CCTV Installation Cost

How Much Does CCTV Cost to Install?

What is the cost of a CCTV installation?

So how much does it cost to install CCTV? The costs will vary depending on the type of CCTV that you’re having installed. The main things that will affect the cost are the number of cameras you’re installing and the type of camera system you choose.

A CCTV camera system can significantly improve your home's security.

How much do different types of CCTV systems cost?

The cost of CCTV systems will vary depending on the type of system that you choose.

Multi-camera systems can range in price from around £350-£1700. If you are installing a single security camera system, you can expect this to cost around £70-£2,500. The average cost for a CCTV system installation is around £350.

CCTV Prices

The table below highlights the costs that you can expect for various CCTV installations:

What are the Supply Costs of CCTV Installation?

There are many different supply costs involved with installing a CCTV system. Below is a table highlighting the supply costs alone of installing a CCTV system:

What are the Additional Costs of Installing CCTV?

There are several additional costs involved with installing a CCTV system at your home. Below is a list of the additional costs that may come up with this type of work:

Home Security Installation

A CCTV system is great for helping you see what has happened after an incident. However, it doesn’t warn you of any problems beforehand.

If you are looking to install a full home security system, you can expect to pay around £165-£470 to install a full system.

Home security systems can include motion sensors, sirens, control panels, panic buttons, and other security measures.

New Outdoor Socket Installation

An outdoor socket can be extremely useful if you do not want to or if you aren’t able to run a power cable through your house.

The average cost for installing a new outdoor socket is around £80-£250.

New Consumer Unit Installation

If your current consumer unit doesn’t have enough space or is quite old, then you may need to get a new one installed to support your CCTV system – especially if the new CCTV system is quite an extensive one.

The average cost for a new consumer unit is around £325-£550. The cost will vary depending on the size of the circuit.

New Front Door Installation

A new CCTV system can only do so much, and sometimes a new front door can provide a lot more security to your home. A new and trustworthy front door is an amazing security addition to your home.

The average cost for a new front door is around £300-£4,020. The cost will depend on the type of front door that you have installed and the materials used.

Tradesmen Costs for Installing CCTV

The labour costs of having a new CCTV system installed will depend on varying factors. These factors can include the type of system that is being installed and your location in the UK.

Installing a single camera can cost as little as £25-£50 in labour. Installing a fully wired multi-camera system will cost around £200-£800 in labour costs depending on the size of the system, the type of system, and your location in the UK.

Those based in and around the London area can expect to pay more in labour costs than those based in the north or other parts of the UK.

How Long Does It Take to Install CCTV?

The time it takes to install your new CCTV system will depend a lot upon the system that is being installed.

A single-camera system can take under an hour to install and usually takes no more than two hours.

A multi-camera system will take anywhere from a few hours to a full day to install. The installation of a new CCTV system should take no more than a day to install.

Types of CCTV

There are several different types of CCTV systems. The list below highlights the different types of CCTV systems, their characteristics, and the advantages of each type:

Dome CCTV Cameras

Dome cameras are a popular choice of CCTV cameras. They get their name from the dome-shaped casing that the camera sits in. These cameras are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use as they have a very discreet shape and create an air of uncertainty.

They are difficult to spot, and it’s hard to know which way they’re facing, so they can easily provide a lot of security.

When they are placed in the right position, these cameras allow wide angles to be monitored.

These cameras are most commonly found in shops, restaurants and hotels; however, they also make great domestic CCTV systems.

Pros:

• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
• Difficult to spot
• They can provide wide angles

Cons:

• None

C-Mount CCTV Cameras

C-Mount cameras come with detachable lenses, and these can be switched with other lenses to adapt the field of view and the distance.

A standard CCTV lens covers around 35-40 feet of distance. However, when you want to cover further distances, you can switch to special lenses that can zoom in further without losing focus.

These cameras are bulkier in size and tend to be noticeable by intruders. This can make them an effective deterrent for potential intruders. They come in a durable camera casing that protects them from harsh weather conditions.

Pros:

• These have detachable lenses
• They can cover further distances when you switch the lense

Cons:

• They tend to be bulkier in size

PTZ CCTV Cameras

These cameras allow more control over what is being recorded. They can pan from side to side and can also tilt up and down. These cameras can also zoom in and out of objects when needed.

With great video quality, these cameras can capture great details that can be very useful if your house is broken into.

These cameras can adjust their angle to record the point of interest. These types of cameras are most commonly found in retail environments, casinos, banks, and businesses. However, they can also be found in domestic locations.

