How Much Does Security Camera Installation Cost?

Security Camera Installation Cost

Security camera installation costs $125 to $450 per camera, including labor. A 4-camera CCTV installation for home costs $600 to $1,600 for a full system setup and labor. Surveillance camera prices are $50 to $250 each, and installation charges run $80 to $200 per camera.

• Using security cameras offer families peace of mind and reduces the chance of burglary by 300%.
• Installing a home security system saves 5% to 20% on your insurance.

Table of Contents

1. Security Camera Installation Cost
2. Cost To Install Home Security Camera System
   • Wired
   • Wireless
   • Setup & Labor
3. Cost of Security Cameras By Type
   • CCTV
   • IP
   • PTZ
4. Surveillance Camera Installation Cost Factors
   • Indoor vs. Outdoor
   • Extra Cameras
   • Resolution & FPS
   • Field of View
   • Motion Detection
   • Night Vision & Infrared
   • Remote Monitoring
   • Video Storage
   • More...
5. Home Security System Enhancements
6. Best Home Security Cameras
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. DIY Home Security Camera Systems
9. Hiring A Security Camera Company
10. Home Security Companies Near Me

Cost To Install Home Security Camera System

The average cost to install a 4-camera home security system is $500 to $1,600, and an 8-camera video surveillance system runs $1,000 to $2,500 for setup and labor. When buying your own security cameras, professional labor rates are $80 to $200 per camera to setup and install.

*Includes complete setup with camera(s), materials, and labor charges.

Cost To Install Wired Security Cameras

The average cost to install wired security cameras is $150 to $500 per camera, depending on the type and labor rates. Installing a 4-camera wired security system costs between $600 and $2,000 to setup. A hardwired system is more expensive to install and requires holes to be drilled for running cables.

Cost To Install Wireless Security Cameras

The average cost to install wireless security cameras is $130 to $400 per camera depending on the type, brand, and labor. Installing a 4-camera wireless security system costs between $500 and $1,500 for a full setup.

Wireless systems offer remote access and are easy to install DIY or move. Security footage is transmitted wirelessly through Wi-Fi but still requires wired power. They are susceptible to signal interference, can be hacked, and may need an electrical outlet added.

Security Camera Installation Labor Cost

The average security camera installation labor cost is $80 to $200 per camera depending on if it's wired or wireless and whether it's a CCTV or IP camera. Security camera setup costs for a 4-camera CCTV system is $400 to $800 for labor rates alone. Prices decrease with the more cameras installed at the same time.

*Labor only. Prices do not include the cost of the cameras.

Security Camera Setup & Installation Process

With professional installation, your setup cost could be higher than the cost of the camera. When installing, the contractor considers the following in their labor rates:

• Running cables through walls
• Eliminating signal interference
• Ensuring a clear view of the desired coverage area
• Installing cameras in a visible location to help act as a deterrent, but out of reach and not pointing at lights.
• Securing cameras and infrastructure
• Configuration of motion and privacy zones, notifications, video quality

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Cost of Security Cameras By Type

The average cost of security cameras is $50 to $200 each for the camera alone, plus labor rates of $100 to $200 per camera to install. Security camera prices depend on if it's wired or wireless, indoor or outdoor, the resolution, the type, and the features included.

Security Camera Prices By Type

Standalone Wi-Fi cameras cost less, while high-resolution 4K cameras or systems with a wide field of view cost more. The main types of security cameras are doorbell, hidden, bullet, box, dome, and PTZ.

CCTV Camera Installation Costs

The average cost of CCTV camera installation for a home is $150 to $450 per camera for full setup and labor rates. The cost to run a 4-camera CCTV installation is $600 to $1,600 for fitting a complete system. A CCTV system is easy to configure and can record 24/7.

CCTV systems can work without the internet by connecting to a DVR to record or monitor. However, most analog CCTV cameras only record up to 1080p and may not be remotely accessible. Digital NVR CCTV records up to 4K, but wired systems cost more to install.

