The cost of intruder alarms in the UK in 2025 can vary widely, depending on the type of system, property size, and required features. Whether it’s for a small office or a large commercial premises, having the right intruder alarm is a key part of any business security strategy. With technology advancing and threats evolving, it’s more important than ever to understand what you’re paying for and how it benefits your organisation. This guide breaks down current costs, identifies the factors that influence them, and explains how to find the best value for your investment.
Table of Contents
Intruder Alarms Cost In The UK
A modest office or shop can still keep costs tight, whereas a logistics warehouse that requires a police response and integration with CCTV will sit at the other end of the scale. Below, you will find a detailed, type-by-type breakdown, allowing you to judge what represents good value and where it pays to spend a little more.
1. Bells-only alarms (audible only)
- Wired configuration – A straightforward wired system with an external siren still represents the lowest professional price point. Typical supply-and-fit totals run from £500 to £550 for a small commercial space with two door contacts and three PIR sensors. The labour component is roughly 45 percent of that figure because running cable through finished walls is a time-consuming process.
- Wireless configuration – Going cable-free removes most channelling work, so the installation cost is similar or even slightly lower, yet the equipment pack is dearer. Expect £525 to £650 for an equivalent wireless layout. Battery replacement every two to three years adds around £40.
Why choose it? These alarms rely on people nearby hearing the siren and calling the police. They are therefore best suited to low-risk premises in busy streets or shared business parks.
2. Dialler and self-monitored smart alarms
Dialler alarms add an auto-dial module that rings pre-set numbers or pushes app alerts when the system activates. In 2025 a simple cellular dialler adds £100 to £180 to the equipment cost, taking a starter kit to roughly £485 to £700 fully installed. DIY smart kits such as Ring, Eufy or Yale Sync range from £120 for a bell-only starter pack to £224 for an entry-level self-monitored innovative kit if you install it yourself; hiring an installer usually adds £200-£250. No monthly fees apply unless you opt into cloud video storage.
These systems suit small businesses that want smartphone control but are happy to take responsibility for alerts outside office hours.
3. Professionally monitored alarms
When you require guaranteed response, a monitoring centre watches the alarm 24 / 7 and calls keyholders or the police.
| Monitoring type | Up-front cost | Ongoing cost |
| Keyholder-only (Grade 2) | £600-£900 installed | £15-£25 pm ARC fee |
| Police response (Grade 2/3 with URN) | £800-£1,100 installed | £25-£40 pm ARC fee + £54.79 one-off URN fee |
Grade 2 is sufficient for most offices; Grade 3 may be stipulated for high-value stock or critical infrastructure. The URN (unique reference number) is what allows the ARC to request priority police attendance.
Up-front totals above assume four sensors, a door contact and a dual-path communicator using IP plus 4G as a fail-safe.
4. Smart alarms with full IoT integration
Smart alarms now offer app control, CCTV integration, voice assistant support, and automated scenes. A professionally installed, fully featured smart package typically costs £1,000-£1,400 for equipment and labour, with monthly plans ranging from £10 to £40, depending on video storage and ARC escalation. Self-monitored versions remain cheaper over time but you carry the burden of responding to every push notification.
Add-ons such as indoor cameras (£50-£150 each), shock sensors (£35-£50), or fog generators (£550+) can double the final bill on complex sites.
5. Commercial Grade 2 v Grade 3 systems
BS EN 50131 grades link the resilience of the equipment to the level of threat:
| Grade | Typical premises | Typical price range (4-6 zones) |
| Grade 2 | Offices, clinics, workshops | £650-£1,200 |
| Grade 3 | Jewellers, warehouses, data centres | £1,500-£3,500 |
Grade 3 hardware uses anti-mask detectors, tamper-resistant metal control panels and secure signalling. It often requires dual-path monitoring and police response. Those upgrades, plus insurance paperwork, explain the higher ticket price.
Very high-risk or cash-handling sites may even need Grade 4, where system design is bespoke and budgets start at £4,000.
6. Sector-specific considerations
- Retail and hospitality – Panic buttons wired to the same panel add roughly £120 per point.
- Logistics and manufacturing – Large zones often demand external beam detectors or microwave units that cost £120-£250 each.
- Construction sites – Rapid-deploy wireless towers with solar power rent from £90 per week, including monitoring.
Many insurers now require integration with CCTV analytics, so alarms from PTZ cameras trigger ARC intervention, rather than relying solely on PIR sensors. Budget £350-£600 per camera plus an NVR if you have not already invested in surveillance.
7. Installation factors that alter quotes
- Fabric of the building – Solid brick walls or listed interiors increase cable runs and containment hours.
- Number of entry points – Every additional door or shutter needs a contact (£20-£35) and time to fit it.
- Height of ceilings – Scaffolding or a scissor lift adds £200-£300 per day in hire.
- Night or weekend work – Common for retail to avoid downtime, charged at a 25 percent premium.
Therefore, while headline figures give a guide, always expect a surveyor to tweak the quote once your site is assessed.
8. Ongoing ownership costs
- Annual maintenance – Most NSI-approved companies charge £90-£120 for a service visit, including battery checks and firmware.
- Monitoring contracts – Budget £180-£480 per year, depending on response level.
- Communication paths – If you rely on a dedicated 4G SIM, data plans start at £7 per month.
- Repairs – PIR replacements average £45-£65 supplied and fitted; control panel PCB swap-outs sit closer to £150.
