You can estimate the installed cost of a security camera system in the New York area in 2026 with a simple formula: number of cameras times a per-camera price, plus a recorder and storage, plus adders for difficult walls, height and building rules, plus optional extras. For a typical home, that produces a range of about $1,600 to $5,500. For a small business, $3,000 to $12,000. The calculator below is a planning tool, not a quote. Real prices depend on your property, your equipment choices and the installer.
Work through the steps with a pencil, write down your numbers and bring them to your site visit. A rough estimate helps you spot quotes that are far too low or far too high.
1. The Formula
Total estimate = (Cameras × Per-camera installed price) + Recorder and storage + Network and power + Difficulty adders + Building and paperwork + Extras
Each term is explained below, with ranges for 2026 in the New York area.
2. Step 1: Count Your Cameras
Walk your property and list every place you need coverage.
Home: front door, driveway, garage, side passages, back door, back yard, basement entry, pool or deck.
Business: entrance, register, sales floor, stockroom, office, back door, loading area, sidewalk, parking.
If you are unsure, start with the entrances and add cameras where blind spots remain. Most homes use 4 to 8 cameras. Most small businesses use 6 to 16.
3. Step 2: Choose a Per-Camera Installed Price
Pick the tier that matches your needs. These ranges include the camera, mounting, standard cable and basic labor in an easy location.
| Camera tier | What it means | Installed per camera |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2 to 4 MP, basic night vision | $300 to $550 |
| Better | 4 to 6 MP, strong low-light, color night | $450 to $800 |
| 4K | 8 MP with strong detail | $600 to $1,100 |
| Specialty | Varifocal, plate, PTZ or thermal | $900 to $3,500+ |
| Video doorbell | Wired or wireless | $250 to $800 |
Write down your camera count for each tier and multiply.
4. Step 3: Add the Recorder and Storage
| System size | Recorder | Typical storage for 30 days | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 4 cameras | 4 to 8 channel | 3 to 6 TB | $350 to $900 |
| 5 to 8 cameras | 8 to 16 channel | 6 to 12 TB | $500 to $1,400 |
| 9 to 16 cameras | 16 channel | 12 to 24 TB | $900 to $2,600 |
| 17 to 32 cameras | 32 channel or multiple | 24 to 48 TB | $1,800 to $5,500 |
Add more if you want RAID or longer retention. See our storage guide for the math.
5. Step 4: Add Network and Power
PoE switch, cables to the recorder, a small enclosure, surge protection and a battery backup.
| System size | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 4 cameras | $120 to $400 |
| 5 to 8 cameras | $200 to $700 |
| 9 to 16 cameras | $400 to $1,400 |
| 17 to 32 cameras | $900 to $3,200 |
6. Step 5: Add Difficulty Adders
Pick the ones that apply, and add per camera or per job as shown.
| Condition | Typical adder |
|---|---|
| Brick or masonry penetration | $100 to $300 per camera |
| Plaster and lath interior | $100 to $350 per run |
| Concrete floors or ceilings | $200 to $600 per run |
| Cameras above 12 feet needing a ladder | $50 to $150 per camera |
| Cameras above 20 feet needing a lift | $150 to $600 per camera |
| Long cable runs (over 150 feet) | $75 to $300 per run |
| Pole or post mounting | $300 to $1,500 per pole |
| Weather-hardened housing | $50 to $200 per camera |
| Finished ceilings, concealed routing | $75 to $250 per camera |
| Occupied space, limited hours | 5% to 20% of labor |
See our guide on wiring through brick and plaster for details.
7. Step 6: Add Building and Paperwork Costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Certificate of insurance for building | $0 to $150 |
| Co-op or condo alteration paperwork | $0 to $500 |
| Freight elevator or after-hours fees | $0 to $800 |
| Landmark or permit coordination | $0 to $600 |
| Site survey (if charged separately) | $0 to $250 |
Many installers waive survey fees for accepted jobs. Ask.
8. Step 7: Add Extras
| Extra | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Alarm with sensors | $450 to $2,500 |
| Smart lock or keyless entry | $350 to $1,200 per door |
| Access control per door | $800 to $3,500 |
| Motion lighting | $100 to $500 |
| Remote monitoring | $30 to $120 per month |
| Annual maintenance | $150 to $700 |
| Cloud backup of key clips | $10 to $40 per month |
Include only the extras you want.