CCTV Fitting Cost

CCTV fitting costs $100 to $200 per camera for the labor alone. Plus, CCTV cameras using a PC or NAS unit for storing video requires a one-time CCTV license at $30 and $60 per camera.

IP Camera Installation Charges

Internet Protocol or IP camera installation costs $125 to $400 per camera on average for the materials and labor charges. Wireless IP cameras offer high-resolution 4K recording, can be controlled via an app, and can be installed DIY. However, they require the internet and are susceptible to hacking.

PTZ Security Camera Cost

Pan tilt zoom or PTZ security cameras cost $100 to $400 on average and are suited for indoor or outdoor use. PTZ cameras are either analog or IP and can pan, tilt, and zoom in all directions. PTZ cameras can auto-track movement or monitor pre-set locations on a schedule.

Mini Home Security Camera Prices

Mini cameras for home security cost $20 to $350 and come ready to be installed or already disguised as USB chargers, DVD players, smoke detectors, clocks, or even picture frames. They either record 24/7 to cloud storage or motion-triggered events to a memory card.

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Surveillance Camera Installation Cost Factors

The cost factors of surveillance cameras include indoor versus outdoor placement, resolution, field of view, motion detection, night vision, monitored services, remote viewing, connectivity, video storage, the number of cameras, and other features.

• Home Size – Larger homes require more cameras with better resolution and field of view to cover each door and window.
• Security Requirements – A doorbell camera works for front doors, but you'll need several indoor and outdoor cameras for complete coverage.
• Wired or Wireless – Wired camera installation costs more than wireless because of running cables.
• Internal or External – Exterior cameras need to be waterproof and weatherproof and typically cost more than interior cameras.
• Monitored or Unmonitored – Security services an monitor your cameras 24/7 with other upgrades for a monthly fee.
• Local or Remote Storage – Security cameras use either local storage or fee-based plans for remote cloud storage.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Security Cameras

Installing outdoor security cameras cost $20 to $55 more per camera than indoor systems. Exterior house cameras are waterproof, weatherproof, with features like zoom, night vision, sirens, or floodlights. Indoor cameras are smaller, can easily be set up and moved, and have similar characteristics.

Adding More Security Cameras To A House

Adding more security cameras to a house costs $100 to $200 each for installation labor, depending on if it's wired or wireless. When adding more cameras than your DVR/NVR can support, a new one costs $100 and $350, while adding a hard drive for storage is $50 to $100 plus installation.

Camera Resolution

Security camera resolution is the size of the video being produced. High-resolution cameras produce HD video with more detail. Typically the higher the resolution, the higher the cost of each camera.

FPS or Frame Rate

The frame rate or FPS is the number of images the camera captures every second. A higher frame rate requires more storage space and costs more. The best videos are produced with 4K cameras at 30 frames per second, but many popular cameras only capture 22 to 25 FPS.

Some 4K cameras can capture 1080P (HD) video at 30 FPS, but drop the frame rate to 22-25 FPS or lower when recording in 4K. Cheaper cameras are typically 2K & 3K with 15 to 22 frames per second, and some can reduce to 1 FPS to preserve memory.

Field of View

A camera's field of view is measured in degrees and details how wide the lens sees. Most security cameras capture between 87° and 130° depending if it's wide-angle or narrow. The most noticeable price difference is for 360° cameras, which capture everything in one shot. PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras can rotate to cover a similar area.

Traditional camera images are rectangular, while 360° cameras produce a circular video or fishbowl effect. Interior bullet cameras only need a 90° field of view when mounted in the corner of a room, and the best location for a 360° camera is in a ceiling at the center of a room.

Motion Detection

Security cameras with integrated motion detection cost $40 to $150 each, while a basic motion detector is $20 to $50. Motion detectors look for changed pixels or use PIR sensors to detect heat. They can trigger lights, alarms, or start recording when motion is detected to reduce power used and data storage.

