How Much Do Security Systems Cost in Vancouver? A 2026 Planning Guide

Video and audio intercom: CAD $3,000–$10,000 per entrance

The range covers an installed entrance solution in a typical approved scope. Cost changes with audio-only versus video operation, entrance hardware, directory and resident calling, unit count, existing wiring, network and power, resident onboarding, gate integration and elevator-floor restriction.

A small single-entrance property can sit near the lower end. A larger video intercom serving many units or coordinating elevator and vehicle access can require more equipment, programming and trade coordination.

• Audio-only or video entrance station
• Number of units and authorized users
• App, telephone or indoor-monitor calling
• Door release and locking hardware
• Gate or elevator-floor integration
• Condition of existing cable, network and power

Access control: CAD $1,000–$5,000 per controlled door

This per-door planning range is for an all-in installed security scope, including the approved reader, controller allocation, lock or locking interface, power, standard wiring and installation. The exact design still depends on the opening.

An interior door with a straightforward cable route is different from a main entrance with automatic-door sequencing, fire-alarm interface, specialty hardware or a difficult pathway. Multi-door systems may share controllers, software and power equipment, so the final project is designed as a system rather than multiplied blindly by a door count.

• Reader and credential technology
• Electric strike, maglock or existing hardware
• Cable route and finished-building access
• Door contact and request-to-exit devices
• Controller, power and battery capacity
• Automatic-door, gate or elevator coordination

CCTV: CAD $150–$450 per installed camera

The planning range includes the camera, standard installation and the camera’s share of the recorder or NVR and normal system components in the approved scope. Camera type, height, cable pathway, night performance, analytics, storage and network work affect the result.

A system price should also state the recording model. WeTech recommends a hybrid approach for many properties: recordings remain onsite while authorized users can securely view and manage the system remotely. This usually avoids a monthly recording fee while keeping practical remote access.

• On-premise: recording remains onsite, normally without a monthly recording fee
• Cloud: recordings are stored in a secure cloud service and may have a monthly fee
• Hybrid: recording remains onsite with authorized remote access and management; this is WeTech’s standard recommendation for many sites
• Recorder capacity, retention and hard-drive health
• Camera resolution, lens, low-light performance and analytics
• Existing coaxial, Ethernet, power and network condition

A specialty retrofit: modern IP cameras over suitable existing coax

Older analog systems often have coaxial cable already routed through finished walls, parkades and exterior areas. Where testing shows that cable and topology remain suitable, WeTech can use Ethernet-over-coax or IP-over-coax adapters to carry a modern IP-camera connection without replacing every cable run.

This is not assumed from appearance alone. We identify both cable ends, test condition and distance, verify power and bandwidth, and confirm the proposed adapter and camera combination. Mint in Surrey is a documented WeTech project where suitable existing coaxial infrastructure was retained during an Avigilon IP video upgrade.

Alarm systems: new installation CAD $1,000–$2,000

A new installed alarm planning range includes the control panel, standard sensors, app setup and installation within the approved scope. The number of doors, windows, motions, partitions and special detection zones changes equipment and labour.

A takeover of an existing alarm commonly falls around CAD $1,000–$1,500 before tax when the agreed scope includes suitable retained sensors, required equipment changes and app setup. Existing sensor condition, installer locks, programming access and communications can move the final price.

• Self-monitoring through the configured app can be provided without a monthly monitoring fee
• Professional monitoring through WeTech’s monitoring partners commonly falls around CAD $25–$35 per month before tax
• Monitoring price depends on the selected plan, communication path and provider
• The monitoring partner supplies the professional monitoring service

What makes a quote move up or down?

The biggest variables are usually hidden in the existing property: undocumented wiring, damaged cable, inaccessible pathways, unsuitable power, obsolete programming, unsupported cloud accounts, worn door hardware and integrations controlled by another trade.

A useful proposal separates confirmed inclusions, retained equipment, allowances, recurring fees and exclusions. That makes different bids easier to compare and reduces surprises after work begins.

• Number and type of entrances, doors, cameras, zones and units
• Usable existing infrastructure versus new cabling
• Occupied-building access and working-hour restrictions
• Network, power, battery and storage requirements
• Gate, automatic-door and elevator interfaces
• Resident, staff and management onboarding
• Third-party software, cloud, telephone or monitoring fees

How to get an accurate WeTech proposal

A short equipment count helps, but the site assessment turns the planning range into a property-specific scope.

1. Share the property type and the main security problem.
2. Identify the current intercom, access-control, CCTV or alarm equipment if known.
3. Count entrances, controlled doors, cameras, alarm zones, units, gates and elevators that may be in scope.
4. Arrange a site assessment so wiring, hardware, power, network and programming access can be checked.
5. Compare the final proposal by inclusions, exclusions, retained infrastructure, recurring fees and operating outcome—not only the headline number.