Smart Lock System Costs

When it’s time to upgrade your entryways with new hardware and perhaps an all-new smart lock access control system, cost will be a major factor. And we’re not going to lie to you: It can get pricey quickly. Of course, you’re talking about securing your people and property. You don’t want to skimp, but you also have to be realistic about your budget. Without knowing the specifics of your project, it’s not possible to lead you to an exact-dollar amount for your building. Nonetheless, we can still help you get a realistic picture of the cost of a new access control system.

A Quick Preview

There is a lot to understand about what goes into any given door as part of a total access control system strategy, which makes it difficult to give you hard numbers up front. Without adequate context, you won’t understand where the figures come from.

We also know how irritating it is to read 1,000-plus words before someone finally answers your question in an article. 

So, the following chart gives you a ballpark average cost, per door, for different lock types.

In what follows, we will unpack where those costs come from.

A Brief Overview of Access Control Systems

Let’s make sure we are talking about the same things, here. Simply put, an access control system is the strategy you use to secure your entryways. This term would be overkill if we were still in the days of deadbolts and barrier arms. But in today’s high-tech era of electronic locks and integrated digital networks, we really do think in terms of a larger system.

Understanding the Types of Access Control System

We can broadly classify access control systems as either mechanical or electronic. An electronic system still has mechanical parts, but the key differentiator is that they use an energy source for some part of their operation.

But we can also break down these systems further:

1. Mechanical Lock & Key  Your traditional physical lockset apparatus operated with a key. 
2. Keypads  The user enters a code to gain entry.
3. Intercoms or Buzzers  The user rings a buzzer or bell and is allowed in when an operator verifies them visually or verbally.
4. Key Cards or Key Fobs  The lock detects a user’s card or fob to grant access.
5. Biometrics  The user achieves verification by presenting some part of themselves for identification, e.g., their fingerprint, palm, face, or iris.
6. Smartphone App  Each user’s smartphone becomes their access key.

We can also distinguish access control systems by connectivity:

Standalone systems operate at the physical location of the entryway or door. Think keys, fobs, and keypads.

Integrated systems are linked to a centralized or cloud-based software that allows for remote administration as well as data collection and reporting. 

While standalone systems are cheaper than integrated systems, the latter offer far greater convenience and have features that can aid in investigating a security breach. 

Components of an Access Control System

The cost of an access control system will obviously depend on how complex the parts are. Most access control systems today consist of most of the following:

• Lock hardware
• Door reader
• Door controller
• Access control accessories such as motion sensors or cameras
• Software and/or license(s)

Each of these components comes in a range of qualities and capabilities, with corresponding costs. You may have several options for each component, but most integrated access control systems will use at least these parts.

Factors Affecting Total Access Control System Cost

In addition to the type and complexity of system you want, several other factors can affect your overall cost. In our experience, most of the following typically come into play:

Quantity or Volume of Purchase 

Like many things, there are often cost benefits when you invest in larger quantities at once. This includes volume discounts for hardware as well as labor savings when multiple units can be installed as part of the same project or visit.

Size of Your Facility 

Besides the sheer number of entryways involved in your project, larger facilities or properties may present obstacles that require time and equipment to overcome. 

Size of Your Company 

This is slightly different than volume because it concerns the software. Larger companies will need to purchase software capable of handling all their user accounts or pay for more licenses, which tend to cost per user.

Expertise of Your Installer 

Shoddy workmanship on the best access control system can undermine the integrity of the system and thus expose you to security risks and likely cost you extra time and money getting things properly installed. And you’d be surprised how often the “quick and dirty” installer can botch even the simplest mechanical lock setup.

Size of Your Vendor 

Larger vendors tend to have more inventory ready to go and to be able to quickly procure additional materials when needed. Smaller vendors may take longer, adding to the overall project duration and costing you money in wasted productivity.

Integration 

This is a factor within complexity worth mentioning. If you have existing security such as cameras or alarms — or intend to include them as part of the project — and you wish to integrate them with your access control system, this will add an element of time and expertise.

Customization 

Most software for access control systems comes usable “out of the box.” However, you may wish to customize it for your specific needs. Expect more cost the more customization you require.

In-House Expertise 

If you have a solid grasp of access control systems as well as project management — or you have folks on staff that do — then you may be able to negotiate much of the install, setup, and even maintenance on your own. If you do not, then it will be worth it to pay the extra for expert assistance.

