Alarm System Cost

Are you considering installing an alarm at your home but wondering about the new alarm system cost?

In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about installing an alarm, including the supply costs, the labour costs, and any additional costs that may be involved with this type of work.

We will also go over the cost factors of this installation and some information on the different types of alarm systems to help you find the right one for your home.

How Much Does Installing a Home Alarm System Cost?

So, how much does a house alarm system cost?

The average cost of a home burglar alarm system depends on various factors such as your personal preferences, your budget, and your location. However, this article should help to provide you with a good idea of how much you can expect to pay for the job.

The most basic type of home security system is a bells-only alarm system. This type of system emits a loud siren sound when the alarm is triggered. The average cost for this type of alarm system is around £125 - £300. This is an effective system as it can alert your neighbours and deter intruders.

Another option is a silent alarm. Instead of making a siren, this type of alarm sends an alert directly to the police or a monitoring system. This is most commonly controlled by a code or a panic button. To set up the police response for this type of alarm, you will usually be required to pay around £300 - £700.

A wireless security system is another option consisting of sensors, cameras, and detectors controlled by a radio signal. These systems usually cost around £200 - £600. On the other hand, Wired systems connect to your electricity and phone line, usually costing around £400 - £800.

Many modern homes are opting for smart home security systems. These are the most advanced type of alarm system and can be controlled through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and typically connect to a smartphone app. This type of system costs around £300 - £800.

Alarm System Prices

In the table below, we have outlined the estimated costs for installing various types of alarm systems to give you a better idea of what you might expect to pay:

Supply Only Costs

If you plan to install your alarm system yourself, you may be curious about the supply costs alone.

There are several different supplies needed for installing an alarm system. The supplies needed will depend on the type of alarm system that is being installed.

The table below shows the various supply costs that you may need to budget for with an alarm system installation:

Additional Costs

When installing a security alarm system at your home, some additional costs may be involved with this type of work. Below is a list of the additional things that you may need to budget for:

Security Lights Installation

In addition to a security alarm system, you may want to further protect your home by installing some security lights. The average cost for security lights is around £250 - £350. The price will depend on the type of lights you choose, the size of your home, and the location of your property.

New Front Door

If you are installing an alarm system to protect your home, you may want to further protect your home by installing a new front door at your property. The average cost for installing a new front door is around £750 - £1500. The price for this type of work will depend on the type of front door you choose and your location in the UK.

Security Stickers

Many homeowners like to install security stickers around the outside of their property to deter intruders. These can be very effective against potential burglars or trespassers. Since they're very cheap, they might just be worth a go. The average cost for installing security stickers is around £3 - £5 per pack.

Labour Costs and Timescales

If you are planning on purchasing your supplies separately and then hiring a contractor to fit your new alarm system at a later date, then you may be curious about the labour costs that are involved with this type of work.

On average, you can expect a security specialist to charge around £150 - £200 per day for labour. This will depend upon the location of your property.

The timescales you can expect with this type of work will depend on the type of alarm system you choose. Some alarm systems take longer to install than others.

Smart home security systems are quite simple to install and should only take an hour or two to fit, and the price for this may only be around £50.

A bells-only alarm system will take around a day to install and cost roughly £175 for a day of labour. If you are looking to have a silent alarm installed, which alerts the police, this will likely cost around £300 and will take roughly two days to install.

Cost Factors of Installing an Alarm System

There are several cost factors that may affect the overall cost of installing an alarm system. Below is a list of the various things that may affect the overall cost of this type of work:

Location of Your Property

One of the main things that can affect the overall cost of the job is the location of your property. Those based in the London area can expect to pay more for the work than those based in the North or other areas of the UK. This is because labour prices are typically higher in this area.

Ease of Access

Ease of access refers to how difficult it is to access the areas where the home security system will be fitted. The more difficult the site is to access, the longer the job is likely to take, which will incur higher labour costs.

Type of Alarm System

The type of alarm system that you choose will also affect the overall cost of the job. As we have outlined above, different alarm systems have varying costs, and some alarm systems will take longer to install than others. This means that the labour costs will be higher for some systems and lower for others.

What's Involved in Installing an Alarm System?

The method for installing an alarm system will vary depending on the type of alarm system that is being installed. However, below is an overview of the steps involved with installing a basic alarm system:

• Start by installing the wireless home security panel close to your primary entrance point or close to a power source. This can be done by drilling the panel into place or using a removable double-sided adhesive on the walls.
• After that, place all of the sensors and detectors around your home. Be sure to follow the manufacturers and your building inspector’s guidelines.
• Now that all of the components are attached, it’s time to test the alarm system. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for testing the system to ensure it’s set up correctly and working properly.

