Alarm system costs

Whether you need an intruder alarm with a simple bell device that rings when your property is entered, or you require a more complex alarm system that offers high-level protection, knowing how much you’ll need to pay is essential.

Below, we’ll detail the cost of alarm system installation as well as other fees to factor in when choosing your alarm system.

What do the best alarm system providers cost?

To compare quotes for business security, simply complete our business security form.

What are the different types of alarm systems?

When considering alarm system costs, you’ll first need to decide on the type of device you require. Essentially, there are three to choose from:

You can conduct a risk assessment to help you understand your specific security needs, including what the potential risks or threats to your property may be. Similarly, consider the value of the contents of your premises too.

This will help you determine what alarm system you need, and therefore how much to set aside for it.

The type of sensors used and if the device is wired or wireless can influence what you can expect to pay. You may also want to consider including fire alarms and water detectors in your alarm system.

So what do the costs look like? Read on to find out…

Alarm system costs: How they break down

Here, we’ll look at what affects the cost of alarm systems to help you determine how much you’ll need to budget.

Security alarm systems prices depend on:

• Installation.
• Maintenance/services.
• Alarm system equipment.
• Monitoring packages.
• Size of premises.

If your alarm system is for a warehouse it will have different requirements than if it’s for a small coworking space. The level of protection it needs to offer – and thus the price – will therefore vary. 

Factors such as how many entry and exit points are needed, the area of the premises, as well as the nature and value of the goods on-site will all affect the type of system required and the cost.

You’ll also need to consider:

• Does your business need an alarm-only package, or will a monitoring service need to be included too?
• What is the contract price and length? For example, review the monthly price and duration, as well as if any fees apply should you need to break it early.
• Are the installation and maintenance fees included in the general package price, or do they have to be paid for separately?
• If opting for a professional installation, will you use a national or local alarm company? A national company is likely to have a broader knowledge base; however, a local company may have inside knowledge that’s specific to your area.

You’ll also need to think about the time involved – whether that’s for your labour if you choose a DIY alarm option, or for the possible disruption to your business for a professional fit-out.

The former option is ‘free’, although you pay with your time away from running your business.

However, this also depends on what alarm system you go for, as the more complicated systems are likely to need a specialist to install them.

Plus, you’ll need to factor in additional costs for extra features, such as if you’re adding in CCTV surveillance or smoke detectors.

You should also review what you need to pay immediately as well as monthly (if applicable) to give you a truer total cost.

If you want to find out more about prices and speak with suppliers, simply complete our business security questionnaire so we can match you with suitable quotes. 

Cheapest alarm systems

Here we offer a guide to what can affect the price of intruder and fire alarms, as well as water detectors.

Cheapest intruder alarm

• Type – wired or wireless alarms .
• Installation – professional installation has to be paid for or you may be able to ‘do it yourself’ (depending on the type of alarm).
• Functions – the number and level of protective features.
• Monitoring – the type of monitoring service offered e.g. police response, depending on what is included in the monitoring package.
• Extent of coverage – such as the number and location of sensors.
• Premises – similarly, the nature and type of premises to be alarmed, as well as the number of access points and the number of people in the building.
• Complexity – a standalone alarm system is likely to be cheaper than one which is integrated with other security systems such as surveillance cameras, fire alarms. 
• Risk – property with high value items or other greater risks may require additional elements .

Cheapest fire alarm

• Amount – the number of call points, heat detectors, sounders and smoke detectors required. 
• Type – such optical, ionisation, or combined, as well as if it’s wired/wireless, addressable etc.
• Servicing – in addition to the costs of the alarm itself, the ongoing servicing charges should be considered too.

Cheapest water detector

• Type of system – the different types of water detectors, such as basic sensors, or more advanced conventional/addressable systems.
• Battery power life – battery power life is useful in case of a power cut, so how long the battery can last for could be key.
• Sounders – if the alarm is raised when water is detected by audible sounders or not.
• Type of premises to be covered – the area to be covered, as well as the type of protection required.
• Installation – you may be able to install some water detectors yourself, whereas others may require professional installation.
• Area – if the area the water detector will be placed in is at greater risk, you may need a more advanced system.
• Purpose – whether you’re using a basic detector that you install yourself or a one-off commercial detection system for a specific issue (such as while renovating a property or working on a construction site, for example).

Intruder alarm costs

Intruder alarm costs are determined by the type of alarm and the size of the premises to be covered, as well as taking into account any additional features or functions (e.g. smoke alarm capability, maintenance services). Costs may also be affected by the time of year – seasonal sales, for example.

