Access Control Cost Calculator UK | ACCL
💡How to use this tool: set your door count and lock type per door, then choose a Paxton system and credential types on the left. Your cost estimate updates instantly on the right.

Project scope

6
Net2 Plus: up to 500 doors · Windows PC/server required · one-off licence
50
Cardholders / fob / mobile app users
15%

Door hardware configuration

Set the lock type and credential method for each door. All doors receive 2 × Cat6A data drops.

Credentials & readers

Select all credential types used across the site — costs calculated per user / per door.
Proximity card / key fob
Paxton 10 token · ISO 14443A MIFARE
PIN pad reader
Keypad + card combo readers
Mobile app / BLE credential
Paxton mobile credential · iOS & Android
Biometric reader
Fingerprint / face recognition reader
理

Intercom & video entry

Include intercom / video entry
Audio or audio-video panel at entry doors

Unit rates (ex-VAT)

Edit to match your actual costs — all figures recalculate instantly.
Cabling
Door hardware
Controllers & readers
Intercom
Service
At a glance

Door schedule — hardware layout

Maglock Mag bolt Electric strike

Cat6A cabling schedule

Each controlled door receives 2 × Cat6A drops to patch panel — one for the door controller / reader, one for the lock/exit device. Intercom doors receive an additional Cat6A drop for the door station. All runs Fluke DSX certified to BS EN 50173 / ISO IEC 11801 with ACCL’s +3dB installation margin.

Cost breakdown

ItemQtyUnitTotal
Indicative estimate only — not a formal quotation. Cat6A cabling includes 2 drops per controlled door to patch panel, Fluke DSX certified to BS EN 50173 / ISO IEC 11801. ACCL installs to +3dB margin above standard. Paxton software pricing: Switch2 hardware-only (no PC); Net2 Solo/Plus/Enterprise — one-off licence; Net2 10 & Paxton 10 — annual SaaS. Maglocks require a clean break on fire alarm — confirm with fire officer. Biometric readers require a GDPR Data Protection Impact Assessment. All prices ex-VAT. Active Communication Company Ltd · Reg. 3464754 · VAT 707090550 · BICSI & SSAIB accredited · Paxton approved installer.

Ready for a fixed-price access control quotation?

Free site survey · Paxton Net2 & Switch2 specialists · SSAIB accredited · London, Kent, Surrey & South East

0333 900 0101
Explore our other free calculators
Data cabling cost Wi-Fi installation CCTV installation Cable fill PoE budget

How this access control cost calculator works

Use ACCL’s access control cost calculator to build an early budget for a commercial door entry system, including controlled doors, locks, readers, credentials, Paxton access control systems, Cat6A cabling, commissioning and optional video intercoms.

The estimate updates as you change the number of doors, hardware type, user count, credential method, Paxton platform and intercom requirements. It is intended for initial planning and business-case development rather than as a formal quotation.

A site survey is still required to confirm door construction, lock suitability, fire-alarm release and emergency egress, cable routes, power supplies, network requirements and the existing security infrastructure.

For ACCL’s wider survey, design, installation and commissioning service, visit our commercial access control installation page.

What affects access control installation costs?

The main cost drivers are the number of controlled doors, the lock and door hardware required, reader type, number of users, controller platform, cabling routes, power supplies, fire-alarm integration and whether intercom or video-entry equipment is included.

A simple internal door may require a different solution from an external entrance, fire escape, glass door, turnstile or high-security area. Maglocks, magnetic bolts and electric strikes also have different installation, door-preparation and safety requirements.

The selected management platform affects both the initial specification and ongoing operation. Standalone, networked and cloud-managed systems suit different estates, so review our guide to choosing the right access control system before final specification.

Where access control needs to work with surveillance or alarms, see our guide to integrating CCTV, access control and alarm systems.

If biometric readers are being considered, read ACCL’s biometric access control buyer’s guide and the ICO’s official biometric access-control guidance before specification.

For independent security-planning guidance, the NPSA Automatic Access Control Systems guidance explains the role of credentials, controllers, logging and layered physical security.

ACCL’s free site survey confirms the door schedule, safe means of escape, equipment positions, controller capacity, network connectivity and practical installation approach before a fixed-price quotation is prepared.

Ready to validate your access control estimate?

Book a free ACCL site survey to confirm the door schedule, lock hardware, readers, cabling, controller platform, fire-alarm interface and intercom requirements before formal quotation.

Book Your Free Site Survey
`;const win = window.open('', '_blank'); if (!win) { const blob = new Blob([html], { type: 'text/html' }); const url = URL.createObjectURL(blob); const a = document.createElement('a'); a.href = url; a.download = 'ACCL-AccessControl-Estimate-' + ref + '.html'; a.click(); URL.revokeObjectURL(url); return; } win.document.open(); win.document.write(html); win.document.close(); win.addEventListener('load', () => { setTimeout(() => { win.focus(); win.print(); }, 600); }); }
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

How this structured cabling cost calculator works

This structured cabling cost calculator gives facilities managers, IT teams and project leads an early estimate for a commercial installation. It uses the number of data points, cable category, building type, floors served, additional infrastructure and required delivery timescale to provide an indicative project range.

