Cost of CCTV Installation

Find out how much installing a CCTV system will cost you!

On average, a new CCTV system can cost around £350 to install, but depending on how many security cameras you want and the type of system you choose - the price can change!

That's why we've created this in-depth guide to help you calculate all the exact CCTV camera price for your needs, whether that's a home camera system, or any other type of property.

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Read the price guide below to discover everything about CTTV camera installation costs!

How Much Does CCTV Cost?

The cost to install CCTV depends on the system that you are choosing. The main factors that affect the price are the number of cameras and the type of camera system you choose.

Multi-camera systems range in price from £350 - £1,700. For a single security camera, installation costs start as cheap as £70 for camera and installation, or as expensive as £2,500. The average price is only around £350.

CCTV Prices

Your CCTV installation price will depend on the type of camera you chose and how large the system you choose is.

Camera Type

These are the total costs for a single camera for each type.

Size of System

This is the cost for the most popular multi-camera systems.

Supply Costs Only

Camera Type

The below table sets out the costs for different types of CCTV cameras.

Size of System

This is the cost for the most popular multi-camera systems.

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Additional Costs

There are some jobs that you might need to get done before you can install a CCTV system. There are also jobs that you may want to get done at the same time if you are looking to improve the security of your home.

New Outdoor Socket

An outdoor socket can be useful if you are not able to/don’t want to run a power cable into your house. The average cost to get one fitted is £130.

New Consumer Unit

If your consumer unit is older or doesn’t have enough space, then you might need to get a new one to support your CCTV system if it is more extensive. The average price to get a new consumer unit installed is £500.

New Front Door

A CCTV system can only do so much. A secure and trustworthy front door is an essential item to secure your home. The average cost to get a new front door fitted is £1,000.

Home Security

A CCTV system is useful for seeing what happened after an incident, but it doesn’t warn you of problems. If you want to install a full security system, the average cost is £500.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The time it will take to install your CCTV system will depend heavily on the system that you choose. A single-camera system can be installed in under an hour. A multi-camera system will take anywhere from a few hours to a full day.

The installation costs will reflect the complexity of the system you are installing. Installing a single camera can cost as little as £30. Installing a fully wired multi-camera system will cost £200 - £800.

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Cost Factors of Installing CCTV

When it comes to CCTV price, there are a few factors that come into play.

Number of Cameras

A single-camera system will be the cheapest option. They will typically plug into a standard socket and require no extensive caballing.

Multi-camera CCTV installation prices are much higher. There will be a lot more cables to lay and organise. These systems may need their own connection to your consumer unit, so will need to be installed by a competent person.

Type Of Camera

Some cameras have more features, so they will cost more. You will have to pay more to get a higher definition picture or broader range.

What's Involved in Installing CCTV?

The installation will depend on the type of system that you choose.

General Installation

The first step in installing a camera is choosing the location. You need to be sure it can see the place you want to monitor. There also needs to be space for the camera and access to power if required.

The location should also be out of easy reach; otherwise, it will be easy to disable. It also helps to protect the camera if you can fit it under the eaves of the house.

The next step is to mount the camera to the wall. This involves using a mounting bracket and screws.

Finally, you need to sort out any wires, to give the camera a power supply.

Battery Powered Cameras

Battery-powered cameras typically don’t need any wires at all. So once the camera is mounted, you’re all done.

DVR Cameras

DVR cameras will need to be connected to the recording system. This will be done with network cables. It often takes some time to pin all the wires out of the way and make it look neat and tidy.

Wireless/IP/Network Cameras

For wireless cameras, you will need to connect them to your WIFI, or Bluetooth to link them to the recording system. You will then need to make sure they are properly connected to any app you might use to control and monitor them.

Can I Install CCTV Myself?

How easy it is to install CCTV cameras will depend on the type of cameras you choose. If you are getting a single camera, then it will be an easy DIY job. If you are getting a comprehensive multi-camera system, it might be better left to a professional.

Fitting the cameras in position is a simple process; the issue comes with the wiring. If they need to go to your consumer box for power, then you should have the work done by someone who is a registered Part P competent person. Otherwise, you need to get the work inspected to ensure it complies with building standards.

