Last updated on March 25th, 2023
Fire alarm installation cost
The Checkatrade guarantee
When you book a job with Checkatrade, our guarantee covers you for up to 12 months. You can claim up to £1,000. Exclusions and T&Cs apply.
Not only is it important to have a fire alarm system in your home or commercial space, but it’s also equally important to make sure that it’s kept up-to-date.
We spoke to the online estimators at My Build Estimate – a professional estimating company monitored by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). They’ve provided us with their estimated average prices for fire alarm system installations in the UK.
How much does fire alarm installation cost?
| Fire alarm installation costs | Unit | Price range - Low | Price range - High | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery-powered fire alarms | Ea | £25 | £75 | £50 |
| Wired fire alarms | Ea | £150 | £250 | £200 |
| App-enabled fire alarms | Ea | £175 | £300 | £250 |
| Grade A fire alarm system | Per system | £1,750 | £3,000 | £2,500 |
| Commercial fire alarm system | Per m2 | £18 | £27 | £22.50 |
| Magnetic door release system | Ea | £175 | £250 | £200 |
| Manual call points/break glass | Ea | £100 | £200 | £150 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
The main factors affecting the cost of a fire alarm system and installation in the UK include:
- Size of the home or business
- The complexity of the alarm system
- The type of connection
- The time it takes to install
An average domestic fire alarm system installation will cost between £50 - £250 .
The prices shown in this guide don’t cover:
- making good of walls or ceilings for a cabled system
- trunking and containment for surface mounted cabled systems
- multiple units (in an average UK home you may need two or three units).
Smoke alarm installation cost
Nowadays there’s a range of fire alarm systems available at different prices and with varying features. To make things simple, we’ve laid out the average smoke detector installation cost for the different models available.
Battery-powered smoke alarm installation cost
Average battery-powered fire alarm system installation cost: £50
These are the most popular fire alarm systems for homeowners – commonly know as ‘smoke detectors’. They’re very easy to install and the cheapest option for your home.
You can connect different battery-powered detectors together so that when one is activated it will then set off others in a ‘daisy chain’ effect. This is particularly recommended in larger properties to ensure maximum safety.
The major downside of battery-powered fire alarm systems is that they’re completely dependent on the battery. If the battery dies then the system stops working, so it’s crucial to test them regularly.
Mains powered smoke alarm installation cost
Average wired fire alarm system installation cost: £200
A wired smoke alarm is a more robust system than the battery-powered option, as it is powered by mains electricity and also features a backup battery power supply.
Similar to battery-powered alarms, they can also be connected together to all sound when one of the detectors is activated.
App-enabled smoke alarm systems
Average app-enable fire alarm system installation cost: £250
The most modern version of a smoke alarm, this system will send a message straight to your phone so you’re immediately aware of a detector being activated.
Through the app, you can also turn the alarm off if you know it’s not a real fire or serious incident. And if you’re a real tech fan you can even connect the smoke alarm to a home camera system, such as Nest, for ultimate peace of mind.
Grade A fire alarm system cost
Average cost of a grade A fire alarm system: £2,500
In 2019, the British standard revised the fire alarm grading system and recommendations for fire alarm systems in domestic homes. Grade A is the most comprehensive type of fire alarm system available.
Grade A fire alarm systems have separate detectors, sounders and central control with indicating equipment and a backup power supply, e.g. a battery back-up.
Commercial fire alarm system costs
Commercial fire alarm systems by their nature are more complex and expensive systems to install. They generally cover much larger spaces and involve more zones than a domestic fire alarm system, as such the prices will often vary considerably.
An average commercial fire alarm system installation will cost around £22.50 per m2 for materials and labour.
Other elements that you might need to consider are:
- Magnetic door release and door holding devices – £200 (materials and labour)
- Manual call points/break glass points – £150 each
As you can see, the cost of smoke alarm installation varies depending on the make, model and setting in which you need it fitted. Further, the price will usually be affected by your location, with costs in London being higher.
Do I need to install a fire alarm system?
If you’re responsible for a business property then you are required by law to have a fully functioning fire alarm system in place. Also, if you’re a landlord then you are also required to have a smoke detector system in place.
For your own home, it’s not a legal requirement to have a fire alarm system, but it is strongly recommended for the safety of you and your family.
A fire alarm is invaluable as it:
- provides early warning of a potential fire
- gives occupants of a building time to escape in the event of a fire
- can reduce the extent of fire damage through early warning.
How long does it take to install a fire alarm system?
The time it takes to install your fire alarm system will depend on the type of system you choose, as some are much more complex than others.
On average it can range from two hours to more than one day.
Can I install my own fire alarm system?
If you’re installing a battery-powered alarm system then you should be able to easily and quickly do the job yourself. For any of the wired alarm systems, we would recommend hiring a local fire alarm expert to carry out the installation. That way you know it’s installed safely and securely.
Fire alarm cost calculator
To calculate the cost of installing a fire alarm you’ll need to consider the size of your home, the quantity of fire alarm units you’ll need, the type of fire alarm and how they will be connected (wired or battery-operated). In addition to the labour cost for the fire alarm installation, you’ll also want to factor in the cost of the alarm units themselves and any other materials required.
Fire alarm installation quote
We always recommend obtaining at least three quotes from our trusted tradespeople. Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes – you post details about the job you want doing and we’ll send it out to local tradespeople in your area. Try it out!
Fire alarm installation hourly rates
On average, an electrician will charge around £45 per hour to install a fire alarm. Though this rate will vary depending on the individual electrician, their experience and where you live in the country. To find out more, check out our guide to electrician hourly rates.
Useful fire alarm installation checklist
- Speak with local fire alarm system experts to get professional advice on which system is best suited for your home or commercial space.
- If installing the alarm system yourself, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- For complex fire alarm systems, hire a professional to carry out the installation.
- When hiring a local fire alarm expert, choose a tradesperson with experience and appropriate qualifications/accreditations.
- Shop around for fair and competitive prices for your fire alarm system installation.
The tick you can trust
8/10 homeowners would choose a tradesperson endorsed by Checkatrade over one who isn't*
Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021. *8 out of 10 people would choose a trade endorsed by Checkatrade compared to one that isn’t endorsed.
Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021. *8 out of 10 people would choose a trade endorsed by Checkatrade compared to one that isn’t endorsed.
No comments yet!