How much does burglar alarm installation cost?

There can be dangerous threats like burglars who can break into your home and steal your valuables. The possibility of being victimised by these crimes causes fear and anxiety, affecting your mental health in the long run. 

Maybe it’s time to install a burglar alarm to deter thieves in the night or anytime you’re not at home. Give yourself peace of mind as these alarm systems can help deter burglars immediately before they can break in.

So what is the average cost of a burglar alarm system? An average burglar alarm installation costs between £125 to £300, depending on the number of sensors you need. Smart systems that alert you through call or text message cost around £175 to £350. Monitored systems can start from £99, and £15 to £45 monthly after.

What factors affect the cost of burglar alarm installation?

Type of burglar alarms

Before diving into the costs of burglar alarms in the UK, let’s first discuss the different types you can buy in the market today. There are five main types of burglar alarms: bells-only burglar alarms, dialler/monitored burglar alarms, smart burglar alarms, wired burglar alarms, and wireless burglar alarms.

• Bells-only burglar alarms are the standard kind and the most popular in the UK. These alarms use sensors to detect possible break-ins and then trigger a very loud sound or siren to alert nearby people of intruders. However, since they’re not monitored, they rely on homeowners and neighbours to respond or call the authorities as soon as the alarm is set off. If you live in secluded areas, this may not be the best option for you.
• Dialler/monitored burglar alarms work like bells-only alarms, but better. These alarms can contact someone once the alarm is triggered. It could be you or a family member you’d like to notify in case of an intrusion. You can also opt to avail 24/7 burglar alarm monitoring services, one that can also contact the police if needed.
• Smart burglar alarms are paired with smartphones. It sends an alert via notifications and an app on your phone. It can also be integrated with other smart devices such as CCTV and lights. For example, when a burglar alarm is triggered, the smart lights would suddenly turn on to deter the intruder. You can also switch the alarm on and off from your phone. 
• Wired burglar alarms have wires that connect to sensors. It can take longer to install and may require professional service as the cables and wires should be set up properly. Because of this, expect to pay higher installation fees or labour costs. However, they’re cheaper to maintain since you won’t worry about battery life.
• Wireless burglar alarms use Wi-Fi or radio frequency to connect to sensors. Since it doesn’t have wires, it’s easier to install. But the downside is the maintenance cost because you may need to replace the battery every couple of years. Besides this, you may also consider or check the areas you have at home that have interference for wireless devices to work.

Number of sensors

Burglar alarm systems measure unexpected or unwanted changes in the areas where they are installed. The most common type of detector is PIRs or Passive Infrared Detectors, which measure the temperature within the room. If deviation heavily occurs, such as when it detects the body heat of a burglar, it will trigger the alarm. 

Power supply

Do you prefer wired or wireless alarms? The power supply also affects how much burglar alarms cost in the UK.

Burglar alarm system price list

To compare the different types of burglar alarm systems and their costs, you may refer to the table below:

Why install a burglar alarm system?

Now that you know how much a burglar alarm costs to install, take time to think about why you need one in the first place. Evaluate your priorities and consider the peace of mind that it will provide you. 

• Prevent life and financial loss. It can be dangerous to encounter a burglar intruding on your home. You can never be sure of the extent of loss that can happen. Aside from valuables, they can also pose a danger to those who live in the home. According to recent statistics, the average cost of domestic burglary is around £3,030. £1,400 of this is stolen or damaged property. 
• Prevent trauma. The stress that you might experience in case of burglary will cause you mental and emotional trauma. There is also a reduction in the quality of life of a victim of burglary due to the high stress levels suffered.
• Prevent disruption to life. You also need to consider the finances lost due to time off work for burglary victims.

Additional costs for burglar alarm installation

The following are other costs to consider when having burglar alarms and other security systems installed:

• Maintenance costs - A burglar alarm maintenance visit can cost around £75 to £125. This includes checking the system if it works properly, checking the batteries, and evaluating if there are other issues to prevent future problems. 
• Monitoring costs - Expect to pay a professional burglar monitoring service a monthly fee of £15 to £45. When they receive alerts from your system, the Alarm Response Centre or ACR checks to confirm it, notifies the person-in-charge, and if necessary, calls the police.
• Repairing costs - Repair a broken system right away to prevent false alarms or defeating its own purpose of deterring burglars and alerting authorities.

Burglar alarm system installation starts at £125 depending on the type of alarm and other factors mentioned. Save time and make sure that your burglar alarm system - which can help protect life and property - is installed properly. Skip searching for burglar alarm cost calculators online and get a personalised quote when you put up a task on Airtasker!