How Much Does a Burglar Alarm Cost in 2026?
Burglar alarm installation cost is £300 to £1,500, depending on whether you choose a basic bells-only system or a fully monitored, insurance-grade setup. Smart DIY alarms start from £200. Ongoing burglar alarm service cost and maintenance contract fees add to the total. Here is a full breakdown of what you will pay.
£300
Bells-only from
£500
Monitored from
£200
Smart DIY from
£15–£45/mo
Monitoring
Prices updated April 2026 · Based on industry data and contractor submissions.
Burglar Alarm Installation Cost by System Type
How much does a burglar alarm cost in 2026? Here is every burglar alarm system cost, broken down by type. You can check local crime rates on police.uk to see if a monitored system is worth it for your area. Prices include supply and professional installation unless stated otherwise.
Bells-only (wired)
Wired sensors, external siren, keypad, no monitoring
£450
£300 – £600
Bells-only (wireless)
Wireless sensors, siren, keypad, no monitoring
£350
£200 – £500
Monitored alarm (wired)
Wired system + 24/7 monitoring centre
£750
£500 – £1,000
+ £20–£40/mo
Monitored alarm (wireless)
Wireless system + monitoring centre alerts
£600
£400 – £800
+ £15–£30/mo
Smart alarm (Ring, SimpliSafe, Yale)
DIY wireless, app alerts, optional monitoring
£400
£200 – £600
+ £5–£15/mo
Professional grade (NSI Gold)
Texecom/Pyronix, insurance-approved, monitored
£1,150
£800 – £1,500
+ £25–£45/mo
Additional sensors (each)
Extra PIR, door/window contact, or glass-break sensor
£55
£30 – £80
CCTV integration
Add cameras linked to alarm system triggers
£450
£300 – £600
Burglar Alarm Service Cost and Monitoring Fees
Monthly and annual costs to keep your alarm system running and monitored. For insurance-grade systems, choose a company accredited by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI).
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bells-only (no monitoring) | £0/month |
| Smart alarm app alerts | £5 – £15/month |
| Keyholder response monitoring | £15 – £30/month |
| Police response monitoring | £25 – £45/month |
| Burglar alarm maintenance contract | £100 – £200/year |
Burglar Alarm Installation Cost UK by Region
Average total cost for a wired monitored alarm system (4–6 sensors), professionally installed, by UK region.
| Region | Average Cost | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| London | £900 | +20% |
| South East | £825 | +10% |
| South West | £775 | +3% |
| Midlands | £750 | Average |
| East of England | £770 | +3% |
| Yorkshire | £680 | -9% |
| North West | £700 | -7% |
| North East | £650 | -13% |
| Scotland | £670 | -11% |
| Wales | £690 | -8% |
How to Get Your Burglar Alarm for Less
Fit a smart DIY system and skip the installer
A Ring Alarm or Yale Sync system costs £200 to £400 and takes under an hour to set up yourself. You get smartphone alerts, optional professional monitoring for £5 to £15 a month, and you avoid paying £200 to £500 for professional installation. The trade-off is that DIY systems are not NSI-accredited, so check your insurance requirements first.
Use your insurance discount to offset monitoring costs
A monitored alarm can reduce your home insurance by 5% to 15%. On a £400 annual premium, that is a saving of £20 to £60 per year. If your monitoring plan costs £20 a month (£240 a year), the insurance discount covers a chunk of it. Ask your insurer specifically what discount applies to an NSI Gold system before you commit - it may make the higher-tier monitoring worth it.
Get three quotes from NSI or SSAIB installers
Prices vary hugely between installers - we have seen quotes for the same system range from £500 to £1,200. Always get at least three quotes from accredited installers. Use the NSI and SSAIB websites to find approved companies in your area. Make sure each quote covers the same number of sensors and the same monitoring level so you are comparing like for like.
Negotiate the monitoring contract length
Many alarm companies offer lower monthly rates if you sign a 3 or 5-year contract, but you are locked in. Ask for the rolling monthly rate as well - it is usually only £5 to £10 more per month, and you can cancel at any time. Some companies will match the contract rate on a rolling deal if you ask, especially if you are also buying the installation from them.
What to Expect: The Installation Process
- 1
Survey and system design
A good installer visits your property to assess entry points, sensor positions, and the best location for the control panel and external siren. They check the number of doors and windows to cover and recommend the right system grade. This visit is usually free if you proceed with the installation.
- 2
Fit sensors and wiring
For wired systems, cables are run from each sensor back to the control panel - through lofts, along skirting boards, or behind plasterwork. PIR sensors go in hallways and living areas, and magnetic contacts are fitted to doors and windows. Wireless systems skip the cabling - sensors are screwed or adhesive-mounted in position and paired to the control panel.
- 3
Mount the control panel, keypad, and siren
The control panel is fitted in a discreet location - a cupboard or under the stairs is typical. The keypad goes by your most-used entrance, and the external siren is mounted high on an outside wall where it is visible from the street. The siren box alone is a strong deterrent.
- 4
Programme, test, and handover
The installer programmes entry and exit routes, sets delay times, configures zones, and links the system to a monitoring centre if applicable. Every sensor is walk-tested to confirm it triggers correctly. You receive a handover covering how to arm and disarm, how to change your code, and what to do if the system triggers a false alarm. A wired installation typically takes 4 to 8 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a burglar alarm cost to install?
A bells-only burglar alarm costs £300 to £600 installed. A monitored alarm costs £500 to £1,000 for the equipment and installation, plus £20 to £40 per month for the monitoring service. Smart alarms like Ring, SimpliSafe, or Yale cost £200 to £600 and most are designed for DIY installation. A professional-grade NSI Gold system from brands like Texecom or Pyronix costs £800 to £1,500 installed, plus £25 to £45 per month for monitoring.
Are monthly monitoring fees worth it?
It depends on your circumstances. If you travel frequently, leave the house empty during the day, or live in a higher-risk area, professional monitoring gives you a genuine safety net - someone is always watching, even when you cannot check your phone. If you work from home and your phone is always to hand, smartphone notifications from a smart alarm may be enough. The insurance discount from a monitored system can offset some or all of the monthly cost.
Will a burglar alarm reduce my home insurance?
Yes, in most cases. A professionally installed, monitored alarm system can reduce your home insurance premium by 5% to 15%. NSI Gold or SSAIB-approved systems carry the most weight with insurers. Some policies for higher-value properties actually require a monitored alarm as a condition of cover. Check your policy wording - if an alarm is a condition and you do not have one, a claim could be rejected.
How long does it take to install a burglar alarm?
A professional installation of a wired system takes 4 to 8 hours, depending on the size of your property and the number of sensors. A wireless system is quicker - typically 2 to 4 hours for a professional fitting, or 1 to 2 hours if you are doing it yourself. Smart DIY systems like Ring Alarm can be set up in under an hour because the sensors are adhesive-mounted and pair wirelessly through an app.
Can I keep my existing alarm and just change the monitoring company?
Often, yes. If your alarm system is in good working order and uses standard protocols, many monitoring companies can take it over. They may need to fit a new communication module (typically £100 to £200) to connect to their monitoring centre. However, if your system is very old (15+ years), it may be cheaper in the long run to replace it entirely rather than trying to maintain ageing components.
Reviewed by Chris Ward, Less.co.uk Home Improvement Costs Specialist
Last updated: April 2026 · Pricing based on industry data and verified contractor submissions · Methodology
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