How much does security camera installation cost?

Security cameras record what is going on around them, and offer real-time viewing of your home or other properties. Cameras can offer young families peace of mind by helping keep kids safe. Cameras also allow property owners to safely interact with people who ring the doorbell and to keep a watchful eye on items of value (such as art or jewelry). They allow owners to keep an eye on their home and property while on vacation or at work. Security camera systems can help you protect anything or anyone you want to keep safe.

Surveillance camera installation can protect a property’s perimeter and help prevent crime. Homes, apartments, multi-unit buildings and commercial spaces can all benefit from security camera installation. If you're often concerned about security or safety, a camera system might just help you ease your worries and sleep better at night.

Security camera systems can include remote camera viewing access systems, window and door sensors, motion sensors, and more. You can choose from a single home security camera or a full video surveillance system involving multiple security cameras. Property owners can pre-purchase cameras and security systems or have a professional installer provide them. Ask a pro about how their warranties work with pre-purchased items, and let them explain what they can cover upon installation.

Installation can involve just one camera for a specific location—such as a front porch—or multiple cameras around a property, covering as many doors and windows as customers would like. Security professionals install cameras and camera monitoring systems and ensure the whole system works together.

You can choose between wired and wireless security cameras, and they can be placed indoors or outdoors. Features include motion activation, night vision, and the ability to live stream footage to a personal device. This means you could keep an eye on your system from your phone or tablet while at work or on vacation. Video footage can be captured and stored using a digital video recorder (DVR) or network video recorder (NVR). These are some of the cost factors affecting the total cost of security camera installation.

Some security camera installation pros charge an hourly rate for services. An hourly rate may apply to smaller jobs like repairs, installation on smaller projects, or wiring an individual camera. It may also apply to installing a system that a customer bought separately from the security company. Rates can vary based on level of expertise, skill range and regional labor costs. Ask about the installation process, and what all is included in the cost offered by your local provider. They can help you break down costs to make decisions easier.

Here are a couple of examples of hourly rates:

Connection 1 in Waterford, Michigan

• One technician: $45–$65
• Each additional technician: $20–$40 per hour

HomeTheaterLA in La Verne, California

• $125 for service fee and first hour of labor (within 30 miles of the Rancho Cucamonga area)
• Each additional hour: $85

Some home security companies charge a set price for standard camera line installations. This type of work involves having a professional installer running wiring and cable lines to power so you can transmit a video feed. These set fees are generally for labor only and do not include the cost of the camera. Hi-Tech Installs in Austin, Texas charges $100 per camera line installation.

Here’s a breakdown of how the number of cameras affect installation cost:

Home security companies offer monitoring of security systems, or alarm systems, for a monthly fee. Monitoring usually includes 24/7 assistance, and a function to notify the police when the alarm is triggered. You can even have smoke detectors wired into your home security system. Some companies offer video hosting of security camera feeds in a cloud database, meaning they both record and save the feed ftor you. Monitoring can be much more comprehensive for higher priced packages. Connection 1 charges the following for entry-level installation and basic security monitoring:

• Installation: $99 one-time fee, with higher pricing for more complex systems
• Monitoring: $20 and higher monthly fee, depending on the level of service desired

Customers can purchase an entire security camera system from a home security company. This can be a good way to go if you want or need a lot of protection, but don't know where to start on your own. Ask lots of questions and let them guide you through choosing what's right for you. A packaged home security system usually includes the equipment and installation, as well as special rates for ongoing monitoring. Security camera package prices vary, depending on the specific equipment installed, and the extent to which the property is wired with cameras. The camera type chosen will affect the total package cost, as will the level of complexity of the project.

A professional installation company will ask you questions about the type of property you want to protect, as well as what you want the system to do. They'll take all that information and make sure you get the system you need. They'll also make sure it's set up properly.

Here are a few examples of packages from Surveillance Made Affordable in Fort Worth, Texas:

Entry-level package installation cost: $1,000 + tax Includes installation, four 2-megapixel cameras, four-channel 1080P DVR system, which stores a video feed that is cabled to the DVR from the cameras, and a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

Mid-range package installation cost: $1,800 + tax Includes installation, eight 3-megapixel cameras, eight-channel 1080P DVR and a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

Top-level package installation cost: $2,200 + tax Includes installation, eight 3-megapixel cameras, eight-channel NVR, which receives recordings of video feeds without cables—the information is transmitted by internet connection so the NVR does not have to be cabled to the cameras—and a two-year warranty on parts and labor.