Security system pricing

For a comprehensive CCTV, access control, and monitored alarm system, even a fairly small office could easily spend $10,000 or more. Fortunately, you can make the purchases over time: there's no need to buy them all at once. In addition, these are long-term costs: if you buy right, you won't have to replace them anytime soon.

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Video surveillance pricing

Individual cameras and lenses are fairly inexpensive: $100 to $250 standard cameras, $300 to $500 or more for hidden cameras. Controllable cameras – "PTZ" cameras that Pan, Tilt, and Zoom – are much more expensive, starting at around $1500.

In most cases, the digital video recorder is the most expensive single component of a CCTV system. Security DVRs start around $800, higher if you need to record input from more than 4 cameras. The more memory and inputs you need, the more you can expect to pay.

You'll also need camera mounts, cabling, and installation. As a very rough rule of thumb, excpect to pay around $800 to $1,000 per camera for small installations: 2 to 4 camera systems with DVRs and monitors are commonly between $1,500 and $5,000. Lager systems – 10 to 20 camera installations – may cost only $500 per camera, or $4,000 to $10,000.

Access control system pricing

A high-quality access control system for a small to mid-sized business can cost between $1000 and $2000 per door. That'll get you the locks, the access devices, and installation. (Important tip – don't skimp on installation! The security of your business is more important than saving a few hundred bucks by doing the installation yourself.)

If you're looking for simple access control for one or two doors, you can save quite a bit of money by choosing a less powerful system. You can get a combination keypad/door lock for $500. That can be more than enough to secure your HR records or server room, someplace where not many people need access.

Biometric systems can quickly hit $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the type of system you choose. Often, though, higher levels of security are mandated by the government or corporate policy, so you may not have much choice in the matter.

Help keep your costs down by limiting the number of doors you need to secure: use your access control system only for main entries, and physical locks for storage and limited-access areas.

Monitored burglar alarm pricing

Getting started with monitored alarm services can be fairly inexpensive. Basic packages that include the control panel, keypad, and a set of motion sensors and door contacts can go for under $300. Adding more sensors and an additional keypad for a medium-sized office can push the costs up to $600 or $800 – still a very small cost for the return it gets you .

Make sure you consider the monthly cost of the monitoring service. They're usually very affordable: $20 to $40 per month is typical.

Fire alarm pricing

Due the stringent safety requirements, installation of a fire alarm is much more expensive than burglar alarms. You can expect to pay at least $2,000 for a commercial-grade installation; if your setup requires sprinkler system upgrades, costs can quickly hit $10,000 or more.

Again, expect a monthly monitoring fee, commonly of $40 to $50. You'll also have to budget for regular inspections by NFPA-approved technicians, at a cost of $100 to $200 per inspection. These fees may seem high, but fire safety is no place to cut corners or skirt the law.

Security system pricing advice

An important caveat to security system pricing: make sure you get all the fees in writing before you make any decisions or commit to any deals. Two suppliers may have similar prices for the hardware you need, but drastically different prices for required service agreements. Or some may include basic maintenance, while others don't. Getting the complete proposal in writing will let you do a good job comparing two different offers.

Here's another hint: the best sources for security systems are usually not the cheapest. Security hardware and services are critical to protecting your business: don't let price be the deciding factor! Of course you should compare costs from one provider to another, but don't let a small difference in price dictate your choice.