The short answer
A fitted four-camera CCTV system in the UK typically costs around £500 to £1,500, depending on the camera resolution, the recorder, the hard drive size and how awkward the property is to cable. A budget setup with 2MP cameras and a small recorder sits at the lower end; a mid-range system with 4MP-to-5MP cameras and good night vision sits in the middle; and a premium 4K system with colour night vision, analytics and a large hard drive can run to £2,000 or more. The price includes the four cameras, the DVR or NVR recorder, a hard drive, cabling and the installer's labour, which is usually around a day on site. These are typical UK ranges for guidance, not quotations.
A four-camera system is the most common choice for a typical home, covering the front, back and main approaches. The figures below are typical UK ranges for guidance, not quotations.
Typical 4-camera figures
- Common fitted rangearound £500–£1,500
- Premium 4K build£2,000 or more
- Time on siteroughly a day
- Coversfront, back and side approaches
- Includes4 cameras, recorder, hard drive, cabling, setup
What a 4-camera system typically costs
Four cameras is the sweet spot for many homes because it covers the points that matter — the front door, the rear, and the two side approaches or the driveway — without over-spending on coverage you don't need. The fitted price spans a wide band because the components inside it vary so much. At the budget end, 2-megapixel cameras and a basic four-channel recorder with a modest hard drive keep the cost down, giving a useful deterrent and watchable footage in good light. This tier suits a homeowner who wants visible cameras and recorded coverage on a tight budget.
The mid-range is where most homeowners land. Here the cameras step up to 4MP or 5MP, giving clearer images and more usable detail, with better infrared or starlight night vision so the footage is still helpful after dark. The recorder and hard drive are sized for a few weeks of retention, and the install is tidier, with concealed cabling and proper configuration of motion zones and the phone app. This tier balances cost against the genuine usefulness of the footage, which is what most people are really paying for.
At the premium end, four 4K cameras with colour night vision, wide dynamic range and onboard analytics — person and vehicle detection to cut false alerts — sit on a higher-end NVR with a large surveillance-grade hard drive for longer retention. Features such as active deterrence (a built-in light and speaker) and two-way audio add further cost. This tier is for homeowners who want evidence-grade detail, the ability to identify rather than just notice, and a system that will not need upgrading soon.
| Tier | Typical spec | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | 2MP cameras, basic recorder | deterrent and watchable daytime footage |
| Mid-range | 4MP–5MP, good night vision | clear, usable footage day and night |
| Premium | 4K, colour night vision, analytics | evidence-grade detail and fewer false alerts |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote CCTV cost guides.
What moves a 4-camera price up or down
Within the four-camera range, several factors decide where a particular quote lands. Resolution and features are the largest: the jump from 2MP to 4K, or adding colour night vision and analytics, raises the per-camera cost across all four units, which adds up quickly. Storage is the next: a bigger hard drive for longer retention costs more, and higher-resolution cameras fill storage faster, so the two are linked — a 4K system needs a larger drive than a 2MP one to hold the same number of days.
The property is the other big variable. A modern house with cavity walls, loft access and a clear route to each camera position is straightforward to cable, keeping labour modest. An older property with solid masonry, no loft, multiple storeys or a detached garage to cover takes longer, and may need access equipment for high mounting points. Whether the system is wired or wireless also matters: wired is the norm for reliable continuous recording, but cabling a finished house adds time; a Wi-Fi system fits faster but depends on signal strength and still needs power at each camera.
Finally, who installs it affects both cost and confidence. A general handyman may be cheaper than an installer registered with the NSI or SSAIB or vetted through Checkatrade, but the scheme member works to a recognised standard, configures the system properly, and is more likely to satisfy an insurer. For a four-camera system that you rely on for security, the configuration and positioning are as important as the hardware, so a competent install is worth paying for. Spending the same money on four well-placed mid-range cameras usually beats four cheaper ones in the wrong positions.
What's included and what to check
A four-camera quote should be a complete supply-and-fit package, but the scope can vary, so it is worth confirming what is in it. A full quote covers the four cameras and their specification, the recorder and its channel count, the hard drive size and the retention it gives, all cabling and connectors, mounting and weatherproofing, configuration of recording schedules and motion zones, and setting up remote viewing on your phone. It should also include a handover where the installer shows you how to play back footage and export a clip if needed.
When comparing quotes, make sure they describe the same system. A cheaper quote may use lower-resolution cameras, a smaller hard drive, or exclude making-good after cabling — none of which is obvious from the headline price. Ask specifically about the hard drive size and how many days of footage it holds, because a system that only keeps a few days may overwrite the evidence you need before you notice an incident. Also ask whether any cloud storage subscription is involved, as some systems carry a recurring fee that a locally-recording wired system avoids.
Beyond the fitting price, factor in the small running and maintenance costs of ownership: the electricity to power four cameras and a recorder around the clock, and the occasional service to clean lenses, check the hard drive and confirm footage is still recording. These are modest, but they are part of the true cost of a four-camera system. Taken together, the install plus a realistic view of running costs gives a clearer picture than the headline figure alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is four cameras enough for a typical house?
For most homes, yes. Four cameras commonly cover the front door, the rear, and the two side approaches or the driveway, which captures the main entry points. Larger or more complex properties, or homes wanting overlapping coverage, often step up to six or eight cameras.
What hard drive size do I need for a 4-camera system?
It depends on the camera resolution and how many days you want to keep. Higher-resolution 4K cameras fill storage much faster than 2MP ones, so a 4K four-camera system needs a larger drive than a budget one to hold the same retention. Ask the installer to size it for your desired number of days.
Should I buy a 4-channel or 8-channel recorder for four cameras?
If you are confident you'll never add more cameras, a 4-channel recorder is enough. But an 8-channel recorder costs only a little more and lets you add cameras later without replacing the recorder, which is usually the more economical choice if there's any chance of expanding.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific property and system. They are guidance, not a quotation.