A combined security camera and alarm system in the New York area typically costs $2,400 to $6,500 installed for a home in 2026 and $4,500 to $15,000 or more for a small business, plus a monthly monitoring fee of roughly $15 to $60 for homes and $30 to $120 or more for businesses if you want a company to respond to alarms. Cameras record what happened. Alarms tell you or a monitoring company that something is happening right now. Together they cover both evidence and response.
This guide explains what a bundle includes, what it costs and why combining the two often works better than buying them separately. Figures are planning ranges, not quotes.
1. Planning Ranges
| Setup | What's included | Typical installed range | Typical monthly monitoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment: door sensor, motion sensor, keypad, 1 to 2 cameras | Basic coverage | $1,100 to $2,600 | $15 to $35 |
| Small house: 6 to 8 sensors, siren, keypad, 4 cameras | Typical home | $2,800 to $5,500 | $20 to $50 |
| Larger house: 10 to 16 sensors, glass-break, 6 to 8 cameras | Full coverage | $4,500 to $9,000 | $25 to $60 |
| Small shop: 6 to 10 sensors, 6 cameras | Retail | $4,500 to $9,500 | $35 to $90 |
| Restaurant or office: 10 to 20 sensors, 8 to 16 cameras | Commercial | $7,500 to $18,000 | $45 to $120 |
| Add-on: smart lock or access control | Entry integration | $450 to $3,000+ | Varies |
2. What an Alarm System Includes
Control panel. The brain of the system, usually in a closet or basement.
Keypad or app. For arming and disarming.
Door and window sensors. Magnetic contacts that detect opening.
Motion detectors. Passive infrared sensors that detect movement.
Glass-break sensors. Detect the sound of breaking glass.
Sirens. Loud local alarm.
Smoke, carbon monoxide and water sensors. Optional safety add-ons.
Cellular communicator. Sends alarm signals to a monitoring center even if internet or phone lines are down.
Battery backup. Keeps the system running through power loss.
3. What a Camera Adds to an Alarm
An alarm tells you something tripped. A camera shows what. Together, they allow:
Verification. A monitoring center or you can look at live or recorded video after an alarm to confirm whether it is a real threat or a false alarm, such as a pet or a late employee.
Fewer false alarms. Fewer false alarms means fewer wasted police responses. Many jurisdictions penalize repeated false alarms, so ask your installer about local rules.
Evidence. Video of what happened supports police reports and insurance claims.
Smarter alerts. A motion alarm that sends a video clip is more useful than a text that says "Zone 3."
Deterrence. Visible cameras and alarm signs can discourage some intruders.
4. Why Bundling Often Makes Sense
One installer. One visit, one point of contact and one warranty.
Integration. Cameras can start recording when a door sensor trips. Alarm events can appear on the same app as video.
Shared infrastructure. One network, one power backup and one set of passwords.
Lower total cost. Bundled labor and equipment can reduce cost compared with two separate projects.
Clearer accountability. If something fails, there is one number to call.
Bundles are not always better. A very small apartment may need only a door camera and a sensor. A business with an existing alarm may only need cameras.
5. What Drives Cost
Number of doors, windows and rooms. More openings mean more sensors.
Wired or wireless sensors. Wireless sensors cost less to install but need battery changes. Wired sensors are more reliable but need cable.
Number of cameras. See our cost guides.
Monitoring. Professional monitoring costs monthly but provides response.
Permits and registrations. Many municipalities require alarm permits or registration, and some charge fees or fines for false alarms. Rules vary by city, town and county. Ask your installer about local requirements.
Insurance and credentials. Ask your installer for a certificate of insurance and for any credentials that apply to electrical or low-voltage work on your job, and verify them. Consumer protection offices, such as the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs for New Jersey customers, offer guidance.
Building type. Brick, plaster and multi-floor layouts raise labor.
Integrations. Smart locks, garage doors, lights, thermostats and access control add cost.
6. Monitoring: What You Pay For
Professional monitoring means a central station receives alarm signals and tries to verify and dispatch help. Typical elements:
- 24/7 receiving of alarm signals.
