How to Quote Security and CCTV Installation Jobs

What this guide covers

Security installation covers a broad scope: CCTV surveillance, intruder alarm systems, access control, video intercoms, and integrated platforms that tie everything together. Each system type has its own equipment costs, cabling requirements, licensing obligations, and pricing structures. Getting the quote right means understanding all of them well enough to price accurately and present clearly.

This guide walks through the quoting process for Australian security installers, from the site assessment through to the final quote presentation. It covers licensing requirements by state, equipment selection, labour estimation, monitoring services, Australian standards, pricing benchmarks, and the common mistakes that cost installers margin.

Types of security installation work

Most security jobs fall into one or more of these categories. Larger projects combine several, and your quote should break them out clearly so the customer understands what they are paying for.

CCTV and video surveillance

IP cameras (replacing older analogue systems), network video recorders (NVRs), PoE switches, and the cabling to connect them. Residential systems typically run 2 to 8 cameras. Commercial systems can run dozens or hundreds. Key variables that affect pricing: camera resolution (2MP, 4MP, 8MP), lens type (fixed, varifocal, PTZ), housing (dome, bullet, turret), IR range for night vision, analytics capability (number plate recognition, facial detection, line crossing), and storage duration on the NVR.

Intruder alarm systems

Alarm panels, PIR motion sensors, reed switch contacts on doors and windows, glass break detectors, vibration sensors, internal and external sirens, keypads, and communication modules (IP, 4G, or dual-path). The alarm panel is the brain: it determines the number of zones, the expansion capability, and which monitoring centres it can report to. Residential panels typically handle 8 to 32 zones. Commercial panels can handle 64 to 500+ zones with partitioning for multi-tenant buildings.

Access control

Card readers, fob readers, PIN pads, biometric readers (fingerprint, facial recognition), electric strikes, magnetic locks, door controllers, request-to-exit buttons, and the software platform that manages credentials and audit trails. Standalone systems store credentials at the door. Networked systems run through a central controller or cloud platform. Key pricing variable: the per-door cost, which ranges from $500 for a basic standalone reader to $5,000 or more per door for a networked system with cloud management.

Video intercom

Door stations (surface or flush mount), indoor monitors, gate release interfaces, and integration with access control or CCTV systems. Video intercom is increasingly IP-based, using the same Cat6 cabling as CCTV. SIP-based intercoms can also ring to mobile phones. The quoting complexity is low compared to CCTV or alarms, but the integration with electric locks, gates, and existing wiring adds labour.

Integrated systems

Projects that combine two or more of the above, often managed from a single platform (such as a VMS that also handles alarm inputs, access events, and intercom calls). Integration increases design time, programming time, and testing time. Quote each subsystem separately, then add a line item for integration and commissioning.

Site assessment

Every security quote starts with a site visit. A phone quote is a guess, and guesses lose money or lose the job. Here is what to cover on site.

For CCTV

• Walk the perimeter and every entry point. Note where cameras are needed and what each camera must capture (wide area overview, facial identification at a door, number plate capture at a driveway).
• Check mounting surfaces: brick, weatherboard, metal cladding, timber fascia, concrete. Each surface type affects bracket selection and install time.
• Measure or estimate cable run distances from each camera position to the NVR location. Note any obstacles: roof spaces, wall cavities, external cable paths needing conduit, areas requiring trenching.
• Check for existing cabling from a previous system. Cat5e or better can often be reused for IP cameras. Old RG59 coax from analogue systems usually cannot.
• Note lighting conditions for each camera position. Cameras facing west cop direct afternoon sun. Dark laneways need cameras with strong IR performance or supplementary lighting.
• Check network infrastructure: where is the router, is there a patch panel, is PoE switching already in place, and is there enough spare capacity on the switch for the camera count?

For alarms

• Count entry and exit points: every external door, garage door, and accessible window. Each one is a potential zone.
• Identify internal areas needing motion detection. Note room dimensions (affects PIR sensor selection and placement), pet presence (pet-immune PIRs), high ceilings, and large glass panels (glass break detectors).
• Locate the proposed alarm panel position (typically a concealed area near the main entry or in a garage) and keypad positions (main entry, secondary entry, master bedroom).
• Check for existing alarm cabling. Four-core alarm cable to sensor locations can save significant labour if in good condition.
• Determine the communication path: is there a wired internet connection near the panel location for IP reporting, or does the system need a 4G communicator? Dual-path (IP + 4G) is the current best practice for monitored systems.

