What a security system estimate is for
Security customers compare a professional install with a box from the store. An estimate that lists each camera and where it goes, each cable run, the recorder, sensors and the setup hour shows what they get: wired cameras that keep recording, sensors on every door and a system set up on their phone, not left in the box.
What to put on a security system estimate
- Each camera with its location and type.
- Recorder and storage.
- Cable runs by length and route.
- Sensors per door and window.
- Phone setup and training.
- Monitoring, if offered, and who provides it.
A worked example
Four PoE cameras on a recorder for a one-story house, plus door sensors. Cameras and recorder use the calculator's typical prices.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PoE (wired network) camera, supplied and installed * | 4 | each | $140.00 | $560.00 |
| NVR (network video recorder), set up with the phone app * | 1 | each | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| Cable run, Cat6 | 220 | ft | Your price | |
| Door and window sensors | 3 | each | Your price | |
| App setup and owner training | 1 | hour | Your price |
Put the setup hour on the estimate. It is real time, and it is what the owner remembers about the install.
* Typical price from our free security camera installation cost calculator, which lists its sources. Your own costs and market come first.
Line items security installers use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Camera, supplied and installed | each | Type, resolution and mounting location. |
| Network video recorder | each | Channels and storage size. |
| Cable run, Cat6 | ft | Attic, wall fish or exterior; jacks and labels. |
| Alarm panel and keypad | each | Brand, zones and communicator. |
| Door and window sensors | each | Wired or wireless, per opening. |
| Motion detector | each | Pet-immune where needed. |
| Video doorbell | each | Wired to the chime or battery. |
| Smart lock | each | Door prep and app setup. |
| Network switch with PoE | each | Ports and power budget. |
| App setup and owner training | hour | Phones set up and the owner shown how to use it. |
| Yearly system check | visit | Cameras, recording, batteries and sensors tested. |
| Alarm permit | each | Where the city requires one from the owner. |
Terms and deposit language for security system
- Deposit. A deposit at booking covers cameras, recorders and panels bought for the job. Follow your state's deposit rules for home improvement and low voltage work.
- Payment. Balance due at install, after the system is tested and the owner's phone is set up.
- Warranty. Equipment is under the maker's warranty. You warrant your install and cabling for the time stated. Damage from storms, power surges and tampering is not covered.
- Monitoring, if chosen, is provided by a central station under its own contract.
- The owner keeps the admin passwords; you keep only what you need to service the system, with permission.
- Wi-Fi and internet service are the owner's; cameras that rely on them are only as steady as that service.
How to fill it in
- Put in your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for security system
- Security camera installation cost calculator
- Maintenance plan pricing calculator
- Labor rate calculator
- Estimate generator
The same estimate for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpentry, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, deck, drywall, duct cleaning, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, glass, gutter, handyman, holiday lighting, home inspection, hood cleaning, hvac, insulation, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, masonry, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, property maintenance, remodeling, restoration, roofing, septic, siding, snow removal, solar, tile, tree service, water treatment, waterproofing, window cleaning, window and door.
More for security installers: how security installers run on Koira.