How Much Does CCTV Installation Cost in the UK?

The most common question we get: "How much will CCTV cost?" And honestly, I hate the answer most websites give—"£500 to £5,000 depending on requirements." That's not helpful to anyone.

So here's what CCTV installation actually costs, based on real installations we've done across Sussex in the past year.

Typical CCTV Installation Costs

System	Price Range
2 cameras + NVR (basic)	£600 - £800
4 cameras + NVR (most common)	£900 - £1,400
6-8 cameras + NVR (larger homes)	£1,500 - £2,500
Commercial systems (10+ cameras)	£3,000+

These prices include equipment, installation, cabling, and configuration. We don't charge separately for "setting up the app" or other bits that some installers use to bump up the final bill.

What Affects the Price?

1. Number of Cameras

Obviously. Each camera adds roughly £150-250 to the total cost (camera plus installation). Most 3-4 bed homes need 4 cameras to cover the key areas: front door, back garden, side access, driveway.

2. Camera Quality

A basic 2MP camera costs us around £40. A 4K ColorVu camera with colour night vision costs £120+. The difference in footage quality is substantial, but so is the price. We'll always show you the options.

3. Cabling Difficulty

This is where quotes can vary wildly between installers. Running cables through a new-build with accessible loft space takes a couple of hours. Running cables through a Victorian house with solid walls and no loft access? That's a full day's work, and it'll show in the price.

We always survey the property before quoting, so there are no surprises.

4. Recording Equipment

The NVR (the box that records everything) ranges from £150 for a basic 4-channel unit to £400+ for a 16-channel with AI features. Most homes need something in the middle—around £200-250.

Where You Can Save Money

Start smaller. You don't need 8 cameras if 4 will cover the vulnerable areas. We can always add more later.

Skip the premium night vision if you have good lighting. If your driveway already has security lights, you might not need ColorVu cameras there—standard ones will do fine.

But don't cheap out on the NVR or hard drive. A system with great cameras but a failing hard drive is useless. This isn't the place to cut corners.

What About Ongoing Costs?

One of the big advantages of proper CCTV over Ring/Arlo-style systems: no monthly fees. Once it's installed, it's yours. No subscriptions, no cloud storage charges.

The only ongoing cost is if something fails outside the warranty period (we offer 12 months on workmanship, with manufacturer warranties on equipment). In practice, a well-installed system should last 5-10 years without major issues.

DIY vs Professional Installation

Can you buy cameras online and install them yourself? Sure. But consider:

• Running cables properly through walls takes tools and experience
• Incorrect camera positioning means useless footage
• Poorly sealed outdoor cameras will fail within a year
• You'll spend a weekend figuring out what we do in a few hours

For a single camera by your front door? Maybe DIY makes sense. For a proper 4+ camera system? Professional CCTV installation usually pays for itself in reliability and peace of mind.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

Any installer who quotes over the phone without seeing the property is guessing. The cabling route alone can swing the price by hundreds of pounds.

We offer free site surveys across Sussex—no obligation, no sales pressure. We'll walk around, discuss what you want to achieve, and give you a fixed written quote. If it's not right for you, no hard feelings.