💷 CCTV Costs for Business: The Full Breakdown
A business CCTV system involves several cost components: cameras, recording hardware (NVR), cabling, installation labour, remote monitoring (if required) and ongoing maintenance. Here's what each costs in 2025.
| Component | Budget Option | Mid Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP turret camera (ea) | £80–£120 | £120–£250 | £250–£800 |
| 4-channel NVR | £150 | £250 | £500+ |
| 8-channel NVR | £200 | £350 | £700+ |
| 16-channel NVR | £350 | £500 | £1,200+ |
| Cabling per camera | £40–£80 | £80–£120 | £120+ |
| Monitor + workstation | £150–£300 | £300–£600 | £600+ |
| Installation per camera | £80–£150 | £150–£200 | £200+ |
| Annual maintenance | £200–£400 | £400–£600 | £600+ |
🏢 Real-World System Costs by Business Type
| Business Type | Cameras Needed | Typical Total Install |
|---|---|---|
| Small shop / office (1 floor) | 4–6 cameras | £1,200–£2,500 |
| Retail unit (2 floors) | 6–12 cameras | £2,500–£5,000 |
| Warehouse / light industrial | 8–16 cameras | £3,500–£8,000 |
| Multi-site (per site) | 4–8 cameras | £1,500–£4,000 |
| Car park (large) | 8–20 cameras (ANPR) | £5,000–£20,000+ |
👁️ Monitored vs Unmonitored: Which Do You Need?
Most business CCTV is unmonitored — it records continuously and you review footage when needed. Monitored CCTV connects to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) that watches live or responds to motion triggers, typically costing £30–£80/month per site.
For most SMEs, unmonitored with remote app access is sufficient. Monitored makes sense for: high-value stock premises, lone worker sites, and businesses with insurance requirements for monitored CCTV.
📈 What Drives CCTV Prices Up?
- Distance from NVR to cameras: Long cable runs increase labour and materials cost.
- Building construction: Solid concrete or brick walls cost more to cable through than stud partition.
- Height of installation: Cameras above 4m require scaffolding or specialist access equipment.
- ANPR cameras: Automatic number plate recognition cameras cost 3–5x standard cameras.
- Planning and permissions: Some listed buildings or shared premises require landlord/planning approval.
💡 Get 3 quotes — and ask for itemised breakdowns
CCTV quotes from different companies can vary by 100%. Ask each installer to itemise: hardware cost, cabling, labour and warranty separately so you can compare like for like.
Telexico provides free CCTV site surveys across the Midlands. We'll tell you exactly how many cameras you need and what it'll cost — no obligation.
Book Free Site Survey →