Depends on how much work you want to do. I had mine installed by them 3 years ago and it cost me 1200.00 w/ two transmitters. I checked to see what it would have been if I did it myself and it was about 600.00.
I did mine myself about 2 years ago for less than $300 total. The system was about $250 and the trencher rental was less than $50, I think. It wasn't hard to do. I think it took the better part of a morning, but not a lot more. If you're handy at all and don't have too many obstacles to work around in the yard, you can really save some cash by doing it yourself.
No need to have someone install it for you. I have a pretty good size yard and had it done in less than a day. I walked around the yard with the shovel, just wedging the ground up as I went, and then came back and buried the wire. I did need to borrow the chop saw from the FIL to get the wire across the driveway.
-------------------- - As my Great Grandfather Alfonse Sode used to say, "All good things come to those who shoot straight." [Escanaba in Da Moonlight - 2002]
A word of advice...do not expect to aeorate your lawn unless you want to sever the wire. Make sure you have your landscaping plans laid out before you bury the wire too.
I've been down both of these roads and the dog-wire has continuously been in the way.
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Quote: how long does the charge on the collars last?
About 4 months, on average. I usually check them every once in awhile with the small lightbulb they supply. You connect to the two leads and hold it near the buried wire. The batteries are about $8/pair at Petco.
-------------------- - As my Great Grandfather Alfonse Sode used to say, "All good things come to those who shoot straight." [Escanaba in Da Moonlight - 2002]
I put in the PetSafe one they sell at the Man's Mall... I didn't bury the wire, just laid it out on the very perimeter of my lawn and staked it down with landscaping staples (like you would use to hold down groundcover cloth under mulch beds). A staple every four or five feet was enough to hold down the wire so the mower wouldn't pull it up. Once the grass grows over the wire, you can't even see it. I haven't yet cut the groove in the blacktop on the driveway, the wire just sits on top, but I'll have to do that before the snow flies or I'm sure the snowblower with grab it.
Quote: how long does the charge on the collars last?
One thing I wish was different was the battery in collars. I'd much rather have a rechargeable collar rather than the replaceable batteries.
Quote: I haven't yet cut the groove in the blacktop on the driveway, the wire just sits on top, but I'll have to do that before the snow flies or I'm sure the snowblower with grab it.
If you are lucky, the folks that put your driveway in added crack joints every 5-8 feet or so. If they did, simply lay the wire in the groove and apply the self-leveling concrete sealer caulk on top of it. Leaves the wire protected and the driveway looks great with the self-leveling caulk seal.
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A good friend of mine has a wireless unit and it works great for his overactive dog. Besides having no install he can take with him if he chooses. I haven't invested in one yet but it will be wireless when the times comes unless there is reason not to.
One other thing to consider is the training supplied by a good, reputable installer. I know of quite a few people who installed their own fence and then had a lot of trouble with the system, or more frequently, their pets, afterwards. A good installer will train you and the pet on the proper set up and use of the system, and even the most hyperactive and agressive dogs can be safely contained. Just something to think about.
I have had one for about 7 years. We have a dalmation, and it worked wonders. We HAD two dogs, they kept running until one opening day (fishing) only one came home, the other was squashed on the hiway. Since the fence our remaining dog almost never leaves the yard. In fact we only put the coller on about half the time its out in the yard. Only downside is that on the very rare occasion it leaves the yard, its afraid to come back across the fence.
The biggest drawback is lightning, I've had to replace the "head" unit 3 times, at about $120 a crack. The lightning strikes follow the underground wire up to the unit, smoking it, the wire itself is fine, you can buy lightning supressors though.
good luck
invisible fence