Customizable regions of interest (ROI) let you specify areas to ignore, such as busy streets or your neighbor’s property, so you only get relevant alerts and recordings.

Night Vision & Infrared Illuminator

Exterior cameras that reach 30’ to 150’ with infrared (IR) night vision cost $20 to $200, while others that reach 300’ run $200 to $400. A separate IR illuminator or bulb to increase that reach costs $20 to $60 each. A camera's infrared night vision effectiveness depends on the number of LEDs, their strength, and the camera sensor.

Color night vision cameras cost $80 to $380 each and require some light to work and show vehicle and clothing color. When there is no available light, the camera will use black and white IR night vision.

Remote Monitoring Service Prices

Remote monitoring services cost $20 to $80 per month with upfront fees of $100 to $250 for setup, wireless CCTV equipment, and activation. Monitored systems provide protection 24 hours a day will alert you and law enforcement of intruders, disturbances, or fires.

Other security cameras are self-monitored through an app, which allows for live remote viewing or playing back recorded video caught from movements earlier.

Video Storage

Cameras either record short motion-triggered clips to a memory card, or the footage gets uploaded to cloud storage. When recording video 24/7, the files are typically stored locally inside an NVR or DVR.

1. Local Storage – Micro SD memory cards or NVR/DVR
2. Cloud Storage – Monthly subscription service

Local Storage

Security-rated SD memory cards cost $15 to $35 each and hold 2 to 6 days of 24/7 coverage, or up to a year of triggered events. Hard drive storage using a DVR costs $100 to $300 on average, while an NVR runs $150 to $500 depending on the number of cameras it supports.

Here are the main differences between a Network Video Recorder (NVR) and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR).

Cloud Storage

Security camera cloud storage costs $3 to $30 per month, or between $30 and $300 per year depending on the number of cameras, days of storage, and whether it's 24/7 or triggered recordings.

Security cameras with free cloud storage are available from Wyze, Arlo, Netgear, TP-Link, Canary, Ring, Amcrest, and Nest, which stores between 2 hours to 14 days for triggered events. Another option is using an online service like Dropbox, which costs $5 to $20 per month.

Facial Recognition

Security cameras with facial recognition cost $120 to $350 on average. Brands include Nest, Tend, Amaryllo, Netatmo, and Simcam. Facial recognition software sends alerts when your kids get home or if someone you don’t know is at your house.

Power Source

For wired cameras that use an AC adapter, hiring an electrician costs $120 to $150 to install a new outlet. Other power sources include batteries, solar panels ($25 each), Power over Ethernet (PoE), or Siamese cables. Rechargeable batteries typically last between four to six months.

Wiring & Connectivity

Wired CCTV cameras use coax to connect to a DVR and IP cameras use ethernet Cat 5 to connect to an NVR. Installing coax or cat 5/6 cables costs $200 to $500 for 100' running to four cameras, or about $120 per camera. Single-story homes with access to the attic cost less to install cables.

Additional Camera Features

• Sunshades – Cameras with moveable sunshades cost $200 to $500 and are required when the camera catches the rising or setting sun, reducing image quality.
• Siren – Cameras with a security siren typically cost $90 to $250, which helps scare off unwanted guests.
• Floodlight – Floodlight cameras cost $50 to $150 and help deter burglars. Floodlight cameras can record in-color for a more clear picture.
• E911 – E911 connecting you with law enforcement dispatchers nearest the camera location when there is a triggered event. The E911 service comes with monthly plans costing $10 to $20.
• Camera Microphone Wiring – Cameras with microphone wiring start at $20 and most only record sound, but some have speakers for 2-way audio.

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Best Home Security Cameras

The best home security cameras based on top reviews are the Arlo Pro 3, Ring Spotlight Cam, Nest Cam IQ, and the Wyze Cam Pan. Here are the most popular camera brands and models featured on the top review sites:

Security Cameras With Unique Features

Most cameras have features like 2-way audio, motion detection, and phone app alerts; but some cameras offer unique features such as:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who Installs Security Cameras In A Home?