When reviewing intruder alarm costs, you need to consider:

• Alarm type – wired and wireless alarms are offered at different price points.
• VAT – check whether the prices given are inclusive or exclusive of VAT (if applicable for your business).
• Extra charges – additional fobs or keys for the alarm, as well as fire alarm features, are two examples of ways in which the price could increase.
• Exit fees – if your alarm service is contracted, be aware that there could be exit fees if you decide to finish the service before the set date.

Be sure to check which equipment is included – does the package have everything you need to set up an intruder alarm or will some elements need to be added separately? Plus, are any additional or exclusive features available?

Also, consider what type of alarm provider would best suit your business’ needs – a small, local company or a big, national provider?

Here is a rough guide to the costs of different types of alarms.

A monitored wireless alarm is likely to cost around £100-£200, so may fall into the basic or mid-range brackets, depending on its features, while an auto-dialler alarm is usually priced about £200-£300. You can expect to pay in the region of £150 for a smart alarm, and £250 to have it installed professionally.

Note that the costs for the basic and mid-range alarms vary according to the features they have, and are offered on the basis that they will be self-installed. The higher end of the advanced price range is likely to require professional installation. The size of the premises will also influence which equipment and installation method is required.

In addition to the cost of the alarm itself, you should also factor in the cost of a maintenance contract for repairs and servicing – it could cost £80 a year, as one example.

Best intruder alarms

Or, learn more about intruder alarms here.

Fire alarm costs

When assessing how much it will cost you to install a fire alarm system, you should consider:

• The size of the business – how much area needs to be covered will determine the type of fire alarm your business needs and the price.
• How complex the system needs to be – a home office and a warehouse, for example, are likely to have different needs.
• The type of connection – new or rewired systems should be installed by a professional, whereas some battery powered alarms may be suitable for self-installation.
• How much time it will take to install – whether you intend to fit the alarm yourself or it requires a professional to do it, assess if the installation time will have an impact on your business.
• Additional costs – check if site visits and assessments are included or if they incur an extra charge.

Fire alarms costs can be separated into the costs for the materials and the cost of installation. Within that, installation has two options: install the fire alarm yourself or hire a professional company to do it. If you hire a tradesperson, you’re likely to be charged an hourly or daily rate for their labour time and then for the materials, if they source them.

Here we summarise what you can expect to pay for different types of fire alarms, as well as the costs involved for materials and installation, plus how long it may take.

Smart alarms (those that connect with apps or devices or that offer other tech features) are likely to be situated at the higher end of the price ranges provided.

Similarly, whether the alarms are interconnected or not will also affect where they fall along the spectrum of costs.

Also, bear in mind that a large commercial premises with a fire alarm system which includes multiple zones and detectors could take up to a week to install with materials and labour costing £1000+ respectively.

In general, you can expect to pay between £2,000-£5,000 for a fire alarm system for commercial premises.

This depends on the type of business, as well as how many call points, detectors, sounders, and sirens are needed in the system. The type of smoke alarm required (such as ionisation or optical, for example) will also contribute to the total costs.

To get more information that’s relevant to your specific business’ needs, fill in our business security form to compare quotes that match your answers.

Be sure to check if the prices are inclusive or exclusive of VAT, if applicable for your business.

Note that you’ll also need to factor in costs to service and maintain the fire alarm, if you opt for a fire alarm provided by a professional company. The rate charged depends on the number of devices in the system, and it may take place once or twice a year.

The maintenance and service visits for a fire alarm system with up to 20 devices could cost around £125-£150, as an example. While this number of devices is likely to apply for most small businesses, you can expect the price to increase the more devices there are in the system.

Best fire alarms

To find out more about business security based on your specific business needs, tell us what your business need, and we’ll match you with quotes. It takes two minutes and is completely free.

When choosing the best fire alarms, some of the best fire alarm features to look out for  include:

• Ionisation.
• Optical.
• Heat.
• Combined – smoke/heat, smoke/carbon monoxide.
• Monitoring service (extra) – with emergency services response.
• If it can be accessed via an app.
• Decibel level of siren.
• How easy it is to test.

Discover the different types of fire alarms here.

Water detector costs

In the table below, you can get a rough idea of the different types of water detectors and how much they may cost.

At the higher end of the smart water detector price point, there may also be the option to use it via an app, as well as additional features such as humidity or temperature detection too. Some may also be able to connect with smart home devices, like Alexa.

Depending on the system, you could get a water detector that connects with your intruder alarm or fire alarm, if they are all from the same provider and can be connected, such as via an app.

The type and number of sensors can affect the price too, as budget water detectors often have three sensors, while more advanced devices may use a cable sensor.

While it’s possible to use a basic water detector, there are several other features that may be useful to consider for your business, and that may affect the price. For example:

• Rustproof design.
• Alerts e.g. buzzing, alarm.
• Wired or wireless.
• Smart detectors for text or email notifications.
• Detect humidity and temperatures changes, as well as water.

