CCTV Installation Cost: CCTV Camera Installation Cost Guide 2024
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What Is CCTV?
Closed Circuit Television or CCTV is a video recording system which can be displayed on a range of different monitors for real time viewing, as well as having the option to playback any footage captured through recordings.
CCTV systems are extremely beneficial to have if you are looking to enhance security and is made up of security cameras, monitors, access control, general management systems as well as the wiring and ability to to store any captured footage via the cloud or digital video recorder. Many CCTV systems have night vision, enabling clear footage regardless of the light volume.
As well as capturing and recording footage, a CCTV system can also notify you of live activity or movements and can even be wired directly to the police within certain timeframes, for example, during the evening/night time.
How Much Do Electricians Charge Per Project?
The cost of CCTV camera systems will largely vary, depending on location, premises size, number of security cameras wanted and camera specifications alongside any additional extras that may be on offer.
Home CCTV Installation Costs
Installing CCTV systems within and around your home is a beneficial purchase as this can provide you with an opportunity to monitor your home surroundings when you are at work or on holiday. In addition, this can strengthen the safety you feel whilst within and outside of your home and is a worthwhile investment.
For a basic, four camera wired CCTV system, the average cost of installing CCTV on a home premises usually starts from £800 however this is dependent on the CCTV package opted for. There may also be additional charges when it comes to hardware and/or installation costs set by the electrician. Please refer to the below table for an estimated cost of different packages.
Commercial CCTV Installation Costs
When looking to install CCTV within a commercial premises, prices can range from £500 up to £2,500. Elements to consider beforehand is the amount of CCTV cameras that are required along with the camera specifications and system, relative to the size of the premises and any security risk factors.
There may also be additional charges when it comes to the monitoring and maintenance costs – this is something that should be considered to ensure the security of the property when vacant.
Are There Factors That Affect CCTV Installation Costs?
A CCTV system has many variants and details when it comes to installing CCTV, including camera cost, how many cameras are looking to be installed and the camera system itself, as well as a number of other factors. Overall, the CCTV installation cost in full will compromise of supply and installation costs.
Below, we will look at all these aspects in further detail to provide you with the knowledge you may need when thinking of whether it is beneficial to install CCTV.
Number Of Cameras You Have Installed
How many security cameras looking to be installed will play an important factor in the cost when looking to install CCTV. The fewer CCTV cameras that are required, the less cost you will look to pay and the more cameras, the higher the cost. Indoor cameras may be cheaper than external cameras due to less wiring needed, however the electrician will be able to review the current wiring system and whether this could be utilised or whether it is needed for a new wiring system installed.
If you are looking to install a home CCTV system for home security purposes, the number of cameras you would need would be fewer than if CCTV cameras/CCTV equipment were looking to be installed upon a commercial property. Of course, this is dependent on the property size and type. More cameras can be added into the system after installation if you decide they are wanted.
Type Of CCTV Cameras
There are many different CCTV cameras for you to choose from. Some more basic with a basic wired CCTV system whilst others may offer high definition CCTV cameras with additional specifications.
The following types of CCTV cameras are the most popular, with differing abilities and unique elements that can be considered upon what you are looking for:
Bullet CCTV cameras
Bullet CCTV have a cylindrical shape with a protective casing, with the capability to observe long distances alongside being highly visible cameras, which would be a physical deterrent for any potential intruders. As these cameras are usually utilised as exterior cameras, it is water, dirt and dust resistant that provide high quality pictures.
Dome CCTV cameras
These tend to be utilised in hospitality businesses due to the 360-degree rotation capability, wider camera lens and unobtrusive design allowing easy installation.
It has been reviewed that the dome cameras seem not to deter potential intruders as much as other CCTV cameras as it can be difficult to see which direction the CCTV camera is facing at anyone time. Again, these CCTV cameras can be utilised both as internal or external cameras.
C-Mount CCTV cameras
The C-mount CCTV cameras have detachable lenses with an adaptable field of vision – perfect if anything exterior changes – and can be switched around to monitor a variety of distances.
