How Much Is House Alarm System UK? Get insights into the price of home security systems. Explore factors influencing the expense of installing alarm systems for houses. Preston Alarm Experts provide alarm systems fitting services throughout Preston and Lancashire. Make informed decisions about protecting your UK home with this comprehensive guide to house alarm system prices.
How much does a burglar alarm cost?
Installing burglar alarms is one of the easiest ways to protect your home from intruders. You can find simple systems that you may be able to install on your own, helping you save money. However, this begs the question, how much do burglar alarms cost?
Burglar & Intruder Alarm Cost Guide
As a rough estimate, the basic cost for burglar alarms in 2023 is around £550. This includes both the equipment and potential installation costs if you have to call the professionals in. Of course, these costs can vary greatly depending on what you want to install.
For example, you might find cheaper alternatives to this, such as bell-only alarms that you install yourself. In this case, the costs will be more around the £150 - £200 mark. At the other end, we find fully-equipped smart security systems that are professionally installed, which can cost up to £1,200.
Here are some other options for you to consider. Each provides different levels of security for your home and comes with different price tags.
| Equipment Costs | Installation Costs | Total Cost Range | |
| Monitored Smart Security Systems | £270 | £300 | £300 - £1,200 |
| DIY Smart Security Systems | £230 | £200 | £100 - £500 |
| Dialler Alarm Systems | £200 | £300 | £350 - £400 |
| Bell-only Alarm Systems | £120 | £200 | £300 - £400 |
Low-cost example
If you have a tight budget, you may have to opt for a low-cost security system. For this, you might consider a bell-only alarm straight from the shelf produced by a reputable manufacturer. These can cost around £120 for an alarm, three sensors and a keypad control. These are typically wireless systems that you can install yourself with a little DIY know-how.
High-cost example
At the other end of the scale, if you have an ample budget, you can splash out on a more sophisticated system. You could commission a security company to create a custom ADT system specifically for your property.
This will have upward of 10 sensors, CCTV cameras and control panels. Prices for these kinds of systems start around £800 but can easily go much higher. You'll also have to pay for specialist installation and around £35 per month for professional monitoring services.
Installation and Ongoing Costs Breakdown
There are three key factors that have an overall effect on domestic alarm system costs:
Equipment - The costs of hardware include door and window sensors, keypads, sirens and cameras.
Installation - The costs of installation include hiring technicians to install and configure your security system.
Monitoring - The costs of monitoring include third-party security services that respond to triggered alarms (typically private contractors or police alerts).
The cost for any of these elements can vary depending on the type of equipment you choose and the size of the system you need. Extra cameras and professional monitoring are where the majority of the bigger costs come from.
General maintenance and troubleshooting costs are usually fairly cheap, especially for systems with higher initial costs. This is because more expensive equipment and installation costs mean higher quality. Good quality security equipment can last up to 10 years, compared to cheaper hardware that only lasts around 4 years.
What Affects the Cost of Installing a Burglar Alarm?
Now we've covered the three main factors of burglar alarm installation costs, we'll take a look at some of the others. It's prudent to keep these factors in mind when purchasing your alarm system. Considering these costs is the best way to create an accurate budget.
The Type of Home Alarm You Choose
Again, the types of domestic alarm system you choose is perhaps the greatest factor affecting overall costs. The different types you can choose from include:
1
BELL-ONLY ALARMS
These alarms emit a loud siren for around 20 minutes when an intruder triggers one of your motion sensors.
2
DIALLER ALARMS
These types of alarms emit a loud siren and send a warning message to nominated persons. This can include yourself and any other person you trust, whether that's neighbours or a private security company. These messages are sent either through a landline connection or to a mobile phone.
You might also be able to download a specific smartphone app that connects to your alarm system. When one of your nominated contacts answers the call, the system will stop alerting any others.
Bell-Only Alarms
Smart Home Security Systems
3
MONITORED WIRELESS ALARM SYSTEMS
As the name suggests, monitored alarm systems mean you'll have to pay a monthly fee for a security company to keep an eye on your home. Depending on the number of sensors you have, these monthly subscriptions usually cost between £15 - £45.
Alongside the siren alarm, these systems send a warning signal to a live operator monitoring your property. They can detect whether there is a break-in or a false alarm and try to contact you. If you do not provide the right codeword or do not answer at all, they will inform the police.
4
SMART HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS
Smart security systems will cost the most. This is because they provide a constant video feed for your property. This allows whoever is monitoring your security to see who is entering your home at all times. Therefore, when someone who isn't authorised enters your property, they can immediately notify you or the police.
The Number of Sensors You Want
Burglar alarms are triggered by unexpected changes in front of the sensors. Therefore, the more sensors you have around your home, the more chance you have of detecting intruders. The most common type of sensor available is a Passive Infrared Detector (PIRs).
These measure the temperature around your property and are triggered by inconsistencies, such as the body heat of an intruder. Other types of sensors include magnetic contacts. You usually fit these to windows and doors. When the magnetic connection is broken, the alarm will sound.
Wired or Wireless Alarm
Wireless alarm systems are connected via a weak radio signal or through your Wi-Fi. In most cases, these wireless units are battery-powered, which makes them easier to install. The batteries in these units typically last for years with regular maintenance.
Wired systems are, as the name suggests, connected through a series of wires to a central control panel. Simple, bell-only wired systems usually require 2 - 3 sensors and can cost between £100 - £300. This price range goes up to £175 - £350 if you want to include an alert system.
You should also remember that there will be added costs for different warning systems. For example, if you want to have your alerts delivered via your landline, installation costs can increase when connecting the two together.
If you want your alerts to come via your mobile phone, you may have to take out a SIM-only phone contract specifically for your security alerts. Remember to add these costs on to your existing budget to reach an accurate estimate.
There are also accessories to consider with these systems. For example, additional sensors or a key fob can add between £40 - £100 to your costs. You'll use a key fob to turn your alarms off, instead of having to punch a code into the central control panel.
Maintenance Costs
Like any other system in your home, such as your plumbing or central heating, your security system will require regular maintenance. Annual services typically cost between £75 - £125. However, if there is an issue with your security system, emergency repairs can cost around £110, depending on the issue and the type of alarms you have.
What’s Involved in Installing a Home Intruder Alarm?
Of course, installations depend on how many sensors you want for your alarm system. The types of sensors you want will also have an effect. For example, wired alarms mean running cables throughout your property, which will naturally mean added labour costs for installations.
Additionally, you won't be able to install a monitored alarm system yourself. This means you'll need to get a qualified company to do it. Professional installation costs aren't cheap, but they are the most reliable way to ensure your home is protected.
If you want to establish a police monitoring service, installation costs can grow to between £300 - £700 on top of your equipment costs and initial installation. Again, for additional sensors or key fobs to control your system, add another £40 - £100 per unit.
Preston Alarm Experts provides the best home security fitting services in and around Preston, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester and the North West. Whatever you require, our professional team can assist you with everything from small repairs to installing a completely new home security system.
