CCTV Installation Cost Factors: Cameras, Storage, Cabling & Labor

How much does CCTV installation cost, really?

If you’re a business owner pricing out a new video surveillance system, chances are you’ve received several quotes but still have many unanswered questions. One company might give you a figure in the hundreds, another in the thousands. So, what’s the difference? And how do you know if you’re being overcharged or undersold?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all price tag for CCTV systems, there is a way to take control of the pricing conversation by understanding what actually goes into a CCTV quote.

In this guide, we’ll break down the four biggest categories in any professional CCTV installation cost: (1) Cameras, (2) Storage, (3) Cabling, and (4) Labor.

We’ll also highlight other hidden cost variables that can sneak up on your project if you’re not careful, and provide guidance on how to avoid them.

By the end, you’ll know how to plan for a CCTV system that suits your needs and budget.

CCTV Cameras: Where the Costs Often Start

The first thing most people ask is, “How many security cameras do I need?” But just as important is, “What kind of cameras do I need?” because not all surveillance cameras are created (nor priced) equal.

Types of CCTV Cameras and Price Ranges

Base Pricing: $200–$600 per business-grade IP camera; $1,000+ for PTZ/thermal/specialty. 

Analog Cameras: These traditional options are less expensive upfront, but they offer lower resolution and limited features. They’re slowly being phased out in favor of digital solutions.

IP Cameras: These networked cameras offer HD to 4K resolution, remote access, and smart features like motion detection and license plate recognition. Prices typically range depending on the specifications.

Specialty Cameras: PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom), thermal, or low-light cameras tend to be more expensive, but may replace multiple fixed cameras in certain situations.

What Affects Camera Pricing?

Resolution vs. Quality Trade-Off: Higher resolution = higher price, but better detail. One 8MP wide-angle camera might cover the same area as three cheaper 2MP units.

Durability & Housing: Outdoor, vandal-resistant, or explosion-proof housings increase cost but protect your investment.

Analytics Features: Motion tagging, license plate recognition, facial recognition, and people counting features can double per-camera cost. 

Brand ecosystem: Verkada, Avigilon, Axis, Hanwha all price differently. Verkada, in particular, has higher upfront hardware and recurring license fees, which push lifetime costs up. Hanwha/Axis are more “buy once, own forever” models. 

Field of View: Wide-angle or 360-degree lenses are more expensive, but they reduce the number of cameras needed.

Night Vision and Infrared: Essential for 24/7 security, but increases pricing.

Cost-Saving Tip from CGS:

Sometimes, fewer high-performance cameras placed strategically are more effective (and more cost-efficient) than a dozen cheap ones. A professional site assessment ensures you’re not overbuying or under-protecting.

Storage: How and Where Your Footage Is Kept

Once your cameras are recording, the question becomes: where does all that CCTV footage go, and how long do you need to keep it?

Key Storage Options & Base Pricing

DVR (Digital Video Recorder): Used with analog systems. Typically lower cost, but limited in features and scalability.

NVR (Network Video Recorder): Used with IP cameras. More expensive upfront, but offers better resolution handling, remote access, and smart search capabilities. NVR storage ranges from $800 to $6,000, depending on the scale.

Cloud Storage: Offers remote access and off-site backup. Often priced on a subscription basis per camera per month. Cloud storage typically costs $5–$30 per camera/month. 

What Affects Storage Costs?

Number of Cameras: More cameras = more data.

Video Quality: 4K footage requires significantly more storage space than 720p footage.

Frame Rate: Higher FPS improves clarity, but it also increases storage requirements.

Retention Period: Do you need 3 days of footage? 30 days? 90? 7 days vs. 90 days of footage is a huge swing in HDD needs. 

RAID Redundancy: Adds cost but protects against drive failures. 

Cloud vs. On-Premise: Cloud lowers upfront cost but creates recurring OpEx. Verkada/others bundle storage in a subscription, but that locks customers into ongoing fees. 

Compression/Recording Modes: Continuous 24/7 recording is expensive; motion-triggered recording lowers storage requirements. 

Storage Type and Size

Local HDDs (1–10 TB) may cost $100–$1,000+, depending on size and redundancy needs.

RAID configurations (for data protection) increase cost.

Cloud subscriptions can range from $5 to $30 per camera per month, depending on the provider and retention period.

