Price Guide

How Much Does an Alarm Installer Really Cost?

Compare prices for 12 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

12 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

Adjust prices for your property size

Adjusts prices for: Wireless Burglar Alarm, Wired Burglar Alarm

National pricing

Alarm Installer Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Wireless Burglar Alarm

Low

£300

Average

£500

High

£800

2-4 hours

More details

Supply and installation of a wireless burglar alarm for an average 3-bed house. Includes the main control box, a keypad, 2-3 sensors on doors, 2 motion detectors, and an alarm box on the outside wall.

~45% labour, ~55% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of sensors and door contacts
  • Brand (Yale, Texecom, Honeywell, Risco)
  • Whether the system includes a smartphone app
  • Property size and number of entry points

Wired Burglar Alarm

Low

£500

Average

£800

High

£1,200

1 day

More details

Supply and installation of a hardwired intruder alarm system. Includes control panel, keypad, sensors, door contacts and external sounder. More reliable than wireless but requires cable runs through the property.

~56% labour, ~44% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of zones and sensors needed
  • Cable routing complexity (surface or concealed)
  • Panel type and grade
  • Property size and construction

Smart Alarm System

Low

£400

Average

£700

High

£1,100

2-4 hours

More details

Supply and installation of a smart alarm system with app control, push notifications and integration with smart home devices. Includes hub, sensors, contacts, keypad and sounder.

~43% labour, ~57% materials

What affects the price

  • Brand (Ring Alarm, Yale Sync, ADT Smart Home)
  • Number of sensors and devices included
  • Whether professional monitoring is added
  • Integration with cameras and smart locks

Alarm Maintenance and Service

Low

£80

Average

£130

High

£200

1-2 hours

More details

Annual service of an existing intruder alarm system. Includes testing all sensors and contacts, checking sounder and battery, updating firmware and issuing a service certificate.

~88% labour, ~12% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of sensors in the system
  • Whether replacement batteries are needed
  • Age and condition of the system
  • Whether the system is NSI or SSAIB accredited

Alarm Repair

Low

£60

Average

£120

High

£250

1-2 hours

More details

Diagnosing and repairing a fault with an existing burglar alarm. Common issues include false triggers, faulty sensors, dead batteries, panel errors and sounder failures.

~58% labour, ~42% materials

What affects the price

  • Type and complexity of the fault
  • Whether replacement parts are needed
  • Age of the system and parts availability
  • Whether the system is a proprietary brand

Additional Sensor or Zone

Low

£50

Average

£90

High

£150

30-60 minutes

More details

Adding an extra motion sensor, door sensor, or vibration sensor to your existing alarm system. Includes the sensor itself, setting it up on the control panel, and testing.

~63% labour, ~37% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of sensor (PIR, door contact, vibration, glass break)
  • Whether the system is wired or wireless
  • Spare zone capacity on the control panel
  • Cable run distance for wired sensors

Fire Alarm System (Domestic)

Low

£150

Average

£250

High

£450

2-4 hours

More details

Supply and installation of an interlinked mains-powered fire alarm system for a domestic property. Typically includes smoke detectors on each floor and a heat detector in the kitchen.

~50% labour, ~50% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of detectors needed (one per floor minimum)
  • Wired or wireless interlinked system
  • Whether heat detectors are needed for kitchen/garage
  • Property size and number of storeys

Carbon Monoxide Alarm System

Low

£50

Average

£100

High

£180

30-60 minutes

More details

Supply and installation of carbon monoxide detectors near gas appliances. Legally required in all rented properties. Includes battery or mains-powered units positioned per manufacturer guidelines.

~50% labour, ~50% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of CO detectors needed
  • Battery powered vs mains wired
  • Whether interlinked with existing fire alarms
  • Number of rooms with gas appliances

Alarm Monitoring Setup

Low

£100

Average

£200

High

£350

1-2 hours

More details

Setting up your alarm to be monitored by a 24/7 security centre who will contact you (and the police if needed) when the alarm goes off. Includes fitting a device that sends the alert via phone or broadband and registering with the monitoring service.

~68% labour, ~32% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of communicator needed (GSM dialler, dual-path)
  • Monthly monitoring subscription (typically £15-£40/month)
  • Whether police response URN is included
  • Alarm panel compatibility

Key Holder Response Service

Low

£200

Average

£350

High

£600

1 hour setup

More details

Setup of a key holder response service where a security guard responds to your alarm activation. Includes initial setup, key safe installation, registration with the monitoring centre and first year response.

~93% labour, ~7% materials

What affects the price

  • Monthly or annual subscription cost (typically £25-£35/month)
  • Whether a key safe needs installing at your property
  • Response time guarantees
  • Whether combined with alarm monitoring

Safe Installation

Low

£80

Average

£150

High

£300

1-3 hours

More details

Professional installation and bolting down of a home safe. Includes fixing to the floor or wall using masonry bolts and concealment where possible. Safe not included in price.