As well as this, the CCTV cameras are highly visible with a rugged camera and waterproof housing making it the ideal external cameras and with an additional specialised lens, the camera can reach up to 40 feet visibility.
The c mount camera cost as an average cost comes ranges from £50 – £650.
PTZ Pan Tilt Zoom CCTV Cameras
The PTZ cameras is an optical zoom camera, allowing you the ability to focus in on any subjects or positions.
Where You Are Having The CCTV Camera Installed
When installing a CCTV system, you are able to point your CCTV camera(s) anywhere you see fit, as long as it is within your property boundary as long as they’re not impinging on areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy – i.e. a neighbours garden.
If you are wishing for your CCTV camera(s) to be placed at height on your property, a long power cable will probably be needed, increasing the cost slightly. The lower placement of the CCTV camera(s) can utilise an existing power cable(s) however the location and placement of the CCTV system and CCTV camera(s) is at your discretion.
It is recommended to have your CCTV system/CCTV camera(s) installed where encompassing the majority of the property or elements you wish to view.
As mentioned previously, the camera system you choose should reflect the capabilities of what you are looking for. For example, for external CCTV camera(s), night vision would be recommended, to ensure your property is visible, regardless of the time of day.
Where You Are Based In The UK
Your geographical location will unfortunately affect the overall CCTV installation cost, CCTV camera cost and the offerings of a suitable CCTV system – for properties in major cities such as London and the South-East, due to the higher property value, it makes sense for companies to charge more due to the higher cost of living elements.
Of course, all CCTV installation prices and the installation cost will vary upon differing elements, however the location of your property is something that cannot be altered. If you are considering getting CCTV installed and looking to hire an electrician in Coventry then speak to our team today and we can generate you a quote.
Add on's such as burglar alarms
If a burglar alarm and the associated burglar alarm systems is something you are considering to install, the average cost for this to be installed could be anywhere from £400 up to £1,000.
Having burglar alarm systems installed alongside a CCTV system can only enhance the protection of your property, allowing you more peace of mind that your property is constantly under surveillance.
There are various specifications to be considered such as:
Wired or wireless
Smart alarms
Sensors
Alarm panels
Monitored
Wired Or Wireless Cameras
Within this section, we will review the suitability and practicality of either a wireless CCTV system and wired CCTV systems.
A basic basic system (wired CCTV systems and wired cameras) offer a more stable network connection and storage space due to being connected via hard drives, with most hard drives offering a two week storage capacity.
The only real downside to opting for this is the additional wiring and cables needed, which may need to be hidden dependent on the placement of the CCTV camera(s) and CCTV system.
On the other hand, opting for a wireless CCTV camera(s) will reduce the installation cost due to no additional cabling needed and offer a longer retention timeframe of the footage captured as this is usually stored within the Cloud.
Which is better wireless or wired CCTV?
There is no real outcome to determine which CCTV system is better as each have their own pros and cons. The average cost to install a wireless CCTV system in comparison to a wired camera system would reduce the overall installation cost.
To summarise, to install a wireless CCTV system and wireless cameras range from £450 up to £850 + VAT, dependent on and capabilities and offerings of each CCTV camera option. On the other hand, the installation cost for a wired camera system starts from £800 + VAT.
Extra Electrical Sockets Installed
If you opt to have a wired CCTV system installed, you may need additional electrical sockets installed too, which will increase the overall installation cost slightly. For further information on installation costs related to additional electrical sockets, please click here.
How Can I Save Money on a CCTV System?
You may be able to save some money taking into consideration the actual home security CCTV cost by opting for cheaper a cheaper CCTV system that still provides you with the coverage and capabilities you seek. Opting for a wireless CCTV camera system will cost less than a wired system and a multi camera system will cost more due to more cameras required.
If you are a qualified electrician or are confident in your own abilities, you may be able to install your own CCTV system, however it is always recommended a qualified electrician undertakes the work due to assembly knowledge and troubleshooting if any difficulties occur during the installation process.