Pros:

• Ability to pan from side to side and up and down
• Provides great video quality

Cons:

• More common in retail environments
• Can be pricier than other systems

Day/Night CCTV Cameras

Day/night cameras are built specifically to work in the day and the night, regardless of what the lighting may be light. These cameras have extra-sensitive chips that help to capture very high-definition images even at night.

This makes them great for 24/7 outdoor use. They can also withstand reflections, direct sunlight and glare. These cameras are ideal for business locations but also make great cameras for domestic use.

Pros:

• Specifically built for day and night use
• Provides high-definition video's even at night

Cons:

• Can be more costly

Infrared CCTV Cameras

Night vision infrared cameras are great for recording images even in total darkness. These cameras are usually more expensive than daytime cameras as they can work in the pitch-black.

These cameras can also work in conditions with fog, smoke, and dust. These cameras are best for places that need the ultimate surveillance, even in dark conditions.

Pros:

• Great for night time use
• Provides high-definition video's even in fog, smoke and dust

Cons:

• Can be more expensive than daytime cameras

Wireless CCTV Cameras

Wireless CCTV cameras are great as they minimise the installation time and don’t require excess wires, so they have a cleaner appearance. Due to their discreet appearance, these cameras easily blend in with the surrounding areas as they can hide easily.

These cameras work best in situations where good presentation is needed. If you are looking to install the best looking CCTV cameras for your home, a wireless CCTV system may be the right choice for you.

Pros:

• Minimise the installation time
• Discreet appearance

Cons:

• None

Benefits of CCTV

There are many benefits to installing CCTV at your home. Below is a list of the main benefits of installing this type of system at your home:

Deter Potential Intruders

Having cameras visible at your home can act as a warning sign and can help prevent thieves from targeting your home. It has been proven that thieves are much more unlikely to target homes with visible cameras than homes with no CCTV installed.

Identify Criminals

If your home is a target for criminals, then you can use a CCTV system as a warning that can stop thieves from targeting your home. If the criminals are caught on your cameras, it can make identifying them much easier. They can also help to speed up the process during an investigation.

Provides Evidence

CCTV is very effective in helping build criminal cases. Your CCTV system can help provide evidence in a wide range of matters, including vandalism, theft, and stalking.

Helps You Feel Safer

Having a security system installed at your home can help make you feel much safer in your home. If you feel unsafe for any reason, you can feel much better knowing that there are cameras installed. You can check them easily, and they will also offer reassurance and make you feel comfortable in your home.

Remote Monitoring

Some CCTV systems allow you to monitor your home from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. This can be very comforting and reassuring, especially when you are away on holiday.

How much Does It Cost to Remove a CCTV System?

Removing a CCTV system is usually quite easy. This is something that most people can do as a DIY task. It simply involves unscrewing the cameras and then removing any connecting wires.

Depending on the type of wiring, it’s usually best to turn off the electricity supply before you attempt to remove the CCTV system.

If you are looking to pay a tradesperson to remove your home CCTV system, you will have to keep in mind that you will need to pay them for their time.

The job shouldn’t take too long unless you have a very large number of cameras. You can expect the removal of your CCTV system to take around an hour or two. The average cost for removing your CCTV system is around £120-£150.

FAQs

Where can I point CCTV cameras?

You need to avoid pointing your cameras directly at your neighbour’s lawn or their home. You also need to avoid pointing your cameras into any public spaces. Your camera should only be pointing at your private property; otherwise, you may become subject to GDPR laws. Breaching GDPR laws can lead to some hefty fines, and it’s not really worth the risk.

What does CCTV stand for?

CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television. This means that the recordings run into an independent recording or monitoring system. The system is not linked to a network that can be accessed by anyone on the outside.

How does motion detection work when it comes to CCTV cameras?

Some CCTV systems will have motion detection. This means they are not recording constantly, but they will record whenever they detect motion around your home. This can help to save storage space on the hard drive.

What is a CCTV system used for?

CCTV systems are used to view and monitor areas to ensure that they are safe and secure.

What is a DVR?

A DVR is a Digital Video Recorder that records CCTV camera footage on one or more hard disks.

Sources

1. https://www.caldersecurity.co.uk/most-popular-types-of-cctv-cameras
2. https://www.cctvoutlet.co.uk/pages/cctv-frequently-asked-questions-faqs
3. https://www.businesswatchgroup.co.uk/the-benefits-of-cctv-for-businesses/
4. https://www.facilitiesnet.com/security/topic/What-Does-CCTV-Stand-For--19068

Author: Heather B

I am a seasoned copywriter from Liverpool - who after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in English Media and Cultural Studies - went on to specialise in the creation of business and lifestyle copy for a wide range of industries across the UK and USA.