Server Location

Integrated access control systems require a dedicated computer server, which you can either host on-site or pay for a cloud-based service. On-premise systems appear cheaper up front but require someone with expertise to maintain and service them, who will either be a team member or a third-party contractor. Cloud-based systems are entirely managed by a third party, who is responsible for updates and routine maintenance. Cloud-based systems boast the additional advantage of offering remote access for system administrators.

Urgency  

If you’re asking your contractors and vendors to move quickly to meet a deadline, it’s reasonable to expect a surcharge for the extra sweat and late hours they will need to put in to make that happen.

Advice on Sourcing Your Own Materials

If you get on the internet and start searching, chances are you will find similar materials to those offered by your contractor for lower prices. This will likely tempt you into trying to save on materials costs by sourcing them on your own. 

You have every right to do so, of course — it’s your project and your building. However, we recommend you think twice before doing so. Sourcing your own materials means accepting greater overall risk and possibly incurring greater expense in the long term.

Contractors typically form relationships with vendors and distributors over time built on trust and respect. They believe in the quality of the materials they’re getting, and they can adapt to surprises and roadblocks more quickly on the strength of that relationship. 

By contrast, they can’t vouch for the quality of materials you provide, and if there’s a snag in delivery or materials are missing or damaged, it will fall on you to fix that problem.

Moreover, your contractor knows the materials they’re getting. They’ve worked with them many times before, and they can install them quickly and securely.

This may not be true of materials you provide.

Perhaps most importantly, a contractor may not guarantee the quality or even the work involved in installing materials you provide. For materials they trust, they will likely offer some form of warranty or guarantee. 

In other words, source your own materials at your own risk!

Putting Numbers to Your Access Control System Costs

We now have a sufficient context for understanding the complexity of designing and purchasing an access control system. Hopefully, this will help you appreciate why the numbers we’ll look at vary so widely.

We can broadly break down the costs of the different access control systems, per door, like so:

Some of those numbers may seem daunting, especially if your building or property has a lot of doorways. Keep in mind that not every door will require the same hardware or integration.

Typically, exterior doors have the most secure locks, followed by interior doors protecting highly valuable property or information. These may have advanced biometric controls, while most other interior doors may only require key cards or smartphones. Many interior doors will not need locks at all. 

Furthermore, you might choose different levels of quality for different doors within the same access control system category. That is, you may have 10 doors for which you want a biometric lock. But perhaps only four of those are exterior doors, for which you may want to spend on the upper end of the scale. For the remaining six, you may decide a low- or middle-tier product will suffice.

To estimate your total costs, then, make a list of all the doors that will require some form of access control system, i.e., a lock. Then determine what type of system each door should have. Finally, determine the price you’re willing to pay for each door’s lock system.

“Hidden” Costs of Installing an Access Control System

In the interests of transparency, it’s worth mentioning some unmentioned costs that can surprise customers at some stage of any installation project. These costs sometimes concern unpredictable events or factors outside the control of your contractor or vendor.

• Contractor markup  We touched on this regarding sourcing materials. Some of the materials cost will reflect standard markups your contractor adds to line items to cover their overhead and ensure they make some profit from the project. Think of expenses like licensing, insurance, vehicle and equipment maintenance, administrative staff, etc.
• Unforeseen materials and shipping costs  Special orders placed during the project will add to the originally quoted price.
• Network or electric infrastructure upgrades  Electronic lock systems require, at minimum, an energy source, and integrated systems require adequate network capacity. Think about it: Each connected smart lock is an additional device on your network. If you’re making a significant upgrade to your access control systems, like switching from mechanical locks to biometrics across a large campus, you may need to upgrade your wi-fi network to handle the additional devices. Even standalone electronic locks may require new wiring.
    At Anderson Lock, our electronic access control team has been factory trained and certified to install Schlage wireless readers, which can help avoid costly rewiring.
• Administration  All locks require administration, but the more complex the lock, the greater the expertise required to administer it. Minimally, you’ll need someone on your team who can be the point person for managing the system, including assigning and revoking credentials, programming keypads, and scheduling maintenance and repair. The larger the system, the larger this job will be.

Concluding Thoughts: Find a Trusted Expert

Gone are the days when a deadbolt on every door was considered high-level security. Today’s security needs have become more sophisticated and complex. It’s what your team and visitors both expect and deserve.

But you don’t have to make every decision on your own. Any vendor worth their salt will offer you trustworthy guidance through the whole process — at least, that’s what we believe at Anderson Lock. Your access control system will be one of the most important purchases you will make for your organization; it’s worth taking the time to find a trusted expert to make sure you get it right.

Contact us today to talk to an access control system expert about your project. You’ll feel better knowing you’re working with the Chicagoland region’s premiere smart lock system installer.