electric fence that requires approximately 830 feet of fencing costs an average of $1,000 for a standard installation with mid-grade wire. Surrounding more acreage costs more in total, but costs less per acre.

The average cost to fence a yard with electric fencing, including labor and materials, is $2 to $6 per linear foot. For context, a barbed wire fence costs $3 to $6 per linear foot to install, while a robust chain link fence costs $5 to $8 per linear foot to install. Non-electrified livestock fencing costs $1 to $10 per linear foot. An electric fence relies less on physical containment and more on the electric charge, so the fence material doesn’t have to be as strong or thick.

Remember that these estimated costs can vary depending on the terrain type and the number and quality of strands of wire used to construct the fence.

Labor

Most local fence companies base their installation fees on the length of the fence. Expect to pay between $0.12 and $0.20 per linear foot for labor alone, depending on the terrain and the number of wires in the fence.

Permits

Municipalities have different regulations regarding the installation of electric fences. While some may require the property owners to obtain a permit, others may not. If you need one, getting a permit costs an average of $50 to $200.

Generally, most cities do not allow homeowners to erect an electric fence in a residential area. Electric fences are often only permitted in rural areas to enclose livestock or keep wild animals out.

Accessibility

Steep slopes or rocky ground slow crews down and increase costs, as moving posts, wire, and tools requires extra time.

Prep Work

Before installing the electric fence, the fence line needs to be cleared of any brush or trees. Additional clearing may also be required to allow the equipment necessary for the installation to access the fence line. The cost to remove trees and shrubs can range from $50 to $2,000 per plant, depending on the job size.

Number and Type of Strands

In addition to the total length, the cost of an electric fence also depends on the number and type of strands of wire the fence has. Electric fences have between one and 11 wire strands, ranging from thin wire to high-tensile steel.

Three wires of electric fencing are suitable for most livestock, including cattle, horses, and hogs. The spacing and height of the wires will vary depending on the type of animal. If you want to create a taller fence with narrower gaps that can keep out wild predators or deer, you will need more wires, which will increase your overall electric fence cost.

Other factors that can impact the cost of an electric fence include the distance between the posts and whether the fence is temporary or permanent. These can all directly affect the total cost of materials.

Landscaping Repairs

Sometimes, basic prep work is not enough to ready an area for an electric fence installation. You must repair deep ruts, uneven terrain, and other severe damage before the fence can be installed. You may also choose to update the area around the fence installation site for aesthetic purposes. In that case, landscape installation costs anywhere from $1,250 to $6,300, depending on the scope of the project and the type of landscaping you prefer.

Ongoing Maintenance

Build a yearly line item for upkeep—replacement insulators, charger batteries, and regular vegetation trimming all add to your overall cost.

Check for and replace worn insulators and battery-powered chargers, as applicable. Regular maintenance of overgrowth and vegetation around the fence line helps prevent future problems, as does periodic electrical conductivity testing.

In most cases, fence repairs cost between $300 and $940. Depending on the cost of repairs, consider replacing sections of the electric fence rather than repairing them.

Electric Fence Cost by Type

Not all types of electric fences cost the same. An invisible electric fence is more affordable than an above-ground electric fence. The cost of electric fences also depends on how they are powered. Here are the costs associated with the various types of electric fences.

Invisible Electric Fence

An invisible electric fence keeps pets or livestock inside a set boundary by sending a mild shock through a collar when they cross the buried wire. It won’t keep wildlife out, so use it only for containment.

This type of electric fence is less expensive than a traditional wooden or chain-link fence. Expect to pay $2 to $6 per linear foot, or $1,000 to $5,000 per acre, to install an underground, invisible electric fence. A local dog fence installation company may charge between $800 and $2,400 for an average fence that’s 400 linear feet long.

Editor’s Note About Invisible Electric 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 or humane 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, notes 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 wish to consider an invisible electric fence, consult with your veterinarian about your dog. Additionally, some states and counties may prohibit this type of fencing, so it is essential to check local ordinances.

Above-Ground Electric Fence

Expect to pay between $1,900 and $3,000 for an above-ground electric fence for livestock. As with any other type of fence, the total cost is determined by the size of the fenced area and the choice of materials. The more strands in the fencing and the higher the quality of the wire, the higher the fence cost.

Solar or Battery

If there is no easy way of providing an electrical connection to the electric fence, property owners may opt to use a solar charger to power it. If you plan to use a solar energizer, you'll need to install it in an area that receives full sun all day long.

Most solar chargers can be mounted to a fence post. Solar chargers range in cost from $100 to $500, depending on the length of the fence the charger will power. Alternatively, some fences can also be powered by a 12-volt marine battery, which costs between $30 and $300 and requires periodic replacement.

Does Installing an Electric Fence Increase Home Value?

You may notice a modest increase in resale value, especially in rural areas where buyers want built-in protection against predators or a convenient way to corral livestock. Electric fences may offer a moderate return on investment, with potential value added varying by location and property type. 

Homes in rural areas with known wildlife problems may appeal more to potential buyers if a professionally installed electric fence is already in place to deter predators and deer from invading the property. Electric fences may also appeal to livestock owners who want to contain their cattle, pigs, or other animals.

Budgeting for Installing an Electric Fence

To help you maximize your budget and minimize costs, consider these money-saving tips when hiring a professional to install an electric fence on your property:

• Get at least three detailed estimates from different electric fence contractors to compare pricing and services.

• Schedule installation during the fence contractor's off-peak seasons, late fall or winter, to potentially receive discounts.

• Combine the electric fence installation with other landscaping or property improvement projects to negotiate a package rate.

• Take care of some initial site preparation, like clearing vegetation, to reduce labor costs.

• Opt for mid-range materials that balance durability and affordability, avoiding both the cheapest and most expensive options.

• Explore various electric fence designs, including the number and type of strands, to determine the most cost-effective solution for your specific needs.

• Utilize existing fence posts if possible to reduce new construction costs.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the 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.