Cost-Saving Tip from CGS:

With motion-triggered recording and smart compression, you can retain essential CCTV footage longer without incurring higher storage costs.

Cabling and Infrastructure: The Hidden Backbone of Your CCTV System

Cabling is what makes it all work behind the scenes, and is also one of the most underestimated cost factors in CCTV installation.

What Type of Cabling Is Needed?

Coaxial Cable (RG59 or RG6): Used in analog systems. Requires a separate power cable unless a Siamese cable is used.

Ethernet Cable (Cat5e, Cat6): Used in IP camera systems. Often, it allows Power over Ethernet (PoE), which simplifies and reduces the CCTV installation cost.

Fiber Optic Cable: Used in large or multi-building systems for long-distance runs. More expensive but extremely fast and durable.

What Affects Cabling Costs?

Distance: Longer cable runs = more materials and labor.

Cable Type: Fiber (premium) and Cat6/6A are more expensive but future-proof, while coax and Cat5e are more basic.

Building Type: Older buildings may require more creative routing, retrofitting, code-compliant upgrades, and labor to ensure compliance with current regulations. New construction with conduit paths built in requires less labor.

Conduit and Mounting Hardware: Required for outdoor or code-compliant installs in many municipalities.

Power Delivery: PoE (simpler/cheaper) vs. running separate power lines. 

Labor Time: Installing cable through ceilings, walls, or underground takes time and experience.

Base Pricing: Expect cabling and infrastructure costs to range from $200 to $ 2,000 or more, depending on project complexity and the number of cameras.

CGS Insight:

Clean cabling is about reliability, safety, and code compliance. A professional integrator ensures that your wiring is future-proof and won’t become a source of unexpected costs or failures down the road.

Labor and Installation: The Service That Brings It All Together

Even the best equipment needs skilled hands to install and configure it correctly. Labor costs are often the most significant variable in a CCTV project, especially for businesses with large spaces or complex requirements.

What’s Included in CCTV Installation Labor?

Site Assessment & Design: Planning camera locations, angles, cabling routes, and equipment placement.

Mounting & Setup: Installing cameras, running cable, connecting power, and mounting any storage/network gear.

System Configuration: Setting up the NVR/DVR, programming user access, alerts, retention policies, etc.

Testing & Training: Verifying that everything works correctly and demonstrating to your team how to use the system.

What Affects Labor Cost?

Number of Cameras: More units mean more time and more cabling.

Camera Placement/Accessibility: 20’ high ceilings, outdoor locations/poles, trenching for parking lots, all increase install time and difficulty. 

Wiring Complexity: Running cable through finished walls or between buildings requires more labor.

Permits & Compliance: Some jurisdictions require licensed security contractors, safety inspections, or union labor.

Integration Scope: Adding cameras to existing access control or alarm systems requires more programming. 

Post-Installation Support and Training: Some vendors include training. Others charge extra for training, warranties, or service calls.

Depending on the project scope, the CCTV installation cost based on labor is typically 1-2 hours per camera plus 6-12 hours for head-end configuration.

CGS Insight:

Cheaper labor often comes at the cost of poor system performance, missed blind spots, or constant troubleshooting.

CCTV Installation Cost Examples

• • 8-Camera Office: This can be done for $6K–$12K if you choose Verkada, with additional annual costs of approximately $4K/year in licenses. 
  • 32-Camera Facility: $25K–$50K baseline. If all cameras are 4K + 90-day retention + Avigilon analytics, it easily doubles. A value-engineered system (mix of 2MP/4K, 30-day retention, and PoE cabling) can cost $15K–$20K. 
  • 100-Camera Enterprise: $90K–$200K+ if a hybrid cloud solution like Verkada is used; ongoing licensing alone could exceed $20K/year.

Get a Tailored CCTV Quote

Online estimates might help you ballpark the budget, but nothing beats a tailored proposal that takes your space, goals, and growth plans into consideration.

Work with Experts Who’ve Seen It All

At Carolina Georgia Sound, we’ve been designing and installing commercial surveillance systems since 1988. We ask the right questions, design for long-term value, and install with precision.

Whether you’re securing a single storefront or a multi-site facility, we’ll provide you with a clear picture of what your CCTV installation cost will be and how to maximize its value.

Contact CGS today to schedule a site visit and get a customized CCTV installation quote.