For access control

• Inspect each door: frame material, door material, hinge side, lock side, existing lock hardware, and whether the door has a closer. Determine whether an electric strike, magnetic lock, or smart lock is the right fit for each opening.
• Check for fire door ratings. Fire-rated doors have specific requirements for lock hardware and emergency egress that affect product selection and compliance.
• Count the total number of credential holders and determine whether a standalone system (under 10 doors, single site) or a networked/cloud system (multi-door, multi-site, audit trail requirements) is appropriate.
• Note the location and capacity of the door controller cabinet, and the cable run distance from each door to the controller.

Licensing requirements by state

Every Australian state and territory requires a specific licence to install security equipment. The licence is separate from an electrical licence. If your installation involves fixed electrical wiring (connecting to mains power, running cable through walls), you also need an electrical licence or must subcontract that component to a licensed electrician.

Most states require completion of a nationally recognised training course (Certificate II or III in Technical Security, or equivalent units from the CPP Property Services Training Package) before the licence is issued. Queensland also requires membership of an approved security industry association. Victoria is transitioning its registration system to a licence system, with applications due by June 2026.

Equipment selection and costing

Equipment is typically the largest component of a security installation quote. Select products that match the site conditions, the customer's requirements, and your support capability. Quoting a brand you cannot get warranty support for, or a system you are not trained on, creates problems after the sale.

CCTV equipment

Alarm equipment

Access control equipment

Estimating labour

Labour is the component that catches out inexperienced quoters. Cable runs through roof spaces, chasing cables into rendered walls, running external conduit along eaves, and terminating connectors in tight spaces all take longer than the straight-line distance suggests. Build your labour estimate by task, not by gut feel.

Typical labour times

Labour rate

Security installer charge-out rates in Australia typically range from $80 to $150 per hour for residential work and $100 to $180 per hour for commercial work, depending on the state, the complexity of the work, and whether the installer also holds an electrical licence. Most installers quote a fixed price rather than exposing the hourly rate, but the rate underpins your internal costing.

Pricing benchmarks (Australian market)

These are installed prices (equipment, labour, commissioning, GST-exclusive) based on 2025 and 2026 Australian market data. Use them as a cross-check against your own quotes, not as a substitute for site-specific costing.

Residential CCTV

Commercial CCTV

Alarm systems

Access control

Monitoring and ongoing services

Monitoring and maintenance are recurring revenue for your business and ongoing value for the customer. Quote them transparently.

Back-to-base alarm monitoring

Back-to-base monitoring means the alarm panel sends signals to a Grade A1 or A2 monitoring centre, which then dispatches a response (phone call to the keyholder, patrol car, or police depending on the grade and the state's requirements). Monthly fees typically range from $25 to $60 including GST, depending on the monitoring centre, the communication path (IP-only is cheaper; dual-path IP + 4G is more reliable and costs more), and the contract length (12, 24, or 36 months).

Some monitoring centres charge a one-off connection or programming fee ($50 to $150) when a new system comes online. Include this in your quote. Also check whether the monitoring centre requires specific panel brands or communication protocols before you select your equipment.

CCTV maintenance

CCTV systems benefit from an annual service visit: cleaning camera lenses and housings, checking IR illuminators, verifying recording integrity, updating firmware, checking cable connections, and cleaning fan filters on NVRs. Quote this as an annual service agreement at $150 to $400 for residential (depending on camera count) and $300 to $1,000+ for commercial. Maintenance agreements retain the customer relationship and create upgrade opportunities.

Remote access and cloud storage

Most modern NVRs support free P2P remote viewing via a manufacturer app. Some customers want cloud backup or professional video management platforms with monthly subscriptions. If the system requires ongoing cloud fees, quote them separately with the subscription cost and term clearly stated so the customer knows the total cost of ownership.

Relevant Australian standards

Quoting to a recognised standard builds credibility, particularly with commercial and government customers. Reference the applicable standards in your quote and proposals.

