An intruder alarm is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect a business, but prices vary widely, and a quote that looks cheap can leave you without the cover you actually need. Here is what drives the cost and how to compare options sensibly.
Ballpark costs
Every site is different, so any figure is only a guide. As a starting point:
- Small commercial unit or shop: often from a few hundred pounds for a basic system up to around a couple of thousand for a properly graded, monitored installation.
- Offices, workshops and multi-room premises: typically a few thousand pounds, rising with the number of detectors and zones.
- Larger or higher risk sites: priced after a survey, often including a combination of detection types and monitoring.
Monitoring and maintenance are ongoing costs on top of installation. Prices are generally higher in London and the South East.
What decides the price
The security grade
Intruder alarms are designed to a grade under the BS EN 50131 standard, from Grade 1 (low risk) to Grade 4 (high risk). Most commercial premises are specified at Grade 2 or Grade 3. A higher grade means more robust equipment and more protection against tampering, so it costs more. Your insurer may specify the grade you need.
Number and type of detectors
Door contacts, passive infrared (PIR) motion detectors, dual technology detectors, glass break sensors and external beams all cost different amounts. A building with many rooms or an awkward layout needs more devices.
Wired, wireless or hybrid
Wired systems are reliable and have no batteries, but need cable routes. Wireless is quicker to fit, especially in occupied buildings, and is easier to extend. Hybrid panels let you use both. The right answer depends on the building, not on a rule of thumb.
Monitoring
A monitored alarm sends signals to an alarm receiving centre (ARC), which can alert keyholders and, where eligible, the police. The ongoing fee depends on the type of signalling and the level of service.
Extras
Remote arming from an app, personal attack buttons, integration with CCTV or access control, and external sounders or strobes all add to the specification.
Do not forget the running costs
- Maintenance: at least one visit a year is normal and is often needed to keep insurance and police response valid.
- Monitoring fee: usually monthly or annual.
- Batteries and consumables: especially on wireless systems.
What to ask in a quote
- What grade is the system designed to and does that meet my insurer’s requirement?
- Is it eligible for police response, and who will apply for the reference number? (See how police response works.)
- How is the alarm signalled to the monitoring centre, and what happens if the phone line or internet goes down?
- What is included in the maintenance contract and the call-out response time?
- Who is the monitoring company and how many keyholders can I name?
If you would like a no-obligation survey and written quote, take a look at our intruder alarm installation service or call 01296 614440.
Frequently asked questions
Is a wireless intruder alarm cheaper than a wired one?
Wireless systems usually cost less to install because there is less cabling, but the equipment can cost more and the sensors need battery changes. Many commercial systems use a mix of wired and wireless devices.
Do I need a monitored alarm?
A bells-only alarm makes noise but relies on someone nearby acting on it. A monitored alarm is checked by an alarm receiving centre that can call keyholders and, with the right system and installer, the police.
How often does an intruder alarm need servicing?
At least once a year is normal, and an approved maintenance contract is often a condition of insurance and police response.