How Much Does a House Alarm Cost?
Are you looking for information on the cost of installing an alarm system?
In this article, we will look at all of the prices involved with installing an alarm system, including the supply costs, the labour costs, and any additional costs that may be involved with this type of work.
So, how much does an alarm system installation cost?
The cost of installing an alarm system will depend a lot on your personal preferences, your home, and your budget. It will also depend on the type of alarm system that you have installed.
There are many different types of alarm systems so the prices can vary substantially.
The most basic type of alarm system is a bells-only alarm. This emits a loud siren if the burglar alarm system is triggered. This type of burglar alarm costs around £125-£300 to install. This is an effective system as it can deter intruders and alert your neighbours or authorities of the intrusion.
What if you're looking for a more extensive alarm system?
If you are looking for a more extensive type of alarm system, you could pay up to around £500-£800 for the installation.
Below is a table highlighting the typical costs that you can expect for the installation of different types of house alarm systems:
Alarm System Prices
| Types of Alarm System | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Bells-only alarm installation cost | £125-£200 |
| Silent alarm system installation cost | £200-£300 |
| Wireless alarm system installation cost | £200-£500 |
| Wired alarm system installation cost | £400-£800 |
| Dialler alarm system installation cost | £175-£200 |
| Smart security alarm system installation cost | £190-£400 |
What are the Supply Costs of an Alarm Installation?
When it comes to alarm systems, the costs for the supplies can vary depending on the system.
Below is a table showing the various costs that you can expect for different alarm systems:
| Types of Supply | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Motion sensors | £20-£50 |
| Door and window sensors | £20-£30 |
| Panic button | £15-£90 |
| Wired security cameras | £70-£200 |
| Wireless security cameras | £50-£270 |
| Security control panel | £40-£100 |
| Keypad | £30-£60 |
| Siren | £40-£80 |
What are the Additional Costs of Installing an Alarm?
There are several additional costs that you may need to think about when it comes to installing an alarm. Below is a list of expenses that may come up with this type of work:
New Front Door Installation
When installing an alarm system, you may also want to install a new front door for extra security. This is especially beneficial if your current front door is quite old.
The cost to install a new front door can vary depending on the type of front door that you have installed. You can expect to pay around £300-£1000 for a new front door.
Home Security Installation
If you are installing an alarm, you may also want to think about installing a home security system. The overall price for a home security system can vary depending on the type of system that you choose. The average cost of a home security system is around £165-£470.
Security Stickers
Many homeowners choose to place security stickers on their home to help to deter any potential intruders. These can be very effective at turning away burglars or other intruders. The cost of a pack of security stickers is around £3-£5.
External Lighting
If you want to add additional security to your home, external lighting can be a very good investment. There are various types of external lights that you can choose from, and the price you pay will depend on which you choose. The average cost of exterior lighting is around £125-£400.
Tradesmen Costs for Installing an Alarm System
If you are planning on buying your alarm system equipment before it is installed, you may be interested in learning about the labour costs alone. In this section, we will look at the labour costs that you may expect with this type of work.
A security alarm specialist will usually take around £150-£200 per day for the labour of installing a security alarm system. Most alarm systems shouldn’t take more than a day to install, and some may take just half a day, so you can expect the overall labour costs to fall somewhere between £75-£200 on average.
Smart home security systems typically take an hour or two to install, and these labour costs will most likely be around £35-£50. A bells-only alarm will usually take around a day to complete, so you can expect this to cost about £150-£200 to install.
If you install a silent alarm with police-calling services, this can be much more difficult to install and will take longer. This type of alarm may take up to two days to install, so it could cost around £200-£300 in labour costs.
Those based in London can also expect to pay more for the labour costs of installing an alarm system than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
How Long Does It Take to Fit an Alarm System?
Are you wondering how long it might take to install an alarm system at your home? Below is an overview of the timescales that you can expect a contractor to fit your alarm system for you.
The length of time it takes to install an alarm system will depend on the type of alarm system you choose.
A smart home security system will usually only take around one to two hours to complete. A bells-only alarm will take around a day, and a silent alarm with police-calling services will take around two days to complete.
On average, most alarm systems can be installed within a day.
Choosing an Alarm System
There are several different types of alarm systems to choose from for your home. Below is a list of the various alarm types and the advantages of each:
Bells-Only Alarm System Cost
A bells-only alarm system Is usually installed near the front entrance to the home, and it is normally stuck or nailed to the wall. Motion detectors and infra-red detectors will then be placed around the property in optimum positions to detect intrusions.
Magnetic contact switches will be placed on the perimeter of your home and act as the first point of contact for intruders. These alarm systems tend to cost around £125-£300.