An electrician, handyman, or home security company can install cameras in a home at varying prices depending on their expertise. Required skills include low voltage wire installation, camera placement, and resolving configuration issues.

How Much Does A Home Alarm System Cost?

A home alarm system costs $100 to $250 on average for upfront equipment and activation, and $20 to $60 per month for monitoring. Some security systems notify you when door, window, water, gas, fire, or motion sensors trigger and live stream the video for an extra cost.

What Is The Difference Between Surveillance And Security Cameras?

Security cameras, or CCTV, transfer signals from one place to a monitored location elsewhere. Surveillance cameras work on IP networks and use software to generate activity heatmaps, recognize license plates, follow individuals or vehicles, and use AI to perform text-based searches.

How Much Does A Business or Commercial Security System Cost?

A business or commercial security system costs $1,000 to $2,500 for four cameras and hardware, $300 to $500 for installation and activation, with monthly alarm monitoring fees of $50 to $150 on average. Commercial systems include 360° coverage, zoom, subject tracking, night vision, facial and license plate recognition, and video management.

How Much Does A Network Camera Cost?

Network cameras cost $45 to $300 each depending on features and quality, and whether they connect to an NVR or are standalone cameras. Configuring additional cameras with your NVR costs $150 to $200 for four, and a lower per camera cost with more cameras installed at once.

How Much Does A Doorbell Camera Cost?

Doorbell cameras like Ring cost $99 to $499 and work well to secure the most popular entry for burglars. They use the same wiring as the existing doorbell, and apart from the security benefits, it also allows you to answer the doorbell when you are away from home.

Which Security Cameras Work With A Smart Home?

Cameras from manufacturers such as Nest, Arlo, Ring, Wyze, Logitech, and Netamo work with smart home solutions, including Alexa, Google Home, Wink Hub 2, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple Home.

How Much Does Having A Security System Save on Insurance?

Most homeowners report a savings of 5% to 20% on insurance after installing a security system. This may be a savings of $50 to $200 per year, depending on the size of your home and insurance coverage.

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DIY Home Security Camera Systems

Self-installing security cameras can be problematic and result in incomplete coverage, improper cabling, or reduced video quality. For those who don’t have the right tools or to avoid crawling around in the attic or climbing ladders, hire an installation service to get the job done right.

How To Install Security Cameras

Using the live feed, test the cameras where you want them installed to make sure that location provides the best coverage. You'll also discover if you need Wi-Fi extenders, longer cables, or to add switches.

For wired cameras, sketch a plan for which walls you need to drill through. Use attic space for fewer holes in your walls. Some cameras include a drilling template for cables and screws, and once drilled, use a fish tape to pass the wires through the walls.

After the cameras are installed, you'll need to configure your management software to setup recording schedules, motion zones, video settings, taking pictures for facial recognition, and recording voice for voiceprint.

For DVR/NVRs, place them within cable/Wi-Fi reach of cameras, and out of sight. If needed, plan for power outlets for cameras and consider surface cabling to save drilling through walls in places like the garage.

Where To Install Security Cameras?

The best place to install outdoor security cameras is covering downstairs windows and front, side, and back doors, which are used in 85% of burglaries. Indoor cameras in corners provide the broadest view, or they can be placed next to your TV or concealed on a bookshelf.

How Easy Is It To Install CCTV At Home?

Properly running cables through walls and installing CCTV cameras at home is not easy for everyone. Besides knowing where to place cameras, once installed, it could be more challenging configuring and setting up the system correctly.

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Hiring A Security Camera Company

To select the right cameras and have them installed properly, hire a reputable and trusted professional installer. Before hiring a pro:

• Get at least three onsite estimates with a breakdown of materials and labor.
• Check their reviews and reputation on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), HomeGuide, and Google.
• Make sure they are licensed, bonded, and insured.
• Ensure they have experience with the cameras you want.
• Ask for an installation and camera warranty.

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