Where to Install CCTV

How easy it is to install CCTV cameras will depend on the type of cameras you choose. If you are getting a single camera, then it will be an easy DIY job. If you are getting a comprehensive multi-camera system, it might be better left to a professional.

Fitting the cameras in position is a simple process; the issue comes with the wiring. If they need to go to your consumer box for power, then you should have the work done by someone who is a registered Part P competent person. Otherwise, you need to get the work inspected to ensure it complies with building standards.

Location

You need to choose where you need your camera to be located.

Exterior

Most CCTV camera systems are located outside. The most common position is pointing at your external doors. The average cost is £200.

Interior

If you need cameras inside your home, for instance, to keep an eye on pets while you’re out. Then you have more options. The average cost is £100.

Choosing CCTV Cameras

The type of camera mount and shape that you chose will determine what your camera can see:

Dome Camera Cost

These are a type of camera that can be deceptive. You can’t tell where they’re pointing by looking at them. The average price is £100.

Pros

• ✔ Can be a better deterrent as they are harder to avoid

Cons

• ✖ Still have a limited view of around 100^o
• ✖ Most can be broken without too much effort

Bullet Camera Cost

Bullet cameras are the most common type of CCTV camera. If you think of a commercial CCTV camera on the outside of a building, that is a bullet camera. They are also known as lipstick cameras. The average cost is £150.

Pros

• ✔ Small
• ✔ Easy to Hide

Cons

• ✖ Can tell where they are looking

C-Mount Camera Cost

These cameras have changeable lenses so you can alter the view to suit your needs. They are more suited to viewing large areas. The average cost is £1,500.

Pros

• ✔ Long-range
• ✔ Easy to spot, so good as a deterrent

Cons

• ✖ More expensive
• ✖ Bulky, so harder to install

PTZ Camera Cost

These are some of the most popular cameras on the market at the moment. You can control them to decide what they see, as you need. The average CCTV camera price is £300.

Pros

• ✔ Can aim at what you want to see
• ✔ Wide field of vision

Cons

• ✖ Manual pan versions are really just static cameras you can point more easily
• ✖ More expensive

Day/Night Camera Cost

Day/night cameras can operate in both the bright and dim light. They have very sensitive light detection system. The average cost is £250.

Pros

• ✔ Can work in place IR cameras don’t

Cons

• ✖ Don’t work in full dark

Night Vision Camera Cost

Despite there being three names, these all work the same way. They have infrared detectors which can detect people even in the full dark. The average price is £200.

Pros

• ✔ Work in full dark
• ✔ Very long range

Cons

• ✖ Pictures in the dark, won’t be suitable for identification in most cases

Motion Activated Camera Cost

These cameras only turn on when someone moves into their sensor range. The average cost is £150.

Pros

• ✔ Use small amounts of battery
• ✔ Only record when something interesting is happening

Cons

• ✖ They only record when something comes into range, so they may not catch everything important

24-Hour Camera Cost

These cameras are recording all the time. The average cost is £200.

Pros

• ✔ They catch everything. They may record people who believe they are not in range of the camera. The average cost is

Cons

• ✖ They use more energy – not battery powered
• ✖ You will have a lot of footage to store and hunt through if anything happens

Battery Powered Camera Cost

Battery-powered cameras are a simple and easy option. There is no need to wire them up, so the installation is simple. If you don’t want to change the batteries, you can find ones that attach to solar panels. The average cost is £150.

Pros

• ✔ Simple set up
• ✔ Can place in more locations
• ✔ Cheap option

Cons

• ✖ Motion Activated Only
• ✖ Need to plan to recharge/change batteries

Wireless Camera Cost

The name is a little confusing. Wireless means that they send their data without wires, either using Bluetooth or WIFI. They still need to be plugged in for power. The average cost is £150.

Pros

• ✔ Easier Installation

Cons

• ✖ Potentially hackable

4G LTE Camera Cost

These cameras have their own sim card, which they use to get a signal to transmit data as needed. They are typically only motion sensor cameras. The average cost is £200.

Pros

• ✔ Don’t need to be in range of your WIFI
• ✔ Portable

Cons

• ✖ Use more power than other cameras

Recording System

There are two different ways that the data can be collected from your cameras.

Digital Video Recorder Cost

These are true CCTV cameras. The whole system is wired, and the images are recorded on an independent system. The average cost is £150.

