TL;DR — Burglar Alarm Installation At A Glance
- Most people pay £500–£1,200 inc VAT to have a burglar alarm supplied and installed in a typical UK home, with London and the South East running 20–30% higher.
- A bells-only (audible) system costs £500–£800; a monitored system costs £750–£1,300 plus an ongoing monitoring subscription.
- The price depends on the system type, number of sensors, wired vs wireless, smart features and property size.
- Expect a monitoring contract of roughly £15–£40 per month on top if you choose a monitored or smart-app package.
- Installation of a standard 3–4 sensor wireless system usually takes half a day to a full day.
- A good installer quotes a fixed price up front with no call-out fee and surveys the property before recommending a system.
Get a fixed price for burglar alarm installation with no call-out fee — check prices and book a vetted installer or call to talk through wired, wireless and monitored options.
How Much Does Burglar Alarm Installation Cost In 2026?
A burglar alarm supplied and installed in the UK costs £500–£1,200 inc VAT for most homes, with prices in London and the South East around 20–30% higher. A basic bells-only system on a small property can come in near £500, while a fully monitored, multi-sensor system in a larger home can reach £1,300 or more before any ongoing subscription.
The main driver is the type of system. A bells-only alarm simply sounds a siren when triggered — cheaper to fit and with no monthly fee. A monitored system alerts an alarm receiving centre, a keyholder or your phone when it goes off, which means more equipment, a communication module and usually a subscription. Property size and the number of doors, windows and rooms you want covered then decide how many sensors are needed.
Here is what burglar alarm installation typically costs across the UK:
| System type | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Bells-only (audible siren) | £500 – £800 | £600 – £1,000 |
| Wireless smart alarm (app alerts) | £600 – £1,000 | £750 – £1,300 |
| Monitored system (ARC / keyholder) | £750 – £1,300 | £900 – £1,650 |
| Large or high-spec system | £1,200 – £2,000+ | £1,500 – £2,600+ |
Figures include VAT and reflect 2026 market rates. Monitoring subscriptions are extra. Your exact price depends on the system and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Burglar Alarm Cost Breakdown By Component
Most quotes combine a control panel, sensors, a siren and labour. Understanding the parts helps you compare quotes on more than the headline price:
| Component | Typical cost (supply) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Control panel / hub | £80 – £250 | The brain of the system |
| Door/window contact sensor | £15 – £40 each | One per protected opening |
| PIR motion sensor | £20 – £60 each | Covers rooms and hallways |
| External siren / bell box | £60 – £150 | Visible deterrent plus audible alarm |
| Smart / GSM communicator | £50 – £150 | Sends app or ARC alerts |
| Labour (half to full day) | £200 – £450 | Wireless is quicker than wired |
| Monitoring subscription | £15 – £40 / month | Monitored and smart packages only |
Wired systems cost more to install because cabling is run through walls and ceilings, but they suit larger or new-build homes. Wireless systems are quicker and cleaner to fit, which is why they dominate retrofit installations.
What Affects The Cost Of A Burglar Alarm?
1. Bells-Only Vs Monitored
A bells-only alarm has no ongoing fee and is the cheapest to fit. A monitored system — where a receiving centre or keyholder responds — needs a communicator and a subscription, raising both the install price and the running cost.
2. Wired Vs Wireless
Wireless systems fit faster with less mess and typically cost less in labour. Wired systems are more robust for large properties but need cable runs, adding time and cost to the installation.
3. Number Of Sensors And Zones
Every door, window and room you protect needs a sensor. A compact flat might need three or four; a four-bedroom detached house could need a dozen or more, which lifts both the equipment and labour totals.
4. Smart And Extra Features
App control, CCTV integration, pet-friendly motion sensors, smoke and carbon-monoxide links and key fobs all add to the price. Pairing an alarm with CCTV installation can push a combined project towards £3,500.
5. Property Size And Access
Larger homes need more equipment and longer install times. Older properties, awkward loft access or solid walls that complicate cabling can add hours to a wired job.
6. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland because of higher labour rates.
What's Included — And What's Not?
Typically included in an installation quote:
- A property survey and system recommendation
- Supply of the control panel, sensors and siren
- Full installation and system configuration
- A demonstration of how to arm, disarm and use the system
- Testing of every sensor before sign-off
Usually charged separately or ongoing:
- Monthly monitoring subscription (monitored/smart systems)
- Extra sensors, cameras or smart add-ons beyond the agreed spec
- Annual maintenance or servicing visits
- Any redecoration where cabling is chased into walls
Can You Do It Yourself?
Self-fit wireless alarm kits are widely sold, and a competent DIYer can mount sensors and a control panel over a weekend. For a straightforward bells-only system in a small home, DIY can save the labour cost.
The trade-offs are real, though. A professional survey positions sensors to remove blind spots and reduce false alarms, and a professionally installed and certified system is often required if you want police response or insurer recognition — many insurers ask for an alarm installed to a recognised standard by an accredited company. For monitored systems, self-install is rarely an option because the alarm must connect to a receiving centre. If the alarm is protecting a family home or a property your insurer expects to be secured, professional installation is the sensible choice.
How To Save Money On Burglar Alarm Installation
- Match the system to the property — a compact flat rarely needs a large monitored system; a bells-only alarm may be plenty.
- Choose wireless for a retrofit to cut labour time and avoid redecoration.
- Bundle the install with CCTV or a key safe in one visit to make the most of the call-out.
- Ask your home insurer whether an approved alarm reduces your premium — the saving can offset part of the cost.
- Get 2–3 quotes and compare the equipment list and any monitoring contract, not just the headline install price.
- Check contract length on monitored packages before signing — a long tie-in can cost more over time than a higher up-front install.
How To Hire A Good Locksmith
Alarm installation is a security job, so vetting the installer is worth the time. Look for accreditation with a recognised body such as the NSI (National Security Inspectorate) or SSAIB, which is often what insurers and police response schemes require. A locksmith or security engineer who is a member of, or approved by, the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is vetted, qualified and insured. Confirm public liability insurance, ask for reviews or references, and insist on a fixed price up front with no call-out fee so the survey and quote come before any commitment.
Be cautious of anyone who quotes a system without surveying the property first, or who ties you into a long monitoring contract to make a cheap install add up. With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured installers, a fixed price agreed up front and online booking, so the system suits your home and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Burglar Alarm In The UK?
A supplied and installed burglar alarm costs £500–£1,200 inc VAT for most homes in 2026, or 20–30% more in London. Bells-only systems start around £500, while monitored systems run £750–£1,300 plus a monthly subscription.
What Is The Difference Between A Bells-Only And A Monitored Alarm?
A bells-only alarm sounds a siren when triggered and has no ongoing fee. A monitored alarm alerts an alarm receiving centre, a keyholder or your phone when it goes off, which needs extra equipment and a monthly subscription of roughly £15–£40.
Is A Wireless Or Wired Burglar Alarm Better Value?
Wireless systems cost less to install and cause no mess, which suits most existing homes. Wired systems cost more in labour but are robust for large or new-build properties. For a typical retrofit, wireless is usually the better value.
Does A Burglar Alarm Reduce Home Insurance?
It can. Many insurers offer a discount for an alarm installed to a recognised standard by an accredited company, and some policies require one. Check with your insurer before choosing a system, because the premium saving can offset part of the install cost.
How Long Does Burglar Alarm Installation Take?
A standard wireless system with three to four sensors usually takes half a day to a full day. Wired systems and larger homes take longer because of the cabling and the number of zones to configure and test.
Are There Ongoing Costs After A Burglar Alarm Is Installed?
Bells-only systems have no ongoing fee. Monitored and smart-app systems carry a subscription of about £15–£40 per month. Occasional servicing or battery replacement (for wireless sensors) is a small additional cost.