Additionally, the questions below may help you understand what the total water detectors costs may be:

• How much power does it consume? The lower the power consumption level, the less impact on your business electricity bills.
• Is the battery included in the price of the device? Not all water detector costs include this, especially the budget options. In addition, assess the battery’s lifetime and how frequently it needs to be replaced.
• Is a hub necessary? Some smart water detectors require a hub or gateway to connect it to the router, whereas some can connect directly to the router. If a separate hub is required, then factor in the costs for this too.
• Where can it be placed? The cheaper options may be more limited on where they can be placed, such as only on a wall or a particular type of surface.
• How long does it take to set up? A wireless water detector may be ready to use, and so only requires minimal time away from your business to set it up.

It’s also wise to consider what support, if any, is provided.

Some other options to consider include single use water detectors and more complex commercial water detector systems from a professional company.

Single use water detectors are designed to be placed in the relevant area and may have a certain lifetime with a built-in battery. The detector works within this timeframe until a water leak is detected, and then a new one is required.

More complex systems for businesses from a commercial water detector company are likely to have a cable, a sensor (or multiple sensors), and a control panel.

Best water detectors

Alarm system installation costs

You can either install an alarm system yourself or use a professional company.

Some factors that may determine which installation method is best suited to your business include:

• The size of your business premises – smaller areas with simple requirements lend themselves to self-installation, whereas bigger premises with more complex needs tend to require professional installation.
• The type of alarm – wired alarms are likely to need a professional to install them, due to the structural and electrical work involved, whereas a wireless alarm may only need to be connected to the internet.
• The type of contract – if you opt for an ongoing contracted service, such as monitoring or maintenance of the alarms, then this may influence if you can install the alarm yourself or if the company needs to do it.

This is what you can expect to pay for alarm system installation:

• For a basic alarm that you install yourself, the lower end of the price range will be a simple alarm, while the higher end is likely to be a more sophisticated device, with an app or a smart alarm, for example.
• Professional installation without an ongoing contract may be higher, depending on the alarm and business type – £800+, for example.
• Note that the greater the number of sensors, the higher the price is likely to be.

Alarm system monitoring costs

If you opt for a monitoring service, this is often charged monthly. The monthly cost of monitored alarm systems will be influenced by:

• Alarm type – the number of sensors and the way in which the alarm is connected (wired or wireless).
• Police response – if the monitoring service includes police response to any call-outs or activations, then you can expect the price to increase.

These are the approximate monthly monitoring costs you can expect:

Note that the monthly charges may be affected by the set contract length (e.g. 12, 24, or 36 months). The lower the monthly price, the longer the contract is likely to be, whereas higher monthly costs may be offset by a shorter contract.

For example, monthly alarm costs for a basic alarm service could be under £20, while a mid-range range alarm service could be around £25-£35. A more advanced system could be £40+ a month, also depending on the contract lengths.

If you already have an alarm installed, it may also be possible to get a contract for only the monitored service.

How to save money on your alarm system

When working out how much your alarm system could cost, it’s likely you’ll want to know how to save money – our top tips include:

• Customise the system to your business needs – whether you only require an alarm system in certain areas or with specific features, customising it to match what you require can help you to focus on spending only on what is essential.
• Review maintenance contracts – some may offer you just a standard check for the system, while others may include repairs and other on-site visits, so assess how much cover you’re likely to need and tailor the service accordingly.
• Shop around – as with other business services, it’s important to do your research and find as many possible options for alarm system installation as possible. We can help with this too – you can compare quotes for business security by using our quote-finding tool.
• Inform your insurance provider – sometimes, fitting an alarm system into your premises may enable you to get discounted rates on your business insurance, so check with the insurance company to find out more.

What’s next?

You’ve now learned more about what you can expect to pay for different commercial alarm systems. 

From here, for further information based on your business requirements, you should speak with suppliers – Startups.co.uk can help with this too. Just fill in the form at the top of the page – it’s free, easy and quick.

Alarm system costs: The FAQs

Here, we answer common queries you may have when thinking about the cost of alarm system installation.

What are pay monthly alarm systems?

If you choose to have a monitoring service with your alarm, then you’re likely to pay for it on a monthly basis for a set period of time. This is usually for a year, although could be up to three years.

How much should you pay for alarm monitoring?

Costs for monitoring services can vary considerable, depending on the type and level of monitoring you opt for. Set up costs could be in the range of £100-£700, while monthly charges are likely to be between £15-£45. Read our alarm system monitoring costs section for more information.

How much does it cost to install an alarm system in the UK?

When looking at overall costs for alarm system installation, it really depends on the type, level and purpose of the system. For more information based on your business specifically, compare quotes for business security using our custom-built quote-finding tool.