A business intruder alarm costs £800 to £2,500 installed for a typical shop, office or restaurant in the UK, and £2,500 to £5,000 or more for larger or higher-risk premises. The price depends on the size of the premises, the grade of alarm your insurer expects, whether the alarm is monitored, and whether you need police response. Insurance requirements often decide the specification, so it is worth checking your policy first.
Key Takeaways
- A shop, office or restaurant alarm typically costs £800-£2,500 installed
- Larger or higher-risk premises usually cost £2,500-£5,000+
- Insurers often specify the grade of alarm and the type of monitoring
- Keyholder monitoring costs £15-£30 a month; police response £25-£50 a month
- Set and unset reports in the app show staff when the premises were opened and locked
Business alarms in London
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The figures in this guide are typical UK prices. Your price depends on the premises, opening hours and your insurer's requirements, so we survey first, free and with no obligation, then give you a written quote before any work starts. Accredited Ajax Systems partner and registered installer for Texecom, Pyronix and Risco, with 200+ five-star reviews.
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How Much Does a Business Alarm System Cost?
A business intruder alarm typically costs £800 to £5,000 or more installed in the UK. Most small businesses in London pay between £1,000 and £2,500. Business systems usually need more detectors than a home, door contacts on every external door, and an alarm that sends alerts to staff or a monitoring centre.
| Premises | Typical system | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small shop, café or salon | Panel, 4-6 detectors, door contacts | £800-£1,600 |
| Office (one floor) | Panel, 6-10 detectors, keypads | £1,200-£2,500 |
| Restaurant or pub | Panel, detectors, panic buttons | £1,500-£3,000 |
| Larger or higher-risk premises | Higher-grade equipment, monitoring | £2,500-£5,000+ |
What Grade of Alarm Does a Business Need?
Intruder alarms in the UK are rated against the BS EN 50131 standard, from Grade 1 (lowest risk) to Grade 4 (highest). Manufacturers rate their own equipment to a grade. Most homes and many small businesses use equipment rated to Grade 2. Businesses holding cash, high-value stock or alcohol are often asked by insurers for equipment rated to Grade 3.
- Grade 2: typical for offices, salons and low-risk shops
- Grade 3: common for jewellers, phone shops, off-licences, pharmacies and premises with high-value stock
Your insurance schedule usually states the grade and the type of signalling required. If it does not, ask your broker before choosing a system.
Should a Business Alarm Be Monitored?
Most businesses should have at least app alerts and a list of keyholders, because nobody is on site at night. Monitoring adds a 24-hour centre that checks each alarm and calls keyholders or, with police response, the police.
| Monitoring level | Who responds | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| App alerts | Staff, via phone notification | £0-£5 |
| Keyholder monitoring | Centre calls your keyholders | £15-£30 |
| Police response | Centre can request police attendance | £25-£50 |
Police response is only available for alarms designed, installed and maintained by an approved company under the National Police Chiefs' Council policy, monitored by an approved centre and registered with the local force. Our alarm monitoring cost guide explains each level in detail.
Wired or Wireless for a Business Alarm?
Both work well in business premises. Wired systems suit new fit-outs and premises being refurbished, where cables can be hidden. Wireless and hybrid systems suit trading premises that cannot close for long, because installation is quicker and causes less disruption. Our guide to wired vs wireless burglar alarms compares the two.
What Features Help Businesses Most?
- Separate user codes or fobs for each member of staff, so you can see who set and unset the alarm
- App control, to check the alarm is set after closing and unset it remotely for deliveries or contractors
- Panic buttons at tills or reception
- Photo-verified detectors, which send an image to your phone or the monitoring centre when triggered
- Areas or partitions, so a stockroom or office can stay armed while the shop floor is open
What Are the Running Costs of a Business Alarm?
Beyond monitoring, budget for an annual service. Business alarms are commonly serviced once or twice a year, and insurers with monitoring requirements often expect regular maintenance. A business alarm service typically costs £100 to £250 a visit. See our alarm service cost guide for details.
Can You Take Over an Existing Business Alarm?
Often, yes. When a business moves into premises with an existing alarm, the panel can usually be taken over, given new codes and serviced, which is cheaper than a new system. If the panel is locked or too old, it can usually be upgraded while keeping the existing detectors and wiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a business alarm system cost?
A business intruder alarm typically costs £800 to £2,500 installed for a shop, office or restaurant, and £2,500 to £5,000 or more for larger or higher-risk premises.
What grade of alarm does my business need?
Many offices and low-risk shops use equipment rated to Grade 2. Jewellers, phone shops, off-licences and businesses with high-value stock are often asked by insurers for Grade 3. Check your insurance schedule.
Does my business alarm need to be monitored?
Not always, but most businesses benefit from at least app alerts and a keyholder list. Insurers for higher-risk premises often require keyholder monitoring or police response.
How much is business alarm monitoring?
Keyholder monitoring typically costs £15 to £30 a month and police response £25 to £50 a month. App alerts are usually free or a few pounds a month.
Can I see which staff member set the alarm?
Yes. Giving each member of staff their own code, fob or app login lets you see who set and unset the alarm and when.
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