CCTV Cost Guide: Factors Affecting Pricing and Budgeting

For the most part, CCTV isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but below we’ll explain what factors can affect the price of your CCTV system so that you can make the most informed decision.

1. Type of CCTV System

The type of CCTV system you choose is a significant factor that determines the cost of installation. There are Three main types of CCTV systems: analog, digital and wireless. Analog systems use an older type of technology to capture images and tend to be less expensive to purchase. They are, however, less configurable and tend to have lower image quality than digital systems. Digital systems are a newer technology and use a different type of cabling to connect the cameras to the recorder. They offer higher image quality, are more configurable with a smoother image and less pixilation. The final option is wireless, wireless CCTV cameras use your home or business Wi-Fi which allows the cameras to connect to the internet from anywhere there is signal. Wi-Fi or wireless CCTV tend to have image quality that is similar to analog CCTV and can be fairly easy to setup, however, this type of camera can bring its own challenges when it comes to changing batteries or finding a nearby power outlet.

It’s important to note that all these types of CCTV systems can be accessed from a smartphone app.

The number of cameras you need to install will also impact the cost of the installation. The more cameras you need, the higher the cost of installation. However, it's important to note that installing more cameras doesn't necessarily mean better security. It's important to strategically place the cameras and calculate viewing angles to maximize their effectiveness.

The quality and use of the camera is also a factor that affects the cost of installation. Higher resolution IP cameras provide better image quality, more functionality, and a smoother picture, which can help with identification and investigation. It would be worth mentioning that certain cameras are better suited to certain purposes, for example if you needed a camera to track cars or trucks leaving your warehouse a high quality ANPR (number plate recognition) camera would be ideal. Whereas a fairly standard analog camera would be sufficient for a small home driveway.

4. Distance Between Cameras and Recorder

The distance between the cameras and the recorder is another factor that impacts the cost of installation. The longer the distance, the more cabling and labour are required, and the higher the cost of installation. It's important to plan the installation carefully to ensure your cable routes are neat but also so they don’t take up a lot of labour time.

A good CCTV installer will help plan CCTV cable routes when they come and survey your property.

5. Labour Costs

The cost of labour is a significant factor that affects the cost of CCTV installation. Labour costs can vary depending on the complexity of the installation and the expertise of the technician. It's important to choose a reputable installer with experience in CCTV installation to ensure that the job is done to the highest standard.

In our research labour costs can vary from £150-£480 per day

We could write a whole new blog on this… but for summary, the difference in costs tends to be down to experience, size of business and the dreaded VAT. In our research a one person CCTV installation company that has been setup recently tends to charge less than one that has been running for many years and has wealth of experience. An installer that is VAT registered can also sometimes appear slightly more expensive than one that is not because they are legally required to add VAT (20%) onto their costs.

If you image buying CCTV is like buyer a car, there are lots of optional features and customised bits that can be sprinkled on top to make it that much better or if you own a Lamborghini easer to live with. You guessed it… £600 for a cup holder

The same can be said for CCTV, once you’ve chosen your system type you can now configure it how you’d like, so long as the functionality is there in the first place. Additional features could be, motion detection, facial recognition, number plate recognition, intrusion detection or object removal detection. These features can enhance the security of the system, but some can take time to configure and therefore increase the cost of your CCTV install.

7. Maintenance and Monitoring Costs

This part tends to only apply to commercial or business users, but monitoring can also be used in home environment. Monitored CCTV can be regularly checked by a ‘monitoring station’ to ensure the home or business is safe from crime. In the event something or someone does appear to be disturbing the peace, some monitoring stations can dispatch a patrol or guards to the location and resolve the situation. Monitoring for CCTV is usually a monthly subscription.

Maintenance doesn’t tend to apply to home environments, but some installers may offer it as a yearly service. Costs can include cleaning the cameras, replacing worn or damaged components, and updating the software.

Both maintenance and monitoring can add additional costs to your CCTV ownership.

In conclusion, the cost of installing CCTV can vary depending on several factors. These factors include the type of CCTV system, the number of cameras, the quality of the cameras, the distance between cameras and recorder, labour costs, additional features, and maintenance costs. It's important to consider these factors when budgeting for CCTV installation to ensure that you get a system that meets your security needs.

Harry Solutions provide the latest CCTV systems for domestic and commercial premises. We can offer advice and guidance to ensure you have the most appropriate system to give you ultimate security and peace of mind.

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