Plan reliable security budgets for projects of size. Compare device mixes, labor time, and fees. Download summaries that help clients approve scopes and payments.
| Scenario | Contacts | Motion | Cameras | Labor hours | Monitoring months | Overhead % | Contingency % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small office retrofit | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 5 |
| New build, medium site | 12 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 24 | 12 | 7 |
| Warehouse perimeter focus | 10 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 10 |
These examples show structure only. Replace unit costs and quantities to match your scope and supplier pricing.
Equipment Subtotal = Σ (Quantity × Unit Cost) + Misc Allowance.
Labor Subtotal = Labor Hours × Labor Rate.
Monitoring Total = Monthly Monitoring Fee × Monitoring Months.
Base Subtotal = Equipment + Labor + Travel + Monitoring + Optional Services.
Overhead/Profit = Base Subtotal × (Overhead% ÷ 100).
Contingency = (Base Subtotal + Overhead) × (Contingency% ÷ 100).
Grand Total = (Base Subtotal + Overhead + Contingency) + Tax.
Wireless alarm budgets depend on device counts, site layout, and required response services. Typical costs include control hardware, detectors, signaling accessories, installation labor, and recurring monitoring. This calculator groups those elements so estimators can see how each decision shifts the total. It also separates markups and taxes, which helps explain pricing to owners and consultants. When you update unit pricing from supplier quotes, the breakdown instantly recalculates, letting teams test alternatives before committing to purchases for tight construction schedules.
Start by matching sensors to risk zones: doors, windows, corridors, and high value rooms. Add keypads where staff need arming control, and consider cameras for verification. Repeaters may be needed in concrete or steel structures where signal paths are weak and distances are long. Using realistic quantities early avoids underbuying parts and reduces change orders later.
Labor hours rise with access limitations, ceiling height, occupied spaces, and after hours work. Allow time for mounting, labeling, enrollment, and walkthrough testing. Commissioning confirms each zone reports correctly, while training improves handover quality and reduces call backs during early operation. Travel or callout fees should reflect mobilization, parking, and site safety requirements.
Monitoring is often the largest ongoing cost, especially for multi year contracts. Estimate months that align with project handover and client policy. Include battery replacements and periodic device checks in maintenance planning. The per device average helps compare options when scope changes late in design. For tendering, track what is included in the monthly fee, such as dispatch, app access, and cloud storage.
Overhead covers management, warranty support, and general business costs. Contingency protects against scope gaps, extra materials, and rework caused by layout changes. Apply tax only to the taxable base. Exported CSV and PDF summaries support approvals, bid review meetings, and clear documentation. Keeping a saved breakdown also supports procurement audits and final account negotiations.
Use a bundle when your supplier quotes a packaged kit. Use individual prices when you expect mixed brands, phased purchasing, or frequent scope revisions that change quantities.
Include it when the installer is responsible for the first contract period, or when the client requests a full ownership cost view. Otherwise, set monitoring months to zero and document the assumption.
Start with a base install rate per device, then add allowances for access constraints, occupied areas, ceiling work, commissioning, and client training. Adjust using productivity data from similar past projects.
Common drivers are signal issues, extra repeaters, device relocations, material waste, and late layout changes. Keep contingency separate from overhead so reviewers can see risk handling clearly.
No. Cameras are often optional for verification, deterrence, or remote review. If cameras are outside scope, set their quantity to zero and keep the alarm device mix focused on detection needs.
It provides a quick benchmark when adding or removing devices during design. Use it for early comparisons, then rely on the line-item table for final bids and approvals.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.