Security System Installation Cost in NYC
Real price ranges for intercoms, cameras, access control, and alarms — and what actually drives the number
Most security companies in New York won't put a price on their website. "Every building is different, call for a quote." That's true, but it's not helpful when you're a board member trying to budget, a landlord deciding whether to fix or replace, or a business owner comparing three vendors.
So here are the real ranges we see across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, broken down by system and building type, with the factors that move a job from the low end to the high end. These are installed prices — equipment, labor, wiring, configuration, and testing — based on our own jobs. Your building will land somewhere in these ranges, and after a free on-site assessment, you'll have an exact written number.
Jump to: Intercom · Security Cameras · Access Control · Alarm Systems · Repair & Service · What Drives Cost · Reading a Quote
Intercom Installation Cost in NYC
Typical range: $1,500 – $6,500 for most buildings. Larger multi-tenant systems scale with unit count.
Building typeTypical installed costWhat's includedBrownstone or single-family (video door station + app)$1,500 – $3,000Entry station, wiring, door release, app setup, optional indoor screen2–6 unit building (audio or video)$2,000 – $4,500Entry panel, per-unit handsets or monitors, wiring, door release7–30 unit building, app-based$3,500 – $6,500Cloud entry panel, directory setup, door release, resident onboarding — no in-unit hardware7–30 unit building, monitors in every unit$5,000 – $12,000+Entry panel, indoor monitors, wiring (often reused), door release30+ unitsScales per unitDepends heavily on wiring reuse, entrances, and monitor vs. app
What moves the number:
Monitors vs. app. In-unit monitors add hardware and a visit to every apartment. App-based systems (ButterflyMX, Swiftlane) put nothing inside apartments, which is why they're often cheaper for larger buildings despite the panel costing more.
Existing wiring. Prewar and postwar buildings often have usable riser wiring. If it tests good, 2-wire platforms like Comelit can reuse it, and the job gets dramatically cheaper than new cable runs to every unit.
Number of entrances. Front, vestibule, side, service, garage — each needs its own panel or release.
Subscription. Cloud platforms carry a monthly or annual fee (typically per building or per unit). Traditional systems from Aiphone or Comelit don't. We spell out any recurring cost in the proposal.
See: Intercom installation · Video intercoms · Building intercoms
Security Camera Installation Cost in NYC
Typical range: $1,200 – $6,000 for most residential and small commercial systems.
System sizeTypical installed costWhat's included2–4 cameras (brownstone, small storefront)$1,200 – $2,500HD IP cameras, NVR or cloud recording, cabling, mobile app5–8 cameras (apartment building common areas, restaurant, office)$2,500 – $4,500Cameras, NVR with storage, PoE switch, cabling, remote viewing9–16 cameras (larger building, multiple entrances, parking)$4,500 – $8,000Full coverage, larger NVR, extended cabling, AI alerts16+ cameras or multi-building$8,000+Enterprise NVR or cloud, network design, phased installation
What moves the number:
Camera count and type. Standard fixed cameras are inexpensive; long-range, low-light, or license-plate cameras cost more.
Cable runs. The single biggest labor variable. A camera near the network closet is cheap to wire; one on the roof of a six-story prewar is not. Existing coax can sometimes be reused with converters.
Recording. A local NVR is a one-time cost. Cloud recording is a monthly fee but no hardware. Retention length (7 days vs. 30 vs. 90) changes storage size.
AI analytics. Person/vehicle detection and smart alerts are standard on most cameras we install now; some platforms charge extra for advanced analytics.
See: Security camera installation
Access Control Installation Cost in NYC
Typical range: $1,500 – $7,000 for most single buildings. Multi-door commercial and full-building systems scale up.
ScopeTypical installed costWhat's includedSingle door (office suite, building entrance)$1,200 – $2,500Reader, controller, electric strike or maglock, power, cloud setup2–4 doors (small office, gym, small building)$3,000 – $6,500Readers, controllers, locking hardware per door, credentials, dashboardFull building (entrances, amenities, service doors)$6,000 – $20,000+Multiple doors, elevator or amenity control, integration with intercom and cameras
What moves the number:
Door hardware. This is where access control quotes vary most. A door that already has an electric strike is cheap to add. A glass door needing a maglock, a fire-rated corridor door needing an electrified mortise lock, or a warped loft door needing a new closer and frame work can double the per-door cost. We're a licensed locksmith, so we quote this accurately instead of discovering it on install day.
Credential type. Fobs are cheap per unit but need to be bought, handed out, and replaced. Mobile credentials cost nothing per user but the platform carries a subscription.
Integration. Connecting to Okta or Google Workspace, tying into a video intercom, or matching entries to camera footage adds configuration time.
Subscription. Cloud platforms like Brivo, Kisi, and Avigilon Alta charge per door or per user, monthly or annually. We quote it separately so you see total cost of ownership.
