TL;DR — CCTV Installation At A Glance
- Most people pay £400–£1,500 inc VAT to have a home CCTV system supplied and installed in 2026, with London and the South East running 20–30% higher.
- A single smart camera can be fitted from around £150–£300; a four-camera system with recording typically runs £600–£1,500.
- Pairing CCTV with a burglar alarm as one project can reach £3,500 for a full security setup.
- The price depends on the number of cameras, resolution, wired vs wireless, recording method and cable runs.
- Cloud storage or a monitoring plan can add an ongoing subscription of roughly £3–£30 per month.
- A good installer surveys the property, positions cameras to cover entry points and quotes a fixed price up front with no call-out fee.
Get a fixed price for CCTV installation with no call-out fee — check prices and book a vetted installer or call to plan camera positions and recording options.
How Much Does CCTV Installation Cost In 2026?
Home CCTV supplied and installed in the UK costs £400–£1,500 inc VAT for most systems, with London and the South East around 20–30% higher. A single self-contained smart camera can be fitted for a couple of hundred pounds, while a multi-camera system with a recorder, night vision and professional cabling reaches the upper end. A full security project that combines CCTV with an intruder alarm can rise to £3,500.
The biggest driver is the number of cameras and how they record. More cameras mean more hardware and more cabling time. Systems that record to a dedicated NVR or DVR (network or digital video recorder) cost more than a single Wi-Fi camera saving clips to the cloud, but they give continuous footage and no monthly fee for local storage. Resolution and features — 4K, night vision, two-way audio, motion tracking — then move the price within the range.
Here is what CCTV installation typically costs across the UK:
| System | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Single smart / Wi-Fi camera | £150 – £350 | £200 – £450 |
| 2-camera system with recording | £400 – £750 | £500 – £950 |
| 4-camera system (NVR/DVR) | £600 – £1,500 | £750 – £1,900 |
| 6–8 camera system, high spec | £1,200 – £2,500 | £1,500 – £3,200 |
| CCTV plus alarm (full setup) | up to £3,500 | up to £4,500 |
Figures include VAT and reflect 2026 market rates. Cloud storage or monitoring plans are extra. Your exact price depends on the system and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
CCTV Cost Breakdown By Component
Comparing quotes is easier when the parts are itemised. A typical system combines cameras, a recorder, storage and labour:
| Component | Typical cost (supply) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wired HD/4K camera | £40 – £150 each | Bullet or dome style |
| Smart wireless camera | £60 – £250 each | Battery or plug-in |
| NVR / DVR recorder | £100 – £400 | Continuous local recording |
| Hard drive (1–4 TB) | £40 – £120 | Weeks of footage |
| Cabling and connectors | £30 – £120 | Wired systems only |
| Labour (half to full day) | £200 – £500 | Depends on camera count and runs |
| Cloud storage / monitoring | £3 – £30 / month | Optional, subscription-based |
Wireless systems are quicker to install and avoid cable runs, but rely on Wi-Fi and battery upkeep. Wired systems are more reliable for permanent coverage, at the cost of more installation time.
What Affects The Cost Of CCTV Installation?
1. Number Of Cameras
Each camera adds hardware and installation time. Covering a front door and back garden needs fewer cameras than protecting a large detached home with side access and outbuildings.
2. Wired Vs Wireless
Wireless smart cameras fit fastest with no cabling, keeping labour low. Wired systems recording to an NVR/DVR take longer to install because cable is routed through walls and lofts, but deliver continuous, reliable footage.
3. Camera Quality And Features
Resolution (1080p up to 4K), night vision range, two-way audio, motion tracking and weatherproofing all affect the camera price. Higher-spec cameras produce clearer, more useful footage but cost more per unit.
4. Recording And Storage
Local recording to an NVR/DVR with a hard drive has no monthly fee. Cloud storage and professional monitoring add a subscription. The storage capacity you choose decides how many days or weeks of footage you keep.
