What moves an electric fence quote in Pretoria
Two quotes for the same boundary can be far apart. This guide explains the factors behind an electric fence quote in Pretoria, so that you can compare like with like. We do not publish prices: the installer quotes you directly.
Why there are no prices on this site
Installers set their own prices, material costs move, and every boundary is different. A figure on a website is either so wide it is useless or so narrow it is wrong for your property. We will not publish a price that an installer has not confirmed in writing. What we can do is explain what moves a quote, so you can ask the right questions and spot a quote that leaves something out.
The boundary itself
- Length. The total run to be fenced is the biggest single factor. Measure it roughly before you call, including side and back walls.
- Fence type. Wall-top brackets on a sound wall, a freestanding fence on its own posts, or a piggyback fence on palisade. Our guide to wall-top versus freestanding explains the differences.
- Condition of the wall. Cracked or weak sections may need attention before brackets go on.
- Corners, steps and gates. Each corner, change in level and gate pillar needs extra brackets, bends, tensioners or a gate bypass.
- Terrain and access. Sloping stands, a garden full of plants against the wall, or a boundary only reachable from a neighbour's side all add time.
The fence design
- Number of strands and bracket height. More strands and taller brackets mean more wire, insulators and labour.
- Zones. Splitting the fence into zones costs more up front but makes faults and alarms much easier to find.
- Energizer. The unit must suit the length and the number of zones. Features such as alarm outputs, remote monitoring and app control add to the price.
- Backup battery. The size and type of battery decide how long the fence runs in a power cut.
- Earth system. The number of earth spikes depends on the fence and the ground. A poor earth is a common cause of later faults.
- Alarm or armed-response link. Connecting the energizer to an alarm panel adds parts and labour.
Work you might not expect
- Removing old brackets, wire and an old energizer before the new fence goes in.
- Trimming vegetation that would touch the strands.
- Warning signs along the fence, which SANS 10222-3 requires.
- Remedial work found during a certificate inspection on an existing fence.
- A re-inspection after that remedial work.
The certificate is part of the price
Any new, repaired, re-installed, restrung, extended or upgraded electric fence must comply with SANS 10222-3, and the user or lessor must hold a valid Electric Fence System Certificate of Compliance. Only a registered Electric Fence System Installer may issue it (source: ECA(SA)). A quote that leaves the certificate out is not comparable with one that includes it. This is general information, not legal advice.
If you only need the certificate for an existing fence, the price depends on the length and zones, access, and whether the fence passes first time. See our certificate guide.
How to compare quotes fairly
Ask every installer to quote the same thing, and ask them to write it down. Then put the quotes side by side and check each of these:
- Fence type and total length covered.
- Number of strands and bracket height.
- Energizer make and model, number of zones and battery.
- Number of earth spikes.
- Gates, corners and any piggyback or freestanding sections.
- Removal of old fencing.
- Alarm or armed-response connection.
- Warning signs.
- Whether the certificate is included, and proof of the installer's EFSI registration.
- Any warranty the installer offers, in writing, and what it covers.
Repairs are priced differently
A repair quote depends mostly on how long it takes to find the fault and what parts are needed. A fault that shows itself quickly is a short job; an intermittent fault that only appears after rain can take longer to trace. Ask how the installer charges for diagnosis and what happens if the energizer turns out to be the problem. Our guide on why an electric fence stops working explains the common causes, and the repairs page covers the work.
Ready for quotes?
Send your suburb, a rough boundary length and what you need through the contact form. We pass your enquiry to an installer who covers your area, and the installer quotes you directly.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't you publish electric fence prices?
Installers set their own prices and every boundary is different. We explain the factors so you can compare quotes fairly.
What is the biggest factor in the price?
Usually the length of the boundary, followed by the fence type, the number of strands and the energizer.
Should the certificate be in the quote?
Yes. A new or changed fence needs a valid certificate, so ask for it to be included and named in the quote.
Should I simply take the lowest quote?
Not necessarily. Check that each quote covers the same length, strands, energizer, zones, battery, earthing and certificate.