Our UK market survey of CCTV camera systems found an average all-in cost of £584 for equipment and installation of basic 4-camera systems. The equipment price range across 17 popular brands was £198–307. Installation quotes are typically in the £250–500 range, with higher rates in the South of England.
Equipment pricing goes up to £738+ for more advanced systems with 8–16 cameras and electrician installation.
Customers that require advanced features like camera-level video storage and 4K streaming can consider IP camera systems, which typically increase the equipment cost by 45–60%.
| Camera system type | Equipment cost range | Installation cost range |
|---|---|---|
| CCTV (4 camera, DVR) | £198–307 | £250–500 |
| CCTV (16 camera, DVR) | £738–1350 | £350–650 |
| IP Camera (4 camera, NVR) | £300–466 | £150–500 |
| IP Camera (16 camera, NVR) | £1107–1980 | £250–800 |
Factors That Impact CCTV Camera Cost
There are two primary options when considering a security camera setup: CCTV cameras (analog) and IP or “network” cameras (digital).
The pricing guide below covers both CCTV and IP system types, since the terms are often confused.
The key features impacting pricing are:
- Integration with alarm systems or smart home
- Choice between CCTV and IP camera types
- Indoor vs outdoor camera requirements
- Number of cameras needed
- Type of installation required
Integration With Home Security Burglar Alarm
The cost of a fully-kitted IP-connected smart security system including cameras will range from £290–1,139 according to our survey of burglar alarm costs.
When systems like Verisure or SimpliSafe include cameras, it adds substantially to the overall price because the cameras are higher quality than analog CCTV cameras. Additionally, these providers almost always charge a monthly fee for monitoring and cloud video storage.
Verisure, Ring, and ADT are examples of well-known security providers that offer smart home integration with IPTV cameras.
Security camera systems without monthly fees will typically require some form of on-premise storage, such as a DVR (for storing analogue video feeds) or NVR (for storing digital video feeds).
A good example of a smart security system with cameras is SimpliSafe. While their cheapest system costs only £158.38, it comes with only one camera, an indoor model. To get multiple cameras, you have to shell out for individual cameras at £179.99/camera for outdoor models.
A good example of a monitored smart security system with both alarms and cameras is ADT. While they don’t sell cameras individually, they do include them in full-home kits at a £359–520 price range.
CCTV vs IP Camera Systems: Cost Impact
CCTV cameras connect via coaxial cable, meaning they are analog. IPTV cameras connect via ethernet or Wi-Fi, and store video digitally. IPTV cameras are typically about 50% more expensive.
The short answer to “what’s the difference between CCTV and IP cameras” is that CCTV is cheap and lo-fi, while IP cameras are more expensive and have more features.
CCTV camera systems record analogue video from cameras to a central DVR. Just like the DVR used for a TV, this device collects the feeds and stores the video locally.
With some models, customers can transmit the video to the cloud or an external device. In most cases, the use case is to simply record the video for review in case of an incident.
CCTV Camera Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low cost
- No image delays when viewed locally
- Long wired transmission range
Cons
- Low video quality compared to IP cameras
- Lack of integration options with security systems
- Rarely able to offer push notifications for event triggers
IP Camera pros and cons
Pros
- High video quality up to 4K
- Integrates well with smart home and alarm systems
- Advanced features
Cons
- High cost
- Low transmission range over wireless
- Costs associated with cloud storage of video
CCTV Camera Costs
Individual CCTV camera models come in a dizzying variety of designs. The two most common are bullet cameras and Dome cameras.
- Bullet cameras: low-cost and easy to point at interest areas.
- Dome cameras: low-cost and install easily on ceilings.
However, the price is more largely impacted by cost difference between outdoor and indoor camera types, as covered below.
| CCTV Camera type | Equipment cost |
|---|---|
| Bullet Camera | £19.99–160 |
| Dome Camera | £45–140 |
| C-Mount Camera | £37–200 |
IP Camera Costs
IP cameras are more expensive than CCTV cameras because they have more features, usually offer local storage on a micro SD card, and connect to Wi-Fi as their own device with a dedicated address.
All these features add up to more manufacturing costs, aside from higher build quality associated with premium hardware.
| IP Camera type | Equipment cost |
|---|---|
| Wireless indoor camera | £32–210 |
| Wired outdoor camera | £67–230 |
Indoor vs Outdoor Security Camera Costs
Indoor cameras are generally the cheapest security cameras on the market, since they aren’t exposed to weather and therefore don’t have the same build quality standards.
There are two metrics you can look for when comparing indoor and outdoor cameras:
- IP rating: how resistant the camera is to weather and environmental factors. This is expressed as two numbers, with the first being a 0–6 scale for “dust tolerance” and the second being a 0–8 scale for water resistance.
- IK rating: how much impact the camera can take, expressed on a 0–10 scale.
As a rule of thumb, cameras with higher IK and IP rating are on the high end of the ranges given in the camera cost tables above. Lower IK and IP ratings are associated with indoor cameras, since the assumption is that they will not be subject to the same level of stress.
Security Camera Installation Costs
The cost to install a security camera ranges from £250–500 for a basic CCTV system, and can take anywhere from 1–4 hours depending on the wiring needed, difficulty of accessing mounting location, and time needed to explain the system to the homeowner.
| Install type | Installation cost range |
|---|---|
| CCTV basic | £250–500 |
| CCTV advanced | £350–650 |
| IP Camera basic | £150–500 |
| IP Camera advanced | £250–800 |
How to Save Money on CCTV Camera Installation
There are two ways to save money on your installation cost:
- Hire a third-party rather than the default offered by your hardware provider.
- Install the system yourself.
1. Hire a Third-Party Installation Service
Third-party installation services typically charge 10–25% less than the service offered as a default from your equipment provider. This is especially true for brand-name systems like ADT and Verisure. However, it also applies for hardware stores and other in-person sales experiences.
In short: if you’re being sold a system, the add-on costs are taking advantage of the fact that you’re not shopping around. While it’s awkward and inconvenient to say “no” to add-on services, it’s a good way to save a few quid.
2. Self-Install to Save on Installation Costs
Self installation is not simple, and for wired systems, we don’t recommend it. If your cameras need a power supply separate from the line delivering video, installation is likely to require a handyman or even an certified electrician.
On the other hand, installing simple wired (coaxial) systems and fully wireless systems is feasible for most homeowners who consider themselves handy.
CCTV systems generally don’t need to plug into the home wiring, so the difficulty is more about placing the coaxial lines between cameras and DVR.
IP camera systems frequently offer “power over ethernet” as an option, making it similarly simple to install.
Frequently Asked Questions
How easy is it to install CCTV at home?
Installing CCTV is a simple process provided you don’t have to drill into walls to hide the coaxial cables running between each camera and the central DVR. More expensive IP camera systems can often be installed without wires, making brands like SimpliSafe and Ring popular with renters. However, the up-front cost for these systems is usually higher than an analogue CCTV system.
How much does a 4-camera CCTV system cost?
A basic 4-camera 8-channel CCTV camera system is typically priced within the £198–307 range. Costs for more modern IP camera setups are about 50% higher, at £300–466 for a similar system.
How much does a security camera cost?
Individual security cameras can be purchased for as little as £19.99 retail outside of sales. However, standalone cameras that function on their own without a larger CCTV or IP camera system are priced higher, around £50–130.