Office CCTV Installation Cost: Cost Components and How to Calculate per Point
CCTV quotes can differ widely between vendors because they contain different things. These are the components every quote should include, and how to calculate them so you can compare fairly.
The first question is usually "how much per point?". The answer depends on what one point includes. Two quotes with the same number of cameras can differ because the camera types, cable lengths, recording capacity, and after-sales service are not the same.
Start with the number of points
The number of cameras is set by the areas that must be visible, not by the budget. Make a simple list:
- Every entrance and exit, including emergency doors.
- Lobby, reception, and cashier.
- Server room, warehouse, and archive room.
- Parking, fences, and vehicle lanes.
- Corridors linking the areas above.
An on-site survey turns this list into a point plan, so one camera can cover several needs at once.
Camera type sets the price per point
- Dome: for indoor ceilings, unobtrusive.
- Bullet: for outdoor and long range, such as fences and parking.
- Turret: versatile, suited to porches and warehouses.
- PTZ: pans and zooms, for wide yards.
- Low-light cameras: for dark areas that must stay in color at night.
Higher resolution is not always better. A 4 MP camera at the right angle is often more useful than an 8 MP camera mounted too far away.
Cabling and installation
This is the component that most often makes quotes differ. Check:
- Cable length from each camera to the NVR or switch. IP cameras with PoE use one network cable for data and power.
- Cable route: in conduit, above the ceiling, or needing trenching.
- Brackets and boxes for outdoor cameras.
- Height and access: points above 4 meters need a ladder or scaffolding.
NVR and disk capacity
The NVR is chosen by channel count: 8, 16, or more, with spare channels for future cameras. Disk capacity is calculated from how long footage must be kept. The formula:
Capacity per day (GB) = camera bitrate (Mbps) × 86,400 seconds ÷ 8 ÷ 1,000
Example assuming 4 Mbps per camera: 4 × 86,400 ÷ 8 ÷ 1,000 ≈ 43 GB per camera per day. For 8 cameras over 30 days: 43 × 8 × 30 ≈ 10.4 TB. The real bitrate depends on resolution, compression (H.265 is more efficient), and how busy the scene is, so this figure is adjusted during the survey.
If footage must be kept for a long time, for example for audits, consider motion-based recording or different recording resolutions for day and night.
Network and phone access
- PoE switches when there are many cameras or they are far from the NVR.
- Internet connection with enough upload to view cameras from outside the office.
- App and access rights: who may view live, who may play back and download footage.
- UPS for the NVR and switches so recording continues during power cuts.
Costs after installation
Many CCTV systems fail not because of the cameras but because they are not maintained. Also include:
- Scheduled checks: lenses, camera positions, and whether footage is actually saved.
- Disk replacement after several years of continuous use.
- Device warranty and response time for faults.
Checklist for comparing quotes
- Is there a point plan and view angle for each camera?
- Are camera models, resolution, and night performance stated clearly?
- Have cable lengths and route types been calculated?
- How many days of recording does the disk capacity cover?
- Does it include phone app setup, training, and handover?
- What are the warranty and maintenance terms?
With this checklist you can compare quotes by what they contain, not just the total. Sentra offers a free point survey in East Kalimantan. See the CCTV Procurement & Installation service.
Tell us about the process. We'll help map out the most proportionate approach.