Process Of Installing A CCTV In Your Property
The first step when looking to install CCTV and CCTV camera is to review the camera specification and camera cost, with the amount of cameras required already established, as well as if you wish for any additional technical specifications to be factored in such as an infrared CCTV camera, a security camera, night vision and the option of remote monitoring.
Different types of CCTV systems
There are various different CCTV systems on offer with an average cost of between £450 up to £1,000.
High Definition Camera
A high definition CCTV camera/security camera offers a multitude of features including:
Image brightness.
Image resolution.
Frame rate.
Night vision.
The two most common high definition CCTV camera options are Dome cameras or Bullet cameras – which will be explained in further detail once you scroll down.
Wired or Wireless Camera
As mentioned previously, wireless CCTV cameras tend to be cheaper than a wired system due to no additional cabling needed, however there are many other options to explore, which we will do now!
Day/Night Camera
A day and night camera is a security camera that can obtain a clear picture during the day hours, when there is enough sunlight, and during the night, with the use of night vision, in total darkness or minimum illumination.
Bullet Camera
As mentioned previously, Bullet CCTV cameras have a cylindrical shape with a protective casing, with the capability to observe long distances alongside being highly visible cameras, which would be a physical deterrent for any potential intruders. As the Bullet cameras are usually utilised as exterior cameras, it is water, dirt and dust resistant that provide high quality pictures.
As well as the above, these night vision cameras are regularly utilised by commercial properties as well as as a home security system due to it’s features. Some models offer a pan tilt zoom option, to allow for live monitoring.
Pros:
High zoom capabilities
Resists loss of picture quality during zoom
Often strongly vandal- and weather-proof
Conspicuous – an effective deterrent
Good IR performance
Cons:
Narrower field of view – blind spots
Conspicuous (can be avoided by determined burglars)
Depending on the features, amount and size you seek, the Bullet camera cost can range from £35 up to £1,000.
Dome Camera
These cameras tend to be utilised in hospitality businesses due to the 360-degree rotation capability, wider camera lens and unobtrusive design allowing easy installation.
It has been reviewed that the dome cameras seem not to deter potential intruders as much as other CCTV cameras as it can be difficult to see which direction the CCTV camera is facing at anyone time. Again, these CCTV cameras can be utilised both as internal or external cameras.
Pros:
Wider field of view, greater area coverage with fewer cameras
Can be mounted on the ceiling (if 3-axis gimbal)
Discreet and low-profile, can catch out burglars
Cons:
Prone to degradation if subject to high humidity or poor weather (condensation)
IR performance issues in some models
Harder to install and orient initially.
Depending on the features, amount and size you seek, this camera cost can range from £60 up to over £1,000.
Cost Of Removing Old CCTV Systems
As an estimate, the removal and installation CCTV systems cost will roughly remaining the same.
The cost to remove CCTV will depend on how many cameras you have installed, what type of recording device you have, and the amount of cabling running through your property.
Due to electrical items being one of the fastest growing contributors to waste disposal in the UK, it is recommended to make contact your local authority and ask their advice or enquire from specialist installation companies where they might suggest for disposal.
What Are The Benefits Of Installing CCTV?
There are many benefits when looking to install CCTV cameras on/in either a private or commercial property.
Dependent on the number of cameras installed, CCTV costs and installation costs the benefit of having CCTV installed outweighs this!
Although the original camera cost/home CCTV installation cost may seem high, the security provided for many years, the quality of the footage captured and recording equipment is only a pro, as in instances of intruders/issues within the property, you will have visual evidence that could support any police investigation or claims.
As well as this, most offer remote access, allowing you to view live footage if you are away from the premises, increasing your peace of mind and adding an increasing visual deterrent for any intruders.
What do You need to consider when choosing a CCTV system?
There are many things you wish to consider such as the visual scope of what you are looking to record, storage and quality of the footage and placement of the cameras. Ideally, you would be looking for value for money as well as ticking off all your wants and needs!