5. Cable Runs And Access
Long cable runs, solid walls, loft access and multi-storey properties all add installation hours. Cameras mounted high or in awkward positions may need access equipment.
6. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland, reflecting higher labour rates.
What's Included — And What's Not?
Typically included in an installation quote:
- A property survey and camera-position plan
- Supply of cameras, recorder and mounting hardware
- Cabling and full installation
- System configuration and app setup on your phone
- A demonstration of live view, playback and recording
Usually charged separately or ongoing:
- Cloud storage or professional monitoring subscriptions
- Extra cameras or upgrades beyond the agreed spec
- Redecoration where cable is chased into walls
- Annual maintenance or lens cleaning at height
Can You Do It Yourself?
Plug-in and battery smart cameras are designed for self-install — mount the bracket, connect to Wi-Fi through an app, and you are recording within the hour. For one or two cameras covering a door or driveway, DIY is realistic and saves the labour cost.
Multi-camera wired systems are a different job. Running cable neatly through walls and lofts, positioning cameras to remove blind spots, setting up an NVR and configuring remote access is fiddly and time-consuming, and poor camera angles produce footage that is useless when it matters. There are also legal points to get right: cameras that capture a neighbour's property or a public footpath bring the system under UK data-protection rules, and an installer will advise on positioning and signage. For a whole-home system, professional installation is usually worth it.
How To Save Money On CCTV Installation
- Cover the entry points first — a camera on the front door and one at the rear deters most opportunists without wiring the whole house.
- Choose local recording (NVR/DVR with a hard drive) to avoid a monthly cloud fee where you do not need off-site backup.
- Go wireless for a retrofit to cut labour and avoid redecoration.
- Bundle the install with a burglar alarm or key safe in one visit.
- Buy a system sized for now — you can add cameras to a recorder later rather than paying for spare channels today.
- Get 2–3 quotes and compare the camera count, resolution and any subscription, not just the headline price.
How To Hire A Good CCTV Installer
CCTV is both a security and a data job, so choose the installer carefully. Look for accreditation with a recognised body such as the NSI or SSAIB, and for membership of, or approval by, the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) — MLA-approved locksmiths are vetted, qualified and insured. A good installer advises on camera positions, warns you about capturing neighbours' land or public areas, and helps with the signage the law expects. Confirm public liability insurance, ask for reviews or references, and insist on a fixed price up front with no call-out fee.
Be wary of anyone who quotes without a survey, or who oversells cameras you do not need. With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured installers, a fixed price agreed up front and online booking, so the system covers what matters without overspending.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Install CCTV At Home?
Home CCTV supplied and installed costs £400–£1,500 inc VAT for most systems in 2026, or 20–30% more in London. A single smart camera can be fitted from around £150, while a four-camera system with recording runs £600–£1,500.
How Much Does A 4-Camera CCTV System Cost?
A four-camera system with an NVR or DVR recorder typically costs £600–£1,500 inc VAT across the UK, rising to £750–£1,900 in London. The final price depends on camera resolution, cabling and features such as night vision and two-way audio.
Is Wired Or Wireless CCTV Better?
Wireless cameras are cheaper and quicker to install and suit one or two positions. Wired systems recording to an NVR/DVR give continuous, reliable footage and no reliance on Wi-Fi or batteries, which makes them the better choice for whole-home coverage.
Are There Ongoing Costs With CCTV?
Not necessarily. Systems that record locally to a hard drive have no monthly fee. Cloud storage and professional monitoring add a subscription of roughly £3–£30 per month, depending on how much footage you keep and whether the feed is monitored.
Is It Legal To Install CCTV On A House?
Yes, but cameras that capture areas beyond your own property — a neighbour's garden, a shared drive or a public footpath — bring the system under UK data-protection rules. You must use the footage responsibly and display signage. A professional installer will position cameras and advise on compliance.
How Long Does CCTV Installation Take?
A single smart camera takes under an hour. A typical four-camera wired system takes half a day to a full day, depending on cable runs and camera positions. Larger systems and awkward access take longer.