Can I Install an Alarm System Myself?

In most cases, it is possible to set up an alarm system yourself. Doing so will allow you to save some significant money as you won't need to worry about budgeting for the labour costs of the job.

Wired house alarms are not a job that should be attempted as a DIY project. These alarms will need to be fitted by a professional electrician as they will need to be connected to your home's electrical system.

Wireless alarms require battery-powered sensors to work, and they communicate through radio signals. These are much easier to install than wired systems and can be fitted by anyone that possesses some basic DIY skills.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Installing an Alarm System

Installing an intruder alarm system at your home doesn't usually require planning permission unless your house is a listed building or if you reside in a conservation area. If you fall into either of those categories, you should check with your local authority before installing your alarm system.

If your alarm system requires any electrical work, this will need to comply with the relevant standards in all of the approved documents. If your electrical alarm system is installed by someone who is not registered as a competent person, then you will need to get an inspection from a third party to ensure the installation is safe and compliant with all regulations.

Types of Alarm System

There are several different types of alarm systems to choose from, and each of those comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Below, we will go over the various different types of alarm systems available, along with a pros and cons list for each model:

Bells-Only Alarm System

A bells-only alarm is usually installed near the front entrance on the wall. Motion detectors will be placed around the home in optimum positions to detect any intruders. This type of alarm emits a loud noise which alerts neighbours and deters intruders.

The average cost for this type of alarm system is around £125 - £300.

Pros

• ✔ Emits a loud alarm sound to alert neighbours and deter intruders
• ✔ One of the cheapest types of alarm system to install

Cons

• ✖ Doesn’t alert the police automatically
• ✖ An unmonitored system is more vulnerable

Wired Alarm System

With this type of alarm system, various sensors are mounted to the walls, and the wiring is concealed. This type of system is connected to a control panel which runs on your home's electricity. If you choose a monitored alarm system, this can be connected to your smartphone over the internet.

The average cost for this type of alarm system is around £400-£800.

Pros

• ✔ You don’t need to worry about changing the batteries
• ✔ Doesn’t require much maintenance

Cons

• ✖ Must be fitted by a professional
• ✖ Installation is quite expensive

Silent Alarm System

If you would prefer to have a silent alarm installed, this includes creating a duress code or having a panic button fitted. A silent alarm won't emit any sound when activated, giving the intruder the impression that they have succeeded in gaining access to your home.

However, the police will be notified, and the intruder will likely get caught red-handed.

The average cost for this type of alarm system is around £200 - £300.

Pros

• ✔ This alarm can trick the intruder into thinking they have succeeded in gaining
• ✔ The intruder is more likely to get caught
• ✔ Police will be notified when the alarm is raised

Cons

• ✖ Increased chances of confronting the intruder
• ✖ You will not be alerted as there is no alarm sound

Wireless Alarm System

If you choose a wireless alarm system, this will consist of the installation of a security panel that is fitted close to the front door within proximity of a power outlet. Sensors and motion detectors will then be installed with adhesive.

This type of system requires batteries to work. However, it is very easy to install and can be taken with you when you move as there is no hard wiring.

The average cost for this type of alarm system is around £200 - £600.

Pros

• ✔ Very quick and easy to install
• ✔ Easy to install as a DIY job

Cons

• ✖ Batteries will need to be replaced regularly
• ✖ Requires some maintenance

Smart Security Alarm System

There are several types of smart home security systems. This type of system is controlled through a smartphone app over the internet. This gives you added security as you can access your cameras and see what's happening at your home anytime, no matter where you are.

The average cost for this type of alarm system is around £190 - £400.

Pros

• ✔ Smart security systems allow you to monitor your home in real-time
• ✔ You can pick up even the smallest detection alerts right from your phone

Cons

• ✖ It can be costly, depending on the system you choose
• ✖ Requires a smartphone app for connection

Hiring Contractors for Installing an Alarm System Checklist

There are a few things you may need to consider before hiring a contractor to install a security system for you. Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for the right contractor for the job:

• Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work?
• How much does the work cost to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of the quote so you can ensure you are paying a good price for each element of the job.
• Is the contractor experienced in installing the type of alarm system you are looking for?
• How many years’ worth of experience does the contractor have in installing alarm systems?
• Will the contractor fix any issues that may arise?
• Do you need to hire any additional contractors for different parts of the work?
• How long will the work take to complete?
• Will the contractor follow all of the relevant building regulation guidelines?

FAQs

Sources

https://www.adt.co.uk/security-packages/burglar-alarm