Smart locks and keypad deadbolts often spring to mind when homeowners hear “access control,” but modern systems can do far more. Card readers, mobile credentials, video intercoms and cloud dashboards now protect single-family residences, gated communities and multifamily developments alike. Because the technology stack is wider than ever, builders and remodelers routinely ask one big question: What does an access control systems cost look like in 2024? This guide from CountBricks breaks down every component so you can enter bids, budgets and change orders with confidence.
• Hardware grade and brand tier
• Door quantity, material and fire-rating requirements
• Wiring distance to panels or PoE switches
• Network infrastructure upgrades
• Integration with alarms, CCTV or smart-home hubs
• Labor rates in your market
• Ongoing software licensing and cloud monitoring fees
The phrase “access control systems cost” can hide a wide spectrum. Below are ballpark figures captured from thousands of live material feeds inside the CountBricks estimating engine. Actual numbers update daily inside CountBricks.com/services, but these ranges provide a starting point for builders discussing budgets with owners.
• Basic smart deadbolt (DIY level) – $180 to $350 per door installed
• Single-door keypad plus magnetic strike – $650 to $1,100 per door installed
• Multi-door card or mobile credential system – $1,400 to $2,600 per door installed
• Video intercom gate entry package – $4,500 to $7,000 total, including gate hardware
• Cloud management license – $8 to $18 per door, per month
Real-time pricing is the secret sauce. Our platform pulls live material costs from regional suppliers, marries them to current union and non-union labor averages, then layers in your margin and tax settings. Simply describe the scope over a quick voice session, and CountBricks auto-generates:
1. Detailed line-item estimate
2. Professional PDF quote with branded visuals
3. Drag-and-drop invoice synced to your accounting suite
Upload a door schedule or full plan set into the CountBricks dashboard. Our AI identifies doors, frames, strikes and power supplies, then assigns the correct assemblies. No manual counting, no missed openings, no surprise change orders on walk-through day.
A recent CountBricks project in Northern California illustrates how the numbers shake out in practice.
Project scope:
• 10 exterior doors with smart deadbolts
• 6 interior mechanical keypad locks to storage rooms
• 1 garage gate with video intercom and remote release
Total access control systems cost recorded in CountBricks:
• Hardware: $10,980
• Wiring & mounting supplies: $2,140
• Labor (40 crew-hours @ $78/hr): $3,120
• Commissioning & owner training: $750
• Cloud subscription (first year pre-paid): $1,080
Grand total: $18,070
• Shared PoE switches eliminated dedicated power runs
• CountBricks bulk pricing on smart deadbolts reduced list cost by 9%
• Automated takeoff avoided a two-hour onsite remeasure
Some homeowners attempt to install basic Wi-Fi locks themselves. While that can work for one or two doors, professional installation quickly pays for itself on larger builds. Licensed technicians:
• Ensure fire-rating and egress compliance
• Provide clean concealed wiring paths
• Integrate with existing security or automation packages
• Offer warranties that protect both builder and homeowner
Investing in scalable architecture today prevents costly rip-outs tomorrow. CountBricks recommends:
• Selecting door controllers that support at least four credential types
• Using PoE wherever possible to accommodate future bandwidth upgrades
• Reserving panel space for added relays or strikes
• Prioritizing open APIs to keep software flexible as the smart-home market evolves
• Voice-driven estimating slashes office hours
• Real-time vendor pricing beats static spreadsheets
• AI takeoffs reduce change orders by up to 27%
• Professional quotes impress homeowners and lenders alike
• Seamless handoff to invoicing accelerates cash flow
Ready to lock in your access control systems cost with confidence? Schedule a free walkthrough at CountBricks.com/consultation. Our specialists will review your drawings, listen to your scope over a quick call and deliver an itemized estimate within hours—no spreadsheets, no surprises.
When a Bay Area homeowner asked for seamless keypad entry on a 1990s hillside property, the GC turned to CountBricks to nail down an exact access control systems cost before demo day. The existing doors were solid core with vintage mortise hardware, making a straight swap impossible.
• Door thickness varied from 1-3/4" to 2-1/4", affecting strike selection
• Limited header space above the garage required a low-profile motor
• Concrete shear walls restricted new conduit runs
1. AI takeoff suggested surface-mount mag locks paired with keypad readers, eliminating deep mortising.
2. Voice-driven estimate updated instantly when the client opted for Bluetooth mobile credentials, adding only $220 per door.
3. Labor forecast auto-adjusted to include two hours of concrete coring for concealed wiring—preventing a costly change order later.
Total cost came in at $13,450—within 1.8% of the original CountBricks estimate. The GC closed the job four days ahead of schedule and used the branded CountBricks invoice to secure final payment minutes after sign-off.
• Pair PoE extenders with mesh Wi-Fi to avoid cutting drywall in finished spaces
• Always confirm fire-rating stickers on retrofit doors before ordering strikes
• Rebate clients by showcasing energy savings from smart-lock auto-latch features
Explore more success stories at CountBricks.com/portfolio, or start your own by booking a no-obligation demo at CountBricks.com/consultation.
