CoverMapKey takeaway: Budget around £450 for a typical professional installation, plus an ongoing monthly monitoring cost anywhere from £0 (self-monitored) to £55 (full monitored package with police response).
Installation costs by system type
| System type | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| Bells-only alarm | £125 – £300 |
| Silent alarm system | £200 – £300 |
| Wireless alarm system | £200 – £600 |
| Wired alarm system | £400 – £800 |
| Smart security alarm system | £190 – £400 |
Labour and regional differences
Professional installers typically charge £150–£200 per day, excluding equipment. Installers in London and the South East charge roughly 20–30% more than those in Northern England, so the same system can cost noticeably more depending on your postcode.
Equipment costs, if buying separately
| Component | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Motion sensors | £20 – £50 |
| Door/window sensors | £20 – £30 |
| Wireless cameras | £50 – £270 |
| Control panel | £40 – £100 |
| Siren | £40 – £80 |
| Security lights | £250 – £350 |
Ongoing costs
- Monthly monitoring: free (self-monitor) to £55/month (full monitored package with police response).
- Annual servicing: £80–£150.
- Maintenance plans: £60–£180/year.
- Battery replacements: £80–£150 for a full system swap.
Over a typical 3-year contract, the ongoing monitoring cost usually adds up to more than the initial installation — worth factoring in before comparing headline install prices between providers.