Pros

• ✔ Most secure option

Cons

• ✖ More difficult to install

Network Video Recorder Cost

These systems will share their data over the internet. The average cost is £200.

Pros

• ✔ You can access the data from anywhere, including remote viewing
• ✔ Fewer wires are needed, so installation is easier

Cons

• ✖ The video feed can be hacked

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for CCTV

Planning permission is unlikely to apply to the installation of CCTV cameras. The main exception is if you live in a listed property. To check the details, you can visit the government’s planning portal for more information.

Building regulations will apply to the in stallion of your cameras if they need to be wired into your home’s consumer unit. Most single camera systems only require a plug socket and will be exempt.

If you need to connect to the consumer unit for power, then you will need to have the work either inspected on completion. Or you should check that your installer is a Part P registered person. This means that they can self-certify that the work is completed to the correct standard.

Benefits of CCTV

There are a lot of benefits to installing CCTV in your home, some of which you may not have considered. Here are some of the benefits that people report after installing CCTV

Deter Thieves

Having visible cameras and warning signs can stop thieves from targeting your home. If there are other options, why would they target a home where there are clearly safety measures in place.

Identify Criminals

If your home is the target of a crime, then your CCTV set up may be able to help. If the criminals are caught on camera, it can make it easier to identify them. It can also speed up the whole process of an investigation and criminal case.

Evidence

CCTV is beneficial for building criminal cases. It can provide evidence for a wide range of matters, including, theft, vandalism and stalking.

Cheaper Insurance

If you have CCTV installed, then it may reduce your insurance premiums. If this is something that appeals to you, then it is worth having a conversation with your insurer to see if they have a preferred system that would have the most significant impact on your costs.

Feel Safer

Having a security system that includes CCTV can make you feel safer in your own home. If you are feeling unsafe for any reason, then having the cameras can make a difference. The ability to quickly check them can also be the reassurance you need to be comfortable in your home again.

Remote Monitoring

Some CCTV systems allow you to monitor your home from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be very reassuring when you are on holiday, or if you have workmen/ pet sitters in your home.

Do I Need to Install CCTV?

If you are unsure if getting CCTV installed is right for you then here are a few reasons why it might be a good idea to consider doing it.

Location

If you live in an area that has a high crime rate, then it is a good idea to consider getting CCTV set up. It can deter criminals from targeting your home at all. If you are the victim of a crime in your home, a CCTV system can help you to identify the offenders and possibly retrieve your property.

Previous Crime Target

If you or your property has been the target of crime in the past, then it can be worth considering if CCTV is a good option. Installing CCTV in a home that has previously been targeted shows that you have taken actions to prevent further issues. This alone can deter criminals from targeting your home.

Stalking Concerns

If you are concerned that you may have a stalker or are receiving unwanted attention from anyone, then CCTV is a useful tool. It can be used to provide evidence of harassment and can also alert you if your property is getting unwanted attention. It can be difficult to get the police to act on stalking concerns, and CCTV can provide the needed evidence to get them to act.

Removing CCTV Cost

Removing CCTV cameras is not a difficult task. It is something that most people can do DIY. It involves unscrewing the cameras from their positions and removing any connecting wires. Depending on the wiring, it can be a good idea to turn the electricity off before starting.

If you want to pay a tradesperson to remove your existing CCTV set up, you will be paying them for their time. The job is unlikely to take long unless you have a large number of cameras or they are in very difficult to access locations. You can expect the job to take no more than an hour or two. So you should expect to pay, no more than £150 at the very most.

Hiring Contractors to Install CCTV Checklist

If you are hiring someone to install a security system in your home, then you need to be able to trust them. You don’t want just anyone to be able to access your CCTV feed. Here are some things to look out for that can give you some reassurance that you can trust your chosen tradesperson.

• Accreditation – look for installers who are members of The National Security Inspectorate (NSI or NCOSS) and the Security Alarm and Inspection Board (SSAIB)
• The NSI has a list of screened installers which is a sign that they have been checked and are certified as a safe installer.
• Qualification – You would expect and installer to have a relevant qualification such as a being a ‘certified Technical Security Profession (CTSP). This shows they have undergone training specifically to install systems like CCTV.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property/domestic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/139/security