Over five years, the lifetime cost of a monitored alarm can equal or exceed the purchase price, so factor in servicing when making financial decisions.
9. Cost comparison snapshot for 2025
| System type (entry package) | Up-front cost | Annual cost | Best for |
| Bell-only wired | £500-£550 | Nil | Low-risk premises with neighbours |
| Bell-only wireless | £525-£650 | £10 batteries | Rented units or solid walls |
| DIY smart | £120-£300 | Optional storage | Micro-business or temporary site |
| Dialler | £485-£700 | £60 SIM | Owner-managed sites |
| Monitored Grade 2 | £800-£1,100 | £180-£300 | Standard office, clinic |
| Monitored Grade 3 | £1,500-£3,500 | £300-£480 | High-risk assets, warehouses |
Prices include VAT and are based on typical four-detector systems. Individual quotes may rise for larger footprints, police URN requirements, or complex integration.
Factors That Affect The Price Of Intruder Alarms
Every intruder alarm quote is a balancing act between risk, technology, and practicalities. Understanding the seven biggest cost drivers helps you determine whether a price is fair for your premises and the level of protection you need.
1. Size and layout
The footprint of your building dictates how many detectors, contact,s and sirens the engineer must specify. A compact boutique may need just two motion sensors and a single door contact, yet a sprawling distribution centre could require dozens, plus external beams to cover yards. Every additional device adds to the purchase cost, installation time, and, in the case of wireless systems, future battery replacements. Large premises also require larger control panels with additional zones. Because labour is charged by the hour, longer cable runs and more complex zoning quickly push the price beyond what you see in brochure headline packages.
2. Security grade and compliance
Security grade is the next lever. Insurers often insist on Grade 2 for ordinary offices, while jewellers and warehouses stocking high-value goods go up to Grade 3. Higher grades utilise anti-mask sensors, metal control boxes, and dual-path communicators that continue to signal if broadband, power, or mobile coverage fails. Those components pass industry tests for tamper resistance, but they cost noticeably more than entry-level plastic housings. A Grade 3 design may also oblige you to buy a police response subscription and a remote keyholder service, so the final figure rises both upfront and in annual fees.
3. Wired versus wireless installation
Wiring choice influences both material spend and labour. Wired systems rely on copper cable routed through trunking or behind plaster, so the engineer’s day rate often overtakes the price of parts in a retrofit. Wireless kits arrive pre-paired and fixed can be fixed with screws or adhesive pads, reducing fitting time. However, each device contains a radio board and lithium cells, making the hardware dearer from the outset. In large buildings, signal boosters may be necessary, which can add to the overall cost. Decide whether you would rather pay installers once for cabling or accept a higher component bill and battery swaps.
4. Monitoring and response
The way an alarm speaks to the outside world affects its lifetime price as much as the gadgets on your walls. A bells-only system is a one-off purchase: if it sounds, neighbours must act. Add a GSM or internet communicator, and you will pay a SIM plan or cloud fee every month. Sign up for an alarm receiving centre with the police response, and charges rise again because you are funding trained staff, compliance audits, and reference numbers. For some businesses, that coordinated response is non-negotiable, but it still adds tangible pounds to every year’s budget.
5. Smart integration and extras
Modern control panels can integrate with CCTV, lighting, and access control systems, allowing everything to communicate through a single app. Connection licences, cloud storage plan,s and smart relays all carry price tags. Add-ons such as video-verified detectors, glass-break sensors, panic buttons, or fog cannons can quickly multiply hardware costs. Integration also lengthens commissioning time because installers must program scenes and test cross-triggering. The upside is convenience and analytics, yet the price per feature soon overtakes the base alarm. Be clear about which extras deliver meaningful risk reduction and which merely feel futuristic but add little to day-to-day protection.
6. Building fabric and working hours
A thick Victorian wall, a steel-clad warehouse, or a modern glass curtain all present different installation headaches. Drilling masonry, concealing conduit or bonding sensors to delicate surfaces can double labour compared with a plasterboard office. If the space is occupied during the day, engineers may need to work evenings to avoid disruption, which can trigger premium rates. Historic or listed premises may require surface-mounted conduit to be painted to match, which adds to the material and finishing time. The harder it is to reach cable routes safely, the more you will pay, so surveyors always inspect the fabric and access before confirming a final quotation.
7. Maintenance and lifecycle costs
Buying the alarm is only chapter one; keeping it compliant is where costs live. Insurance policies insist on an annual service visit by an accredited engineer. That call-out catches dying batteries, firmware updates, and false-alarm trends before they become expensive disruptions. In monitored systems, you also pay a monthly signalling subscription, and when 4G gives way to 5G, a communicator upgrade may appear on the horizon—budget for consumables, too: replacement door contacts, detector lenses, and backup batteries. Treat maintenance as part of the price tag rather than an afterthought, and quotations suddenly look more transparent.
Conclusion
Securing your premises with a dependable intruder alarm system is a vital step towards protecting your assets, staff, and peace of mind. With the right solution in place, you can deter potential threats and respond swiftly to incidents. If you’re looking for professional support or tailored advice, Currant Live is here to help. Whether you need Commercial CCTV, Fire Solutions, Monitoring Solutions, or intruder alarms, our team offers expert guidance and installation services to suit your business. Don’t leave your security to chance; get in touch with Currant Live today and take control of your business protection.
