Calculator Inputs
Set realistic quantities and unit costs to match your site.
Example Data Table
This example shows how inputs influence totals.
| Scenario | Cameras | System | Avg Run (m) | Days | Mode | Labor Rate | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small shop | 6 | IP | 18 | 7 | Motion | 12/hr | ~ 650 – 980 |
| Warehouse | 16 | IP | 35 | 30 | Scheduled | 16/hr | ~ 2,800 – 4,400 |
| Outdoor perimeter | 12 | Analog | 45 | 14 | Continuous | 14/hr | ~ 1,900 – 3,200 |
Formula Used
- Total cable (m) = Cameras × Average run per camera.
- Camera cost = Cameras × Camera unit price.
- Cable cost = Total cable × Cable rate per meter.
- Storage GB/day per camera ≈ Bitrate(Mbps) × 10.5469.
- Total storage (TB) = (GB/day × Days × Cameras × Mode factor ÷ 1024) × (1 + Overhead%).
- Labor hours = (Cameras × Hours per camera × Difficulty × Height factor) + Commissioning + Testing.
- Direct cost = Materials + Labor + Fixed travel.
- Grand total = (Direct + Overhead + Profit) + Tax.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the number of cameras and choose system type.
- Select grade, resolution, and indoor or outdoor mix.
- Set average cable run based on a quick site walk.
- Set storage days and bitrate to match image quality.
- Enter labor rate, base hours, and site difficulty.
- Add overhead, profit, and taxes used in your quotes.
- Click Calculate Cost to view totals and breakdowns.
- Download CSV or PDF to share with stakeholders.
Scope and site survey
Start every estimate with a walk-through that lists camera points, viewing goals, and mounting constraints. Count entrances, cash handling areas, perimeter lines, and blind spots. Note ceiling heights, available pathways, and the distance to the recorder location. Confirm power availability, network cabinet space, and internet requirements for remote viewing. These observations drive realistic cable runs, access hours, and equipment quantities. Capture photos and sketches so the estimate can be reviewed with stakeholders before procurement begins smoothly.
Hardware specification and unit pricing
Camera pricing varies with sensor quality, lens type, housing rating, and analytics features. Use a consistent grade definition so quotes remain comparable across projects. Higher resolutions improve identification but increase bitrate and storage. Outdoor locations may require heaters, junction boxes, and surge protection. The calculator lets you override unit price when you have a preferred brand or a client-approved bill of materials.
Cabling, containment, and termination
Cabling is often underestimated, especially when routes must avoid fire compartments, wet areas, or public sightlines. Average run length should include drops, service loops, and vertical travel. Conduit improves durability and appearance but adds material and installation time. Termination costs cover connectors, keystones, boots, labels, and testing consumables. For long distances or lightning-prone zones, consider fiber to reduce interference and grounding problems, then convert to copper at the cabinet.
Recorder and storage sizing
Storage sizing should be based on expected bitrate, recording schedule, and retention days, not just camera count. Continuous recording uses the most capacity, while motion recording reduces average usage. Add headroom for formatting, future growth, and higher-than-expected scene activity. If compliance requires a fixed retention period, size drives accordingly and document the assumptions used for bitrate and mode.
Labor planning, overhead, and risk
Labor is strongly affected by height, access restrictions, working hours, and surface types. Use base hours per camera, then adjust for difficulty and commissioning tasks such as user accounts, alerts, and mobile access. Add testing time for focus, playback verification, and handover training. Overhead and profit should reflect warranty support, documentation, and project management. Include taxes only when they apply to both materials and services.
FAQs
How accurate is the estimate?
Accuracy depends on your unit prices and site measurements. Use a real cable-run average, confirm recorder and drive costs, and include commissioning time. The breakdown highlights what drives variance so you can refine inputs quickly.
What bitrate should I use per camera?
Start with 2–4 Mbps for 1080p, 4–8 Mbps for 4–5MP, and 8–16 Mbps for 4K. Busy scenes and low-light noise increase bitrate. Match settings to required evidence quality, then adjust after testing.
Does motion recording always reduce storage?
Usually yes, but results depend on activity levels and detection settings. High traffic areas can behave like continuous recording. If retention is compliance-driven, size storage conservatively and document the assumed motion factor.
When should I include conduit?
Include conduit when cables are exposed, outdoors, in high-traffic areas, or when the finish must look professional. Conduit also simplifies future additions. If cable is hidden in trays or ceilings and protection is adequate, you may exclude it.
Why do labor hours change with difficulty and height?
Access restrictions, ladder work, long routing paths, and penetration sealing can add significant time. Difficulty and height factors help translate these conditions into more realistic hours, reducing underbidding and surprise labor overages.
What should I deliver at handover?
Provide camera map, device credentials policy, network diagram, storage and retention settings, test results, and basic user training. A clear handover reduces support calls and protects warranty claims.