Quick Answer
CCTV installation costs in Northern Ireland range from £500 for a basic 2-camera home system to £5,000+ for multi-camera commercial installations. A typical 4-camera home system with professional installation costs around £800-£1,500. Commercial systems vary significantly based on camera count, resolution, NVR storage, and whether you need monitoring integration. Always get at least three quotes from SSAIB-certified installers and make sure the quote specifies the resolution, recording capacity, and whether monitoring is included.
One of the first questions homeowners and business owners ask us is “how much does CCTV cost?” The honest answer is: it depends. This guide breaks down the real costs so you can budget properly.
Home CCTV Costs in Northern Ireland
Entry-Level: 2-4 Camera System
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 2MP cameras (2 cameras) | £300-£500 |
| 4MP cameras (4 cameras) | £500-£800 |
| Installation | £200-£400 |
| Basic NVR (2TB) | £150-£300 |
| Total | £700-£1,500 |
What’s included:
– Cameras (wired, PoE)
– NVR with local recording
– Installation and setup
– Remote viewing app configuration
Mid-Range: 6-8 Camera System
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 4MP cameras (6-8 cameras) | £900-£1,400 |
| Installation | £400-£700 |
| NVR with larger storage (4-8TB) | £300-£600 |
| Total | £1,600-£2,700 |
What’s included:
– Everything above plus
– More cameras for larger properties
– Higher-capacity NVR for longer recording retention
Premium: 8+ Camera System with Analytics
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 4MP-8MP cameras (8+ cameras) | £1,600-£3,000+ |
| Installation | £600-£1,000 |
| AI-enabled NVR | £800-£1,500 |
| Total | £3,000-£5,500 |
What’s included:
– High-resolution cameras (4K where needed)
– AI analytics (perimeter protection, face detection)
– Professional monitoring integration
Commercial CCTV Costs in Northern Ireland
Commercial systems are more complex. Prices vary significantly based on requirements.
Small Business (8-16 cameras)
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Cameras | £1,600-£4,000 |
| Installation | £1,000-£2,000 |
| Commercial NVR | £800-£2,000 |
| Total | £3,400-£8,000 |
Medium Business (16-32 cameras)
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Cameras | £4,000-£10,000 |
| Installation | £2,000-£4,000 |
| Enterprise NVR | £2,000-£5,000 |
| Total | £8,000-£19,000 |
Large Commercial/Industrial
Prices on application — requires detailed survey.
Factors That Affect CCTV Cost
1. Number of Cameras
More cameras mean more equipment and installation time. However, adding cameras to an existing system is often cheaper than the initial installation.
2. Resolution
4MP is the standard for most applications. 8MP (4K) costs more but is justified for large areas or where maximum detail is needed.
3. Camera Type
- Standard dome/turret cameras: Basic cost
- PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom): Higher cost, for covering large areas
- Thermal cameras: Significant premium, for perimeter protection or night vision
- LPR (licence plate recognition): Specialist cameras, higher cost
4. Recording Capacity
More storage = more cost. Consider:
– How many days’ retention you need
– Whether you use motion-triggered recording
– Resolution and frame rate settings
5. Monitoring
- Self-monitoring (app only): No ongoing cost
- Professional monitoring: Typically £20-50/month
6. Installation Complexity
- Easy access, short cable runs: Lower installation cost
- Listed building, difficult access, long runs: Higher installation cost
What to Look for in a Quote
A proper CCTV quote should specify:
- Camera resolution and model — Not just “4 camera system”
- NVR specifications — Channels, storage capacity, remote access
- Cable type — Cat6 for PoE (Power over Ethernet)
- Installation and commissioning — Including how long
- Training and documentation — Handover to your team
- Warranty — Parts and labour
Red flags in quotes:
– Vague descriptions (“4 HD cameras”)
– No NVR specified
– No mention of cable type
– “Wireless cameras” as standard (we recommend wired)
– No installation/commissioning
Cost-Saving Tips
Don’t Over-Spec
4MP is sufficient for most applications. Don’t pay for 8K cameras if you don’t need the resolution.
Motion Recording
Set cameras to record on motion rather than 24/7. This extends storage retention significantly.
Start Small, Expand Later
Design the system for future expansion (choose an NVR with more channels than you need initially). Adding cameras later is cheaper than upgrading everything.
Get Multiple Quotes
Get at least three quotes. The cheapest isn’t always the best, and the most expensive isn’t always the best value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there ongoing costs with CCTV?
A: With a professionally installed system, the main ongoing cost is electricity (minimal — roughly £10-20/year for a typical home system). Cloud storage (optional) costs extra. Remote monitoring (optional) is typically £20-50/month.
Q: Can I install CCTV myself to save money?
A: DIY systems exist, but we don’t recommend them. Professional installation ensures cameras are positioned correctly, cables are run properly, and the system is configured for optimal performance. DIY systems also won’t qualify for SSAIB certification or police response.
Q: How long do CCTV systems last?
A: With annual maintenance, expect 7-10 years from a quality system. Cameras may be upgraded before the NVR, depending on technology advances.
Q: What’s the difference between analogue and IP (digital) CCTV?
A: IP (Internet Protocol) cameras are the modern standard. They offer higher resolution, better image quality, and more features than older analogue systems. We only install IP systems.
Q: Do I need CCTV if I have an alarm?
A: They serve different purposes. Alarms alert you to an event. CCTV lets you see what’s happening and provides evidence. Most customers want both.
Q: How much does it cost to maintain a CCTV system?
A: Annual maintenance typically costs £100-£300 depending on the system size. This includes testing, cleaning, firmware updates, and storage checks.
Summary
| System Size | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic home (2-4 cameras) | £700-£1,500 |
| Standard home (6-8 cameras) | £1,600-£2,700 |
| Premium home (8+ cameras, AI) | £3,000-£5,500 |
| Small business (8-16 cameras) | £3,400-£8,000 |
| Medium business (16-32 cameras) | £8,000-£19,000 |
Ready to Get a Quote?
Advanced Overwatch provides CCTV installation across Northern Ireland. We offer free surveys and transparent quotes with no hidden costs.
Contact us for a free survey — we’ll assess your property and provide a detailed, itemised quote.
