If you have pets that love to roam, fitting a cat flap (or dog flap!) is a great way to let them come and go as they wish without you having to let them out every time they meow or bark at the door.

Luckily, the cost of cat flap installation is quite low – so you don’t have to break the bank to keep your pets happy. Find out how much it costs to fit a cat flap in our guide.

How much does it cost to fit a cat flap?

How much it costs to fit a cat flap will largely depend on the type of cat flap you choose and where you want to install it. In general, it will cost £100-£475 to supply and fit a cat flap. But here are the average costs of cat flap installation:

The labour costs for installing a cat flap are taken from UK averages. Take a look at our table further down the page to get a more accurate idea of cat flap installation costs in your area. We’ve compiled hourly and daily rates from our database of members for most towns and cities in the country to help you budget.

What affects the cost of fitting a cat or pet flap?

Type of cat flap

The type of cat flap you choose will affect the overall cost as well as the cost to fit it. Most cat flaps will fit into one of the following categories:

Manually-operated: These basic cat or pet flaps open when your pet pushes against it. That means that any cat in the area can use it, so it might not be suitable if you live in a built-up area with lots of cats.

However, these cat flaps are lockable, so you can stop your pet from leaving your home or prevent other cats from getting in when you need to.

Average cost: £10-£25

Magnet or infrared-operated: This type of cat flap operates using a magnet or infrared device that’s attached to your cat’s collar. When your cat comes up to the cat flap, the flap will read the device and unlock, allowing your cat into your home.

These pet flaps are good at deterring other cats from entering your home, but if other cats in the area have a magnet or infrared device attached to their collar, they could still use your cat flap.

Average cost: £25-£40

Microchip-operated: Microchip-operated cat flaps are the most secure type of cat flap. You can programme your flap to recognise only your cat or cats’ microchips, so other pets can’t get into your home.

Average cost: £55-£185

Common brands of cat flap include PetSafe, SureFlap and Cat Mate.

Size of the cat flap

Of course, if you have a larger cat or want to install a pet flap for a dog, you’ll pay more for a larger cat flap. It’s also likely that a bigger pet flap will cost a little more to install, as it might be more difficult to fit or need more specialist parts.

The type of door or wall you want to install your cat flap on

The type of door you install your cat flap on will affect the cost. While a carpenter can fit a cat flap in a wooden door pretty easily and for an average of around £80, it’s more difficult to install a pet flap in a glass door, so that could cost up to £120.

As you’d expect, it will cost even more to install your cat flap into an external wall – up to £275.

Where you live

Your location in the country will affect how much it costs to fit a cat flap. Labour costs are generally highest in London and the south east, while you may pay less for your cat flap installation in the north of England, Scotland or Wales.

Take a look at our table further down the page to see rates for fitting a cat flap in areas across the entire UK.

Cat flap installation video

How long does it take to install a cat flap?

It usually takes around 2 hours to install a cat flap, although it will depend on the type of door or wall you have. If you want your cat flap to be fitted into an external wall, that could take as long as 4 hours.

Can a cat flap be fitted to any door?

Cat flaps can be fitted to most types of doors. While a wooden door may be easiest, uPVC, composite or glass doors can all have a cat flap fitted into them.

Lots of people choose to replace a glass panel in their door with a uPVC panel that fits a cat flap in, because it’s cheaper than hiring a glazier to replace the glass unit with one that has a cat flap.

Can I install my own cat flap?

You can, of course, install your own cat flap – but you’ll need to be confident that you know what you’re doing. It’s easiest to install cat flaps in wooden or uPVC doors, but you’ll need specialist equipment for glass or composite doors.

We’d always recommend using a professional to fit your cat flap. If you make the wrong cuts or break any of the components of your door, it will be costly to fix – and it’ll probably be more expensive than paying a professional to install your cat flap in the first place. If you don’t know what you’re doing, leave it to the professionals.

How long should a cat flap last?

Cat flaps should last you at least 5 years, as long as you keep them clean and check for fur and other debris in the hinges and any other working parts.

If your cat flap has batteries, they should last you at least a year before you need to change them.

If you’re ready to get quotes to have your cat flap fitted, post your job on HaMuch now. We’ll put you in touch with local professionals that are ready to help.

Estimates for common carpenter and joiner jobs;

Rates for other trades