9. Worked Example: Staten Island House
Six cameras (front door, driveway, garage, left side, back door, back yard). Use a mix of tiers: two Better cameras at $650 each for the front door and driveway ($1,300), and four Standard cameras at $400 each for the garage, side and back ($1,600). Cameras: $2,900. Recorder with 6 TB: $600. Network and power: $350. Adders: one brick penetration at $200 and one long run at $150. Building costs: none. Extras: motion light at the garage, $150.
Total: $2,900 + $600 + $350 + $350 + $150 = $4,350.
A real quote from Revolvis may be lower or higher, but this puts you in the right neighborhood, and shows how small adders accumulate.
10. Worked Example: Brooklyn Small Shop
Eight cameras (door, two register views, sales floor, stockroom, back door, rear alley, sidewalk). Four Better cameras at $650 ($2,600), four Standard cameras at $400 ($1,600). Cameras: $4,200. Recorder with 8 TB: $900. Network and power: $450. Adders: ceiling routing in a drop ceiling at $100 for two runs ($200), one weather-hardened exterior camera ($100). Building: certificate of insurance for the landlord, $0. Extras: battery backup included above, a basic alarm at $900.
Total: $4,200 + $900 + $450 + $300 + $900 = $6,750.
Without the alarm: $5,850.
11. Worked Example: Manhattan Co-op Apartment
Two interior cameras and a doorbell, if the board allows. Doorbell $450 and two Standard wireless cameras at $325 ($650): cameras $1,100. No recorder (cloud or card). Network: $0. Adders: concealed routing for one wired camera, $150. Building: alteration paperwork and COI, $250.
Total: $1,100 + $150 + $250 = $1,500.
If the board denies the doorbell, the total falls to about $1,050.
12. A Simple Table to Fill In
| Line | Your number |
|---|---|
| Cameras (count × price) | |
| Recorder and storage | |
| Network and power | |
| Difficulty adders | |
| Building and paperwork | |
| Extras | |
| Total estimate |
Add 10 percent as a cushion if you want a safe budget.
13. How to Use the Result
Compare your estimate with at least two itemized quotes. If a quote is 30 percent below your estimate, ask what is missing. If it is 30 percent above, ask what is included that you did not plan for. Both can be right. The goal is to understand the difference.
14. Why Accuracy Matters: News Context
Your budget buys footage that is useful or footage that is not. In Queens in July 2026, QNS reported on burglaries in Flushing, Oakland Gardens and Bayside. Footage showed the suspects' vehicle, but the plate was partly covered and a $3,500 reward was offered. In Staten Island in February 2026, NYPD released stills and video from one doorstep to identify three young men who tried three homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. Video helps most when cameras are placed to capture faces and plates.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% and grand larceny down 12.4% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). Falling numbers don't remove risk for individual properties.
15. Saving Money
- Cover the highest-risk areas first.
- Buy a recorder with spare channels.
- Use Standard cameras in low-priority areas.
- Avoid unnecessary specialty cameras.
- Clear access before the crew arrives.
- Phase the project if budget is tight.
Not sure what to put in the calculator? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
16. Questions to Ask After You Get an Estimate
- Does my calculation include everything I need?
- What adders apply to my building?
- How many days of footage will the system keep?
- What does the quote exclude?
- Can I add cameras later?
- What warranty is included?
See our services page, security camera installation in Staten Island, commercial installation in Brooklyn and contact page.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I estimate the cost of a security camera system? Multiply cameras by a per-camera installed price, then add recorder, storage, network, difficulty adders, building costs and extras.
How accurate is this calculator? It is a planning tool. Real quotes depend on your property and equipment.
What is the biggest cost driver? Camera count and building difficulty, such as brick, plaster and height.
Should I add a cushion? A 10 percent cushion is wise for unexpected conditions.
Does the estimate include monthly fees? No. Add monitoring, cloud or maintenance separately.
Can I get a precise price? Yes, after a site visit. Contact Revolvis for an itemized quote.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.