Smart homeowners are adding surveillance to protect family, property, and insurance premiums. Yet one question always surfaces first: What is the real security camera installation cost? At CountBricks, we leverage AI-driven takeoffs, live material databases, and voice-controlled estimating to give you an exact number before a single wire is pulled. This guide explains the variables that shape pricing and shows how our platform trims both time and budget for residential builds and remodels.
Across thousands of CountBricks estimates, a complete four-camera exterior system with DVR/NVR, cabling, and professional setup lands between $1,200 and $2,800 in most U.S. metro areas. Per-camera installed pricing averages $275-$650. Your final figure, however, depends on a mix of factors that our AI engine evaluates in seconds.
• Camera type: Analog, HD-TVI, PoE IP, wireless, doorbell, or PTZ
• Resolution and night-vision specs
• Number of recording days required for local storage
• Distance to power and network sources
• Conduit or surface-mounted cable runs
• Wall composition (brick, siding, stucco) affecting labor time
• Retrofit vs. new-construction rough-in opportunities
Traditional estimating means measuring plans, calling suppliers, and updating spreadsheets. CountBricks replaces those hours with three streamlined steps:
1. Speak your scope: During a live phone or on-site conversation, our AI listens and captures every spec, room name, and homeowner preference.
2. Upload or snap a blueprint: Our takeoff tool instantly recognizes exterior walls, entry points, and eave heights, then places camera symbols accordingly.
3. Receive a line-item estimate: Material SKUs, labor hours, mark-ups, and taxes populate in real time. Adjust quantities on the fly and watch costs recalculate.
Homeowners see transparency, while contractors lock in profit with confidence.
• Combine with other low-voltage work—running network cable for cameras while electrical rough-in is open saves 15-20% on labor
• Opt for PoE IP cameras: one CAT6 run powers and transmits video, eliminating separate 120V outlets
• Select motion-based recording to reduce storage hardware
• Mount cameras under existing soffits to avoid custom brackets
• Use CountBricks.com/services to compare supply pricing regions before purchasing
Big-box retailers market wireless kits promising “easy installation,” but hidden costs pile up:
• Missed blind spots due to poor placement planning
• Inadequate Wi-Fi bandwidth causing frame drops
• Lack of ladder safety and exterior sealing knowledge
Professional installers partnered with CountBricks average only 6-8 labor hours for a four-camera job, billable at regional low-voltage rates between $65 and $95 per hour. The minimal premium ensures code compliance, secure wall penetrations, and optimized angles covering every vulnerable zone.
• 4MP PoE bullet camera: $115-$145 each
• 8-channel NVR with 2TB HDD: $295-$375
• 1000' CAT6 plenum cable: $130-$180
• Weatherproof junction box: $18-$32
• Conduit and fittings per home average: $60-$110
Log into CountBricks.com/portfolio to see regional fluctuations and recent residential installs.
Insurance carriers frequently offer 5-15% policy discounts for professionally monitored camera systems. At an average annual premium of $1,500, homeowners recoup $75-$225 every year. Add property value boosts cited by realtors, and most CountBricks clients realize break-even within 30 months.
1. Scope confirmation call with homeowner and contractor
2. Digital blueprint takeoff and estimate generation
3. Material auto-order through integrated supplier catalogs
4. On-site rough-in with progress voice logs feeding the project dashboard
5. Final camera alignment, recording test, and client sign-off generated as a branded PDF invoice
• AI voice commands slash admin time by up to 70%
• Instant change orders keep profitability intact
• White-label quotes impress homeowners with professional graphics
• Integrated scheduling ensures subs arrive exactly when walls are open
Ready to lock in reliable numbers? Visit CountBricks.com/consultation and speak your next project into existence.
When the Rivera family added a 1,200-sq-ft addition to their Montgomery home, security topped their wish list. Their GC used CountBricks during the design phase to estimate a six-camera PoE system.
• Pre-existing attic access allowed cable runs without new conduit, cutting labor by 4 hours
• Switching from individual 256GB SD cards to a shared 8-channel NVR shaved $210 on hardware
• Combining the camera install with scheduled electrical trim meant one less mobilization fee
The original spreadsheet bid from a third-party low-voltage firm totaled $3,450. CountBricks recalculated the scope at $2,825—all documented with line items the homeowner could verify. That 18% savings was reallocated to smart lighting upgrades, boosting project satisfaction and contractor referrals.
1. Start early: Upload preliminary plans to CountBricks.com/services during schematic design
2. Use voice notes on-site: The AI timestamps real wall conditions, preventing costly surprises later
3. Review auto-generated alternative materials to spot quick wins on cable, storage, or mounts
4. Lock pricing: Convert the estimate to a supplier purchase order directly from the dashboard
• Aim for overlapping 20% camera coverage to reduce total units while eliminating blind spots
• Stagger infrared and white-light deterrent models to lower wattage draw on shared circuits
• Add a UPS battery during installation—it costs less than a service call when power dips later
CountBricks isn’t just software; it’s a smarter pathway from idea to invoice. Whether you’re protecting a starter home or upgrading a luxury estate, our AI keeps security camera installation cost predictable, competitive, and fully transparent.