PROS
- Emits a loud noise that acts as a deterrent against potential intruders
- One of the cheapest types of alarm systems to install
CONS
- An unmonitored system is more vulnerable
- It does not automatically alter the police
Wired Alarm System
A wired alarm system installation will usually require a full site survey to determine the requirements for your particular property. Once the type of system has been determined, your sensors will be mounted, and wiring will be concealed.
The sensors and devices are then all connected to a control panel. If you choose this type of system, you will need a phone line to connect it to or internet service. The average cost of this type of alarm system is around £400-£800.
PROS
- No battery replacement costs
- It doesn’t require much maintenance
CONS
- Installation can be expensive as hard-wiring is required
- Must be fitted by a professional
Silent Alarm System Cost
If you would prefer to have a silent alarm system installed, experts suggest that you get used to your system before turning it onto the silent function.
It is usually recommended that you wait a month before they can help you set up the silent alarm, which includes creating a code in case an intruder does break into your property. This type of system usually costs around £200-£300.
PROS
- Notifies police when unauthorised access is detected
- This type of alarm may trick an intruder into thinking they have gained access; however, they will likely be caught
CONS
- The alarm is silent, so you won’t be alerted about the intruder
- Increased chances of confrontation with the intruder
Wireless Alarm System Cost
If you plan to install a wireless alarm system, then a professional will install a security panel by attaching it to the wall near your front door close to a power outlet.
Once this is installed, sensors and motion detectors will then be stuck on windows and doors with adhesive. This type of system tends to cost around £200-£600 to install, depending on the size of the system.
PROS
- Quick and easy to install
- Low labour costs
CONS
- Requires regular maintenance
- Sensor batteries will need to be regularly replaced
Smart Security Alarm System Cost
There are various types of smart alarm systems. The installation process usually involves setting up a security system, installing an app on your phone and connecting it to the device with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The average cost of a smart security alarm system is around £190-£400.
PROS
- Can pick up very small levels of detection and alert you on your phone
- You can monitor your home in real-time
CONS
- Requires a smartphone
- It can be costly for a full smart security kit
Benefits of Alarm Systems
There are many benefits of installing an alarm system at your home. Below is a list of the main advantages of this type of work:
Protect Your Valuables
Just simply having an alarm system at your home is enough to deter intruders. However, if the alarm triggers and the police are notified about the break-in, they will be sent to your home so that you can be sure your valuables are protected.
Lower Home Insurance
Many insurance companies look fondly on homes that have some additional security. Homeowners that have an alarm installed at their property will be more likely to receive discounts from insurance providers on their home insurance. This is a great way to cut down on your expenses.
Provides Peace of Mind
A great benefit of having an alarm installed at your home is that it provides you with a sense of security and some general peace of mind. When you’re not worrying about your possessions or the safety of your loved ones, you’ll have more energy to focus on other things, allowing you to be more productive.
Alerts Your Neighbours
If you have a sounding alarm, your neighbours will be alerted if someone does enter your home. This can add to the safety of your home as your neighbours can assist you in times of need.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove an Alarm?
If you are planning on upgrading your current alarm system or moving home and looking to take your alarm system with you, you may be interested in the costs of removing your alarm system.
If your system is wired, you will need to hire a professional to remove it to ensure safety. You can usually expect to pay a professional around £50-£100 per hour depending on their experience and the extent of the job.
Those based in London can also expect to pay more for the labour costs of removing an alarm system than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
FAQs
Q: What is the best alarm system?
A: This will depend on personal preference. However, the best alarm systems are ones that automatically notify the police when someone breaks into your home. Wired systems are also the most reliable.
Q: How do you test an alarm system?
A: To test your alarm system, you need to set it as normal and then walk into a room to trigger the sensor. If the sensor is successfully activated, the alarm should sound within 60 seconds of walking into the room.
Q: Can I have an alarm system in a rented home?
A: Yes, you can. The best option for rented homes is a wireless system as this type of system doesn’t require any hard wiring.
Q: How can I prevent false alarms?
A: False alarms can be common with alarm systems; however, there are some things that you can do to help prevent them:
- Ensure the system is properly maintained
- Make sure the backup battery is fully functional
- Check that all of your doors and windows are secure and properly fitted
Q: How long does it take to install an alarm system?
A: Most alarm systems can be installed within a day. However, some more complicated systems may take up to two days to install.
Q: How much does a fire alarm system cost to install?
A: A fire alarm system will cost around £80-£100 to have installed professionally.
Sources
- https://1stalarm.com/10-benefits-home-alarm-systems
- https://www.alarm-monitoring.co.uk/alarm_maintenance_service.html
- https://www.abus.com/uk/Service/FAQ/Alarm-systems
- https://www.barrybros.com/2016/08/intruder-alarms-frequently-asked-questions-answered