• AS/NZS 62676 (Parts 1 to 5) covers video surveillance systems for security purposes: system requirements, image quality, video transmission protocols, and camera performance. This is the primary CCTV design and installation standard.
• AS 4806 (Parts 1, 2, and 4) covers the selection, planning, installation, operation, and remote monitoring of CCTV systems. Part 4 specifically addresses remotely monitored CCTV.
• AS/NZS 2201 covers intruder alarm systems: design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance.
• AS 4178 covers security locking devices and applies to the lock hardware used in access control installations.
• AS/NZS 3000 (the Wiring Rules) applies to all electrical work within any security installation, including cable installation, earthing, and connection to mains power.

For CCTV installations in specific environments (schools, childcare, aged care), additional regulations may apply regarding camera placement, signage, data retention, and privacy. Check the relevant state privacy legislation and any sector-specific guidelines before finalising the design.

Presenting quotes that win work

Security is a considered purchase. The customer is often comparing two or three quotes and may not understand the technical differences between them. A clear, well-structured quote wins over a cheaper but confusing one.

What to include

• Site diagram: A simple plan showing camera positions with indicative fields of view, sensor locations, or access-controlled doors. This is the single most effective element of a security quote because it lets the customer see exactly what is covered and what is not.
• Equipment schedule: List every device with its location description (e.g., "front door: 4MP turret camera, white, IR 30m"), model or specification level, and unit price. The customer can see what they are paying for at each point.
• Labour and installation: Show as a line item or included in the per-device installed price. State what is included: cable runs, conduit, mounting hardware, programming, commissioning, customer training, remote viewing setup.
• Exclusions: State clearly what is not included: network upgrades, electrical work by a licensed electrician (if you subcontract it), builder's work (core drilling, making good), council or body corporate approvals, monitoring fees (quote separately), and any items the customer has asked you to exclude.
• Warranty: State the equipment warranty (typically 2 to 3 years from the manufacturer) and any workmanship warranty you provide on the installation (12 months is common, 2 years differentiates you).
• Ongoing costs: If monitoring, cloud storage, or maintenance is part of the proposal, list the monthly or annual cost separately so the customer can see upfront vs. recurring.
• Your credentials: Licence number, insurance details (or offer to provide certificates on request), and any industry memberships (ASIAL, state security association).

Tiered quoting

For residential CCTV in particular, presenting two or three tiers (e.g., 4-camera 4MP at $X, 6-camera 4MP at $Y, 6-camera 8MP at $Z) lets the customer self-select their budget level. Most choose the middle option. Tiered quoting increases your average job value without making the customer feel pushed.

Common quoting mistakes

• Underestimating cable runs. The straight-line distance from camera to NVR is never the actual cable length. Through-roof, through-wall, and conduit runs add 30% to 50% to the measured distance. Always walk the cable path during the site visit.
• Forgetting the NVR storage calculation. A 4-camera 4MP system recording continuously at medium quality uses roughly 1TB every 10 to 14 days. If the customer wants 30 days of retention, you need a 4TB drive minimum. Quoting with a 1TB drive and a 30-day retention promise is a callback waiting to happen.
• Not checking network capacity. IP cameras and NVRs need bandwidth. A 4-camera 4MP system on a residential network is fine. A 16-camera 8MP system on a small business network with a consumer-grade router is a problem. Check the network before you quote and include any switch or cabling upgrades needed.
• Ignoring power supply requirements. PoE switches and NVRs have power budgets. Eight cameras drawing 12W each need 96W of PoE. If the switch only provides 60W, cameras will drop. Check the PoE budget against the camera draw, and size the access control power supply for the combined lock and reader current plus 20% headroom.
• Quoting equipment you cannot support. Cheap no-name cameras from online marketplaces have no local warranty, no firmware updates, and no technical support. When a camera fails 14 months in, you are the one the customer calls. Quote brands you can get replacement stock for and that have a local distributor or support channel.
• Not specifying camera resolution and field of view. "4 cameras installed" is not a quote. "4 x 4MP turret cameras, IR 30m, 2.8mm lens (110-degree field of view), mounted at 3m height, covering front entry, rear yard, side gate, and driveway" is a quote. Specificity prevents disputes about what was promised.
• Forgetting commissioning and handover time. The install is not finished when the last cable is terminated. Commissioning (focus, angle, motion zones, recording schedules, alarm zone testing, access credential programming) and customer handover (arming/disarming, app setup, what to do when the siren goes off) take time. Budget 30 to 60 minutes minimum, longer for alarm and access control systems.

Frequently asked questions