Access control system pricing
Arriving at good estimates of access control system pricing is difficult: most access control vendors will want to discuss your needs in detail before providing you with estimates. That said, there are some general costs you can keep in mind. These prices include everything - the hardware, software, and installation. The only exception is the cards themselves, which are usually priced separately.
A complete keypad or card-based access control system for a single door is typically $1,500 to $2,500 installed, or $6,00o to $2,000 if you install it yourself. The more doors you add, the lower the per-door pricing is: prices per door are often $1,200 to $1,500 in a typical system. In fact, according industry statistics, the average access control purchase today covers 7 doorways at a cost of $9,618.
The full range of options is much larger. Integrated locks with keypads, designed as standalone access control points, can be purchased for as little as $400. On the other end of the spectrum, a fully newtorked biometric system can easily reach $10,000 or more for a single access point.
See prices for access control systems reported by other BuyerZone users.
What goes into the access control pricing?
Access control system pricing increases when you start including additional components such as photo ID printers, door prop alarms, and higher-security locks. While the prices listed here can help you get an idea of your budget, your total costs will change throughout the project as you add and remove components.
Budget-minded companies can buy the components and do their own installation, but you'll often need to hire a general contractor to do the hardware installation anyway, so the total savings aren't likely to be that much. In addition, professional installation helps guarantee that the security system provides the security your business requires. Do remember to buy only commercial-grade equipment, not residential equipment: you'll get better reliability and more features.
Your access control system pricing should include basic email and telephone support, at least for the first year. Some vendors provide lifetime support for products they install. Most dealers will also offer extended warranties or maintenance contracts, but the basic manufacturers' warranty is often sufficient for access control hardware. The components are relatively simple and don't have many moving parts, so they don't tend to break down easily.
Security is an investment, not just an expense
One of the biggest mistakes that buyers make today is buying a cheap system based on price alone -- then finding out later that the system they chose doesn't have the technology or support to provide adequate security protection. While it's important to shop competitively based on price, make sure that the system you choose is reliable and worth the monetary investment.