What do you want to protect?
Depending on the location and size of the property, it’s a your discretion as to what you would like to oversee on your cameras. It is recommended to have a large scale visual area to ensure all areas are covered however the higher the placement of the cameras and dependent on the specification of the cameras, you may need more cameras.
Do you need internal or external cameras?
If you are looking to install externally, it is recommended having either a Zoom or Dome camera, allowing you a further afield scope that can cover large external areas – again depending on the size and placement of the cameras.
The Zoom camera cost can range from £100 – £850
The Dome camera cost can range from £60 – £1,000+
CCTV installation costs will vary in this aspect, with the average cost to install externally tending to be higher than installing internal ones due to additional cabling and potential installation of extra power sockets with the average cost estimated as £700.
Where will you store your footage?
There are 2 options of storage – either within the Cloud (when utilising wireless) or via an SD card located within a hard drive (when utilising wired).
The wireless camera cost overall is cheaper than a wired, due to using the Cloud and less cabling required.
There is an option of recording equipment to store your footage, in addition or instead of the SD card option. A Network Video Recorder (NVR) is a video recorder that is connected to your computer network and records video footage from the IP cameras also connected to that network. It allows you to manage an IP camera system via existing computers and IT hardware.
Dependent on the number of cameras you have, multiple network video recorders can be utilised to support with the consistent capture of recordings.
Where will the cameras be located?
Before reviewing the CCTV installation cost, you would need to have an insight into where you would like the cameras to be placed, which would then allow for scope on the number of cameras you would likely need.
Depending on what you are looking to have the cameras pointing toward/area captured, the number of cameras needed and camera choice would affect the CCTV installation cost – the more you have, the more expensive.
If you scroll upwards within this blog, there is a small list of recommended cameras that may help support your decision.
How long does it take to install a CCTV system?
As an estimated timeframe, a professional electrician should be able to install your new CCTV system within one to two days, including setting the system up, configuring it and testing it. For more details on the ins and outs of installing CCTV.
However, the timeframe given above is an estimate only, as it would depend on the amount of cameras you are looking to have installed, as well as whether they are wireless/wired etc.
Can I install a home CCTV system myself?
As discussed previously, if you are a qualified electrician or are confident in your own abilities, you may be able to install your own CCTV system, however it is always recommended a qualified electrician undertakes the work due to assembly knowledge and troubleshooting if any difficulties occur during the installation process.
How Do I Find and Hire an Electrician or CCTV Installer?
Although many CCTV kits have been designed specifically to be easy to install for DIYers, a lot of people prefer to have a professional CCTV installer. If the work is undertaken by a professional, it is usually covered by their insurance if anything goes awry, allowing you peace of mind that the work will be recompleted (usually free of charge).
Is CCTV expensive to run?
Good quality CCTV usually has minimal running costs, however it is recommended to budget for any adhoc expenses such as routine maintenance and servicing and cleaning lenses if they become dirty once a system is installed.
Currently, given the living crisis (as of November 2022) it may affect your electricity bill having the systems constantly running. As a potential solution to this, maybe only activate the system when you are away from the premises, lowering the electricity usage.
Is Online Storage Worth the Extra Cost?
A professional cloud CCTV storage installation will reduce the need for expensive hardware. Many of us are familiar with backing up personal data on memory cards and hard drives.
Online storage using the Cloud is cheap to first purchase and then to maintain – any additional extra storage may occur a charge however that would be dependent on your needs and how long you wish to keep the footage.
The average cost of utilising Cloud storage for 1TB is estimated as £7.99 per month.
Can wired CCTV be hacked?
Wired systems can be hacked, however it is more difficult to access into as the hackers would need physical access to the system as well obtaining network access to the router or the recorder receiving the footage.
Can a CCTV System Reduce My Home Insurance Premium?
There is an opportunity for insurers to reward you with a lower home insurance premium if you have a CCTV system installed as this generally would reduce the risk of a crime meaning it’s less likely you’ll need to claim.