- Calls to you and your contacts.
- Dispatch to police or fire, depending on the event.
- Optional video verification, which can speed response.
Monitoring contracts vary in length and cancellation terms. Read the fine print, and ask about early termination fees and price increases. Self-monitoring through an app has no monthly fee but depends on you noticing and acting on alerts.
7. News Context: Alarms Do Not Stop Everything
Alarms and cameras are a layer, not a guarantee. In January 2025, ABC7 reported on Sayreville, New Jersey, where a group pried open a window and entered a family's home while everyone was inside, despite an alarm, two Ring cameras and two dogs, according to ABC7 New York. The cameras recorded the break-in. Officials said the group may have been after the family's high-end vehicle and key fob. The case shows why layers matter: good locks, window hardware, lighting, key-fob habits and fast response all play a role.
In Staten Island in February 2026, NYPD released stills and video from a doorstep to help identify three young men who tried to enter three homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. That coverage reminds us that video is a useful tool for police.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). Check your own precinct's numbers.
8. Insurance Considerations
Some insurers give discounts for monitored alarms or may require them for certain coverage. Ask your broker or agent what is available and what documentation they need. See our guide on whether cameras can lower homeowners insurance in New York. Keep records of your installation and monitoring contract.
9. Saving Money
- Protect doors and key rooms first.
- Choose wireless sensors where cable is hard.
- Pick a monitoring plan that matches your risk.
- Avoid long contracts you may not need.
- Ask for one itemized quote covering cameras, sensors and monitoring.
- Install a battery backup and cellular communicator.
Not sure what you need? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
10. Questions to Ask
- What insurance do you carry, and can I see a certificate?
- What local permits or registrations are required?
- How does the system handle power and internet outages?
- What does monitoring cost, and how long is the contract?
- Can cameras provide video verification for alarms?
- Who do I call if something fails?
See our local pages for alarm system installation in Brooklyn, Queens, complete security systems in Nassau County and our services page.
11. A Sample Home Bundle
A Brooklyn two-family brick house wants an alarm and cameras. The plan: a panel in the basement, keypad at the front door, door sensors on the front, back and basement doors, window sensors on the ground floor, two motion detectors, glass-break sensors in the rear room, a siren, a cellular communicator and battery backup. Cameras: front stoop, rear door, rear yard, side passage and basement entry. Cost: $4,800 to $7,200 depending on wiring and sensors. Monitoring: $30 to $55 per month. The cameras record to a local recorder, and the monitoring center can view alarm clips.
12. A Sample Small-Business Bundle
A Queens retail shop has a front door, a back door and a stockroom. The plan: door contacts, motion detectors, glass-break sensors on the front window, a keypad, a siren and six cameras: front door, register, sales floor, stockroom, back door and exterior. The system alerts the owner and a monitoring company when an alarm trips after hours. The owner can view video before deciding whether to call police. Cost: $5,500 to $9,500 plus monitoring.
13. Common Mistakes
Alarm without cameras. You get a siren but no evidence.
Cameras without an alarm. You get evidence but no real-time response.
Skipping the cellular communicator. A phone line or internet outage can disable the alarm.
Forgetting to arm the system. Make arming easy, with a keypad at each main door and app control.
Ignoring false alarms. Fix them quickly to avoid fines and fatigue.
Not testing monthly. Test sensors and sirens regularly.
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 does a camera and alarm bundle cost in NYC? Homes commonly run $2,800 to $6,500 and small businesses $4,500 to $15,000, plus monitoring.
Do I need professional monitoring? Not required, but it provides response when you cannot respond yourself.
Can cameras verify alarms? Yes. Video verification helps confirm whether an alarm is real.
Will an alarm lower my insurance? Some insurers offer discounts for monitored systems. Ask your broker.
Do I need an alarm permit? Some municipalities require one. Ask your installer and check locally.
Can I add an alarm to an existing camera system? Often yes, depending on equipment and wiring.
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.