Home/Alarms & Security/Guides/Home Fire Safety — UK Cost & Compliance Guide

Sort your home fire safety.

Smoke, heat and CO alarms fitted to BS 5839-6 and the 2022 regs. Interlinked, mains-wired where required.

Where is the job?
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
20,000+UK homeowners
50,000Quotes sent
Keep going

Hire a security installer. Graded, certified, insured.

Read the brief on grades, monitoring contracts and wired vs wireless — then let Three local installers quote.

Instant
01 · Ask

Alarm, CCTV, smart lock — or all?

Different threats, different solutions. Describe your concerns and the AI tells you which security stack fits.

Free
02 · Read the brief

Walk in informed

Alarm grades, monitoring tiers, CCTV resolution + ONVIF, smart-lock standards. Know what insurance requires.

60 seconds
03 · Compare

Compare 3 installer quotes

Three local installers quote on the same spec — equipment grade, monitoring, install — so you don't trade security for price.

Ready when you are

Enter your postcode and get free quotes from local pros.

Get security quotes
Top tips

Hiring a alarms & security, without the regret.

Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.

Grade 2 minimum for insurance.

Most insurers require NACOSS / SSAIB Grade 2 alarm certification. Lesser systems often invalidate your insurance — and £200 is the worst place to save money.

Wired beats wireless for reliability.

Hardwired alarm zones don't run out of battery, don't drift signal, don't get jammed. New builds are easy to wire; retrofits go wireless for practicality.

Get the monitoring contract terms.

Police-response, keyholder-response, monitored, unmonitored — different prices, different speeds. Read what triggers what before signing.

Test once a month yourself.

Alarms develop faults. Set up a monthly test routine — most reputable installers tell you how during commissioning.

Costs & timeline

Know what it costs. Know when it ends.

Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.

Cost range

By job type

Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Bells-only alarm (wireless, 3-bed)
£400–£900
Monitored alarm system
£600–£1.5k
Monitoring contract (annual)
£120–£350
CCTV install (4-camera HD)
£600–£1.8k
Smart lock install
£200–£600
Whole-house security package
£1.5k–£5k
!

Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.

At a glance

The Alarms & Security briefing.

Infographic · Video
Infographic

Alarms & Security quick-view

Home Fire Safety — UK Cost & Compliance Guide infographic
Video guide

Alarms & Security explained

From 2022, all UK rented homes must have a smoke alarm on every storey and a CO alarm in every room with a solid-fuel or fixed combustion appliance. Owner-occupiers should match the same standard.

What's involved

  • Survey — number of storeys, room types, fuel sources
  • Fit mains-wired interlinked alarms (Grade D) for new builds and rentals
  • Battery-only alarms (Grade F) acceptable for existing owner-occupied
  • Fit CO alarms within 1–3m of each combustion appliance
  • Heat alarms in kitchens (avoids smoke alarms over hobs)

Typical UK costs (2026)

ItemCost
Battery smoke alarm fitted (per head)£35–£70
Mains-wired interlinked alarm system (3-bed)£280–£550
CO alarm fitted£35–£75
Heat alarm fitted (kitchen)£55–£120
Fire extinguisher (kitchen)£35–£90
FD30 fire door fitted£450–£900

What to check

BS 5839-6 is the relevant standard. Grade D1 (mains + 10-year sealed battery) is recommended for rentals and HMOs. Always interlink across storeys.

This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.

NEWAI Trade Assistant

Got more questions
about alarms & security?

Ask follow-ups in plain English. The AI explains options, sequencing and what to ask the alarms & security — so you walk in informed.

I'm planning a job. Should I be looking for an alarms & security?
Sounds like a job for alarms & security. Tell me what you're trying to do — I'll walk you through costs, timeline and what to ask before they start.
FREE QUOTES60 SECONDS