~83% labour, ~17% materials

What affects the price

  • Size and weight of the safe
  • Floor or wall mounting
  • Floor type (concrete, timber, tile)
  • Whether the safe needs concealing in a cupboard or wall

Security Light Installation

Low

£80

Average

£150

High

£250

1-2 hours

More details

Supply and installation of a motion-sensor security light that turns on automatically when someone approaches. Includes the LED floodlight, wiring it into your electrics, and testing. Price is per light.

~65% labour, ~35% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of light (LED floodlight, twin spots, soffit light)
  • Wattage and brightness
  • Whether new wiring is needed from the consumer unit
  • Number of lights being installed

Popular locations

Alarm Installation Costs by City

London

£375–£995

Birmingham

£280–£745

Leeds

£290–£780

Glasgow

£315–£840

Sheffield

£295–£790

Manchester

£295–£780

Bradford

£265–£700

Edinburgh

£345–£915

Liverpool

£295–£790

Bristol

£325–£860

Coventry

£285–£765

Leicester

£255–£685

Local pricing

Find Alarm Installer Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local alarm installer pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Wireless Burglar Alarm by City

Average cost of wireless burglar alarm across key UK cities.

London
+24% £620
Manchester
-2% £490
Birmingham
-7% £465
Glasgow
+5% £525
Bristol
+7% £540
Leeds
-3% £485
Cardiff
-2% £490
Belfast
-13% £435

Overview

What Does an Alarm Installer Do?

An alarm installer provides professional services covering burglar alarm installation, smart security systems, fire and co alarms. They handle everything from routine maintenance and inspections to full installations and emergency repairs. Whether you need a small repair or a major project, hiring a qualified alarm installer ensures the work is done safely, to code, and to a professional standard.

You should hire an alarm installer whenever you need work that requires specialist skills, tools, or qualifications. Many types of alarm installer work are regulated and must be carried out by a certified professional. Attempting DIY on regulated work can be dangerous, void your insurance, and create costly problems down the line.

Pricing for alarm installer services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring an alarm installer, always get at least three quotes from different tradespeople. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews. A reputable alarm installer will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside an alarm installer.

CCTV Installation UK price guide £350–£700 Locksmith UK price guide £60–£150 Aerial & Satellite Installation UK price guide £150–£300 Electrician UK price guide £4,000–£8,000 Handyman UK price guide £40–£120 Window Fitting UK price guide £400–£750 Carpentry UK price guide £70–£200 Cleaning UK price guide £25–£45

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about alarm installer costs in the UK.

What is the difference between a wired and wireless burglar alarm?
Wired alarms are more reliable and harder to tamper with, but require cables run through walls so installation takes longer. Wireless alarms are quicker to fit and easier to expand, but rely on batteries and can occasionally suffer signal interference.
Do burglar alarms need regular servicing?
Yes. Most alarm manufacturers recommend an annual service to check sensors, batteries and the control panel. If your alarm is monitored by an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), annual servicing is usually a requirement to maintain the monitoring contract.
Will a burglar alarm reduce my home insurance?
Many insurers offer a discount of 5-15% for homes with a professionally installed alarm system, especially if it is monitored. Check with your insurer first, as some require a specific grade of alarm (e.g. Grade 2 to BS EN 50131) to qualify for the discount.
What is a smart alarm system?
A smart alarm connects to your home Wi-Fi and sends alerts to your phone when triggered. You can arm, disarm and monitor the system remotely via an app. Some systems integrate with smart doorbells, cameras and voice assistants for whole-home security.
What is NSI or SSAIB accreditation and does it matter?
NSI (National Security Inspectorate) and SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board) are UKAS-accredited bodies that audit alarm installers to ensure they meet British Standards. Using an NSI or SSAIB-approved installer is often required by insurers and is essential if you want police response to alarm activations.
How long does a burglar alarm installation take?
A wireless alarm for a typical 3-bed house takes 2-4 hours. A wired system takes a full day as cables need routing through walls and ceilings. Smart alarm systems sit somewhere in between. The installer should give you a clear timescale before starting.
Do I need monitored alarm or is bells-only sufficient?
A bells-only alarm relies on the siren deterring intruders and neighbours noticing. Monitored alarms send an alert to a 24/7 security centre who contact you and can dispatch police or a keyholder. Monitored systems cost £15-£40 per month on top of installation but provide significantly better protection, especially when you are away from home.
Can I keep my existing alarm and just upgrade it?
In many cases, yes. An installer can replace the control panel and add smart features while keeping existing wired sensors. However, if your system is over 10-15 years old, the sensors themselves may be unreliable and a full replacement is usually better value than patching an ageing system.
Are fire and smoke alarms a legal requirement in the UK?
In England, all rented properties must have a smoke alarm on each storey and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a solid fuel appliance. Scotland requires interlinked alarms in all homes, not just rentals. Homeowners are strongly advised to fit interlinked smoke and CO alarms even where not legally required.
How much does an alarm installer cost in the UK?
The most common alarm installer job, wireless burglar alarm, costs between £300 and £800 nationally, with an average of £500. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects alarm installer prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable alarm installer?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews.
Do alarm installer prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some tradespeople break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire an alarm installer?
Demand for alarm installer services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.