Like many other products, you can find inexpensive door control devices on Amazon, but it’s essential to know what you’re getting and whether it meets your requirements. If you search online, you might find a door access control kit for $80 to $125 per door. At first glance, that sounds like a bargain. But before clicking “Buy Now,” it’s essential to ask: Is that the real cost of an access control system?
Let’s take a closer look.
What Do You Actually Get for $80–$125? These budget kits typically include:A basic keypad or card reader, an electric strike or magnetic lock, a power supply, andsometimes a few access cards or key fobs.
Does the system meet your needs? You may get the door lock hardware, but will it fit on your door? Commercial buildings have a range of door types, including glass doors, aluminum-framed doors, double doors, and fire-rated steel doors. The inexpensive locks may not be compatible with your doors. There are many other things to consider.
There are many other things to consider before estimating the cost of an Access Control System.
The Access Control System may be suitable for controlling the entry of a few people, but what if you have a large organization with a variety of doors to manage and a need to determine when and where people can enter? How will you manage the system?
Low-cost kits lack software or come with primitive tools that don’t scale. There’s no way to monitor multiple doors, configure access levels, or produce audit reports for compliance. Inexpensive door readers often use PIN codes that do not provide the level of security you may need.
Credentials can include physical cards that we carry, a PIN we enter, or even the physical aspect of a person (biometrics such as fingerprint or facial recognition). You can choose from card credentials that we carry in our pocket, mobile credentials that utilize our smartphones, and biometric readers that identify a person rather than the credential they carry.
Card credentials cost between $3 and $5 per card, while biometric credentials, which identify a person’s face, palm, fingerprint, or other biometric aspects, incur no additional cost. To learn more about the best credentials for your access control system, please read our article, Comparison of Door Access Credentials.
Managing access for a few people is one thing. But if your organization has dozens or hundreds of employees, you’ll need a centralized Access Control Management System to enroll users, assign permissions, and revoke credentials. Schedules are used to determine when, where, and who can enter. Event logs are used to record who entered and when they entered.
Access Control Management software can also integrate with IP Camera Systems, Intercoms, Visitor Management Systems, elevators, and other systems.
Installation is one of the most overlooked costs in access control systems. It’s not easy to mount the electric locks correctly on the door, run the wires, power the system, integrate it with fire alarm controls, IP camera systems, and elevator controls.
Hiring a certified installer can cost between $500 and $1,000 per door, depending on thecomplexity. DIY installation may be possible, but only if you have the time, the necessary tools, and the required electrical skills. Also, be aware of the local codes that govern access control systems and fire alarms.
Key considerations include the type of door readers, the type of controller, the type of electric door lock, local compliance and regulations, and user management. You can learn more about things to consider by reading our article, Access Control Considerations. Here’s a summary of things to consider.
The door reader is one factor that can determine security, ease of use, and recurring costs. For example, biometric readers, such as face recognition, are the most expensive to buy but provide the highest level of security because they recognize a person rather than the credentials they carry. You save money because you don’t have to purchase card credentials. To learn more about the best door reader, please look at our article, Door Readers for IP Access Control Systems.
The type of electric lock depends on the kind of door you have. Some doors can use the electric strike, while others require a magnetic lock. It is essential to inspect each of your doors to determine the best type of lock. The electric locks range in price between $400 and $700. Please read our article, Access Control Electric Locks: Mags versus Strikes to learn more.
The door controller is a crucial component of the access control system. It can be a separate device or embedded inside the door reader. The controller provides the intelligence for a door access control system. One or more door readers connect to a controller. The access controller receives the person’s ID number from the door reader, matches the credential to the list of approved users, and then opens the electric lock. The type of controller can impact the installation cost of your system.
Controllers can cost between $800 and $2400, depending on the number of door readers they control. To learn more, read Controllers for Access Control.
The real cost of an access control system isn’t just in the hardware; it also includes planning, installation, credentials, management software, and long-term security. You’re investing in security benefits, scalability, user convenience, and management control. It’s not just a door lock. For a small business with 5 doors and 50 employees, the total installed cost can range from $10,000 to $25,000 or more, especially if you choose a scalable, secure, and professionally managed system.
If you’re serious about controlling access across your organization, it’s wise to consult with professionals, compare solutions, and look beyond the Amazon price tag.
If you would like help selecting your access control system, please get in touch with us at 914-944-3425 or use our contact form.
A bum comes up to me in the street and says I haven’t had a…
AI Servers to IP Cameras, Access Control, and IP Paging: Power is Critical Power for…
What is the Best Lens for Your Surveillance Camera Camera Lens election The camera lens…
An old man in a candy store sees a strange bottle in the back room.…
Where should I place my cameras? Where to Install Cameras Before purchasing your IP camera…
Too Loud, Too Quiet, Just Right Paging Sound Levels It’s not easy to ensure that…