See: Access control installation · Brivo · Kisi
Alarm System Installation Cost in NYC
Typical range: $1,000 – $5,000 for most homes, apartments, and small commercial spaces.
PropertyTypical installed costWhat's includedApartment or small home$1,000 – $2,000Panel, door/window contacts, motion detector, keypad, app, monitoring setupBrownstone or townhouse$1,800 – $3,500Larger sensor count, multiple zones, glass-break, optional smoke and water sensorsStorefront, restaurant, or office$2,000 – $5,000Perimeter and interior zones, panic buttons, schedules, environmental sensorsWarehouse or large commercial$5,000+Wide-area motion, loading dock coverage, multiple partitions
What moves the number:
Sensor count. Every door, window, and zone is a sensor.
Wired vs. wireless. Wireless is faster to install and ideal for landmarked or high-end interiors; wired is cheaper per sensor in new construction.
Fire and environmental. Monitored smoke, heat, CO, water, and low-temp sensors add to the count but catch the expensive emergencies.
Monitoring. Billed monthly, separately from installation. Without it, an alarm only notifies you — nobody dispatches.
See: Alarm system installation
Repair and Service Call Cost
Repairs don't fit a range table because the cost depends entirely on what's broken. Here's how we handle it instead:
Service calls are billed on diagnostic time. We tell you the rate before scheduling.
Repairs are quoted before work begins. After diagnosis, we explain what failed, what it takes to fix, and what it costs. Nothing proceeds without your approval.
Most single-fault repairs are one visit. A door strike, a handset, a power supply, a hard drive, a reader — we carry common parts.
We repair before we replace. If a system is at the end of its life, we'll say so and show you a replacement price, including what existing wiring and hardware can be reused.
See: Security system repair · Intercom repair · Camera repair
What Drives Cost in NYC Specifically
New York adds costs that a national price guide won't mention.
Prewar construction. Plaster over brick, steel lath, terrazzo floors, and conduit that goes nowhere. Cable runs take longer. The upside: many prewar buildings have reusable intercom wiring that can cut a job in half.
Building requirements. Co-ops and Manhattan office buildings often require certificates of insurance, approved work hours, freight elevator scheduling, and sometimes alteration agreements. These don't add equipment cost, but they add coordination time that's built into the quote.
Landmark districts. Exterior hardware on a landmarked facade needs careful placement and sometimes review. It affects panel and camera choices more than price, but it can rule out the cheapest option.
Fire code. Every controlled door has to release correctly in an emergency. Fail-safe vs. fail-secure locking, request-to-exit devices, and door-position monitoring are code requirements, not upsells.
Multiple entrances. Garden complexes in Queens, mixed-use buildings with separate residential and commercial doors, buildings with a garage — every entrance is its own installation.
How to Read a Security Quote
If you're comparing vendors, here's what to look for.
Is the hardware itemized? You should see camera models, panel models, and part counts — not "camera system, $4,000."
Is door hardware included? For access control and intercoms, the strike, maglock, or electrified lock is often the most expensive part of a door. Some quotes leave it out and add it later.
Are subscriptions disclosed? Cloud intercoms and access control carry recurring fees. If they're not in the quote, ask.
Is wiring reuse addressed? A quote that assumes all-new cable in a prewar building may be overpriced by thousands. A quote that assumes reuse without testing may be underpriced and turn into change orders.
Is there a free on-site assessment? Phone estimates for NYC buildings are guesses. If a company quotes without visiting, the number will change.
Is the company licensed and insured? Ask for the license number and a certificate of insurance before signing. Ours is NYC #2134128, and we provide COIs on request.
Get an Exact Number
Ranges are useful for budgeting. For a real price, we need to see the building — the entrances, the wiring, the doors, the network. That visit is free, takes about an hour, and ends with a written, itemized proposal you can take to your board, your partner, or your other quotes.
Call (646) 450-8588 Book online — schedule a free assessment Email info@imperasecurity.com Service area — Manhattan • Brooklyn • Queens
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these prices current? Yes, they reflect our 2026 installations. Equipment prices shift, so we update this page periodically and always confirm pricing in a written proposal.
Why is there such a wide range for intercoms? Because "intercom" covers everything from a single video door station on a brownstone to monitors in 80 apartments. Unit count, monitors vs. app, and wiring reuse are the three variables that matter most.
Do you charge for the assessment? No. The on-site visit and written proposal are free for new installations. Service calls for repairs are billed on diagnostic time, which we explain before scheduling.
Can I get a price over the phone? We can give you a range like the ones on this page. An exact number requires seeing the building — anything else is a guess that will change.
Do you offer financing? [Yes / Not currently — fill in. If yes, one sentence on how it works and link.]
What's cheaper: repairing our old system or replacing it? Usually repair, if parts are available and the wiring is sound. We diagnose first and tell you honestly which makes sense. Replacement is the right call when the manufacturer's gone, failures keep recurring, or the system can't do what the building needs.