Labor for security camera installation in the New York area typically runs about $125 to $350 per camera in 2026 for straightforward residential jobs, $250 to $600 per camera for difficult buildings, and $90 to $200 per hour per technician when billed hourly. On a typical four-camera home, labor commonly makes up 30 to 50 percent of the total cost. In dense urban buildings with brick, plaster, limited access and building rules, labor can be the largest part of the bill.
This guide explains how labor is priced, what drives it and how to compare quotes fairly. Figures are planning ranges, not quotes.
1. Planning Ranges
| Job | Typical labor range | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Single wireless camera or doorbell | $90 to $250 | 1 to 2 hours |
| 4-camera home system (easy access) | $500 to $1,200 | 4 to 8 hours |
| 4-camera home system (brick or plaster) | $800 to $1,800 | 6 to 10 hours |
| 8-camera small business | $1,200 to $3,000 | 1 to 2 days |
| 16-camera business or warehouse | $2,800 to $7,000 | 2 to 4 days |
| Large site (30+ cameras) | $7,000 to $25,000+ | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Service call or adjustment | $125 to $250 | 1 to 2 hours |
Rates depend on crew size, complexity and the installer. Some installers price per camera, others by the hour or by a fixed project price.
2. How Installers Price Labor
Per camera. A flat fee per camera that includes mounting, cable and setup. Simple to compare, but the fee should reflect difficulty.
Hourly. Time-and-materials. Fair for unknown conditions but can be harder to budget. Ask for a not-to-exceed estimate.
Fixed project price. A single price after a site visit. Good when scope is clear. Make sure it lists what is and is not included.
Hybrid. A fixed price with extra charges for specific difficulties, such as high ceilings or masonry drilling.
3. What Pushes Labor Up
Wall and ceiling construction. Brick, plaster, concrete and finished ceilings take more time. See our wiring guide.
Access. Tall ceilings, steep roofs, narrow passages and lift needs add time.
Long cable runs. More distance means more labor and often additional equipment.
Building rules. Limited work hours, freight elevator reservations, supervised access and insurance certificates reduce efficiency.
Occupied spaces. Working around customers, tenants or staff slows work and requires care.
Weather. Rain, snow and extreme heat or cold affect outdoor work.
Aiming and testing. Proper installation includes aiming each camera, testing night video, tuning motion settings and training the owner. Cheap jobs skip this.
Travel and parking. In Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, parking and loading logistics can add time.
Rush or after-hours work. Nights and weekends often cost more.
4. What Pushes Labor Down
Easy access. Open attics, basements and drywall walls.
Compact layouts. Cameras clustered near the recorder.
Reusable cable or conduit. Existing paths cut effort.
Wireless or PoE simplicity. Fewer cables mean less work.
Flexible scheduling. Daytime weekday work is cheaper than rush jobs.
Repeat work. Multiple locations or phased projects can save mobilization time.
5. Crew Size and Efficiency
A two-person crew can often finish a job faster than a single technician, with total labor cost similar but a shorter time on site. Large or high-mount jobs need two people for safety. Ask how many technicians will be on site and how long the job should take. A well-run crew arrives with the right equipment, plans cable routes in advance and tests before leaving.
6. Licensing, Insurance and Why They Affect Price
Reliable installers carry liability insurance and workers' compensation, which add to costs but protect you if something goes wrong. Many buildings require a certificate of insurance. Ask for it. Depending on the work, such as electrical work, credentials may apply, and in New Jersey the Division of Consumer Affairs provides consumer resources. Do not assume a low-priced installer has the insurance or credentials required for your job. A useful test is to ask for the certificate of insurance before you sign, check that the policy dates cover your install date and confirm the company name on the certificate matches the name on your contract. If the certificate lists a different business, ask why. It takes five minutes and has saved many owners from paying twice for damage that an uninsured crew caused.
7. Do Not Compare Labor Alone
A quote with low labor may include cheaper cameras, minimal testing and no warranty. A quote with higher labor may include careful aiming, clean cable work, wall repairs and a labor warranty. Compare scope, not just price. See our guide on hidden costs.
8. Crime Context and Why Quality Labor Matters
Footage is useful only if cameras are aimed and set up properly. In February 2026, NYPD released stills and video from a Staten Island doorstep to help identify three young men who tried to enter three homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. That kind of footage is useful because it shows people clearly. A camera pointed too high, in glare, at the wrong angle or with a poorly tuned night mode can capture an event without capturing a useful image. Labor includes the skill to avoid that.
Citywide, NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). Individual properties still need dependable systems.
9. DIY and Labor Savings
Doing the work yourself can save labor but costs time and risks mistakes. Wireless cameras and doorbells are reasonable DIY projects. Wired systems, exterior drilling, high mounts and electrical work are better left to professionals. See our guide to DIY versus professional installation.
10. Saving Money on Labor
- Ask for a site visit and a fixed price.
- Clear access to attics, closets and basements before the crew arrives.
- Cluster cameras to shorten runs.
- Choose standard locations over complicated mounts.
- Schedule on a weekday during regular hours.
- Bundle jobs such as a doorbell, smart lock and cameras in one visit.
Not sure what labor your job needs? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
11. Questions to Ask
- Is labor priced per camera, hourly or fixed?
- How many technicians will be on site?
- What is included: aiming, night testing, setup and training?
- What repairs and cleanup are included?
- What is the labor warranty?
- Are there extra charges for difficult mounting or building rules?
See our services page, security camera installation in Staten Island, Manhattan and commercial installation in Brooklyn.
12. A Sample Labor Breakdown
A six-camera home in Staten Island with a driveway, back yard and basement entry. Tasks: mount six cameras (about 2 hours), run cable through the basement ceiling and exterior walls (about 4 hours), terminate and test connections (about 1 hour), install and configure the recorder (about 1 hour), aim and tune cameras at night (about 1 hour) and train the owner (about 30 minutes). Total: about 9 to 10 hours for a two-person crew in a half-day to a full day, with labor commonly between $1,000 and $1,900 depending on rates and difficulty.
Labor also includes things that never show up on the invoice as separate lines: the time spent confirming the cable path before drilling, checking that the recorder sees every camera, setting the clock correctly and showing you how to find a clip. These steps are quick for an experienced technician, and they are the difference between a system that works the day it is installed and one that surprises you months later.
When comparing bids, ask each installer to state how many hours or days they expect to be on site, how many people will work and what happens if the job runs long. A clear answer suggests experience. A vague one suggests the price may move once work begins.
Finally, remember that labor is not a fixed fraction of the project. A small job in a hard building can be mostly labor, while a large job in an open warehouse can be mostly equipment. Judge the price against your property, not against a rule of thumb.
13. Signs of a Fair Labor Price
A fair labor price is clear, itemized and tied to scope. It explains what is included and what could cause changes. It reflects the building. It includes testing and a warranty. And it does not rely on pressure or a "today only" deadline. If the price is much lower than others, ask why. If it is much higher, ask what extra you are getting.
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 much is labor for security camera installation in NYC? Commonly $125 to $350 per camera for easy jobs and $250 to $600 per camera for difficult buildings.
Is labor included in camera package prices? Sometimes. Check whether the price includes installation, cable and setup.
Why is Manhattan labor more expensive? Building rules, limited hours, parking and old construction increase time and cost.
Do I pay more for night or weekend work? Often yes, though some businesses prefer it to avoid disruption.
How long does installation take? A typical four-camera home takes about a day. Businesses and large buildings take longer.
Does the labor price include a warranty? It should be stated in writing. Ask what is covered and for how long.
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.