It is designed for initial budgeting, business-case planning and early conversations around office moves, refurbishments, technology upgrades and expansion projects. It is not a fixed quotation.

For detailed UK pricing guidance, including cost-per-point benchmarks, specification considerations and quote-comparison advice, read our Structured Cabling Cost UK guide. That guide covers the broader research stage, while this calculator is designed to help you estimate a live project.

What can affect the final project cost?

The number of outlets is only one part of the scope. Final pricing can also be affected by the building layout, cable routes, containment, riser access, floor voids, working hours, occupied areas and programme constraints.

Additional infrastructure can also change the project scope. This may include fibre backbone links between floors or cabinets, Wi-Fi access point cabling, CCTV infrastructure, access control cabling and comms cabinet upgrades.

The calculator provides a sensible starting point. ACCL’s free site survey then confirms the practical details, including cable routes, cabinet locations, containment requirements, access restrictions, testing requirements and the most appropriate installation approach.

For a more detailed planning checklist, see our Cabling Project Cost Factors and Budget Checklist.

Choosing Cat6 or Cat6A

Cat6 is suitable for many standard office networks and lower-demand environments. Cat6A is typically the stronger long-term option where a business expects higher bandwidth, denser Wi-Fi, increased PoE demand, 10Gb capability or future expansion.

The right choice depends on the devices, network requirements, building layout and expected lifecycle of the installation. ACCL can advise on the appropriate cable category as part of the survey and design process.

For further guidance, read When to Upgrade Your Office to Cat6A.

From indicative estimate to formal quotation

Every ACCL installation is planned around the building, programme and technical requirements of the project. Following a free site survey, we can provide a defined scope, installation approach and formal quotation.

Projects can include structured data cabling, fibre backbone links, Wi-Fi access point cabling, CCTV infrastructure, access control cabling, comms cabinets, testing, certification and handover documentation as one coordinated delivery.

Explore our Structured Data Cabling service to understand the full ACCL delivery process, from survey and design through to installation, Fluke DSX-8000 certification and documentation.

ACCL designs and installs structured cabling systems with reference to recognised installation and quality-assurance standards, including BS EN 50174-1. Our testing approach uses Fluke Networks DSX CableAnalyzer equipment to certify installed copper cabling systems.

Ready to validate your estimate?

Book a free ACCL site survey to turn your indicative range into a defined scope, practical installation plan and formal quotation.

Book Your Free Site Survey

Get in touch today

Have a no-obligation chat with one of our data cabling experts, who can recommend a solution to suit your requirements and budget.

0333 900 0101 sales@network-data-cabling.co.uk Contact us

Frequently Asked Questions – (FAQs)

Q. How accurate is the access control cost calculator?

It provides an indicative estimate based on the door count, lock types, readers, users, Paxton platform, cabling and optional intercom equipment selected. A final quotation requires a site survey to confirm each door, cable route, power supply and integration requirement.

Q. What is normally included in an access control installation?

A typical installation can include locks, readers, request-to-exit devices, emergency door-release units, controllers, power supplies, credentials, structured cabling, software configuration, testing, commissioning and user training. The exact scope depends on the door and system design.

Q. How much does access control cost per door?

There is no reliable single price per door because the lock type, door construction, reader, controller, cabling, fire-alarm interface and installation conditions can vary significantly. The calculator produces a more useful estimate from the selected hardware and project requirements.

Q. Which lock type should I choose?

The correct choice depends on the door, frame, required security, usage level, fire strategy and whether the lock should fail safe or fail secure. ACCL confirms lock suitability during the site survey rather than specifying one hardware type for every opening.

Q. Can access control be connected to the fire alarm?

Yes, where required by the fire strategy. Fail-safe locking arrangements commonly require a suitable release interface so escape routes remain available during an alarm or power failure. The final design should be agreed with the responsible fire-safety parties.

Q. Can the system use cards, fobs, PINs or mobile credentials?

Yes. Commercial systems can support proximity cards, key fobs, keypad credentials and mobile access. The best option depends on security requirements, user management, convenience, replacement processes and the selected platform.

Q. Does access control require network cabling?

Networked controllers, readers and IP intercoms may require structured cabling and network connectivity. The design may also require dedicated power, cabinet capacity, switching, VLAN configuration and links between buildings or floors.

Q. Can access control integrate with CCTV and video entry?

Yes. Depending on the chosen platforms, access events can be associated with CCTV footage, intercom calls and visitor-entry workflows. Integration requirements should be identified during design so compatible products and network infrastructure are specified.